International Hospitality Conference 2014 kicks off

Wednesday, 29 January 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The two-day International Hospitality Conference organised by the Institute of Hospitality, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka’s international group for industry professionals, began yesterday at The Kingsbury, Colombo. The Chief Guest at the opening was veteran hotelier Prema Cooray and special guests were The Kingsbury Managing Director Lalin Samarawickrema and Director/General Manager Sunil Dissanayake. Institute of Hospitality of Sri Lanka Chapter Chairman Roshan Perera and his team were present as well. This two-day certification program is part of the Institute of Hospitality’s Professional Development Assistance Program to its members and to the hospitality industry at large.

The conference kicked off with a focus on the vision for tourism in Sri Lanka with Trevor Mendis making a key presentation. This session was chaired by Conference Chair and Past Chairman Eraj Abeywardena with Chandra Mohotti, Prema Cooray and Lalin Samarawickrema serving as the panel of experts. The importance of effective destination marketing was dealt by Dilip Mudadeniya with the session moderated by Srilal Miththapala. Panel of experts for this session were Sujeewa Jayamanne, Zerney Packeer (SLAITO) and Eksath Wijeratne (CHSGA). Post lunch, the conference focussed on health and safety hygiene in the hospitality industry with a presentation by Priyadarshani Thalgaswatte. Abeywardena moderated this session involving Vijitha Perera, Mahinda Ratnayake, Gemunu Gunawardena and Dr. Christo Fernando as panel of experts. Final session on day one was on ‘Human resources perspective on service quality management’. Sunil Dissanayake made an insightful presentation at the session moderated by Asoka Jayawardene. The session saw Prof. Peter Jones, S. Anandaraj and Harshana Perera as panel of experts.

Today on day two, the International Hospitality Conference will take up a host of other issues as well. The morning session will focus on sustainable tourism with a presentation by Miththapala. Moderated by Keerthi Wickremasinghe this session will have Hiran Cooray and Chitral Jayatilake as panel of experts. Building your image as an employer/employee branding will be looked at as well with Dr. Alan Robertson making an expert presentation. S Anandaraj will moderate this session with Asoka Jayawardena, Hiran Serasinghe and Upul Gamage serving as experts. Importance of ‘Hospitality Education’ will be dealt by Prof. Peter Jones at a session moderated by Harsha Jayasinghe and panel of experts comprising Trevor Mendis, Wasula Wijegoonawardena and Samantha Gunaratne. In the evening the issue of talent challenges in the hospitality industry will be taken up by Dinesh Weerakkody at a session moderated by Renuka Jayamanne with panel of experts being Lalin Samarawickreama, Sunil Dissanayake and Mahinda Galagedera.