Introduction to Institute of Hospitality

Monday, 27 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Roshan Perera, FIH From hoteliers, restaurateurs and contract caterers, to technology providers, the armed forces and government, the institute’s members embrace a multitude of disciplines. We are united by a common goal to promote professionalism, best practice and reputation in hospitality, leisure and tourism.

At the Institute of Hospitality, you’re in good company. We understand your business is people because ours is too. We’re proud to be the professional network of choice for thousands of the hospitality industry’s most inspirational talents. We’ve been the industry’s leading network, helping to grow talent and accelerate professional development for more than 70 years. Ours is the respected interface between education and industry for the development, mobility and recruitment of skilled labour in hospitality, leisure and tourism. The institute’s vast vault of exclusive management resources, influential publications, professional development, qualifications, member services, business partners, and national and regional events are the solution to your personal and business success. Our philosophy is simple but integral to every aspect of what we do. The Institute of Hospitality promotes the highest professional standards of management and education in hospitality, leisure and tourism and our membership spans more than 100 countries worldwide. Professional recognition Fellows, Members and Associates are eligible to use a designation – FIH, MIH, AIH. All are an industry-recognised acknowledgement of the level of professional experience you have achieved. There is also an affiliate grade for students and those with an interest in our industry. Knowledge is power The Institute’s Information Services provides support for all your information needs. Institute members have exclusive access to a unique collection of quality hospitality resources supplemented by an enquiry service, which can help find answers to hospitality queries – fast! Take advantage of the institute’s free e-resources including a specialist e-journal collection of globally recognised hospitality and business publications. Dip into an extensive collection of e-books covering all sectors of the industry as well as academia, business, career development and much more. For further specialist knowledge, download the regularly published Institute Management Guides written by industry experts and don’t forget to follow the bite-size hospitality industry updates available on the Institute’s social media forums. Be qualified The Institute of Hospitality’s suite of management qualifications has been developed to provide the underpinning knowledge required for sound management and leadership within all key areas of business in hospitality. Available to both the UK and international education market, they focus on providing leadership and business skills, career progression and specialist subject knowledge, while promoting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and career progression opportunities. Students We will support your studies through our online resources and provide unique benefits to save you money and advance your future career prospects. Professional advice Get professional advice when you need it most. Your solution to people management, business and legal issues is just a phone call or a click away. Fellows and Members are eligible for a free, confidential helpline call each year and all Institute of Hospitality members can get easy, 24/7 web access to free customisable policy and contract templates, HR guides and a detailed monthly legislation update. News and communications Understand the pressing issues challenging the industry, via our regular and influential news bulletins and publications, free to members: Hospitality magazine A leading quarterly management magazine reporting on innovation, winning business techniques, industry trends and developments from all sectors of the hospitality industry worldwide, also available online. Insight e-news A monthly bulletin with news and advice on topics including customer relations, people management, finance, resources and training. Know-how e-news A bi-monthly bulletin focussed on continuing professional development, education, business and regular free management guides. Network and share ideas Dozens of opportunities exist to forge business and social relationships with colleagues new and old. When you join you’ll be invited to connect with your local Institute of Hospitality network. Our Annual Chairman’s Black Tie Dinner attracts over 300 hospitality professionals and the Institute’s International Conference and Exhibitions, business seminars, management briefings at trade shows and local venues you’ll never be short of inspiration. Advertising and recruitment Looking to recruit? Post online job advertisements on www.instituteofhospitality.org free of charge. Hospitality assured Hospitality Assured is a service sector standard, owned by the Institute of Hospitality, which provides an effective framework for customer-facing businesses to create an excellent service culture. It is the standard for service and business excellence in the hospitality industry, endorsed by the British quality Foundation and Quality Scotland. Unique privileges Members enjoy a wide range of services, which are specially negotiated and some are guaranteed best deal member rates. Choices range from utilities and telecoms to essential medical and travel insurance, professional mortgage advice and IT training, to an assortment of lifestyle benefits, including discounts on worldwide and UK hotel accommodation, health and fitness club membership and magazine subscriptions. You can save the cost of your membership and more each year, just by accessing these benefits. Membership is individual. The grade of membership for which you are eligible will depend on your level of experience and qualifications. Affiliate An affiliate may be a professional from another field of interest, such as human resources, health and safety, or other management sectors. Affiliate grade is also open to students studying for a hospitality qualification, or anyone working in hospitality, leisure and tourism. Associate (AIH) Associate members are entitled to use the designatory letters AIH. Applicants for the Associate grade of membership should meet one or more of the following criteria at the time of application: Qualifications: Achieved an Institute of Hospitality qualification, a degree, foundation degree, diploma or equivalent comparable qualification awarded by a recognised UK or international organisation. Industry Experience: Achieved industry experience in an entry level or supervisory management post in hospitality, leisure or tourism. Continuing Professional Development: Demonstrate evidence of an ongoing commitment to CPD. Member (MIH) Full corporate Members are entitled to use the designatory letters MIH and are awarded full voting rights and the ability to hold office at the Institute. Applicants for the Member grade of membership should meet the following criteria at the time of application: Qualifications: Achieved an Institute of Hospitality qualification, a degree, foundation degree, diploma or equivalent comparable qualification awarded by a recognised UK or international organisation. Industry Experience: Achieved industry experience in a management or senior management post in hospitality, leisure or tourism. Continuing Professional Development: Demonstrate evidence of an ongoing commitment to CPD and have gained and evidenced CPD points. Fellow (FIH) Our highest grade of membership entitles Fellows to use the prestigious designatory letters FIH. Professional wishing to be considered for Fellowship should contact the institute for information on how to apply. Education Membership Scheme (EMS) The scheme provides a unique collection of resources for the students of recognised or accredited academic institutions offering hospitality, leisure and tourism programs of study. EMS students on these programs are entitled to free access to the institute’s subject specialist librarians, e-books, e-journals and management guides. Business partner in Sri Lanka The Sri Lanka Chapter was successful in securing the institute’s qualification and educational programs offered in UK to Sri Lanka and the program is delivered by the Imperial Institute of Hospitality & Leisure through the Imperial Institute of Higher Education, Colombo 4. The following programs are available: Diploma in Management for International Hospitality & Tourism Diploma in Food & Beverage Management Diploma in Front Office Management Rest of the industry areas will be added early 2015. The program is headed by the Institute’s Past Chairman Mr Eraj Abeywardene – FIH as the course director. The program is available at a subsidised rate for the first three years in order to develop the required qualified personnel for Sri Lankan Hospitality business. Sri Lanka International Group Sri Lanka International Group consists of an executive committee and a national committee representing all regions and areas of hospitality industry in Sri Lanka. The group once selected as the best international group is involved in professional development activities and training for members and also in fellowship activities and among these a key event is ‘Chairman’s Annual Black Tie Dinner’ held this year under the distinguished patronage of H.E. John Rankin, British High Commissioner, guest of honour was Dr. D.S. Jayaweera, Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism and Prof. Chandi Jayawardena FIH who delivered the key note speech at this iconic event held annually. The Sri Lanka Chapter will launch its own website with opportunities for continuing professional development, advertising for jobs, referencing for job seekers and with very useful professional content early 2015. The next event is the international conference for hospitality professionals scheduled for May 2015 and the group has successfully organised many programmes of this nature in order to assist industry professionals, members and non members to continue professional development. Being a non-profit organisation working towards professional development and recognition for the Sri Lankan hoteliers, is working hand-in-hand with other trade associations such as Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association and Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association. The Institute of Hospitality, Sri Lanka International Group is the only association in the hospitality business recognised by the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka. Current Chairman of the Chapter is Sidath Kodikara FIH who is a founder member of the Sri Lanka International Group. The writer is Immediate Past Chairman – Sri Lanka Chapter, Institute of Hospitality For more information on the institute and its activities, write to Secretary IH Sri Lanka: [email protected].