Second Tourism Awareness Program a tremendous success
Thursday, 13 February 2014 00:00
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The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) conducted the second Tourism Awareness Program for A/L Students in Kalutara Region on 6 February at Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Kalutara and it was even more of a success than the inaugural one held in Negombo a few weeks back. Over 130 A/L students from 13 schools in the Kalutara, Panadura and Wadduwa areas participated along with 15 teachers in charge.
Immediate Past President of THASL Anura Lokuhetty started off the proceedings giving a very inspiring opening speech, drawing on his hands-on experience in the industry where he started off in the industry as an inexperienced school boy, and rose to the top. The students were able to relate with him well. He outlined the prospects in the industry as well as the acute manpower shortage that the industry will face in the future.
Past President of THASL Srilal Miththapala gave an overview of the industry, and hotel operations. He also touched on the peripheral opportunities and career paths available for those who join the hotel industry. He stressed that there are no short cuts in this industry and that one must be prepared to work hard and persevere, but that at the end the rewards are good. He also outlined some of the basic pre-requisite attributes that one should have in working in the hotel industry.
General Manager of Royal Palms Beach Hotel Ravi Kurukulasooriya then gave a more detailed analysis of the different departments of the hotels, and outlined the structure and career paths possible. He also touched on the possible remuneration levels one could expect in the hotel industry, along with the perks. The students were then given some snacks with coffee/tea, and divided into groups and taken on a tour of the hotel. This was the highlight of the sessions where the students could see for themselves how the different departments of a large hotel operates and coordinates all activities.
Most of the school teachers who attended the session praised our effort and even some of the principals also called after the event to thank us for the initiative. Some of the students expressed their intention to do the final research paper of their A/L exam on tourism.
