Responding to the tourism industry training and human resource challenges in Sri Lanka

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the foremost training and human resource development challenges from the perspective of the Ministry of Economic Development funded Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (the institute). Design/methodology/approach – The first of two theme issue arti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Worldwide hospitality and tourism themes 2013-11, Vol.5 (5), p.456-463
Main Authors: Mohotti, Chandra, (Chandi) Jayawardena, Chandana, Teare, Richard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Associations
Catering
Colleges & universities
Curricula
Economic development
Education
Hospitality industry
Hotels & motels
Human resources
International tourism & hospitality
Modernization
Professionals
Rural areas
Students
Studies
Tourism
Tourism & hospitality
Tourism development
Training
Trends in tourism & hospitality
Wages & salaries
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose – The paper aims to explore the foremost training and human resource development challenges from the perspective of the Ministry of Economic Development funded Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (the institute). Design/methodology/approach – The first of two theme issue articles on industry training and human resource challenges, the paper is based on discussions with senior management and staff representing the Institute at its main campus in Colombo. The second article features responses from community leaders and from one of the Institute's provincial centres in Anuradhapura. Findings – The Institute has identified the need to commercialize its country-wide operations so as to minimize the amount of Government subsidy and ensure that its courses are aligned as closely as possible with the needs of Industry. Second, senior management spoke about the challenge of attracting Sri Lankans to engage in tourism and thereafter equipping them with the personal and professional skills needed to provide the level of service expected by international tourism visitors. Practical implications – The paper highlights the need for innovative thinking and action in response to practical challenges and business development pressures. Originality/value – The study draws on the views of senior industry practitioners who are actively engaged in responding to the challenges arising from Sri Lanka's ambitious plans for tourism development.
ISSN:1755-4217
1755-4217
DOI:10.1108/WHATT-05-2013-0028