Sri Lanka’s hotel sector likely to get workers from overseas

While the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is targeting to a 800,000-strong workforce in the hotel sector by 2020, the industry as a whole is likely to import workers from outside, to reach the said target.

Currently there are only around 300,000 people employed in the hotel sector, says Sidath Kodikara, Chairman of the Institute of Hospitality in Sri Lanka.

“Employing 800,000 people in the hotel sector by 2020 is a huge challenge to the country, because not many people join the industry. If this doesn’t happen we will be forced to import workers from outside.” Some well-known restaurants and hotels in Mount Lavinia have already recruited lots of foreign female workerss, he added.

He made these comments to the Business Times on the sidelines of a media briefing held last week at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo to welcome the International Institute of Hospitality Chief Executive, Peter Ducker.

Mr. Kodikara also mentioned that the demand for workers increases with the number of hotel rooms increasing due to the construction of more hotels around the country.

A lot more people will be required to work in the hotel industry directly and indirectly such as suppliers, sellers on the beach, batik artistes and jewellery makers. “Sri Lanka desperately needs professionals to manage hotels,” he noted.

Meanwhile Mr. Ducker told the Business Times that the change the country has gone through since the end of the war is meteoric, not just in the investment but the confidence of people. As confidence increases, hotels will enjoy better occupancy and achieve good business as they see the tourism and hospitality developing in the country. They will also have the confidence when there is more competition for staff while their salaries increase gradually.

Hoteliers around the country should invest on training and pay their staff well which will result in greater productivity. That will be the virtual circle which builds the industry, noted Mr. Ducker.

He also mentioned that providing the courses, opportunities, training and the industry being present itself in the right direction will attract talent and help absorb more individuals into the hotel sector. “I have seen this happen in many countries around the world. It takes time to train and to bring your staff to a level where you expect them to take responsibilities.”

During his speech, he said hospitality is expanding rapidly and the rate of development and investment is tremendous. The Institute of Hospitality’s role is to promote hospitality education and support its members as a fast growing industry needs skilled and passionate individuals devoted to delivering the highest standards that international travelers expect.