Italian tourism management institute to open in 2020
Sri Lankans would be given the opportunity of obtaining a global hospitality management education that would fit them into the right job to generate more tourists to the country or even find work in the most touristic destination, Italy.
Acknowledged by the Education Ministry of Italy, the University of European Tourism ( UET) Lanka launched its programmes in Sri Lanka on Tuesday with the hope of attracting students to its management courses on offer.
With a large percentage of European travellers visiting Sri Lanka this type of education is likely to ensure that students aptly qualified would be able to cater to this increasing presence and even find work in Italy that needs more hands especially during the summer.
There is a scarcity of finding the right trained staff with knowledge of culture and language, Dr. Suranga De Silva, Senior Lecturer, Coordinator, Master of Tourism programme at the University of Colombo said.
He noted that during the summer in Italy there were a number of jobs available that would be a good opportunity for local youth to find space and gain the right exposure backed up with the right qualification.
This would ensure youth would be able to find skilled employment in Italy, he said adding that the programmes on offer focused on Italian language, management and training.
UET, Italy President Prof. Marina said that the following her interaction at a recent Tourism Leaders’ Summit she was convinced that opening a branch in Sri Lanka was ideal for both countries.
Today tourism is not a phenomenon but needs deep research and analysis, she pointed out adding that her institute offers a global education with international standards.
The institute is expected to start from March 2020 and insists that they were looking for new managers and not waiters.
Initially the UET Lanka hopes to target about 50 students and should the numbers increase they would be having to increase their staff as well accordingly from Italy, she said.
UET Lanka CEO Upali Gunasekara addressing the gathering said that a lot of youth demanded jobs from the government when there was no proper employment on offer.
He pointed out that today with the changing job market there was an increase in the number of opportunities in the tourism industry and pointed out that most parents were aware of the growing vacancies in the different sectors.
This would ensure youth would be able to find skilled employment in Italy, he said adding that the programmes on offer focused on Italian language, management and training.