The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka

THASL hosts ‘Hospitality Conclave’
A futuristic forum to impart seamless opportunities in the Hospitality sector

18-06-18

18TH JUNE 2018, COLOMBO: The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Shangri-La Hotel recently held the ‘Hospitality Conclave’ – a discussion forum for school principals at Shangri-La Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. 200 principals from schools across the island, including schools offering the technological stream in their curriculum, participated in the program. The forum comprised of two sessions with resourceful panel discussions drawing attention on the importance of nurturing skilled employment in Sri Lanka and the seamless opportunities in the Hospitality sector for youth.

As the third largest foreign exchange earner and the second largest net foreign exchange earner in the country, Tourism has played a pivotal role in generating a significant number of direct and indirect employment. With its well defining competitive attributes, it is regrettable that contemporary youth are unaware of the true potential and seamless opportunities offered by the Hotel sector, leading to a formidable challenge in attracting the local youth to enter the industry and reap myriads of benefits.

In a bid to address this matter, The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) –the apex body of the entire Hotel industry in the country, devised a concerted strategy to both recognize the youth in the sector and spread awareness among the masses on The Hospitality sector and its seamless possibilities.

As the first step, THASL organized ‘Rising Stars of Hospitality 2017’, an island-wide competitive contest evaluating candidates under nine key categories. Thousands of young and talented individuals representing over 200 member hotels vied for the honours and the winners were felicitated at a Grand Award ceremony in October last year.

Driven by its strong passion to spread awareness on hospitality sector by means of inclusion into school curriculum, THASL has kick-started the second phase with ‘Hospitality conclave’ – a resourceful discussion forum. More than 200 principals representing schools island-wide participated in the program which facilitated a platform to discuss multifarious aspects of the industry including its seamless opportunities and possibilities.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sanath Ukwatte, President- The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) said, “This event was undoubtedly one of the most successful events we have organized to achieve our objective of attracting the youth to join the Hospitality Industry. As the President of THASL, I appeal to all hoteliers to offer internship programmes at hotels to young students during their school holidays. This will instil an interest in travel and tourism in students from a young age.”

“Hotels should organize hotel visits for school students on a regular basis, where they will be enlightened on hotel operations. This is the greatest effort you can make to encourage our youth to take Hospitality as a career opportunity in due course. Most of all our call goes to the Government and Ministry of Education to pay urgent heed to our request of looking at introducing Travel and Tourism as a subject from Year 6 onward.” Mr. Ukwatte said.

In its endeavor to elevate Sri Lanka as the ideal travel destination in the world and Tourism as the No.1 net foreign exchange earner in the country by 2020, THASL aims to spearhead a number of such impactful and interactive forums in the near future, across the nation.

Furthermore, the event comprised of two panel discussions themed ‘School to Work: Nurturing Skilled Youth in Sri Lanka', and ‘Hospitality, a promising future for the youth’. Mr. Y.A.N.D. Yapa - Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Manjula Vidanapathirana – Director, Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Mr. Kavan Ratnayaka - Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, and Mr. Sunil Dissanayake - Chairman of Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management served as panelists in the first session. Many crucial topics were discussed such as importance of skill based education, including hospitality into the curriculum, understanding challenges for skills development and bridging the gaps between higher education and vocational training.

The second session featured Mr. Anura Lokuhetty – Chairman of Luxury Villas and Hotel Management and Past President of THASL, Mr. N.T.K. Lokuliyana – Director, Department of Technology Education at the National Institute of Education, Mr. Srilal Miththapala - Past President of THASL, Ms. Hyacinth Gunawardena – Director/ General Manager of Jetwing Blue as well as Chef Deshabandu Dr. Publis Silva as panelists. Several topics were brought to light giving emphasis on Sri Lanka's potential as a tourism destination, the role played by schools, creating opportunities for youth, career progress and prospects for women in hotel industry.