HOTEL & TOURISM INDUSTRY

Tourism is world's number one industry in terms of the turnover and employment. It has a gross output of US $3,500 billion a year and employs 204 million people all over the world. Modern tourism in Sri Lanka commenced in 1966. Since then it has become a premiere industry providing employment to over 150,000 persons. The industry is a model employer providing employees with many fringe benefits. If you like working with people and enjoy meeting people from all parts of the world, Tourism Industry is an ideal opportunity for a bright career. The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management is the stepping stone for any individual interested in employment in the Hospitality Industry where you will receive a sound training.

THE INSTITUTION

The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM) is the premiere training institution  established by the Government in 1966 by an Act of Parliament to train young men and women in the complex field of Hospitality and Travel Industry, and is managed by the National Tourism Organization i.e. the Ceylon Tourist Board. With  the boom  in tourism and the consequent development of the Travel & Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka, the SLITHM had provided the much needed professional training for the fast developing hospitality industry with impetus. For the first 10 years, the trend had been focused on training personnel for top and middle management positions to the industry, supplemented with a programme of short courses at craft level, which provided the manpower for the various departments of the Hospitality Trade. The current programme has now been re-oriented to fit into the changing needs of the industry and the new scheme of training introduced is more intensive and provides diverse opportunities. It also recognizes prior learning, which benefits to those who have gained knowledge and experience in the industry and who wish to develop their professionalism.