ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM

Chairman and members of the Board of Governors, Distinguished guests, members of the ITS academic body and administration, parents and on this most auspicious day, graduand students, I welcome you all to this very special ceremony.

This is an occasion to which our graduands today have looked forward since they first set foot at ITS. It is also an occasion to enjoy and to remember. One where congratulations are very much in order. Yes students, today is your day.

Malta depends on tourism. No industry, let alone tourism so dependent on human activity, human contact, and human behaviour can do without a well trained pool of professionals. ITS has given you the opportunity and you have grasped the chance to join the industry of your choice.

The leisure industry, where we all work together and so hard to see to our guests' satisfaction, demands from us that something extra, that little bit more, which makes all the difference to make a visit to Malta and Gozo a pleasant, fulfilling and unforgettable experience. It is our mission to see that first time visitors to Malta return to our shores time and time again, not just as tourists but as our friends.

Government's firm commitment to tourism is as clear as it is tangible. We believe in tourism. We recognise and rely on the ability, the energy and initiative of Malta's youth and we will leave no stone unturned to offer and find for successive generations of young men and women every opportunity to further and prosper in their chosen career.

Therefore, students admitted for scholastic years 1997 and 1998, when not in possession of two A levels and who have since followed the ITS Diploma course in Hospitality Management, and achieved distinction in their academic performance, will also be able to join the University B.Com. (Hons.) Tourism Course at third year level. This however, subject to their following a six month topping up course leading to the Diploma in Hotel Administration.

I therefore thank University Rector Professor Ellul Micallef and his colleagues at the University most sincerely for their understanding and the assistance which they have given the Ministry and the Board to find such an equitable solution to a situation for which students were not to blame.

Furthermore the Ministry has commissioned the Malta Tourism Authority to prepare and draw up a human resource audit. This will entail a tourism workforce survey to collate qualitative data on human resources currently available and will focus mainly on accommodation and catering establishments, travel agencies and DMCs.

The audit is designed to establish the number employed in different occupations in different seasons ; the level of training conducted, the commitment to training and staff development, identify training needs as well as problems faced by service providers in recruiting and retaining staff, and finally, the industry's future needs.

Concurrently ITS offers the industry all assistance. We are very much aware of the difficulties which some of our smaller hotels and restaurants have to meet and it was specifically for this reason that in January 2000 ITS offered a Quality Service Training Programme for full and part time staff in the Food and Beverage Service and Reception Operations divisions of Three, Two and One Star hotels, complexes and restaurants.

It is indeed most regrettable that although a circular was sent to 700 establishments only 135 employees applied of whom a meagre 68 attended the course sessions. If there is a lesson to be learned here it is by establishments to whom assistance was directed and not taken up. It is one which should remind them that unless one helps oneself reliance on the Almighty alone will not be enough.

Following Dr. Jean Louis Aeschlimann's visit last year, during which he conducted a strategic review of the Institute, he submitted a series of recommendations most of which have been implemented. The ITS academic structure has been radically reviewed. The Hospitality Studies career path divided into two courses. Entry criteria for Higher Diploma increased from 30 to 80 credits and at least two A levels. Entry qualifications for Hotel Operations similarly increased to 70 credits. The week in / week out system abolished and marathon three hour lessons halved. The course structure for all career paths has been amended and I am pleased to learn that all these changes have been well received and have given positive results.

The Institute has not benefited from a Director in place since Professor Di Mauro left in late 1996. Following a fruitless local call, an international call for interest elicited substantial response and the selection process is now at the shortlisting stage. As the Institute moves closer to filling the post of

Director, it is with great regret that I have to place on record Director of Studies Mr. Michael Pinchbeck's decision not to seek an extension of his contract. I am pleased for Mr. Pinchbeck that his new international appointment overseas marks a great step forward in his professional career. I would like to think that his experiences at ITS have served him well to achieve his goal.

What I am certain of however, is that Mr. Pinchbeck will be sorely missed. He joined ITS in September 1993 as senior lecturer and was instrumental in co-ordinating and developing the Management programme working very closely with Professor Mario Di Mauro. In September 1998 he was appointed Director of Studies and took over a number of the Director's functions and responsibilities. Subsequently he became a key player in the implementation of the change from the linear to the modular system which the Institute currently applies.

Mr. Pinchbeck will be leaving Malta and the ITS. He may rest assured that he leaves behind many friends and hundreds of grateful present and former students of ITS who have benefited much from his teaching and methods. I thank you Mr. Pinchbeck for all you have done for ITS. You have helped the Institute develop and prosper ; you have seen our student population, currently at 829, grow ; and you have had the satisfaction of seeing ITS pupils achieve local and international acclaim.

Now a final word to graduands. You have chosen an exciting career. It is no bed of roses, but one which will give you great satisfaction. One that demands much dedication and even personal sacrifice. You have been given the tools and the training. The doors of opportunity are open wide for you. Go out and make a great success of your careers.

16.06.2000