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ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM, DR. MICHAEL REFALO, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE INSTITUTE FOR TOURISM STUDIES’ ACADEMIC YEAR
pr1415
01/10/2001
01/10/2001
| I join Director General Mr. Philip Gibbs and Chairman of the Board of | Governors, Mr. Anthony Gatt, and add my personal welcome to you all on this auspicious occasion. |
| Each and every one of you have consciously decided to | take a very important step towards following a career in Malta's largest industry, tourism. You will remember this day as you will always remember the day when you graduate. |
| On graduation day you will not only have a piece of | parchment which attests to your proficiencyand academic success, but you would also have enjoyed the first taste and some experience, in Malta and overseas, of what a career intourism is all about. |
| Tourism is an exciting industry, a very self | satisfying industry, and, once bitten by the bug, it is an industry that will take over your whole life. You will breathe tourism, speak tourism, live tourism. Whether one is, like you, at the dawn of one's career, at the lower end of the ladder, or through merit over a number of years has reached the top rung, commitment to service, commitment to the client, must always remain foremost in your mind and endeavours. |
| The first year student intake numbers 273. To join | ITS all of you have successfully come through a selection process. You should be proud of your achievement. You have already gone over your first hurdle. |
| I am very pleased that a full complement of 73 | students has been accepted for the diploma and certificate courses: 20 in Hotel Management, 20 in Hotel Operations and 33 in Accommodation Operations. |
| The newly introduced Foundation Courses for Craft | Subjects have, as expected, attracted wide interest. One course offers tuition inFood Preparation and Service, and another in Hotel Services, which comprises F & B service and housekeeping. |
| I am very aware that we have disappointed quite a | number of young men and women who applied to join, but I can assure you that the number of students accepted has been taken to its absolute limit. A maximum of 141 have been accepted at first year level. The Extended Skills Training Scheme with 60 more students, up from 26 in 1997 when it was first introduced, brings the total for the 2001 / 2002 intake up to 273. |
| Earlier this year when I announced the introduction | of the new Foundation Courses I had made it very clear that levels and standards would not be lowered. I had made it equally clear that I believed that the courses would be popular with Malta’s youth and also that they were just what the trade had called for and needed. The large number of applicants has borne out my forecast and I now expect hoteliers and restauranteurs to head hunt and offer employment to all those who successfully complete these courses. |
| I need not remind the trade that by 2004 hotel and | restaurant grading will also depend on the quality and training of staff. Time flies and 2004 is closer than one actually think it is. It is in essence only two years and a few months away, when a number of you would have graduated while others will still be pursuing your studies at ITS. |
| Year 2001 has witnessed an unforgettable run of | achievements spectacular in the academic side of tourism. ITS hosted close to 1000 students. Problems with the University over acceptance to the B.Comm.(Tourism) Course were solved. A new Ministry/MTA funded B.A. (Hons.) Course in Tourism Studies was launched by the University. It is incumbent on all who have tourism at heart to see that the achievements of 2001 are equaled or at least surpassed in 2002. |
| In conclusion, I would like to thank ITS' | administrative and operational staff for completing the refurbishment and upgrading initiatives so punctually and well. I believe that it is most essential that students study and work in a friendly and pleasant environment. This year has seen the upgrading of the training kitchens and restaurants and a new Information Technology Lab has been installed. My congratulations and thanks again to all those responsible for a job so very well done. |
| Finally students, I wish to address my concluding | words to you about your lecturers and tutors. And even before the first lesson or training session begins, I wish to thank them on your behalf. Your lecturers and tutors are very dedicated persons. Show them the greatest of respect because they fully deserve that respect. |
| They will bestow on you all their knowledge and | experience. They will guide and help you through difficult moments. However I must warn you that they have been specifically asked to ensure strict discipline in class and within the ITS' precincts. They will do this primarily in your interest, to see that you are well prepared for a career in tourism where discipline is indeed of paramount importance. |
| Finally, as you begin your journey towards bright and | exciting horizons and take the road towards the fulfillment of your personal aspirations, I renew my best wishes to you all and wish you a most successful academic year. |
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