Makerere University Business School academicians in the leisure and hospitality sector have advised the government and said its needs to train more skilled personnel to manage the improving tourism sector.
According to a new report compiled by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities sector for the financial year 2011/2012, it indicates that tourism contributed 9.0 per cent to the GDP for 2011 compared to 7.6 per cent in 2010. Its contribution to foreign exchange also increased from $662 million in 2010 to $805 million in 2011 which is about 21 per cent improvement.
These professionals who were led by Ms Harriet Achola told journalists that the government needs to fund institutions offering courses related to the sector as a driving force.
Ms Achola continued and said that skilled personnel would promote professionalism in sports agencies and facilities, hotels, tour and travel operations, event management, film production as well as fashion designing.
“There have been a lot of misconceptions about leisure and hospitality as a sector and the course at institutions of learning. We believe that this has so due to lack of knowledge, that is why we have started a programme to create awareness,” said Ms Achola.
A day to enhance awareness about Leisure and Hospitality was organised by the Professionals under a partnership with students, MUBS administration and entrepreneurs.
