The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU) jointly organised the PATA Travel Mart 2010 Human Resources Seminar at IFT on 14 September. This full-day seminar is one of the activities on the PATA Travel Mart programme, scheduled to take place in Macao for the first time on 14 to 17 September. The event brought together buyers and sellers in the Asia Pacific Region for business networking and matching.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) was founded in 1951, acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA members, it enhances the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism within the region.
The seminar, titled "HR Challenges in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Promoting Industry and Academia Collaboration", was hosted by PATA CEO Mr. Greg Duffel, PATA Education and Training Committee Chairman Professor Kaye Chon and IFT President Dr. Fanny Vong. During the seminar, scholars and industry practitioners had productive discussions on the following topics:
(1)Career Planning for Hospitality and Tourism Industry: Advice to Students
(2)Is There a Gap in Expectations between Educational Institutions and Industry? What Can We Do to Narrow the Gap?
(3)Perspectives from Young People: Panel by Students and Recent Graduates
(4) Current Issues in HR Challenges and Potential Solutions
The goal of this event is to provide a forum that will help bridge the potential gap that exists between the academia and the tourism industry by suggesting innovative and unique perspectives on the issues and constraints of the supply and demand of qualified employees in the travel and tourism industry, and at the same time creating an occasion for students and the new PATA generation to interact with industry leaders in the region.