Today, when the Indian tourism & hospitality industry is on a roll, the future managers - the management students must be aware of the Global scenario of Hotel, Hospitality and Tourism industry, the principles on which it operates and more importantly get acquainted with the leadership tools to take the maximum benefit of the situation. Considering this, our institute organized a 3-Day Workshop on "Introduction to Hotel & Hospitality Management" during January 4-7, 2010. This workshop was organized in joint collaboration with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), America - the leading force in the hospitality industry and one of the most powerful Asian American advocacy groups. Eminent International Personalities from the field of Hotel & Hospitality Industry like Dr. Marc Clark, Mr. Gregg Patterson and Mr. Kamal Kapoor, the CFO and Partner of Kapoor & Kapoor Hospitality Consultants, America enriched the participants with their rich domain expertise.
DAY 1:
The workshop got to a flying start with a charging up and inspirational welcome address and brief note on agenda of the workshop by the HR Faculty Member & the Programme Coordinator Mr. Mehul G. Thakkar. He shared that even though recently hit by the recession, the hotel & hospitality industry has huge potential; is on a roll and in such a highly favorable environment, there is a need to have thorough exposure and expertise to the Global as well as Local Hospitality Industry to exploit the situation to the fullest.
After the inaugural ceremony, the first day witnessed a prolific speaker - Dr. Marc Clark, Internationally Certified Hotel & Hospitality Management Trainer & Consultant and a proud Sr. Associate of Kapoor & Kapoor Hospitality Consultants, America. During the first two modules, he guided the participants about the Global Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the major forces driving changes in the sector, the effect of the sector on the economy, and the facts and figures of the US and Indian Hotel & Hospitality Industry. He also discussed the competitive advantage of India and the need and importance of promoting the "Brand India". In his inimitable style, through role playing, probing and storytelling approach, he kept the class very live and vibrant throughout the day. The MBA students of the institute also raised several questions regarding their career prospects in the industry and the required skill sets, which were very well dealt and explained by Dr. Clark.
DAY 2:
On the 2nd day, Dr. Marc Clark enlightened the participants regarding the specific organizational design required in the hotel and hospitality business for achieving world class service standards as a part of Module 3. In the later half, in Module 4, he pondered upon the issues associated with International Human Resource Management with special emphasis on career prospects and career management in the sector. He also discussed gender issues for making career in the said sector. Dr. Clark was touched upon by the love, respect and gratitude shown by the future corporate managers of the institute. He appreciated the students' inquisitiveness, communication skills and the "Can Do" outlook.
DAY 3:
Before the participants could come out of the mesmerizing effects of the 4 Modules being delivered by Dr. Clark in his unique style, day 3 came with Mr. Gregg Patterson - another internationally renowned expert. He is the General Manager - The Beach Club, the President - The reflective Experience and the Sr. Associate of the Kapoor & Kapoor Hospitality Consultants, America. Along with him, the personality behind this whole programme, Mr. Kamal Kapoor, the CFO and Partner of Kapoor & Kapoor Hospitality Consultants, America shared their words of wisdom with the participants. Mr. Kamal Kapoor sensitized the participants about the importance of such programmes and why and how they should capitalize on such opportunities to the fullest possible extent. Mr. Patterson elaborated on Leadership issues in the Hospitality Industry with special emphasis on leadership principles and practices of the sector. The participants had an enthralling journey with Mr. Patterson with a mixture of teaching techniques of Role Playing, Discussion, Dialogue and Presentation by the participants. Throughout the day, Mr. Kamal Kapoor served as the linchpin.
With International Experts as Trainers throughout the 3 days with carefully designed 6 customized modules on Hotel & Hospitality Management, the MBA students of SRIMCA could get an insiders view about the intricacies of Tourism, Hotel & Hospitality Industry. Mr. Mehul G. Thakkar, the HR faculty member of the institute successfully coordinated the entire programme.
