New hospitality school targets Asean market

The grand opening was presided over by Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

Piyaman Tejapaibul, executive director of the hospitality school and managing director of the Regent Cha Am Beach Resort, said the investment in the school project was a payback to society. 

“Over 30 years in this business, we have seen a shortage of Thai hospitality workers,” he said.

Although tourism slowed down last year, it is expected to get better this year and grow by 7 -10 per cent. 

One of the keys to achieving sustainable tourism amid increasing global competition is to have good operating staff who have knowledge in and an understanding of the service industry. 

To prepare for the Asean Economic Community, which will allow the free flow of goods and services within the region, the school plans to offer international courses in May 2017. 

Thailand’s expertise in tourism can also be shared with students from all over the world. 

The group plans to network with regional hoteliers to open hotel schools nationwide, especially in border provinces, Piyaman said. 

Auggaphol Brickshawana, managing director of Regent Cha-am Hospitality School, said tourism had enjoyed average double-digit growth every year. Thailand has about 13,800 hotels with 550,000 rooms and the supply will continue to rise by 10 per cent annually. 

This year the industry will need more than 108,000 workers, divided into food service at 35 per cent, housekeeping 25 per cent, food and beverages 25 per cent and front office 15 per cent. This deficiency will continue to rise about 10 per cent each year. 

The curriculum is designed to enable students to work efficiently at an operating level. The school is confident that once they complete the programme, they will get various opportunities in the service industry. 

The programmes are prepared for internationally oriented employment in Asean, through a competency-based curriculum.