Human resource challenges for tourism industry and way forward

By Charumini de Silva

The first ever Sri Lanka Human Capital Summit organised by the Association of Human Resource Professionals of Sri Lanka and the National Human Resources Development Council, covered the shortage of skills and manpower faced by the tourism industry. The session involving international and local experts focused on some of the global best practices, opportunities and challenges faced by the Sri Lanka tourism industry as well as measures that could be implemented to boost skills and human resources. The session was moderated by MJF Holdings Director Malik Fernando and involved UNWTO Executive Director Marcio Favilla, and Taj Group Vice President and Global Head HR Dr P.V. Ramana Murthy, as key presenters. 

In this report, Daily FT highlights some of the key presentations by industry experts John Keells Holdings Deputy Chairman  Ajith Gunewardene,  Shangri-La Group VP Human Resource Debbie Cross, Hilton Worldwide  Vice President Operations - South East Asia & India William Costley,   Louis T Collection CEO  Hyatt International  Ex VP  Grant Healy, Hemas Holdings PLC Group Director & Serendib PLC and Chairman Abbas Esufally and SL Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management Chairman Sunil Dissanayake.