New–employment opportunities in hospitality sector

Thursday, 29 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New employment opportunities in hospitality sector

National Human Resource Development Council of Sri Lanka Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody responding to a news item that tourism targets 7,000 jobs for 2017, noted that tourism and hospitality, one of the fastest growing industries in Sri Lanka, has a target of four million arrivals by 2020.

Last year, tourist arrivals were around 2.25 million with income of around $ 3.52 billion, an income growth of 20% over 2015. He noted the report compiled by the National Human Resource Development Council published in 2016 forecast a total increase of around 265,000 new jobs, both direct and indirect, from 2015 to 2020.

Expected increase in 2017 based on arrival targets and new and existing properties is around 67,000 new jobs both direct and indirect, Weerakkody said.

Weerakkody further noted that tourism not only creates jobs in the tertiary sector, but also encourages growth in the primary and secondary sectors of industry. Weerakkody is also a member of the tourism task force appointed recently by the Government.