REMARKS BY PRESIDENT ROBINSON FOR VISIT TO HOTEL AND TOURISM TRAINING INSTITUTE, 27 SEPTEMBER, 1994
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT ROBINSON FOR VISIT TO HOTEL AND TOURISM TRAINING INSTITUTE, 27 SEPTEMBER, 1994
- I would like to thank the Minister for his warm words of welcome.
- I am very aware of the vast potential that carefully planned and executed tourism has for Zambia. Your rivers, lakes and abundant wildlife are truly priceless resources which can provide employment, foreign exchange and enjoyment for the Zambian people for generations to come. You have also the added advantage of an excellent climate which I am enjoying at the moment.
- The tourism and hotel sector in Ireland contributes greatly to our economy. Indeed the tourism industry in Ireland is known worldwide and we have now established a sophisticated infrastructure which caters for millions of Irish and foreign tourists each year.
- During the past few decades Ireland has built up a solid record of expertise in this sector and many of our hotel and catering graduates are currently employed in various parts of the world.
- I am delighted that Irish Aid is sharing this experience with you in Zambia and I trust that this partnership with the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute will assist with the development of the industry here.
- The concept of combining a hotel with a training institution is an interesting one. The hotel environment gives the students an excellent opportunity to practice their craft in a working situation.
- I appreciate that the economic climate restricts the amount of public funds that can be provided for the Institute. However, fee income and hotel profits make a substantial contribution towards the operational costs of the Institute and I wish to commend the management on this very substantial achievement.
- I am also gratified by the support which the hotel industry in general has given the Institute and I welcome many of its representatives here today. It is vital for the hotel sector that this Institute thrives and achieves ever higher standards of excellence. Your support will be repaid manyfold by the graduates in due course.
- I wish the Institute, especially the staff and students, the very best of luck in your endeavours. I am certain that the partnership with Irish Aid will be fruitful and rewarding and that the results of our cooperation will play an important role in the revitalisation of this important sector of the economy.