The National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) of the Fiji National University will be hosting an inaugural conference focusing on local tourism and hospitality.

Based on the conference’s theme, “Strategising innovation in Hospitality and Tourism”, the conference aims to promote and generate new ideas and strategise innovative approaches of sustainable development and effective management.

Deputy director for the National Training Productivity Centre Satendra Nair said they needed such conference because of the growth in tourism.

And “also the push by the Government to promote hospitality and tourism in the country,” Mr Nair added.

He said the conference would benefit the students of NTPC, especially when searching for jobs in those hotels.

“The guest speakers are mostly the industry personnel and some of them are from the Ministry of Tourism, some very experienced people like Peter Hopgood and Lance Seeto in terms of chef and local grown food.”

There will not be any international speakers but 10 local speakers, he said.

“We are trying to discuss topics on efficiency and more of home grown food and local cuisines and programmes related to hospitality and tourism in terms of recreation, eco tourism and agro tourism, rural tourism, food costing. Because one of the big problems in terms of efficiency in the industry is food and beverages,” Mr Nair said.

Conference was launched last week.

So far they have received more than 30 registrations and have 30 still vacant.

“There will be sixty industry people and guests and international people participating from the university’s side.”

NTPC are targeting the CEOs, executive officers, managers, supervisors and personnel associated directly or indirectly with the industry.

The two-day conference is scheduled for April 28-29 at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.

This will become an annual event.

Feedback:  ivamere.nataro@fijisun.com.fj