Press Article in Hindustan Times

INSTITUTES: Institute of Hotel Cargo and Tourism Management (I.H.C.T.M)

Diploma Course in Tourism & Destination Management

Eligibility: Students are eligible to sit directly for the Diploma in International Tourism examination from City & Guilds International, U.K. on payment of the examina tion fees. The Diploma awarded confirms knowledge and skills which are highly valued and accepted in over 100 countries.

Courses: International Tourism Geography, Customer Service, Presentation of Tourism Products and Services, People Development, Developing a visitor attraction as well as a local tourism destination.

Course duration: 6 months.

Website: www.rbcsgroup.com

Course: The Diploma Course in Destination Management provides a broad overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of tourism and provides students with knowledge of the tourism industry and a high level of competence to deal with practical aspects not only as a front level employee but also to work at a supervisory level.

Pay Scale: Depends on the organisation. Starting salary Rs 5,000.

Future: Indian travel industry is growing at a very fast pace. More and more Indians are traveling abroad, and an even greater number of tourists are coming to India, as a result there is a huge need for trained manpower in the sector. Tour Managers are an integral part of any group tour and with the number to tourists increasing the demand for trained tour managers is increasing proportionately. With this as a background the scope for tour managers is very promising.

I WAS always passionate about travelling and have been a travel trainer for the last 19 years. My interest in travel began in 1986 when I first visited Europe for a holiday followed by an extended stay in London where I completed conversational courses in French and Spanish languages with Inner London Education Authority.

I appeared for my first IATA/UFTAA examination in 1988, the IATA/UFTAA Standard Course and since then there was no looking back. I graduated in 1988 from H.R.College of Commerce and Economics and chose to get into the field of vocational training and education initially specialising in training candidates for the Travel and Airline Industry as well as foreign languages.

Later, I started Compact Travels as a destination specialist and have been qualified as a destination expert for several countries abroad. My vision is to create unique travel experiences for Indian travellers to emerging destinations within the regions of Southern Hemisphere, Central Europe, North and Baltic countries Mediterranean and Oriental countries.

- Subhash Motwani

As a destination manager, I promote unusual destinations. A vocational course in Tour Management is great for students at a time when the tourism industry is booming.

SUBHASH MOTWANI Director, IHCTM