Hospitality and tourism Course in Singapore

If you are a people person and are willing to work hard, this is the job for you.

The dark clouds casting a shadow on Singapore's economy look threatening, but for the hospitality and tourism sectors, sunshine is right behind them.

The Singapore Tourism Board estimates that more than 250,000 people will be employed by the burgeoning tourism industry by 2015, with 50,000 to 60,000 new jobs created over the next three years.

Just last year, there were 10.3 million visitors to Singapore, spending $14.1 billion. About 180,000 people are currently employed in the tourism industry, which contributes some 3 per cent to Singapore's gross domestic product.

Sure, the world is going through tough economic times right now. Tourism arrivals to Singapore have fallen over the last four months compared to the same period last year. But experts in the industry remain upbeat about tourism in Singapore.

Ms Choi Hoi San, course manager of the hospitality and tourism management diploma programme in Temasek Polytechnic, noted that Singapore's tourism industry has an even balance of business and leisure travel, with the former offering a reliable safety net.

"Business trips will still continue, whatever the economic climate. Many conferences are planned years in advance," she said.

She added that, unlike in the past, when an overseas holiday was a luxury, it has now become a necessity. People will travel, though on shorter, more frequent, trips, to nearer destinations.

If tourism is an industry which is affected more than others in an economic downturn, it is also one of the quickest to pick up when the economy recovers.

"The past has shown that tourism has been quick to respond to economic change," said the vice-dean of Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management, Dr Russell Smith.

Providing a formidable cushion are the two upcoming integrated resorts and many other tourism and hospitality projects in the pipeline, where there will be a great demand for people to operate these facilities, said Dr Smith.

And the job opportunities are not limited only to Singapore. "The hotel and tourism industry in Asia is growing rapidly as is the demand for hospitality managers," said the dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Singapore, Dr Andy Nazarechuk.

"Throughout the region, countries such as China, India and Thailand are actively developing their tourism infrastructure and creating new career opportunities."

But while jobs there are aplenty, job seekers should realise it is a demanding industry with a high turnover, as people get in and then get out when they realise they cannot cope.

"In this industry, it is about the heartware, not the hardware," said the course manager of the culinary and catering management programme in Temasek Polytechnic, Mr Tan Hsien Wei.

"Qualifications can only take you that far. If you don't like meeting and talking to people, this may not be the industry for you."

If you are still undaunted, be aware that a good education, such as a degree in hospitality and tourism, will serve you well. These programmes arm you with managerial concepts and skills which will allow you to progress faster, with better chances of success.

Aside from attitude and qualifications, experience is also key in the industry.

The best way to get this is to start from the bottom. "You have to understand what is happening on the ground level first, and this is highly valued. Then as you move up the ranks, you are better equipped to help those under you," said Mr Tan.

But at the end of the day, it is still the passion for the job that counts the most. Said Ms Choi: "It's a dynamic industry. Every day is different, with a new challenge awaiting you."