LETTERS: Hospitality boom: There are efforts to bridge skills gap

Rwanda has seen, over the last few months, a sudden and sharp increase in hotel room inventories. We must understand that training of skilled personnel, particularly in a key sector like hospitality, does not happen overnight.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Times Reporter

Kigali Marriott Hotel that officially opened doors last week. Marriott is one of the largest global hotel brands that have opened shop in Rwanda in recent days. / File

Editor,

RE: "Shortage of skilled personnel, suppliers continue to hurt hospitality sector” (The New Times, October 11).

Rwanda has seen, over the last few months, a sudden and sharp increase in hotel room inventories.

We must understand that training of skilled personnel, particularly in a key sector like hospitality, does not happen overnight.

Rwanda Tourism University College and Akilah Institute for Women have been doing a great job in producing skilled personnel for the sector which today is the highest foreign exchange earner for the country.

With the right support from Workforce Development Authority, Higher Education Council and other related agencies, Rwanda will — in collaboration with private sector partners — soon bridge the gap of skilled personnel.

The Government is also aggressively promoting "Made in Rwanda” and it will not be long before this beautiful Land of a Thousand Hills will also be able to cater adequately for the supplies that are essential for the hospitality sector.

Clarence Fernandes