Creating Personnel
for the Tourism Industry

Having been categorized as a service industry, it is important therefore, to offer services in an impressive manner. This will motivate tourists to return to the area or entice others who have not yet been here to pay a visit themselves. The individuals working in the travel industry are those who will come into closest contact with tourist and play a vital role in providing the services mentioned, it is essential then to create qualified personnel as well as to develop skills and elevate the standards of service alongside the promotion and development of the tourism industry.

Businesses related to the tourism industry
The tourism industry comprises several types of businesses related to providing services and facilitating tourists. A study on labour in the tourism industry by the National Institute of Development and Administration's Faculty of Applied Statistics, in 1991, classifies businesses related to the tourism industry industry into seven categories as follows :
1. Accommodation
2. Sightseeing
3. Souvenirs
4. Transport
5. Food and beverage
6. Entertainment and recreation
7. Other services related to tourist activities

Personnel in businesses related to the tourism industry
The personnel in businesses related to the tourist industry provides both direct and indirect labour. According to the survey by the Faculty of Applied Statistics, the National Institute of Development and Administration, in 1991, the number of personnel providing services in the travel industry totals approximately 1,693,005 persons. A study, in 1991 found that an additional 142,455 persons were still needed, while, in 1993 and 1994, the need was 109,856 and 87,405 consecutively. Most of the labour fell into the business categories of food and beverage, accommodation and souvenirs.

Development of personnel in the tourism Industry
Since the tourism industry is related to several types of industries, operational personnel are in great demand. With the assistance of government agencies, educational institutions, and the tourist business, TOT has therefore proceeded to create and develop such individuals so as to sustain the ever-growing tourist industry in the following ways.

1. Conferences and Seminars
A Venue for brainstorming, exchange of ideas and promoting better understanding in various aspects for tourism industry personnel so as to enable tourism to develop in ways that are adequate to the situation and proceed in the right direction. Significant projects that have taken place are seminars on Leaders in Tourism, Development of Personnel in the Tourism Industry, Production and Development of Personnel in the Tourism Industry, Development of Tourism in Thailand in s Sustainable Direction as well a conference on Directions for Joint Operations in Accordance with the Tourist Business and Guide Act, B.E. 2535.

2. Training-Courses
Aimed at promoting the development of skills, knowledge and expertise for tourist industry personnel to meet international standards and to respond adequately to the needs of various businesses. Training course projects offered regularly are
- Training Courses for Tourist Guides offered jointly by TAT and educational institutions across the country. The program was organized initially in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts in 1961. To this date (figures computed up to September 30, 1995), it has produced a total of 18,643 guides. Since 1985, TAT has also issued tourist guide certificates to 2,272 university students (figures computed up to Semtember 30, 1995) in 21 different institutions who have undertaken courses offered in TAT's tourist guide training syllabus so as to increase the number of personnel able to provide tourist guide services for the tourist business.
- Training Courses for Hotel and Restaurant Employees offered by TOT since 1966 rotating in the various regions of the country so as to improve the quality of services by hotel and restaurant employees to a higher standard.
- Training Courses for Junior Volunteers for Tourists aimed at promoting an understanding of the role and the importance of the tourism industry among the youth so as to develop a sense of pride in the arts and culture of Thailand. The project instills an awareness in the significance and value of tourism resources, the conservation of the environment and basic ways to advise or assist tourists correctly. Training has taken place annually since 1990 and produced a total of 2,160 volunteers.
- Training Courses for Youth Leaders for the Conservation and Protection of Tourism in Thailand organized jointly with government agencies and the private sectors related. The course aims to promote and develop a sense of pride in Thai cultural heritage and instill a national identity among the youth as well as to produce youth leaders for tourism and conservation. Training has taken place annually since 1991.
- Mobile Unit for the Promotion of Tourism and Environmental Protection-a public relations operation aimed at promoting an understanding in the benefits of tourism and the relationship between the environment and tourism by fostering collaboration for the protection, conservation and management of tourism resources as well as cultural identities and ecological processes among the youth, personnel working in youth-related activities ad the general public.
- Organizing speakers to disseminate knowledge on tourism to educational institutions and agencies requesting cooperation so as to promote correct understanding of tourism among students and the general public.

3. Organizing Collaboration Projects with International Agencies for Tourism Personnel Development so as to adapt the knowledge gained to suit the various businesses in the tourism industry. Some projects of significance are
- Cooperation with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in organizing training courses for lecturers and teachers of tourism from educational institutions, hotels and travel agencies.
- Cooperation with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in organizing
: training for lecturers in Hotel Management for educational institutions throughout the country
: Japanese for tourism language courses
: Seminar of services for Japanese Tourists

4. Hotel and Tourism Training Institute established according to the cabinet resolution of April 17, 1979, at Bang Saen Beach, Muang District, Chon Buri Province with academic and financial assistance granted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation. The institute aims to produce qualified personnel to work in businesses related to the tourism industry such as hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, pleasure boats, etc.

Classes commenced, in 1981, offering a one year training course for a Certificate in Hotel and Tourism in the following departments :
1. Front Office
2. Housekeeping
3. Restaurant and Bar
4. Kitchen
5. Travel Trade and Tour Guide

Fifteen courses have been offered so far, producing a total of 2,704 graduates. In 1995, a two year course for an Advanced Certificated in Hotel and Tourism was offering training in the three following divisions :
1. Room Division Management
2. Food and Beverage Management
3. Travel Trade and Tour Guide Management

Apart from the regular courses offered the Institute also provides short training-courses for students from neighboring countries and developing nations in Africa. It also offers courses in subjects which are essential for development of tourism industry personnel as service for members of the public who do not have the opportunity to attend regular courses offered by the Institute. Moreover, it cooperates with several agencies in providing speakers from the Institute at different venues regularly such as training courses for the Institute for Labour Skills Development, the Department of Labour and the Princess Sirindhorn Caree-Training Centre. Exchange programmes for students and lecturers with Australia, Canada and Switzerland have also taken place.

The TAT is deeply aware that tourism personnel is essential for the promotion and development of the tourism industry in Thailand. It is thus its mission to continue to produce and develop well qualified individuals sufficiently for the needs of the tourism industry.