Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management to host PATA Youth Symposium in Colombo, Sri Lanka

BANGKOK – The next PATA Youth Symposium is to be hosted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM). Organised by the Association's Human Capital Development Committee, the Symposium takes place on Thursday, May 18 with the theme of 'No Barriers: Millennials and the Future of Tourism'.

"With the Association's activities this year including a special focus upon the Young Tourism Professional this PATA Youth Symposium reflects our commitment to the next generation of tourism professionals. As we continue to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of students engaged in tourism, hospitality management and related degree courses this event is an outstanding opportunity for them to hear from and to network with tourism industry leaders," said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy.

"We are extremely grateful to the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management for their support and enthusiasm in hosting our Youth Symposium. In doing so, SLITHM is helping to enhance the development of tomorrow's tourism leaders."

The Youth Symposium takes place on the first day of a busy PATA Annual Summit programme taking place in Negombo. The programme was developed with guidance from Dr. Chris Bottrill, Chairman of the PATA Human Capital Development (HCD) Committee and Dean, Faculty of Global and Community Studies at Capilano University.

Mr. Sunil Dissanayake, Chairman of SLITHM, said, "The 2017 PATA Annual Summit in Sri Lanka is a tremendous boost for our nation's tourism industry. We are very proud to be hosting this important segment of the main event. Our goal is to attract and develop millennials to take Sri Lanka's hospitality industry to greater heights and I am confident that the Youth Symposium programme will be both informative and inspirational for all delegates."

Confirmed speakers at the Youth Symposium include Dr. Mario Hardy; Sunil Dissanayake; Aleandre Kwan (Philanthropies Asia Programme Manager, Microsoft, Singapore); Andrew Chan ( Founder and CEO - ACI HR Solutions, Singapore); Dr. Chris Bottrill (Chairman of the PATA Human Capital Development Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Global and Community Studies, Capilano University, Canada); Faeez Fadhlillah (CEO - Tripfez and PATA Face of the Future 2017); Hiran Cooray (Chairman - Jetwing Hotels) and Miss JC Wong, PATA Young Tourism Professional Ambassador.

The symposium includes plenary talks on 'Talent and Recruitment in the Tourism Industry – The future for Gen Y and Millennials', 'Corporate Commitment to Future Generations' and 'Youth Entrepreneurship for the 21st century'. The event also features two interactive roundtable discussions on 'What is important to the future Generation of Tourism Professionals?' and 'How will Millennials and the next Generation Change the Future of Tourism?'

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