This follows the introduction early in March of a Tourism Awareness Programme (TAP-IN) aimed at attracting adults to work in the sector.

Both these initiatives are a result of the efforts of a joint action committee which is made up of executives from the MTA, the Institute of Tourism Studies and the Employment and Training Corporation.

The committee was set up earlier this year by Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech to streamline and improve recruitment and training factors through better coordination within the tourist sector.

The TAP-IN course is held at the ETC premises in Hal Far and lasts four hours, while the Tips training programme is scheduled to take 12 hours and will be held at the ITS premises in St George’s Bay.

Tips is intended for all new recruits to the tourism industry whether on a full- or part-time basis and the first course is scheduled to commence on 20 April.

“The course focuses on the important role that people working within the industry are required to play. It particularly explains the importance of tourism’s role in the local economy and focuses on ‘Product Malta’. It also highlights the importance of good customer care practices, as well as professional technical competencies.

“The aim of Tips is to instil a sense of responsibility and job ownership during the daily interaction of personnel with local or foreign clients as well as with colleagues at work,” said MTA Human Resource and Support Services Directorate chairman Anthony Gatt.

The Tips programme will be run and delivered on an ongoing basis by the ITS.

The programme will run on two full-day sessions – Tuesdays and Fridays from 9am to 4pm – or on four half-day sessions – Mondays and Wednesdays from 2pm to 5.15pm.

In support of tourism operators, this programme can also be organised in-house.

The intention is for the Tips programme to become a standard requirement during 2005.

For more information visit the “Training and Development” page of the MTA’s corporate website at www.mta.com.mt, call at the ITS Registrar’s Office, visit [email protected] or phone 2379-3230/5.