OVERVIEW
The need for a professional training Institute to provide necessary skills and developmental programmes that will motivate individuals, corporate organizations and government of African countries to harness their travel, tourism and hospitality potentials as a region of the world where the sector could dictate the pace of economic growth and development, gave rise to what is now recognize
d as the Global Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (GITH). A search through educational institutions in Africa revealed that there were very few involved in training professionals. Where they existed at all, the programmes they run only provide basic skills for the individual. This then raises a question: “Travel, tourism and hospitality industry is capable of providing the antidote for the ailing economies of Africa. How?”
INTRODUCTION
Global Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (GITH) is a professional institute with a vision of ensuring total human capital development and management through professionalism in training, education and research activities in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality management. True development in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry can be a reality when professionally trained experts get involved in the industry. This will promote international interaction, breed confidence in the industry and result in economic empowerment and peaceful coexistence worldwide. Efforts are geared towards determining the standards of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the profession and monitoring these standards to ensure that they overcome challenges surrounding the development of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality in Africa and beyond. OUR VISION
To develop experts for the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality sector through education, training and career development in order to promote Tourism and Hospitality activities among peoples of the world. OUR VALUES
Our values include honesty, integrity, qualitative service delivery, professionalism, strategy, objectivity, commitment, technology and innovation; these will form the core of our relationship within and with the outside world. OUR MISSION
We shall carry on Travel, Tourism and Hospitality education, training, research and development in order to impact knowledge at all levels while we develop Tourism and Hospitality connoisseur through systematically organized training and re-training programmes. OBJECTS OF GITH
GITH, having complied with basic statutory requirements in accordance to Nigerian laws, has acquired requisite status to carry on training and educational activities in Nigeria and beyond. The principal objectives of the Institute include the following:
Principal Objectives of Global Institute of Travel and Hospitality (GITH)
• To provide tuition and examination facilities for qualification embracing all aspects of the law and practice relating to Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry;
• To provide prequalification and continuing professional education and creating forums for discussion about contemporary and relevant issues in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry;
• To promote research on Travel, Tourism and Hospitality activities and contribute to and inform debate on public policy in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry;
• To organize lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality related activities;
• To be a leader in education and expert in building strategic thinking and capacity development in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry;
• To publish journals and professional magazines on Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry;
• To ensure that members are gainfully employed in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry;
• To conduct research consistently on Travel, Tourism and Hospitality related activities with a view to moving the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the right direction;
• To contribute to policies aimed at the growth and development of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality sector;
• To provide consultancy services to firms, industries, institutions, public and private sectors. These objectives have been translated into a planned course of action, as follows:
Planned Course of action for GITH
• Direct Membership Enrolment
• Examination and Certification of Members
• Travel and Tourism Village
• Travel and Tourism Africa Agenda
• Travel and Tourism Global Plan
DIRECT MEMBERSHIP ENROLMENT (DME)
The Institute shall pursue a vigorous campaign aimed at using its platform to bring together practitioners, academicians, technocrats, institutions and government agencies for continuous engagement and exchange programmes that will foster synergy among stakeholders in the industry. This shall be achieved by harnessing existing potentials in the players in the industry. The DME shall leverage on human capital readily available in the industry as part of its penetration strategies. The Institute shall maintain registers for different categories of its members who include Companions, Fellows, Professional Members, Associate Members, Graduate Members, Licentiates, Affiliates and Students. EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION OF MEMBERS
The Institute places high premium on persistent training and continuous education of its members to enable them cope with the challenges of the dynamic industry. Measures are consistently put in place to keep members at pace with development in the industry. However, every member shall be expected to be practicing in the field of Travel and Hospitality. Students are also trained in all practical aspects of Travel and Hospitality in order to equip them with requisite skills necessary for the level of performance expected of a professional. GITH, through its training programme provides various opportunities to individuals, tourism organizations as well as the economy. Some of these benefits include:
• Opportunity for professional and career development of the individual to meet challenges of the Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Industry;
• Qualitative manpower development for the Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Industry;
• Avenue for establishment and sustenance of ethical standards and practice for Tourism, Travel and Hospitality sector; and
• Promotion of research and development with a view to providing avenue for pragmatic solution to the challenges facing the Tourism and Hospitality sector. EXAMINATION STRUCTURE
PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME – PP
The professional examinations consist of the following levels:
• Foundation Level
• Intermediate Level
• Semi-Professional Level
• Final Professional Level
TECHNICIAN SCHEME (TS)
The main objectives of the Technician Scheme are:
• To provide recognized qualifications for the Tourism and Hospitality staff employed in the Hospitality sector, Industry, Commerce and in various offices of practicing Tourians (i.e. a person who has passed the Final Professional Examination of the Institute);
• To help meet the staffing needs of the economy especially those in the Travel and Hospitality industry;
• To give status to Tourism Technicians; and
• To provide opportunity for exceptional Tourism Technician to progress through professional examinations and qualify as Certified Tourians (Certified Tourians are Companions, Fellows, Principal Members and Associate of GITH). The technician examinations consist of the following levels:
• Technician Stage I – TS I
• Technician Stage II – TS II
• Technician Stage III – TS III (Tourism Option)
• Technician Stage III – TS III (Catering Option)
TRAVEL AND TOURISM VILLAGE
The Institute shall, in pursuance of its overall goals and objectives establish a Travel and Tourism Village as model for the industry. This project comprises of facilities for various communities for educational/academic activities, recreational/social activities and economic/empowerment activities. School of Travel and Leisure (STL)
In order to attain this goal, the Institute has registered the School of Travel and Leisure (STL) as its organ for education and academic activities. The school shall be operated in line with required standards so as to achieve the goal of academic and education of people thereby setting the pace for other industry players. GITH Resort
The resort centre shall be incorporated into the mainstream of the Institute. The resort shall serve as model for hospitality and leisure activities. GITH is committed to supporting capacity development of individuals throughout their active life. Whether one is seeking new skills, wanting to refresh current knowledge or just keeping up-to-date in the fast moving world, the Institute has a range of short courses and conferences that can help achieve these multifarious objectives and more. The Institute’s well established programmes for personal and professional development are designed for individuals, professionals, private and public sectors. Tourism Market
The Tourism market shall serve as a location where various tourist products shall be produced and sold. GITH runs a series of business and short management programmes through its GITH Enterprise Centre (GEC).
