What future for tourist training?

Training in tourism is crucial insofar as the quality of tourist service and level of qualification of labor impact directly the sector performance. In this regard, Abderraouf Tébourba, Director General of Vatel for Tunisia and United Arab Emirates, in an interview African Manager, highlighted the niche with regard to its impact on sustainability of tourism and the image of the Tunisia destination. Interview:
Could you introduce Tunis Vatel School?
The opening of Vatel Tunis in 2006 is a judicious choice. It provides an added-value to the training of Tunisian skills in an industry that requires excellence, and we will continue to provide aid and our collaboration with regards of training in country.
With a score of institutions spread over four continents, Vatel is today one of the first schools in education in matter of tourism and hotel industry. Like Vatel schools recognized by the profession that appreciates balance of its training university and its professional approach, Vatel Tunis will allow students to succeed and complete their studies and their career plans.
We are generally competing with other Vatel such as Vatel Paris. 90% of our students have completed their internships abroad, we have students who are hired in Europe and in the  Gulf countries , in addition to a significant part of  graduates  that remain  in Tunisia and hold very important positions in terms of tourism hotel management.
Over 170 students were enrolled in 2009 and we expect 200 students in 2010. Our main concern remains obviously quality, not volume.
How do you assess the training  provided  by  Vatel Tunis, do you think that training programs are in line  with changes  occurring in the  industry?
The strength of Vatel today is alternation. The student follows courses for a week and undergoes practical application for a week as well. The Internships are very important too. After three years, the student spends from 9 to 12 months in internship. Therefore, he will be operational. The student has not only good command of the tool of management, management, marketing, but also of technical hotel and catering.
How you see the future of industry tourism in the years to come?
Tunisia has a great history with the tourism. We were leaders but there were mutations. For this, it is useful to adapt more to new circumstances. It is true that mass tourism prevails today. Fortunately, it has not been a problem.  We must resort to well known hotel chains to better ensure best positioning.
Wiem Thebti