Zammit Lewis launches tourism O-level pilot project

98% of ITS graduates from the past two years are now employed in the tourism and hospitality sector, according to Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis.

Speaking on the occasion of the opening of the scholastic year at the Institute of Tourism Studies today, Zammit Lewis also announced a pilot project whereby a Hospitality Studies course is to be offered at Matsec level.

ITS and MCAST are collaborating to develop vocational courses at secondary school level and adapt them to the requirements of the Maltese market.

“This initiative is intended to enhance awareness amongst secondary school students regarding the choice of careers available in the tourism sector”, said the minister, while highlighting the importance of this sector to the economy.

According to the minister, the institute’s student intake has nearly doubled over the past few years, with almost 700 full time and over 500 part-time students pursuing their studies there.

Zammit Lewis expressed his satisfaction that the Internship Unit at ITS this year organised  a total of 450 industry placements for students, adding that last year, an unprecedented 150 requests for Diploma and Higher National Diploma students were received from companies abroad when the amount of students available for travel was only 90.

The minister reiterated his commitment to continuously improving the quality of Malta’s tourism product and wished the students and teachers every success.