Tourism and Hospitality Management

Tourism and Hospitality Management

Introduction
Kisoro Municipal Voc. Training Institute is a private Vocational Institution located in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District, in southwestern Uganda.
The Institute is located near the tourism hub of Mgahinga Gorilla N.P., Bwindi Impenetrable N.P., Lake Mutanda, and the Virunga Mountains.
Because Kisoro is among the tourism destinations, the Institute introduced Tourism and Hospitality Management as one of its Key Courses to train youth with practical skills that Create Jobs and support the tourism Sector

Objectives of the Course:

  • To produce skilled Tour guides, hotel workers, and hospitality Managers.
  • To create self-employment among youth through tourism enterprises
  • To promote sustainable tourism and Conservation in Kisoro.
  • To supply man-power to lodges, hotels, and tour companies around Kisoro.

 

Courses offered under Tourism and Hospitality

The department offers both certificate and short courses.

  • Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management under UVTAB
  • Certificate in Hotel and Institutional Catering under UVTAB
  • Certificate in driving and Tour guiding under DIT.

The training takes 1-2 years for Certificate levels and 1 2 weeks to 3 months for short courses.

Why study Tourism and hospitality at Kisoro Municipal voc. Training Institute.

  • The Institute provides practical training to its students through taking on field trips to Mgahinga, Bwindi and local hotels.
  • The institute is in the middle of the Tourism zone, students Interact directly with tourists and tour guides in the field.
  • The Institute offers bursaries to its well-performing students under Hon. Sam's Scheme.
  • Kisoro has over 30 lodges and hotels that need workers.
  • Students are trained to start their own tour companies, craft shops and home stays.

Contribution to Employment and Community Development

  • Direct Jobs: Graduates work as tour guides, hotel managers, Chefs, waiters, and housekeepers.
  • Indirect Jobs: Students start small businesses like boda-boda tours, craft selling, and homestay hosting.
  • Conservation: Students are taught to protect the environment, avoid poaching, and promote gorilla conservation.
  • Cultural tourism: Students promote Batwa Culture, Bafumbira traditions and local foods.


Challenges facing the Department.

  • Limited training equipment for hospitality (Modern Kitchen, training hotel).
  • Lack of a demonstration van for tour guiding fieldwork.
  • Seasonal nature of tourism affecting Internship placement
  • Need for more qualified Instructors with a tourism background.


 Recommendations.

  • Establish a training hotel and restaurant within the institute where students practice, and the public pays for it and sleeps.
  • Start a campus Eco-Tourism Site, botanical garden, cultural museum, and nature trail to attract tourists and create Jobs
  • Partner with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), & Tour operators and Lodges for internships.
  • Introduce ICT digital Marketing for tourism such that students can market Kisoro online
  • Seek support from gov't and NGOs for training equipment and scholarships