An artistic impression of the Ronald Ngala Utalii College and Hotel. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard].
Players in the hospitality industry at the Coast have welcomed, with much relief, the pronouncement by Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok that the Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi will start operations in September this year.
Construction of the massive training facility has been delayed for over a decade and a half, leaving little to celebrate as hospitality labour continues to suffer from inadequate training facilities.
Led by chairman of the Mombasa Tourism Council Dr Sam Ikwaye, the industry players cautioned that while the opening dates are too close, it is much welcomed to have the college finally operate.
''Its operationalisation has been delayed for a very long time. The rollout should be thought through and should not stop for any reason once launched because we want to use it for capacity building of our workforce needs here in the entire region throughout the year,'' Dr Ikwaye said.
He stated that the industry lost some significant professionals to better opportunities on cruise ships and other jobs, and there is thus a need to fast-track manpower development while allowing workers an opportunity to continue working.
Mombasa hotelier, Janet Chamia and proprietor of Jacyjoka Holiday Apartments welcomed the announcement on the college opening, terming it a game changer for the Kenyan hospitality industry.
Seafarer and a former hotelier Nelly Adams said that courses to be offered on seafaring for cruise ship workers will help them upgrade their skills.