Within the framework of the Vocational Education and Training Programme for the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-VET) and SESRIC’s Tourism Capacity Building Programme (Tourism-CaB), the Center, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education at the Ministry of National Education of Turkey, organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) Course on “Tourism and Hospitality Services” on 29 March - 02 April 2021 through an online video conferencing platform. The course was delivered by following an online competency based approach that includes pre-recorded videos and live practical demonstrations from a TVET Institution.

The ToT Course, which is in line with the OIC-TVET Strategic Roadmap 2020-2025, aimed to support and contribute to the efforts of the national TVET institutions of the OIC member countries towards developing and enhancing the capacities of their staff in the field of tourism and hospitality services in the light of the most recent global standards, practices and trends. The ToT Course brought together 49 participants from the relevant national institutions of 20 different OIC member countries.

The training course was commenced with the opening statement by H.E. Mr. Nebil DABUR, Director General of SESRIC. During his speech, H.E. Mr. Nebil DABUR stressed on the importance of enhancing the technical skills and competencies of the TVET staff -teachers and trainers- because of its direct impact on transfer of knowledge and expertise. Mentioning the significant role that hospitality and accommodation services play in attracting tourists to the destinations, he emphasized the need for further improving the quality of these services in the OIC member countries to match the global standards and increase their competitiveness in the global tourism market.

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of H.E. Mr. Kemal Varın NUMANOĞLU, Director General of the Vocational and Technical Education at the Ministry of National Education of Turkey, Ms. Şennur ÇETIN, Head of Social Partners and Projects, highlighted the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of TVET all around the world and underlined the readiness and willingness of the Ministry of National Education of Turkey to share its experience and knowledge in various fields and areas of the TVET with the other OIC member countries.

Over the course of five days, the ToT course mainly covered the following topics:

• Hotel Departments
• Front Office and Housekeeping Department
• Processes in Guest Relations
• Cleaning Procedures
• Office Works and Laundry

This ToT Course was designed in line with the online training solutions undertaken by SESRIC to better serve the Centre’s training activities and keep participants motivated and engaged during this difficult time of the global crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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