High Demand for Cultural Tourism in Waikato sees second intake..

DEMAND FOR CULTURAL TOURISM COURSE IN WAIKATO SEES SECOND INTAKE ADDED

The popularity of a new course in cultural tourism in the Waikato has promoted a second course intake to be offered to prospective students next month.

Sir George Seymour National College of Ariline, Travel & Tourisml, New Zealand largest private travel and tourism tertiary training institution, is now offering a second intake in its Certificate in Cultural Tourism this year, after the inaugural course received a huge response throughout the Waikato region from people interested in the programme.

The first intake of students at Sir George Seymour's Hamilton campus started their studies on 7 March with a class of 21, despite classes usually being limited to 20. Students that didn't make it into the first intake have now been added to the second course, which is set to begin on 11 April.

The 34-week full time course is designed for those looking for a career in cultural tourism, covering topics such as customs and practice, the use of Maori language expression and place names, the significance of natural attractions and a number of other skills related to travel and tourism.

All 21 students in the inaugural programme come from a Maori background.

Sir George Seymour Hamilton campus manager Deborah Dove said most visitors to New Zealand wanted to experience at least some aspect of the Maori culture during the stay, but at present the industry wasn't fully meeting this demand.

"We believe the course will increase cultural knowledge in the industry as a whole, and help to fill these gaps," she said.

As an added incentive, Sir George Seymour also offers $2,500 scholarships to all those students that complete the cultural tourism course and gain the qualification, which goes towards their fees.

"It is a way to entice young people that have a deeper cultural knowledge into the tourism industry, as that is what the industry is asking for," said Mrs Dove.

A recent tourism and hospitality industry report highlighted major job shortages in the sector, saying 16,500 new employees will be needed to fill new jobs created by 2010 while up to 100,000 new staff could be needed to replace those that leave.

There are still openings in the course's April intake.

Sir George Seymour National College of Tourism and Travel is an award-winning tertiary institution that specializes in education programmes for the airline, travel and tourism industries. It is fully registered and accredited with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and has campuses in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.