Tazeen Akhtar
President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi has hailed Serena Hotels Islamabad , CEO Mr Aziz Boolani and his team for highlighting the right images of the country through their efforts to promote tourism and hospitality education in collaboration with the firms of international fame.
The President inaugurated Hospitality Management Executive Education Programme at Serena Hotels Islamabad on 16 Feb 2020 in the presence of CEO Mr Aziz Boolani and the representative of EHL Mr. Franck LOUVEAU.
EHL (Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne).is Swiss Hospitality & Leisure Management school that is ranked one of the best in the world. Serena Hotels has arranged this programme in collaboration with EHL. World Bank Pakistan and Habib Bank are the sponsors of the programme. This programme is aimed at enhancing the capacity and training of hospitality staff in Pakistan that is a pre-requisite for promotion of tourism.
EHL has been awarded the “Best Innovation in Education” at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2019 for Bachelor in International Hospitality Management program, following the new multi-campus study options and entrepreneurial support provided to students. This international distinction confirms the strong recognition of EHL by the hospitality industry.
The programme launch ceremony was held on Sunday and first class will be held today 17 Feb 2020. The programme will be concluded in Dec 2020.
Mr. Aziz Boolani in his welcoming remarks shed light on Serena Hotels network in the country contributing in promotion of hospitality and tourism. He thanked Mr Illango Patchamuthu , the Country head of World Bank and the management of Habib Bank for their sponsorship. He appreciated the support of Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan H.E Thomas Kolli who was not present in the ceremony because of his engagements out of country. Mr Aziz Boolani also appreciated General Manager Serena Islamabad Mr Michel Andre Galopin for his role in making this programme possible.
President Dr Arif Alvi in his keynote address said that Pakistan needs at least one hundred thousand skilled force in hospitality industry to promote tourism in the country. He said I have visited many countries and I can say with sure that the sites in Pakistan are more beautiful than any place in the world. We can attract foreign tourists but for that only infrastructure is not enough. Experts of hospitality are also needed. Serena Hotels has taken right initiative at right time.
The President admired the Serena Hotels contribution in promotion of history and cultures of Pakistan. He said I have been staying at Serena Hotels from Quetta to Hunza. Serena Hotels have preserved history and culture in the shape of the architect of the buildings of the hotels.
In addition to Proficiency of Hospitality Management certificate programme starting from February 17, 2020, Serena Hotels is organizing the specialized workshops for the benefit of the senior professionals.
