ITT LAUNCHES EDUCATION DRIVE

THE INSTITUTE of Travel and Tourism is preparing to ditch its image as a networking club with the launch of a comprehensive training and skills programme at its annual general meeting on May 9.

Chairman Stephen Freudmann has pledged to turn back the clock and return the ITT to its historic role as the industry’s leading educator.

The training package – put together with TTC Training and City and Guilds – will set a skills benchmark that new ITT members must reach before they are entitled to use the initials F Inst TT after their name. The final test will include a written exam and a dissertation about an aspect of the travel industry.

“When I started in travel, the ITT led the way in terms of training,” said Freudmann. “I want young people leaving college to join the ITT and continue their education. That is the way to get travel professionals.”

He said the ITT may eventually offer up to 90 courses, all with City and Guilds recognition.

Meanwhile, Freudmann believes the ITT could show a small operating profit when its accounts for last year are released at the AGM. The turnaround in the Institute’s fortunes has followed a restructure of its business after the revelation that there was a £36,000 black hole in its accounts (Travel Weekly October 10 2001).

Efforts to recover an alleged £19,000 debt from the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, relating to the ITT’s conference there in 2000, have also begun. A firm of Las Vegas lawyers have been engaged on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.