Hospitality / Tourism
Planning Portion of the Hospitality and Tourism Initiative:
The EcO15 Tourism initiative is focused on identifying sustainable careers within the Hospitality and Tourism industry to enhance employment opportunities within Southeastern Indiana. A network of an EcO15 Advisory Council, EcO15 regional staff and coordinators, education partners/high school Dream It. Do It. Champions, visitor center partners, community leaders, and the H & T sector stakeholders was formed to support an assessment of this industry.
EcO15 partnered with Indiana University’s Tourism Research & Education Center to conduct a needs assessment of career opportunities and the impact of Tourism to the ten counties. The focus groups findings provided direction for surveys that were sent to the tourism employers and Region 9 residents. Focus group data was used to investigate career paths to aid residents interested in joining or advancing in the tourism industry.
Progress Report:
Reports were submitted by Indiana University faculty researchers for the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies, Dr.’s Shu Cole and Charles Chancellor.
- EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Visitor Survey-Economic Impact to Region 9
- Southeastern Indiana Resident’s Attitude Toward Tourism
- EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Employer Report
- EcO15 Tourism/Hospitality Career Pathway Report
Selected findings:
- The Hospitality & Tourism industry employs 24,000 + residents in EGR 9 providing $530 million in employee income
- Approximately 70% of tourism leaders feel the industry will grow during the next 3-10 years
- High satisfaction & 90% repeat visits by tourist support industry optimism of continual and potential growth of tourism in EGR9
- Each visitor to the region infused $121.12 in the economy
- 2009: Every 10,000 visitors created 19 jobs, generating $1.2 million in sales and $94,000 in state/local taxes.
- Residents favorably recognize the benefits of the local tourism industry as an economic activity
The EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Advisory Council analyzed the reports tendered by Dr.’s Cole and Chancellor and made recommendations for implementation.
Recommendations:
Career Pathways-
- Most important skills needed for H & T jobs are communcation, work ethic, and ability to provide a high standard of customer service
- Gain job skills through work experience in industry
- Complete education degrees: specifically a high school diploma, specific certifications and post secondary degrees
Current Educational Pathways-
- Curriculum offered in the region’s high schools related to/or useful to the hospitality/tourism industry
- Family, Consumer Science Departments and Career Centers
- Ivy Tech (Business Department)
- State and area specific Hospitality and Tourism degree programs: Ball State, Cincinnati Tech. & Comm., Indiana University-Bloomington, IUPUC, IUPUI, Purdue University, Sullivan University, University of Cincinnati, Vincennes University
Introduction and/or expansion of current programs-
- State of Indiana Work Ethic Certification Program
- American Hotel and Lodging START Program, high school, 11th and 12th grade (Endorsed by the Indiana Hotel and Lodging Association)
- Indiana Restaurant Association-School to Careers
- Junior Achievement’s Travel and Tourism Supplement (high school)
- National Career Readiness Certification
Gaps in Education and (targeted) audience awareness-
- Training materials for employees currently in the industry and/or entry level positions
- Centralized EGR 9 Database (Hospitality/Tourism)
- On-line classes leading to certificates in Hospitality/Tourism
- Customer Service DVD Resource Library (Convention Visitor Bureaus, Learning Centers, etc.)
- Hospitality/Tourism Career Awareness Campaign to capture adult learners and the unemployed population
- Hospitality/Tourism Internship plan for high schools and career centers
- High school career Fairs including Hospitality/Tourism Representatives
- “Speakers List” Hospitality/Tourism professionals
Support and Collaboration:
The Visitor Center Directors, industry stakeholders and educators/high school Dream It. Do It. Champions have been instrumental in the collection of data and successful completion of the planning grant surveys. The members of the EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Advisory Council reviewed the findings presented by the Indiana University faculty as well as made recommendations on the next steps necessary for the successful conclusion of the planning grant.
Valuable information was gathered which allowed the region’s leaders to make informed decisions concerning the Hospitality/Tourism industry as a viable career cluster and employment opportunity for the residents of the area. The information gathered shows the importance of the industry to the economies of the region.
With the final Market Analysis Report for potential business opportunities and the work plan and strategies to meet the employment and education needs and challenges, we now have a more complete picture of how the Hospitality/Tourism employment sector can positively impact the region.
Remaining Funds:
At the conclusion of the planning portion of the EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism initiative, some funding remained in this piece of the grant. As a result, the Advisory Council proposed the launch of two pilot programs and requested the evaluation of a third project.
1.) The “START” program addresses the need for exploration in a number of career options within the hospitality industry. Students enrolled in the eighteen week course are exposed to over twelve career pathways, job shadow opportunities and build their professional resume and portfolio.
We have had thirteen students enroll in the initial START pilot and the feedback regarding the program has been very positive. The program is endorsed by the American Hotel and Lodging Association and is an approved course by the State of Indiana Department of Education. This program is being offered at the Ohio County Education Center and is endorsed by the three large casinos on the Ohio River. As the pilot is progressing, we are pursuing sustainability options with industry.
2.) The introduction of “License to Serve” Customer Service Training, endorsed by Destination Marketing Association International, is being made available in the form of portable resources to large and small employers in the ten counties in Economic Growth Region 9.
The training materials include software registrations and the hardware to support training facilitated by trained instructors or the loan of the materials to small businesses who cannot allow the release of their employees to attend out of office professional development.
The material focuses on greeting a visitor, listening to visitors and handling visitor problems when they occur. The Convention Visitor Centers are partnering with EcO15 to oversee this program in their respective areas. Placement of the resources will be at the Visitor Centers, career centers, learning centers and/or libraries.
3.) The Advisory Council also has recommended that remaining funds be allocated at the community college level to build and/or augment programs that enhances the continuum of education in hospitality and tourism. Such programs will compliment the two programs listed previously and address the needs of our residents by raising their skills up at least one level in their career pathway in the hospitality industry.
At this time, Ivy Tech has proposed a certificate program (Hospitality Institute) which includes 68 hours of training and development. The primary focus is on customer service and leadership development skills for those in a team leader or supervisory role. The tentative plan is to launch this pilot in January of 2011. |
