At the International School of Tourism and Hotel Management (IST) in Kathmandu, Nepal, two new accredited courses of the FH Salzburg have been offered since the summer semester. The local students are trained to become experts in hotel and tourism management.
They can choose between "International Tourism Management" and "International Hospitality Management". "In addition to imparting basic knowledge in the field of hotel and tourism management, the focus of both programmes is on innovative management approaches as well as eTourism - the use of new and emerging technologies in the industry," says Eva Brucker, head of tourism studies at the FH Salzburg, describing the positioning of the new training.
Long-standing partnership
The cooperation between the FH Salzburg and the IST in Kathmandu has already existed for 17 years and is a highly valued, international partnership. The current development of the new courses offers exceptional opportunities for Nepalese students. "The hospitality and tourism industry is changing faster than ever before, the world is becoming more connected and digital. During their training, the students gain the skills to adapt and further develop (tourism) products to the multifaceted industry and requirements and thus act as pioneers," explains Eva Brucker.
Over 100 prospective hotel and tourism experts
The training lasts three years and is conducted by IST in Nepal under the supervision of the Innovation & Management in Tourism programme (FH Salzburg) and accreditation by the FH College. Currently, the teaching is supported online from Austria. The summer semester already started in March with over 100 students. The focus of the courses is on digitalisation (eTourism), innovation engagement including product development, and sustainability.
Eva Brucker: "The graduates not only have the skills to provide a first-class service in an international context, but can also provide quality-oriented new input for the hotel and tourism industry, predominantly in Nepal, but also throughout Southeast Asia and the entire Middle East."
