Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute Information

Throughout the year, CTHI offers job-specific modules on coffee appreciation, coffee brewing, cocktail mixing and advanced waiter training. In one afternoon, for example, you can learn how to make latte concoctions that look too good to sip. If you're interested in tending bar, check out CTHI's training on mixing drinks. Big restaurants have been sending their waiting staff to CTHI for advanced professional training. Very focused and specialized diploma, certificate or advanced professional courses began in June. CTHI certificate courses are in hotel sales and marketing, front office operations, food and beverage services, bar operations, barista operations, professional housekeeping and adventure tourism. It also has courses for those interested to be airline customer service representatives, flight attendants or travel agents. These courses are packaged with internships at leading hotels, restaurant chains, convention facilities and the like. If you prefer a diploma, you can take up hospitality and resort management; travel and tourism management; hospitality and tourism management; or hospitality cruise management. CTHI also offers advanced professional courses in hotel sales and marketing, hotel management and restaurant management. Then there is the advanced five-star waitstaff program for three weeks for people who are already experienced waiters but want to better their skills to qualify for employment in international hotel chains or fine dining restaurants. "We have resort management, cruise ship and airline courses. We even have adventure tourism," says Lim. "We cover everything except the kitchen. We don't do culinary." What he eventually wants to do is partner with leading universities for the general education courses so their students can get educated for life, not just for a job. But for now, he says, many Filipinos cannot afford to pursue an education for an extended period of time. "They want short-term, intensive training that will lead to a job, and that's what we offer." His other plans include franchising out the expertise of CTHI to other Asian tourist destinations. Already, he says, there are inquiries from Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.