General Reading 7.2

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 15-27, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

Section 1 (Questions 15 - 18)

A Career in Hotel Management

Introduction

Hotel management provides exciting career opportunities in the dynamic hospitality and tourism industry. Indeed, tourism is the world’s fastest-growing industry. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Recent figures show tourism enjoying a growth rate 23% higher than that of the global economy, employing some 212 million and earning in the region of $ US 3.4 trillion per annum.

In a year from now, employment figures are predicted to exceed 338 million, with revenue above SUS7.2 trillion. The vast majority of new jobs will be in the Asia-Pacific region, which by the year 2010 will attract 1 in every 5 of the world’s holidaymakers. The employment prospects for the International College of Hospitality Management’s graduates are exciting.

The International College of Hospitality Management

The International College of Hospitality Management provides diploma and degree level hotel management training for the international hospitality and tourism industry. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Established in 1993, the International College of Hospitality Management in the Asia-Pacific Basin campus of the renowned European Hotel Association. It also incorporates the classical French cooking training of Le Gourmet, Paris.

International Hotel Management Diploma

The International College of Hospitality Management course is industry-oriented, balancing operative, supervisory and management level training. [Crack IELTS with Rob] The Diploma course is 3 years full time. Semesters 1, 3 and 5 are spent studying on campus, and Semesters 2, 4 and 6 are spent in industry on undergraduate placements, called ‘stages’. One stage may be taken up with language studies.

Bachelor of Business (Hotel Management) Degree

Students who graduate with the International Hotel Management Diploma are assured of a further year of Degree Study at the University of the Antipodes. Studies will focus on such areas as Global Marketing, Strategic Management, Total Quality Management, Cross-Cultural Communications, Developing Organisations and Management of Change, Global Development in Hospitality and Tourism, Intercultural Relations. Under certain circumstances the final year of study can be conducted on a part-time basis and by distance education mode, enabling students to study while maintaining a full-time career in the hospitality industry, either here or in their home country.

Section 2 (Questions 19 - 23)

Training Facilities

The International College of Hospitality Management has more than 120 professional lecturers and international-standard, training facilities. [Crack IELTS with Rob] These include three public restaurants, ten commercial training kitchens, simulated front office training facilities, four computer suites, a fully operational winery, and a food science laboratory. The Learning Resource Centre collection is extensive. The student support services provide professional counselling in the areas of health, learning support, language skills, accommodation and welfare. Childcare facilities are also available on campus.

International Home

The International College of Hospitality Management has students enrolled from more than 20 countries, some of whom stay on campus in International House. Built-in 1999, International House is an accommodation comprising villa-style units. [Crack IELTS with Rob] Each student has their own bedroom, sharing en suite facilities with another student. An adjoining kitchenette and lounge area is shared by the four students in the villa. All meals are served in the College dining room which is next to the student common room. Student privacy and security are priorities. A computer outlet in each bedroom enables the student to connect to the College network, providing 24 hour-a-day access. The residence is a two-minute walk to the College’s sporting and training facilities and is on a regular bus service to the city centre 10 km away. International House is also being used to enhance on-campus training, from Monday to Friday, Year 1 students, supervised by 2nd Years, are assigned kitchen, waiting, housekeeping and receptionist duties.

Simulated check-in/check-out exercises, receptionist duties and breakfast service to a limited number of rooms are also part of the program.

Section 3 (Questions 24 - 27)

International Hotel - Management Diploma

Short Courses

A. This certificate is designed for participants wishing to acquire the skills to perform duties relevant to a front office receptionist working within a range of hospitality establishments. [Crack IELTS with Rob] The course includes front office and organizational structure, role and duties of the front office personnel, guests’ reservations and registrations, check-in and check-out procedures, guest accounting and management reports.

B. This certifícate is designed for participants wishing to develop a solid understanding of, and the ability to perform duties and skills required in the advanced front office operations and night auditing. The course includes night auditing procedures, daily records and reports, early and late arrivals, security duties, bell desk/concierge, guest service and information, advanced cashiering, supervision of payments, banking operations, debtor control and financial reports.

C. This certificate is designed for participants wishing to acquire the skills relevant to table attendant duties within an a la carte restaurant. [Crack IELTS with Rob] The course includes table setting for a variety of menus, plate and silver service, tray and wine service, ordering and docket systems, wine styles and label identification, food and wine combinations.

D. This certificate is designed for participants wishing to acquire the skills to perform a bar attendant’s duties within a range of industry settings. The course includes bar preparation, cash handling, beer service, patron care, basic cocktail mixing, product knowledge.