Research foresees promising future for hospitality sector

Research conducted by higher education institutions and entrusted to the Talents Development Committee has hinted at broad prospects for practitioners in gaming, catering, retail and conventions.
According to the government think-tank, which received the findings from four institutions, the industries’ demand for manpower will continue to grow in the next three years. More specifically, the gaming sector is expected to require 30 percent more management personnel than previously.
It was also said that the upward demand in hotels and retail would open up around 27,000 and 16,000 job vacancies respectively, while retail-related positions could go up by 25 percent in the territory, with robust demand for human resources positions in high-end brands. The conference and exhibition industry will see the workforce double the current pool in the future.
The committee, headed by the region’s leader, Chui Sai On, finished its second meeting of the year last Friday. The commission will continue to ramp up future collaboration with other overseas tertiary education institutions in nurturing talent and encouraging locals to undertake more training.
The committee, comprised of officials mainly from the education sector, was founded last year with the aim of luring back what the officials regard as talented professionals from overseas, while encouraging locals to better their skills.