July 29: A proper hotel needs to have skilled and qualified managers with the requisite skills to deal with customers. More than 30 hoteliers and managers from different hotels across the country are learning this at a training programme in Simtokha.

The training is part of a two year diploma programme. Participants attend trainings like this every four months. Each session training lasts two months. During the programme, they learn hotel management and leadership skills.

The programme began earlier this month and will go on until the end of August. The training will be followed by a four month on the job experience where they try and implement the knowledge they have gained.

Hans Keller, the programme director says Bhutanese by nature are friendly and nice which can make tourists feel good. However he said this quality needs to be augmented with knowledge.

Sangay Wangmo has completed high school. After class 12 she could not qualify for further studies. Today she runs her father’s hotel in Bumthang. She said she was totally in the dark and did not have any idea about the business of running a hotel when she was asked by her father to run the business.

For Sangay, the training has been useful. She said she has learnt how to handle guests and tackle management problems.

The participants are also being taught team spirit, communication skills and decision making. Senior managers from luxury hotels like Uma and Aman resorts are also invited to share their expertise. Yesterday’s lesson included a class on body massage and muscle therapy.

Kuna Fasel, the Director of Como Hotels and Resorts was invited from the programme to share his experience in hotel management.

Dawa Dukpa works as the front office manager in a hotel in Phuentsholing. He described the training as useful and says he is a confident manager now.

The programme is being conducted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan with assistance from Switzerland.