Educational Tourism and Hospitality in Oman - Report Example

Tourism and Hospitality in Oman Oman is committed to developing its tourism industry and capitalizing on renewed global interest in the Middle East. There are three important institutions of higher education in Oman which focus on preparing students for careers in the budding tourism and hospitality sector. Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Oman Tourism College (OTC) and the National Hospitality Institute (NHI) each offers a unique education geared towards developing a professional cadre of staff for the tourism and hospitality sector. As Oman continues to embrace foreign visitors, foreign capital and foreign investment, this important sector will continue to develop at an unparalleled pace. It is also expected to develop in tandem with governmental projects aimed at increasing the in-flow of tourists to this exciting country. This essay will provide an excellent overview of the growing tourism and hospitality sector in Oman with an emphasis on how each educational stream differs in substance and focus. An introduction will give a brief history of Oman, thus providing context and background to the development of the tourism sector in this country. The methodological principles behind a content analysis of three hospitality institutes of higher education in Oman will be elaborated upon and explored. Our data analysis will begin with a comparative overview of each of the three important preparatory institutions with a focus on the organizations themselves and their unique entry requirements. An overview of the courses and degrees offered will provide us with a concise overview of how Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute differ. Since the tourism sector is inherently international in focus, we will then explore global partnerships, international training and internships offered by each organization. An emphasis on the facilities of each school and the composition of faculty will provide greater insight into the inner workings of each institution. Finally, this cross-comparative analysis will conclude with a summary and conclusion, highlighting key differences between Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute differ with regards to their hospitality and tourism programs. INTRODUCTION The Sultanate of Oman is a constitutional monarchy situated on the southeast coast of the Arabia Peninsula. A coastal country on the Arabian Sea, Oman is ruled by a Sultan; since 1970 Sultan Qaboos has attempted to increase the prosperity of his country through modernization and engagement with the rest of the world. Prior to Sultan Qaboos’ ascension to the throne, Oman was ruled by his father Sultan Said bin Taimur. Under Sultan Taimur, Oman remained a backward region of the world, characterized by widespread poverty and high rates of illiteracy. During this period, the entire country boasted a mere three primary schools and healthcare was virtually non-existent. At the time, there was only one missionary-run hospital, based in the capital city of Muscat. Prior to Sultan Qaboos’ ascension to the throne, this was the state of affairs in the oldest independent state in the Arab world and the second largest Arab country east of the Suez (Katz 44; Petersen 135). Overthrowing his father in 1970, Sultan Qaboos has made a sustained effort to modernize Oman through economic reforms, government spending on health, education and welfare, and engagement with the rest of the world. In addition to direct government investment in social services, Oman has embraced tourism and hospitality as important sector of the economy in an effort to further engage with the rest of the world. Although during the reign of Sultan Taimur there were only three primary schools in the entire country, today Oman boasts three specialized institutes of higher education which focus on the important tourism and hospitality sector: Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute (OReilly 82; Petersen 133). Methodology and method In undertaking an analysis of the preparatory educational institutions in Oman, the method of content analysis was employed. This particular method of data gathering and analysis is particularly useful when embarking upon a research project which deals with data obtained from administrative organizations. Although content analysis can be used when analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, this scientific method was employed here with the aim of analyzing qualitative data, especially organizational administrative documents. Units of focus were established and the analysis continued systematically from there. This particular dissertation utilized the methods of Explanation Content Analysis in a comparative manner to understand how Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute differ with respect to their tourism and hospitality programs (Neuendorf 2001). DATA ANALYSIS Data for our comparative analysis of hospitality preparatory institutions in Oman will be analyzed using a holistic approach. This section has been organized into the following categories, 1) Development, Affiliations & Requirements, 2) Courses & Degrees Offered, 3) International Partnerships, Training & Internships and finally, 4) Facilities and Staff. Using this framework, Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute were be analyzed using a content analysis from a cross-comparative perspective. Development, Affiliations & Requirements Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute each differs with respect to development as a institution of higher learning, affiliations and entry requirements for students interested in a career in one of Oman’s most exciting and budding industries. Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) was established in 1986 at the direction of the Sultan as the only public university in the Sultanate of Oman. A residential school, SQU opened its Department of Tourism in 2001 and graduated its first class four years later, in 2005. Accordingly, the mission of the Department of Tourism is: To produce qualified personnel to work in various fields of tourism; it will also be a nucleus for academic and professional training in the Sultanate. This accordingly will aid the university in contributing to the development of human resources in the Sultanate as it usually does. (SQU Records 2008) Sultan Qaboos University offers a diverse list of scholarly disciplines to choose from; the Department of Tourism is just one of the most recent academic streams added to SQU. Students who wish to enroll in the Sultan Qaboos University must be Omani Nationals and have completed a Third Secondary Leaving Certificate with a minimum overall average of 80% as well as a minimum English-language instruction average of 80%. In addition to the Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College is at the forefront in developing the Omani hospitality and tourism sector. The Oman Tourism College (OTC) is based in the capital city of Muscat and is sponsored by the Omani Ministry of Manpower. In addition to this important national affiliation, the OTC has global affiliations with the Austrian International Institute of Tourism and Management (ITM) and the International Management Centre (IMC) University of Applied Sciences, Austria. Established in 2001, the first graduates of the OTC received their accreditations in 2005. The mission statement of the Oman Tourism College is “to provide young talented Omani people with the best education in the tourism and hospitality industry, thereby creating job opportunities and building careers.” (OTC Records 2008). Similarly to applicants to the Sultan Qaboos University, Department of Tourism, Applicants to the OTC must be Omani Nationals who have obtained a Third Secondary Leaving Certificate with a minimum overall average of 65% as well as a minimum English-language instruction average of 65%. The Oman Tourism College has played an important role in developing the budding Omani hospitality and tourism industry. The third and final tourism preparatory institution in Oman is the National Hospitality Institute. Established in 1996 and graduating its first class one year later, Oman’s National Hospitality Institute (NHI) is the nation’s oldest tourism and hospitality training institution. The goal of the NHI is “to be the region’s undisputed leader in Hospitality Training by inspiring every customer and changing lives within a professional and caring environment.” (NHI Records 2008). As a vocational institution with a Gulf-wide reputation for excellent, the Oman’s National Hospitality Institute is a private school which caters to the growing hotel and catering company community in Oman. As a private institution, there are no entry pre-requisites and the NHI is open to all, regardless of nationality. Courses & Degrees Offered The Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute each offers unique courses and specialized degrees aimed a preparing students for a career in the Omani tourism sector. The Sultan Qaboos University offers a plethora of courses geared towards the completion of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Tourism, which can be accomplished in four years of sustained study. This Degree is specialized and offered in the following three areas of specialization: Tour Guidance, Hospitality Management & Tourism Management. Language acquisition and proficiency is an important aspect of the Tourism Department at SQU and specific language courses offered include English for Tourism, French Language, German Language and Arabic Language Skills. Introductory courses for students include Introduction to Tourism, Introduction to Hospitality, Methods of Tourism Guidance, Modern Trends in Tourism and Economics of Tourism. In addition to introductory students new to the industry, SQU also offers an important overview of Omani society including the following courses: Omani Society Studies, Aspects of Oman History, Tourism and Recreation Geography of Oman, Heritage and Traditional Crafts in Oman, Tourism Resources in Oman and Omani Arts. The information technology sector is an important component of the training regime at SQU and courses offered in this growing discipline include: Tourist Information Systems, Modern Trends in Tourism, Tourism Security, Computer Skills 1&2, Statistics for Tourism, Scientific Thinking and Problems solving and Methods of Tourism Guidance. Finally, management programs are at the core of the program and include: Front Office Management, Tourism and Hospitality Marketing, Transportation Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Culture Heritage Management, Management of Conventions and Meetings and Tourism and Hospitality Human Resources Management. Most graduates also have the opportunity to complete a Graduation Project pursuant to their particular industry focus. Accordingly, the language of instruction for the modules is both English and Arabic with 40% being taught in the Arabic language and the remaining 60% taught in English. A degree is conferred by SQU after 128 credit hours of instruction. Although a comprehensive list of all courses offered in the Tourism Department at The Sultan Qaboos University is not feasible, the above list provides an excellent overview of the four year program offered by SQU for eager tourism professionals. The Oman Tourism College offers a unique program and graduates of the OTC receive a TM Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management after two years in the program. Students wishing to complete the program within nine months receive a Professional Qualification Certificate in the following four disciplines: Culinary Professional Program, Tour Guiding Professional Program, Front Office and Housekeeping Professional Program Service and Restaurants Management. All students are required to complete a one-year foundational program which provides students with basic English language skills, IT skills, English language for hospitality skills, and basic mathematics skills. Unlike The Sultan Qaboos University which offers courses in Arabic and English, the Oman Tourism College trains its students exclusively in the English language and its course selections reflect this unique focus. Language acquisition and proficiency is also an important aspect of the curriculum at the Oman Tourism College and specific language courses offered include English as well as French and German. Diverse courses offered at OTC include Information Technology, Marketing, Travel and Tourism, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Controlling, Law, Geography for Tourism and Food and Beverage. Courses which are specific to Omani culture, history and tradition include History, Culture and Heritage and Omani Flora, Fauna and Geology. OTC also offers the following simulation courses: Front Office Simulation & Housekeeping Simulation. Finally, a strong management program at the Oman Tourism College rests on core courses including, Hotel and Event Management, Tourism Management, Customer Relationship Management, Front Office Management, Customer Relationship Management, and Kitchen Management. As Oman’s oldest tourism and hospitality training institution, the National Hospitality Institute offers many courses to prepare students for a career in the Omani hospitality sector. In association with the with Educational Institute American Hotel & Lodging Association, an International Hospitality Management Diploma is offered as part of the NHI’s two year program. Certificate programs range from one to two years and include the Chefs Foundation Certificate (One Year), Chefs Intermediate Certificate (One Year), Chefs Supervisory Certificate (One Year) as well as the Chefs Advanced Certificate-Kitchen Larder (18 months) and the Chefs Advanced Certificate-Patisserie(18 months). The National Hospitality Institute focuses on practicality and also offers short courses (ranging between one and two days) for students wishing to obtain a Hospitality Training Certificate. As with the Oman Tourism College, the official language of instruction at the NHI is English. Diploma courses offered by the National Hospitality Institute vary greatly from Food Safety, Food & Beverage Services, Basic Hotel & Restaurant Accounting, and Hospitality Sales & Marketing to Hospitality Computing. Practical courses offered by NHI include Food Production Principles, Food & Beverage Services, Managing Front Office Operations and Managing Housekeeping Operations. Further management courses include Managing the HACCP Process, Managing Front Office Operations, Managing Housekeeping Operations Security & Loss Prevention, Supervision in Hospitality Industry, Planning & Control in Food & Beverage Operations, Managing Hospitality Human Resources and Event Management. Additionally, one language course is offered and Business English can be taken by all students registered at NHI. International Partnerships, Training & Internships Omani tourism schools participate in a wide variety of international partnerships, offering training opportunities both at home and abroad. As the premier university in Oman, Sultan Qaboos University gives its students eight-week internship opportunities after the fourth semester and a further eight-week internship opportunity at the end of the sixth semester. Within Oman, internship opportunities abound with governmental opportunities in the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Heritage and Culture, Museums, Ministry of Environment, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Muscat Municipality, Muscat Annual Festival. Hands-on training within the many hotels of Oman include opportunities at the Intercontinental Muscat Hotel, The Chedi Muscat Hotel, Al-Bustan Palace Hotel and Crown Plaza Hotels and Resorts, among others. Finally, both Oman Air and Emirates Air offer exiting internship programs for students of SQU. Opportunities abroad for Sultan Qaboos University students include internships with Gulf Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and many others. The Oman Tourism College offers exciting opportunities for its students both at home and abroad. TM diploma recipients can continue their studies aboard at universities in Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States (Florida & Hawaii) and in the Netherlands. A special partnership between the OTC and these international schools allow graduates to receive credit and transfer these credit points to their new chosen schools. Practical training as part of the OTC Diploma program includes six weeks of practical training at the end of first semester and four weeks of practical training at the end of the third semester. The Professional Qualification Certificate requires between ten and fourteen weeks of training. Training and internships are conducted at home in Oman and include opportunities in a variety of organizations including the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, Museums, the Intercontinental Muscat Hotel, Al-Bustan Palace Hotel, Crown Plaza Hotels and Resorts, the Grand Hyatt – Muscat, Sohar Beach Hotel, Sohar and Oman Air, among others. The National Hospitality Institute has a strong international reputation and is very much embedded in the international hospitality sector. It also offers many global programs to its students in preparation for a career in the Omani hospitality sector. With partners in the United Kingdom, United States and the Middle East, the NHI offers six month internships towards the completion of an International Hospitality Management Diploma. Internship opportunities within Oman occur in conjunction with domestic hotels including The Chedi Muscat, the Al-Bustan Palace, Crown Plaza, the Shangri-la, the Grand Hyatt (Muscat), the Holiday Inn (Muscat) and the Sheraton Muscat Hotel. Facilities and Staff Sultan Qaboos University, the Oman Tourism College and the National Hospitality Institute each offer unique facilities and faculty. SQU is has been designed as a state-of-the-art facility, comparable to major universities in Europe and North America. Many staff members of Sultan Qaboos University hold PhDs, including from universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Egypt. Language instruction is provided by native speakers (English, German and French) and many staff members have received their academic credentials from abroad. The facilities of the Oman Tourism College promote harmony and are also state-of-the-art. These include sport and library facilities as well as prayer rooms for the devout. The staff at OTC is equally diverse with instructors from all corners of the globe. Presently, the Oman Tourism College boasts instructors from India, the Philippines, Egypt, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Oman and South Africa. Many staff at OTC have a Masters degree or higher. Finally, the National Hospitality Institute boasts impressive training facilities including a live training restaurant; open to the public five days a week. Four guest rooms imitate the experience of a hotel and a mock travel office serves to replicate the experiences of a travel agent ay the NHI. It also proudly maintains a library, accommodation for fifty four students and a prayer room. Staff at the National Hospitality Institute tend to have practical, as opposed to scholarly experience, and are on-hand to provide real-world experience to the students at the NHI. Summary & Conclusion The method of Explanation Content Analysis was utilized to sort through the various data used to analyze the differences between three important hospitality educational institutions in Oman. This assignment compared Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Oman Tourism College (OTC) and the National Hospitality Institute (NHI) from a variety of factors. Accordingly, each institution differed with respect to its approaches to hospitality education in Oman. SQU boasts the highest entry average cut-off point at 85%, comparatively OTC requires a 65% enrolment average and as a private institution, NHI does not have specific enrolment requirements. Interestingly, Sultan Qaboos University also had an English language minimum; something not found at the Oman Tourism College or the National Hospitality Institute. From a purely academic perspective, SQU was the sole institution of higher education which offered a four-year Bachelor of Arts Degree in the tourism sector. The OTC and the NHI both offered two year diplomas and the NHI offered certificate programs which can be completed in a much shorter span of time. Only the National Hospitality Institute had no citizenship requirements, while both Sultan Qaboos University and the Oman Tourism College are only available to Omani citizens. With respect to courses, each school offered a variety of programs and classes with language being a particularly emphasized with each institution of higher education. Interestingly, only SQU offered its programs in Arabic; both OTC and NHI teach exclusively in the English language. International partnerships, training & internships were offered by each school with a higher number of international joint educational ventures found with OTC and NHI. Conversely, SQU provided students with a much greater scope of training and internship sites, both within Oman and around the world. In terms of staff credentials, all staff members at SQU and OTC have some sort of academic qualifications to teach (from a Diploma to a PhD) while instructors at the NHI tended to be seasoned professionals in the industry and not necessarily scholarly. Staff at SQU also boasted the highest overall academic credentials. Oman enjoys good relations with over 140 countries around the world and has a budding tourism sector (Ministry of Information, Sultanate of Oman 2008). The Sultanate of Oman is increasingly becoming a player on the international stage and opening up to the world has been a foreign policy goal since Sultan Qaboos ascended the throne in 1970. A focus on the tourism and the hospitality sector is just one of the ways in which Oman has opened itself up to the international community and rest of the world. BIBLIOGRAPHY Katz, M. N. (2004) Assessing the Political Stability of Oman. Middle East Review of International Studies, 8:3 September, pp. 43-55. Ministry of Information, Sultanate of Oman (2008). Foreign Affairs. Muscat, Oman. Available from: [Accessed August 24 2008] Neuendorf, K.A. (2001) The Content Analysis Guidebook. London, Sage. OReilly, M. J. (1998). Omanibalancing: Oman Confronts an Uncertain Future Middle East Journal 52:1 Winter, pp. 70-84. Peterson, J.E. (2004). Oman: Three and a Half Decades of Change and Development Middle East Policy 11:2 Summer, pp 125-137. Weber, R.P. (1990). Basic Content Analysis. London, Sage. Read More