By THE Deputy Minister of Tourism, Nana Akomea, yesterday commissioned a ?100 million computer laboratory at the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT) in Accra.

The laboratory is to enable hospitality students gain to knowledge in information technology (IT) as well as enhance their market value. Commissioning the laboratory, Nana Akomea commended the management and staff of the school for the initiative and expressed the hope that students will make good use of the computers.

He emphasised the need for people in the hospitality and tourism industry to acquire skills in IT to help the industry to grow more rapidly. The acting Director of HOTCATT, Ms Fati Dakubu, said the institute, a training wing of the Ministry of Tourism, offers training in all areas of tourism and hospitality.

She said graduates from senior secondary schools and employees in the industry who want to upgrade their skills are admitted to pursue courses in tourism and hospitality.

Ms Dakubu said the introduction of the computer course is to add value to the course content of the institute as well as make students more marketable on the job.

An IT consultant and instructor at the institute, Mr Sammy Peasah, said students will, among others, be taken through a specialised software called ‘Hello - Hotel Management System,’ which entails management of hotel information, reservation, comprehensive information about guests bills and management reports.

He noted that IT is the main driving force in business and said it is necessary that students acquire such skills to enable them to compete with others in the industry.