Brief History of NHTTI

Tourism is an income generating activity of the highest importance in the current world and holds great economic promise for the developing countries. Recognising the need for training in all areas involved with tourism development, the National Hotel & Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI) was established in 1974 under Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (The National Tourism Organisation).

The efficient management of Tourism Products depends upon professional training. In order to develop professionalism and provide a cadre of skilled and trained manpower to meet the increasing demands of the trained personnel for Hotel & Tourism Industry both at home and abroad, this Institute offers various courses of different duration.

Besides offering regular courses, NHTTI in 1994 as a test case for the first time started a two year long Diploma in Hotel Management Course. With the expansion of tourism in the country, need for skilled manpower in the supervisory level is felt every now and then. Hence, Diploma certificate in Hotel Management Course has been re-introduced on a regular basis. The institute also provides in-service and on the job training for BPC personnel and arrange special seminar and workshop related to tourism development.

Milestones

 

1974 to 1977	Started by a small group of enthusiasts in the Parjatan Corporation, including many working now in higher positions of the NTO and top hotels, to initiate formal training (until then unknown in this country) for the growing hospitality industry.
1978 to 1982	ILO/UNDP assistance requested and given and a number of international experts and consultants were assigned under an ILO chief Technical Advisor. During this first phase with ILO/UNDP assistance which lasted until 1982 lot of improvements took place in the institute for enhancing its capabilities. By this time, the Intercontinental Hotel become the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel and was completely renovated and the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel was built. The pre and post-opening training for these two new international standard hotels were conducted by the faculty members of the institute.
1982 to 1986	During the period the present building houses the institute and its application hotel was built, equipped and training was conducted mostly in hotel, tourism, travel agency and a number of other short courses.
1986 to 1989	The second phase of the ILO/UNDP assistance commenced and nine ILO experts / consultants under a new CTA were assigned. This phase has been a great leap forward in the activities of the institute and the application hotel. The progress made during this period is principally due to the contribution made a funding, personnel’ and leadership by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. The application hotel now has the capacity to engage in a wide range of commercial activities from daily restaurant service through residential accommodation, conference, functions of all kinds, bread and pastry making, take-away food and outside catering for organisations in the public and private sectors or for private homes. Outside catering for top state functions is an achievement and speciality. During this period also the institute has conducted OJT in all of the external units of BPC.
1989 to 1992	There was no international involvement between August 1989 when second phase ended and February 1992 when the third phase began. The institute continued under the supervision of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.
1992 to 1996	A third phase was agreed and commenced in August 1992 with the arrival of the Management Co-ordinator. The project was funded by UNDP and the Government of Bangladesh, and executed by the ILO till October 1994 when the National Project Director had taken over responsibilities for execution from ILO’s Management Co-ordinator. The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation was designated as the government implementing agency. During this phase, five international experts including the Management Co-ordinator and four national professionals took part in project activities. From October 1994, the project was operated under national execution in March 1996.