The International Travel and Tourism Institute (ITTI), a training institute projecting the values of professionalism in the travel and hospitality industry, has won the Aviation Institution of the Year at the maiden National Aviation Awards, which came off recently. The maiden National Aviation Industry Awards, which was held under the theme: “Recognizing the cream of Ghana’s Aviation Industry and the unsung heroes of change over the years.” recognised distinctions exhibited in every classification of the aviation industry in Ghana.
Kate Adoma Addo, Executive Director of the institute, lauded the efforts of the organisers of the award scheme but believes that the institute’s recognition by a prestigious award scheme like the National Aviation Awards is a long time coming.
“I know we have a lot of word-of-mouth referrals because we do a lot of good work. We have a lot of students coming in from other schools for further training and even though it is a good feeling to know that we have being recognized for what we doing, we are not too surprised,” she told the B&FT in an interview.
Ms. Addo, in appreciating the support of her team of consultants, family and the Almighty God as well as professional colleagues in the aviation, hospitality and tourism industries, added that this award is a major endorsement of what the institution has been doing informally for 15 years and formally for nine years.
With over 25 years experience working in the aviation industry from Ghana Airways through Virgin Nigeria and Virgin Atlantic, Ms. Addo added that she has led ITTI to train over 6,000 airport workers in all departments from cargo and passenger handling, luggage, aircraft handling, groundsmen, customer service personnel and human resource professionals as well as the hospitality and customer-focused organisations.
The institution, which is affiliated to the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT-UK) and enjoy immeasurable benefits from this organisation, specializes in training individuals as well as corporate bodies for the aviation, tourism and hospitality industry, primarily in customer care, business communications and customised programmes for corporate bodies.
“What we do is training in several departments of airport operations which is strongly backed with customer care and business communication. When you pass through ITTI, you should be so versatile such that if you don’t find a job in the travel industry, you can be able to work in any organisation. Service excellence delivery is very important,” she added.
Ms. Addo also added that the institute, which is collaborating with institutions in Liberia, Nigeria and The Gambia is planning to dominate West Africa. But before it embarks on its sub regional domination, ITTI will revive its Kumasi campus and open a new one in Tamale now that the northern part of the country has an international airport.
She said that ITTI is also looking to increase its affiliations with international bodies and currently working on recognition from International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association of world airlines, primarily major carriers, which supports the aviation industry with global standards for airline safety, security, efficiency and sustainability.
She added that the institution will soon establish a full time hotel school to practically train people in the hospitability industry.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Transport, the 2016 National Aviation Awards saw a total of 33 companies and individuals recognised. The event brought together over 160 local and international industry professionals.