Lanka forging ahead in tourism studies

In 2006, for the first time, classes together with examinations were conducted for the world renowned IATA-UFTAA Diploma courses in Travel and Tourism.

Until 2006 Sri Lankan students had to travel overseas to find schools conducting classes.

IATA, the international Air Transport Association, based in Montreal issues the internationally recognised diploma in tourism studies.

IATA is the umbrella organisation for over 200 of the world's major airlines.

IATA sets an international syllabus to be followed by all authorised training centres and all awards are issued directly from Canada ensuring their worldwide recognition.

Louis Preston School of Travel and Tourism is the first and only school in Sri Lanka authorised to conduct the Foundation and higher Consultant level courses. One of Louis Preston's founders Peter Hooper is now permanently based in Sri Lanka.

Hooper who started Louis Preston over 15 years ago has implemented in their Colombo centre the same methodology in teaching that has been successfully employed in overseas schools for almost two decades. The key is small classes and individual attention. At Louis Preston no class is more than 20 students and the average number is 15.

The student body is varied with a wide range of age groups. The youngest person taught by Louis Preston was 16 and the oldest 65 and the number of international students is also increasing.