School of Natural Resources and Tourism

Hospitality Management

Assignment Report of Jean-Pierre Lanz

Hospitality Management Expert

Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek August 25 – September 16, 2011

download report (pdf)

My assignment at the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Polytechnic of Namibia included the following tasks:

• Review and make proposals regarding the present and future hotel and restaurant operation.
• Make proposals concerning the marketing of the hotel and restaurant.
• Review and comment on the revised programme for the Bachelor’s Honours degree.
• Review selected course syllabi in view of best integration of hospitality and tourism activities.
• Compare course syllabi with those of some other schools and possibly propose some adaptations.
• Review and advise on internship programs.
• Advise on academic practicalexperience for students in order to achieve appropriate balance between theory and practice while enhancing the existing work integrated learning assessment tools.
• Visit the hotel, proposed to become a hotel school in Lüderitz and assess feasibility and viability of the project.

Despite the short time available, I was able to get a reasonably good view of the department of hospitality management and the hotel- and restaurant operation. However I was not able to go into details of the program nor was I able – apart from one lesson to the vacation course – to give any lectures.

In general, the School left a good and well managed impression. Lecturers have great freedom in designing their courses. Classrooms and practical training areas are modern albeit not always as clean as one might expect. The new syllabus to be implemented in January 2012 is surely a great improvement over the existing one, especially as far as work integrated learning is concerned. It will however require additional efforts by the lecturers and more “hands on“ involvement from their part.

The new hotel school project in Lüderitz is interesting although the remote location of the town may present a challenge in terms of students intake, lecturer travel, supplies, etc. Nevertheless there is a great need for skills and supervisory courses in Namibia.

I wish to thank all persons who helped me during my stay in Windhoek, in particular Dr. Joram Ndlovu and Alida Siebert, as well as the other lecturers of the hospitality section who always provided me with all information I needed and assisted me in all aspects.

Hofstetten, September 23, 2011