For Immediate Release 
April 13th 2005

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE MARKS SHIFT TO CULTURAL AND HERITAGE TOURISM

Recognizing a growing trend in cultural and heritage tourism, Centennial College is marking the opening of its newly relocated Hospitality Management dining room with a multicultural celebration
today.

The occasion is an opportunity to launch the college's vision to establish its unique Institute for Cultural and Heritage Studies. It will highlight cultural and heritage studies as part of the
hospitality and tourism education students receive at Centennial, as well as develop new programs through partnerships with other institutions.

"Centennial is well positioned to offer culturally rich courses in tourism," said Shyam Ranganathan, chair of the hospitality and tourism programs. The college enjoys a diverse student population, with 100 ethno-cultural groups on campus and 80 languages spoken.

According to a UNESCO study, cultural and heritage tourism is growing by 15 per cent a year as consumers move away from traditional packaged tours to more eco- and adventure-tourism that explores indigenous cultures on other continents.

The Institute for Cultural and Heritage Studies offers excellent potential for significant and diverse partnerships involving the public and private sectors. The institute will provide an industry
forum for more creativity, more collaboration and more innovation in the cultural tourism sector.

The new dining room, which is open to the public three days a week, is located in a former Howard Johnson hotel, which the college purchased and renovated in 2001 to serve as a student residence. The facility functions as a real-world training lab for hospitality and tourism students.

"Our Hospitality Centre is not just a restaurant, but a convention centre that can host business meetings, weddings, all kinds of functions," said Ranganathan.

The student-run eatery, open to the public for lunch, was relocated to Centennial's Progress Campus last fall after the Warden Woods location was sold.

Author: S. Rangana
Organization: Centennial College
Contact: srangana@centennialcollege.ca

Advantage Rates
Online Reservations for Visitors to the following Ontario Cities, Towns, and Tourism destinations:

Book Accommodation Now
Click on links below