Association of Estonian Tourism Education(AETE)

The Association of Estonian Tourism Education (AETE) links educational institutions, teachers, university teachers, organisations and individuals involved in tourism education or that of related fields. Any natural or legal person willing/volunteering to enhance the activities corresponding to the programme of the, Association can apply for membership. Establishing the Association of Estonian Tourism Education was supported by the EstonianTourist Board of Enterprise Estonia. The inaugurating members of AETE are: Tartu University (Pärnu College), Estonian School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Tallinn Service School, Estonian-American Business Academy, Tallinn University of Technology (Kuressaare College), Haapsalu Vocational Education Centre, Mainor Business School and Mainor Private Education Company. The objectives of AETE are: To foster co-ordination and representation of tourism education, as well as to maintain its respectable status, in tourism sector in Estonia. To consult and co-ordinate activities for curriculum development in tourism and related fields, encompassing the designing of various study materials. To train and educate tourism teachers and trainers for better qualifications. To exchange and distribute information on tourism education. To carry out research on tourism education. To build national and international networks and to participate in them. To organise conferences, seminars, courses and information (exchange) days. To co-ordinate the exchange of tourism teachers, trainers and students. To award NVQ levels to tourism teachers. To be a partner, counsellor and representative in tourism education as well as to cooperate with related ministries and vocational associations. AETE is co-ordinated by a 7-member board, elected from the AETE membership. The chairperson of the board is Mrs Heli Tooman PhD, head of the tourism department of Pärnu college, Tartu University. The vice chairperson is Mrs Sirje Rekkor, director of Estonian School of Hotel and Tourism Management. Top activities in 2008 Organising the International Conference on Tourism Education in Pärnu, Estonia on 20-21 November 2008. Publishing a series of textbooks of tourism. By autumn 2008 three books will be published: Development and marketing of tourism destinations”, „Basics of Catering” „Finnish for Tourism Students (with Workbook and CD)”. Recording the history of tourism education in Estonia. Enlarging the membership pf AETE by enhancing co-operation. The membership of AETE is open to every individual and organisation who wants to participate in promoting tourism education in Estonia. We will be grateful for your good advice and suggestions for both, developing the Association and finding new ways of co-operation. We appreciate the contributions of our partners and supporters by introducing them on our website. Heli Tooman   Chairperson of the Board Association of Estonian Tourism Education ethl@pc.ut.ee  http://www.ethl.ee