FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - The hospitality and tourism industry continues to thrive in "America's Finest City."

In 2005, the total number of visitors to San Diego is projected to reach 27.5 million, according to the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research at San Diego State University.

With hospitality and tourism being such a major player in the region, SDSU's College of Extended Studies has responded by establishing Professional Certificate programs in Hospitality, Casino Gaming, and The Business of Wine.

The hospitality and tourism demand in San Diego is punctuated by the fact that our city ranked in second place as America's favorite city, according to the national travel publication Travel & Leisure. San Diego placed among the top five cities in all "quality of life" categories in the online survey of approximately 500,000 people.

Instructors in all hospitality programs at SDSU's College of Extended Studies have the highest level of expertise, knowledge and skills in the industry. Well-known Southern California professionals will teach different aspects of the Hospitality, The Business of Wine and Casino Gaming programs.

Paris McRoy, director of customer care for Sycuan Casino & Resort, is program coordinator for the Professional Certificate in Hospitality.

"We want our certificate to be easily recognized in the San Diego hospitality community as a 'must have' for individuals looking to strengthen or move up in their career path in hospitality," she said. "We want our students to walk out with a clear understanding of what the hospitality industry means internationally and nationally, with an emphasis on San Diego."

This curriculum complements SDSU's previous program that includes a four-year interdisciplinary degree, a research institute, and continuing professional development in hospitality and tourism management. That program draws from SDSU's College of Business Administration and College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.

The certificate program in The Business of Wine derives from the fact that the wine business continues to boom in our state.

According to California Wine and Food Magazine, our state is projected to post the highest restaurant-sales volume in the nation in 2005, with projected restaurant sales of $51.5 billion.

The Professional Certificate in Casino Gaming will place individuals in another thriving field. San Diego County's 14 casinos employ a total of more than 25,000 people, with more jobs being available than qualified people to fill them.

For more information on the hospitality programs, call (619) 594-6255 or visit www.NeverStopLearning.net.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 594-5152 or log on to at www.NeverStopLearning.net.