School for Hotelkeepers.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 652, 2 December 1908, Page 6

School for Hotelkeepers.

TRAINING THEM TO THEIR BUSINESS. Hotelkeepers in Paris are, it seems, getting behind the times. Whether they have not learnt to charge enough is not eaid, but they have been found lacking in accomplishments generally. The Paris Chamber of Commerce accordingly proposed to .start a high school of hotel beeping, One such establishment exists in Switzerland, at Luasanne Of late years visitors to the French Riviera have been somewhat fewer, while winter resorts in Switzerland yearly grow more prosperous. The Chamber of Commerce seems to think that neither climate, nor the recent vogue of winter sporty nor new fashions in medical treatment have much to do with the case, and that the fault lies with French hotelkeepers. They are not properly trained to their business. Their Swiss colleagues graduate at the Luasanne High School, and come out proficient to the fiDger-tips in hotelkeeping. Hence their success is attracting visitors. The Paris Chamber of Commerce has made a thorough investigation of the Luasanne School, its methods and achievements, and reports very favorably upon it. There seem to be very few things which are not taught there. The complete science of hotelkeeping includes a full proficiency in four languages, a thorough knowledge in geography, training in deportment and savoir vivre, the study of hygienics, and a sufficient familiarity with;gymnastics, calisthenics, and the rest of 1 , dancing. Swiss hotelkeepers are able, to practice with " guests " on the horizontal bars when required, or to waltz with young ladies at hotel balls, when men are scares. Now that the Chamber of Commerce is taking the matter in hand, mine host in France,; familiarly known in country inns as the " patron," will soon be able to do these things just as well as his Swiss colleagues. Of course, bis bills will swell in consequence, for he will have to recoup the extra expense of his superior education.