The direct benefit for individuals is the attainment of recognised certification as well as increased motivation following participation in a professional development programme. Participants will also benefit from the acquisition of new skills and/or the upgrading of existing skills, interaction with tourism experts and knowledge gained from the programmes. The project will also have positive direct impacts on the tourism industry - a forecasted amelioration of service standards is expected to improve the competitiveness of the sector, which in turn will yield positive results in the economic scenario both in terms of retraining levels of employment and increased income for the sector, which in turn is expected to impact positively on job creation in the long run.