Jinjiang international Holdings Co Ltd signed an agreement with Les Roches Switzerland, a hotel training school, yesterday to venture into the hospitality education sector by setting up the first hotel management college in China.

　　The two partners will hold a 50-50 stake in the Les Roches Jinjiang International Hotel Management College, which will be located in Fengxian District. The first phase investment is worth US$5 million.

　　Sun xiuhua, general manager of the Education Division, Jinjiang International, said that the joint venture is expected break even in three to five years.

　　"There is great potential in professional training for employees in the hospitality industry," Sun said. "Especially for in-service employees."

　　The hospitality industry is one of the world's major employers and one of the fastest growing industries, said John Jeakins, CEO of the new college.

　　"Many of today's leading hotel groups have properties throughout the world. That offers opportunities for worldwide employment and requires qualified hotel managers," Jeakins said.

　　It is estimated that China's tourism industry will employ 54.1 million workers this year, or 7.4 percent of the total job market. By the end of 2013, the number will more than double to 113 million, making China one of the world's greatest tourism economies.

　　According to the China National Tourist Administration, the country's travel market will see an annual growth rate of 10.4 percent in the next 10 years.