The future of the tourism industry is looking good. In fact, it's looking so good that international expectations are that it will be the largest industry in Ireland by the year 2000.

The past has been good too. In Ireland, jobs and investment opportunities in recent years have boosted the industry to the point where it now accounts for seven per cent of GNP. Preliminary figures from Bord Failte show that the number of overseas visitors exceeeded five million for the first time in l997.

Last year, for the first time too, foreign exchange earnings exceeded £2 billion. Then there is the demand for hotel accommodation which has grown hugely, in large part because of the growth in business and leisure tourism, and which has encouraged the industry to predict a doubling of hotel places in Dublin alone for the five years from l997.

CERT, the State tourism training agency, confirms expectations. Anna Carroll, head of education, placement and research at CERT, says that "by the year 2000 the tourism industry is expected to be the largest in Ireland. Already there are 188,000 working in the industry. Tourism is booming and, if students complete a CERT course, they are virtually guaranteed a job - something few industries can offer."

With the confidence of one who knows the facts and figures will back her up, she says too that "there are more career openings in Irish tourism than ever before and more opportunities for rapid promotion. Tourism is now a sound career choice."

A sound career choice indeed - given that the industry is getting increasingly enthusiastic support from the Government and its agencies. The Government, through the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, has made an additional £8.5 million available for international tourism marketing in l998.

This year the combined marketing plans of Bord Failte, the Overseas Tourism Marketing Initiative, the Management Board for Marketing along with the principal carriers, tour operators and key product providers will spend a total of £40 million on marketing tourism. This, unsurprisingly, amounts to the country's highest ever such investment.

We are now in the fifth of the six years covered by the Operational Programme for Tourism l994 - l999. In the drawing up of the programme - and with the wisdom of foresight and the knowledge that the industry was on a winning streak - training was selected as one of its four priority measures.

As a result, and under the programme, CERT will have invested some £73 million in tourism training by l999. Agreeing that good times are with the industry, Carroll says that "there are fantastic opportunities for young people starting out, but quality training is essential."

The message has been received and never before have so many courses been available in all aspects of the tourism and hospitality industry. Throughout the country, in institutes of technology, VEC schools and colleges, courses are being run in everything from professional cookery to front office operations, hotel and catering management to restaurant service and the myriad of other activities called for in today's competitive industry.

Students of all ages are taking the places. They are also, according to the Irish Hotels Federation, enjoying the work when they get there. "The rate of turnover in the industry is as low as nine per cent," says the Federation, "which demonstrates that current employees like their jobs and want to remain in the industry."