School-leavers have put in their applications, leaving at least four out of the five polytechnics snowed under between two and five times more applications than they have places available.

In response, the polys have either upped their intake by between a quarter and a third and/or added new related courses.

The surge in interest is being fuelled by an industry that is expecting a staffing shortage when the two integrated resorts (IRs) and new hotels open here in the next three to five years.

Robust growth in tourism in China, India and South-east Asia will also translate into regional business opportunities for the industry and regional job openings for these poly graduates, predicted Dr Russell Arthur Smith, vice-dean of the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management.

Players in the tourism and hospitality trade have thus been throwing scholarships at polytechnic students in the hope of snagging the best of each graduating batch, making the sector even more attractive for a career.

The Government has estimated that the IRs and related businesses will create about 50,000 to 60,000 jobs, ranging from chefs to animal trainers and sales assistants; the new hotels will also need managers for the front desk, human resources and events management, among others.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.