Students get an insight into a career within the hospitality industry

They were welcomed by the General Manager, Roger Clark-Coates who gave them a tour of the hotel. They visited different departments to learn more about how each of them contributes to delivering an excellent customer experience. Particular highlights of the tour were the conference and banqueting spaces and the fantastic facilities available in their fitness suite. The tour helped students to gain a better understanding of how different departments work together as a team to run a busy, city centre hotel.
 
During the afternoon members of the hotel’s Senior Management Team delivered a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. They shared some of the excellent environmental practices the hotel has adopted which led to them been awarded the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) Gold Award. The environment is a key priority for the events, tourism and hospitality industry and it was great for our students to hear first-hand how the hotel was changing their practices to help the environment. As future events, tourism and hospitality professionals this is a key issue for our students to keep at the forefront of their minds as they develop through their course and future career. The presentation also shared some of the initiatives the hotel has introduced to nurture their staff through training and rewarding excellent customer service. 
 
Dr Alexandra Kenyon, Course Director Hospitality Courses (UK and Nepal) said “The students were a credit to our School and asked insightful questions of Roger and his management team. They used the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how to deliver an excellent customer experience and the skills required to do this.”
 
Student, Shyanne Kelly said “The afternoon was informative and educational, and I loved speaking with the management team about their everyday roles.”  Rosanna Kirkby and Maeve Campbell said “We really enjoyed the tour around the hotel, from the back office to the Conference Suites and  Fitness Suite. It was great to see some of the behind-the-scenes activity that goes on within a hotel.”
 
The visit gave students the opportunity to meet industry professionals in a hospitality setting.  It helped them to gain an insight into the broad range of careers available to them and the key skills employers are looking for. To find out more about studying at the School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management visit our website.