Princess Cays, Bahamas

Today on Princess Cays is located about 30 miles from Nassau, at the southern portion of the island of Eleuthera. Two miles wide, this island retreat is a great snorkeling and dive spot. A coral reef surrounds the island. To protect the coral reef that surrounds Princess Cays, Emerald anchored off-shore today and we were tendered to what they call Love Boat Marina.

2012

Happy New Year to you ALLES! | Próspero Año Nuevo! | Feliz Ano Novo! | Glückliches Neues Jahr! | Felice Anno Nuovo! | Bonne Année! | Feliç Any Nou! | Nollaig Shona Dhuit! | Urte Berri On! | Kurisumasu Omedet | Bo Ani Novo! | Selamat Tahun Baru | Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis | Bel

Leave on Emerald Princess

Leave on Emerald Princess
Wed Dec 28, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Embarkation Port 5:00 PM
Th Dec 29, Princess Cays, Bahamas 9:00 AM 4:00 PM
Fri Dec 30, @Sea
Sat Dec 31, St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Sun Jan 1, Antigua, and Barbuda 7:00 AM... 4:00 PM
Mon, Jan 2, Barbados 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Tue Jan 3, St. Lucia 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
Wed, Jan 4, St. Kitts & Nevis 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
Th Jan 5-6, @Sea

http://www.princess.com/find/cruiseDetails.do?itinCode=CEV101&voyageCode=E201&resType=C

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas | Felíz Navidad |Hyvää Joulua | God Jul | Glædelig Jul | Joyeux Noël | Buon Natale | Frohe Weinachten | Prettige Kerstdoagen | Prettige Kerst |  Feliz Natal | Bon Nadal | Snovym Godom | Sretab Bo[ ] iae |Priecígus Ziemsvètkus | Merii Kurisumasu | Chuck Song Tan |Ia Maitai te Noera | Bon Pasku | Hanukkah | Eid Saiid, milaad Majid Mele Kalikimaka | To you all!

Besos Bel

INTERNSHIP: Interpretation and Conservation Education Internships

Interpretation and Conservation Education Internships
Job Title: Interpretive Services Internship (6 positions available)
Dates: June – September, 2012
Application Deadline: Open until filled or closing date of May 1, 2012
Compensation:
·         $85/week stipend, paid bi-weekly through electronic deposit
·         Free housing on Zigzag Ranger District
·         USDA Forest Service uniforms
·         Two weeks of training to include conservation education, visitor information, customer service, interpretation, CPR/First Aid certification and driver’s education
·         Daily transportation to/from duty station
·         Reimbursement for travel expenses to/from Zigzag, OR (inquire for details)
Work Schedule: 40 hours/week with two weekdays off each week (work on holidays expected)
General Duties:
·         Offer visitor services and guided tours at Timberline Lodge National Historic Landmark
·         Develop, market and lead nature hikes in various outdoor settings
·         Represent the USDA Forest Service at several community events and provide educational activities
·         Develop, market and present living history and interpretive campfire programs
·         Provide information to the visiting public on local and regional information, history and activities
Qualifications – Internship Requirements:
·         21 years or older
·         A valid driver’s license with clean driving record
·         Ability to hike on varied terrain at elevations up to 7,000 feet
·         Outgoing and intrepid enthusiasm when communicating with forest visitors
·         Interest or education in cultural heritage, natural resources, interpretation, environmental policy, conservation education or any related field
·         Desire to be an integral member of an Interpretive Services Team and represent the USDA Forest Service
·         Ability to successfully perform duties with little or no direct supervision
·         Maintain records of duties and results
To Apply: Send résumé, cover letter and a list of three references to:
Michelle Richardson
Zigzag Ranger District, Mount Hood National Forest
70220 E Highway 26
Zigzag, OR 97049-8701
503-622-2033
Or email inquiries: Michelle Richardson   mmrichardson@fs.fed.us

TRAVEL Journals HONS 223

By: Puspak Sapkota

‘Travel fascinates, travel inspires and travel speaks… speaks to the hearts of billions.’ This is how I felt during each of the sessions we had during our HONS 223 class. Every aspect of the class made me realize how much I love travel… not to mention that the country presentations were simply breath taking and mesmerizing.

I have always tried to be a vivid traveler, explore things and learn new ideas. And this class fueled my interest in traveling even more. I hardly knew anything about the beautiful islands mentioned in class but after this class my knowledge regarding the world and its culture has greatly escalated. For me, travel always meant money and most of my plans about visiting different places have always been sabotaged by my financial crunch but little did I think that you just need to blow with the wind to travel. Even though, I will be done with school in less than 20 days and I won’t be getting that many opportunities to travel, I am not going to miss even a single chance I get.  I am for sure someday going to visit Galapagos Islands and enjoy the nature and the diversity of life there.

However, the most important thing this class made me realize was the fact that the dynamics of tourism is beyond the normal enjoyment of people. Tourism can contribute to a greater cause… making this earth a more beautiful place to live in and it is our responsibility as travelers to add on to this reason. The whole idea of ecotourism simply fascinates me; an idea which has  always been  admired by a traveler like me, who likes to explore and learn on his own rather than being fed with information. So, in distant years, I totally picture myself traveling most of the places discussed in class but before I travel anywhere else in the world, I’d definitely visit Bruges in Belgium… a truly magnificent medieval beauty.

NEW Banner Design

,

Travel Journals, GEOG 290

Journal 2: End of Semester Journal
By: Rosalind Jamison

Back in the 70` when I was way younger, Our family used to watch Aaron Spelling`s Television show “The Love Boat” with Isaac Washington as the bartender. I remember one time talking to my mother about being a bartender on a cruise ship. Through the years she has asked me if I still had that thought of being a bartender on a ship. My reply was always yes. To this day, I will still say yes, especially now that I have a few years as a bartender on my resume` and attending Geog 290 T&T at SCSU this can actually turn in to a reality.

When the topic of Youth Hostels came up on class I have to admit that I had not ever known about them. As I find out more about them through T&T I realized that another passion of my can be used for the better while doing a Volunteer Youth Hostel Program and that is for walking and hiking. I was always on the go running away from group homes as well as from home now that I am older, I still have the erg and energy to walk until my feet and legs hurt. Doing a Youth Hostel Trip would come in handy and do me some good.

While in T&T Geog. 290 Class the erg of wanting to call my friend up that got me into a job in Alaska back in 2004 has came over me. I have been thinking of seeing if the manager will re accept me back as a regular employee as before but maybe see what I can do to get as an inter ship with credits this summer. I am pleased that I had been encouraged to take this course. I have more knowledge of how I can get my start in traveling. Writing is not my best feature but I have been known to take some pretty darn good picture. This class has inspired me in being able to accomplish a lot of goals that I have wanted to do my whole life and I would not have imagined it would only take one Class of Geog 290 T&T with the best traveling person I have ever known. Prof. Bel K. I want to thank you for being able to provide this class to me and so many others like me who want to travel and are not able to afford it. I will be attending more Geo classes in hopes to see if this is where my passion lays; in traveling.

T&T NEWS Makers: Alex Karls will be on Carnival Breeze 2012 !!!

CONGRATS TO OUR LITTLE SHINING STAR ALEX!!!!
You deserve that & more Alex!

OMG Bel-
I just got accepted to the Carnival Breeze. The Breeze is a brand new ship to carnival. I will be out of Barcelona, Spain for six months. Bel!!!!! I am so excited for this new opportunity and i can't wait. I will give you more details about my dates on when I will be leaving. I will be there sometime next April or May 2012. The first voyage is in June:)

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to you.
See you Jan:) Miss You

CERTIFICATION: Cvent Certification Exam

CONGRATS TO:
Morgan Gurtner,
Paul Hoffmann,
Martin McCue,
Amanda E Peterson,
Brittany L Phillips

Professor Bel,

I wanted to follow up with you and send an updated report of your students’ Cvent Certification exam scores. 7 of your students took the exam, and 5 of those students passed. Please find the report of their scores attached to this email.

Thank you for your participation in the Cvent University Certification program. I hope your students found the program to be beneficial. I look forward to working with you again in the coming semesters!

Best,

Hersey Kaur
Cvent University Programs

Published Destination Features

My article is on this issue!! http://www.sayl.fi/suomi-usa-lehti

TRAVEL Book CLub Review: The Good Guide

By: Shayna Shabatura
Zach Ley
GEOG 363
Book ReviewThe Good Guide: A Sourcebook for Interpreters, Docents, and Tour Guides
Published by family-owned Ironwood Press in 1985 and written by the credible and experienced authors Alison L. Grinder and E. Sue McCoy, this is a sourcebook for interpreters, volunteers, and staff tour guides as well as educators and professionals working specifically in a museum. They use the term museum to represent many facilities that use tour guides such as the typical science, art, and history museums but also zoos, parks, planetariums, historic and cultural sites, gardens, and more. Museums typically offer several ways for the visitor to be educated including written materials, audiovisual programs, interactive exhibits, and classes. Probably the most rewarding with the best educational outcome, however, is a guided tour.
Consisting of 8 in-depth chapters, this book is essentially a tool that can be used to train and enhance a tour and/or a tour guide by introducing new, specific techniques, strategies, and recommendations that help you build on your previous experiences and skills in order to provide the best possible outcome with your tour group. It teaches you what to expect in situations, how to react to other situations, and probably their most important focus of learning strategies. The goal Grinder and McCoy focus on is to not abandon previous methods of learning but to enhance it and stimulate people to learn even more well after the tour has ended. With information and advice available mainly to professional museum educators, this easy, insightful read is divided into two major sections and puts the authors’ extensive knowledge out in the open which had not been done before.
They cover a wide range of relevant topics including giving tours to different age groups such as how children differ from adults especially regarding how they learn, cooperating with the different types of travelers, ways to prepare for them including people who are restless or do not have any interest, how to professionally and effectively handle specific types of situations, and much more. Other things covered are how to continue being a better guide including strategies on keeping your tours fresh and exciting such as using different commentaries or forms and using variety with each of your tours because according to the authors, change is a good thing. Overall, this book uses several details about strategies and goals of being an effective tour guide.
With the help of this book, you learn an extensive amount of new knowledge about teaching knowledge to others on a tour ranging from the beginning stages of preparation to nearing the end of the experience during delivery. Grinder and McCoy use specific and insightful examples from their experience in this industry to help get their points across which makes this book considerably relatable and potentially effective even though it is over 25 years old. “When tour guides link good teaching and communication skills with the ability to provide interesting and meaningful information, tours will become effective learning experiences.”

Cvent Certification

Your contact for FREE Certification is:

Cvent Certification
Michelle Montesano
Cvent Certification Program
www.cvent.com/university

Cvent, Inc. http://www.cvent.com

8180 Greensboro Dr., Ste. 900 | McLean, VA 22102
P: 571.830.2324 | F: 703.226.3503
MMontesano@cvent.com

On behalf of the Cvent Certification team, we would like to thank you for participating in Cvent University Certification this semester! By becoming Cvent certified you will learn about the most comprehensive site selection tool in the industry and be able to add that you are "Cvent Supplier Network Certified" to your resume. 

In order to make studying for the certification exam an effective learning experience, we have developed 3 different training techniques to help you learn the material. We recommend you use a combination of the three in order to maximize your score, but feel free to use the ones that work best for you. To access training materials and learn more about Cvent University Certification, click here to view the Cvent University Certification website.

1. Study the guide - Cvent has developed a quick start guide for Event Planners to search for venues and create and send a Request for Proposal (RFP) in Cvent.
 RFP Training Manual
2. Watch the training modules - For more visual learners, watch a Cvent representative dive into the Supplier Network to search for suppliers and create an RFP.
RFP Training Videos
3. Do it yourself - Cvent has supplied you with login information to your own account to practice what you have learned! Use the account login information and instructions below to log into your account. Login to your Cvent account
To help prepare you for your certification exam, we have given you access to your own Cvent Supplier Network account. Please use the login information below to sign in. Click on the "Login to your Cvent account" link above and enter the following information:
You need to have :
Account Number:
Account Username:
Account Password:
Please Note: All student RFPs will be sent to Cvent Certification for approval rather than being sent directly to the venues selected. Because of this, your RFPs will not receive responses and you will not have the ability to award your RFP in the system.
1. Once you are ready to take the Certification exam, click on the button below.
2. Enter your first and last name and the email address you used to sign up for Certification.
3. The exam is composed of 20 questions, listed on a single page.
4.You will have 1 hour to complete the exam.
5. Once you are through with the exam click Finish to submit your responses.
6. Upon completion, you will receive an email notifying you of your score.
7. Those who have passed with a score of 65% or higher will receive a certificate by email.
 After you have taken and passed the exam, your certificate will be valid for up to 2 years.
For any questions please email the Cvent Certification team at certification@cvent.com. The team will not answer any questions about the product, however, they will be available for any assistance on getting logged into the system or accessing the training material.
Click herefor a list of frequently asked questions on the Cvent University Certification program.
Again, we thank you for participating in the Cvent University Certification - good luck!

TEXBOOKS: GEOG 290, Tourism: Concepts and Practices By: Dr. Johnny Walker

GEOG 290 World of Travel and Tourism (3 Crs.) F, S.

This course is designed to introduce and give a basic understanding of the nature, segmentation, and historical development, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the industry. An introduction of the world of travel and tourism, with special emphasis on its industries, systems and career opportunities. This course introduces students to international tourism, including definitions and historical development, positive and negative impacts, visitor motivations and market issues. Both domestic and international issues and examples will be covered. Course Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. This course is designed for students with no previous exposure to travel and tourism.

Set text book:
The material in this course is contained in the book: Tourism: Concepts and Practices By Dr. Johnny Walker. This textbook explores this exciting field using a systems approach. Building on the author’s experience, it looks at the characteristics of tourism and the demand side first, then organizing tourism, followed by the operating sectors. Full-color photographs, industry profiles, and a career emphasis reveal the opportunities tourism holds for both consumers and professionals.  Special geography spotlights examine the reasons people travel and the places people go.  Features  Builds on the author’s  experience–using examples that capture the world’s largest and fastest growing industry.
 Book offers industry examples gleaned from the author’s years of experience in the field.
 Uses a systems approach–to form the foundation of the text.
 Includes five parts devoted to the characteristics, organization, operations, and social and cultural aspects of tourism.
 Emphasizes real-world connections–using case studies, professional profiles, corporate profiles, career information and more!
 Takes students into the world of tourism and the opportunities it holds for both consumers and professionals.
 Focus On contributions–authored by industry experts, these include two by your Professor and her SCSU T&T students "Planning Green Events”   Chapter 9, pp. 310-312; "Space Tourism" Chapter 16, pp. 506-509; Chapter 3, pp. 77 Beluga Whales; Chapter 4, pp.132, Indonesia; Chapter 12, pp. 388, Islas Galápagos.
 Provides multiple views of the tourism industry through the eyes of experienced professionals.
 Offers Geography Spotlights–that look at reasons people travel and the places people go.
 Offers virtual trips around the globe and emphasizes the seven reasons people travel (Educational Tourism; Romantic Tourism; Adventure Tourism; Eco Tourism Cultural/Heritage Tourism; Remote Tourism; and Sea, San & Sun Tourism).
 Devotes a chapter to sustainability and ecotourism–see Chapter 12. Addressing current trends and issues in the field.
 Offers case studies, Internet exercises, suggested activities and Apply Your Knowledge questions–in every chapter.

Travel Journals GEOG 290

By: Curtis Wisuri

World of Travel/Tourism GEOG 290

Journal 2

This class filled all of my expectations that I had for it. I took it because I like to travel and it only made me want to travel more. I learned that what my cousin and friends had said was true; it was a fun and interesting class. I learned a lot about different ways to travel and a lot of different places to travel to that I would have never have thought of before, like England with all its castles and history. I learned about new hotels that I had never heard about before and would have never imagined there could be so much stuff inside of one building. Also we learned about some different airplanes like the A380, and the Concorde. I would have liked to fly in one but I believe they will come out with something just as spectacular in the future.

I still think that if I went into something in this field that it would be on a cruise ship so that I could see all those different countries. I also found out about some different stuff on those cruises like the shows and high end restaurants. Also the different cruise lines and where they go, like Antartica which would be awesome to travel to. So in ending I thoroughly enjoyed this class and all that it taught me.

TEXBOOKS: GEOG 498 The CLIA Guide to The Cruise Industry By: Dr. Mare Mancini

Set text book: The material in this course is contained in the book:

CLIA Cruise Industry Textbook

CLIA Wrote the book on cruise vacations...and now you can have a copy of your own!
The CLIA Guide to The Cruise Industry

ISBN #1111130892

provides a lively look at one of the most successful forms of travel today: cruising. Written for industry professionals, travel students and anyone interested in the cruise experience, this new, full-color publication features breezy, magazine-like prose, dozens of photos and illustrations and numerous interactive activities to help reinforce what you've learned. Written by Dr. Marc Mancini, The CLIA Guide to the Cruise Industry is now value-priced.

HONS Travel Journals

By: Nicole Saar

Professor Kambach - HONS 223

10 November 2011

I have been in this course for close to a semester now, and I still feel the way that I did on the first day.  Most people live their lives in a shell not taking the time to experience other locations and cultures; I don’t want to be one of those people.  There is so much to see in the world, and the only way to fully live is to experience these places personally.  I feel like I have already gained so much knowledge about what is out there that is worth seeing.  At the beginning of this course, I was really interested in visiting Western Europe, which is common for those that are rather inexperienced when it comes to traveling.  There is still a great deal to see in this region, but now I have so many other places that I want to see that I never even knew existed.  Everything that Professor Bel has communicated to us about this industry sounds so amazing.  Each class was hard to sit through because I wanted to be at the discussed destination experiencing everything Bel was talking about.  It all seemed too perfect and dreamlike.

 Everything that I have seen and learned through Professor Bel’s presentations has made me realize that there is much more to the Travel and Tourism industry than what I thought.  What was really interesting was learning about how traveling to space is becoming a reality.  When thinking about space travel, it seems so far away and something that is almost too unreal to believe.  Besides learning about how the industry is changing, I’ve learned what area of the industry I would possibly be attracted to.  A particular sector that would be suitable for my interests would be the MICE segment.  I have always been interested in event planning, and this segment would be perfect.  I feel like if I were in this industry, I would always be doing something new and something that I would get enjoyment out of.  As of now, I am still majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Marketing, but this course has made me really think about what I want to do when it comes to a career.  My goal, and everyone else’s, is to find a career that I love and one that is bored proof.  Travel and Tourism sounds like it could be a contender.

TEXTBOOKS: GEOG 460 Meetings, Expositions, Events & Conventions

Table of Contents

PART I: INTRODUCTION

1.      Introduction to the Meetings, Expositions, Events and Conventions Industry

2.      Meeting, Exhibition, Event, and Convention Organizers and Sponsors

PART II: KEY PLAYERS IN THE MEETINGS, EXPOSITIONS, EVENTS AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY

3.      Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs)

4.      Meeting and Convention Venues

5.      Exhibitions

6.      Service Contractors

7.      Destination Management Companies

8.      Special Events Management

PART III: KEY ELEMENTS IN MEEC PLANNING

9.      Planning MEEC Gatherings

10.    Producing MEEC Gatherings

11.    Food and Beverage

12.    Legal Issues in the MEEC Industry

13.    Technology and the Meeting Professional

14.    International Issues in MEEC

15.    Putting it All Together

HONS Travel Journals

By: Stephanie Trottier 

After completing a semester in a travel and tourism class, I have centered my college education and future on world cultures and the travel industry. The Honors 223 class, World of Travel and Tourism, has further ignited the glowing embers that are my passion for experiencing the diverse world I live in. College is the time of my life when the most crucial decisions are made.

I have decided to complement my first major in linguistics with another major in travel and tourism and a minor in intercultural communication. I plan on studying several languages including Russian, Spanish, and French to start. I may also pick another minor in environmental studies. After I complete my education, I am planning on applying to the Peace Corps where I will hopefully help with conservation efforts in places such as Madagascar, which was the country I presented in class. I will spend about two years there. If all goes well, I may spend more time in that program or find other opportunities to volunteer my time and service at.

I have learned to take every opportunity that comes to me. I took the opportunity to become an intern for an online news site contributing twenty articles a week and will stay on as a contributing writer; hopefully, I will write for the travel section soon. My ultimate goal is to be a travel writer. There is nothing more important to me than spreading awareness of important environmental and cultural issues going on in the world. After all, we all live here.  As for now, I have applied for an internship with the Rainforest Action Network and I am waiting for a reply. I am thoroughly looking forward to completing my major and minor and eventually traveling the world. A degree in travel and tourism could take me anywhere—literally.

"It’s Show Time Folks” by Alex

"It’s Show Time Folks”

By Alex Karls, GEOG 444

             My name is Alex all the way from Minnnnnnnnnnnnnesooooooooota!  The first thing I did before enrolling as a student at St. Cloud State University in the Travel and Tourism program was to find a job in the traveling field. I had an interview two years ago and have worked for Carnival Cruise Line for about two years.  Fall of 2011 I did an internship from St. Cloud State University, Minnnnnnnnnnnnnesooooooooota.

            People skills, energy, and being a hard worker is what got me the job with Carnival two years ago.  My job title is called "Entertainment Staff” One of the things that I truly value is the word “FUN" for our guests. My job is to provide the most memorable vacation for our guests. There are lots of activities during the cruise.  Some of the activities that I host are trivia's, BINGO, outdoor sports and much more.  During my activities I provide a friendly and lively atmosphere towards the guests.

            One of the major perks that I have is traveling while working at the same time.  I have been to more than six different countries and fifteen different islands.  For the last two years I have covered 230,000 nautical miles of ocean.  Meeting people from different parts of the world and seeing places while in ports has been one of the best experiences ever.

            Carnival is a great company to work for. I will be back at St. Cloud State University in Spring of 2012 as a senior.  Carnival has taught me great work ethics; which makes me a strong student in the Travel and Tourism Department.  I enjoy working for the company of Carnival and have many years up ahead.  Bon Voyage Folks!!!!!!!

 "Being your-self is what makes you successful"

                                                ~Alex~ 

Travel Book Club Review: Cuisine & Culture A History of Food and People

Cuisine & Culture A History of Food and PeopleBy: Brittany Phillips, GEOG 290 

Turn on the stove and start boiling some water; if you weren’t hungry before you’ll become quite famished while reading Linda Civitello’s history/foodie bible! It’s history about food; it’s the best of both worlds bound in a book that’s hard to put down! Page after page delights the reader with historical facts and delves into almost every subject Food. The salivating begins while reading course one (all the chapters are divided up into meal courses, isn’t that clever?) all about the history of food. From wars to a cornucopia of different cultures this book has everything! It’s the world guide to what’s on your plate. In a foreign country? Whip out this book and see why the locals eat what they eat. When in Rome eat like the Romans do! Trivia and stories are sprinkled throughout this yummy tome making me gape in pure surprise and laugh in pure delight! Did you know that during the Victorian Era piano legs were covered because they could whet a man’s appetite? And I’m not referring to food…There is even a recipe that calls for cooking a baby inside a cake, a fake baby of course. Thought this book is about food cannibalism is only briefly mentioned. Just a reminder, it is illegal in the U.S. in case you were wondering. We’re all going to have to brush up on our food etiquette; heaven knows we could use a reminder on which is the salad fork. Well that is if that particular culture even uses that piece of dinnerware. Cuisine & Culture is a gastronomical success and definitely will get more wear and tear in my kitchen than The Joy of Cooking!

Tan-Ta-Ra Summer 2012?

Jesse just left last week.  Great student!!! was the reply from Tan-Ta-Ra this means I am taking applications for those wishing to spend the summer there!
Tan-Tar-A Resort, Golf Club, Marina & Indoor Waterpark
www.Tan-Tar-A.com  

JOBS: Cunard International Host/ess

International Host/essJob Description
Principal Functions
General Duties
· Acts as host (ess) and liaison for French- / German- / Japanese- / Spanish-speaking passengers.
· Assists with Entertainment Staff duties.
Specific Duties
· Translates Daily Programs, menus and sundry passenger information.
· Staffs a reception/hospitality desk, dealing with all inquiries for non-English-speaking guests.
· Translates speeches and announcements.
· Delivers lectures embarkation- , disembarkation procedures etc.
· Conducts foreign languages lessons for English-speaking passengers, ("German for beginners" etc.)
· Socialises with passengers, particularly in the evening.
Requirements
Skills Necessary
· Fluency in English, both written and spoken as well as two of the following languages: German, French, Spanish and Japanese.
· A good working knowledge of gastronomic terminology.
· A pleasant speaking voice and good microphone technique.
· Computer literacy (at present using PC based Words for Windows programs).
· An outgoing personality and good conversational skills.
· Immaculate appearance.
· Strong Presentation skills

Travel Quotes: Maya Angelou

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” ~ Maya Angelou

Travel Book Club Review: “The Tourist Guide”

By: T&T GEOG 363 Cayleen Merrifield
Eric Cohen’s journal “The Tourist Guide” was very interesting to read.  It gave the reader a lot of important information about being a tour guide, and broke it down so that it was easy to understand.  He broke it into two different categories, one was the leadership sphere and the other was the mediatory sphere.  Cohen then broke it down even further to better explain what each sphere consisted of.

            For the leadership sphere Cohen split it into two components.  There is the instrumental component, which has three main elements to it.  And the social component which has four elements that make it up.  The instrumental component mainly talks about direction and how it is the guide’s job to be able to lead their party to the “objects of interest” and to also have knowledge of the sites they are seeing.  Another thing he talked about in this component was how guides are also given access to areas that are normally off limits to the public and also how guides are to have control for the safety and security of their party.  The two elements that are talked about in the social component that I thought were important was how to manage tension and also how to keep morale up. These are two important skills that a tour guide needs to learn.

            The mediatory sphere also has two main components that make it up and they are interactional and communicative.  Interactional talked mainly about how it is a guide’s job to be the middleman from hotels and restaurants to making sure that they see what they want to see and distract them from the sites that would be less pleasant.  How to communicate to your party is also a very important factor for a tour guide.  In the communicative section Cohen talked about how it is the guide’s job to select what information they are going to give to their group.  He also said that while it is ok to present something as “authentic” only when it is blatantly obvious that it is a staged attraction, this is called “keying”, it is important not to take it too far and “fabricate” the information.

            I think that by reading this journal alone could help someone be able to understand what it is to be a tour guide.  The information that this journal gives can benefit anyone who wants to be a tour guide and it is easy to understand.  Eric Cohen did a great job in highlighting the main components of what a tour guide needs to do to be successful.

Travel Book Club Review: Are we too Many?

By: T&T GEOG 290 Brittany Phillips

We have found Big Foot and it turns out he leaves a HUGE footprint, and by footprint I am referring to Carbon Footprint. Who is he? Mankind. In Werner Hendrik Cornelis’ Are we too Many? We see that in fact, we are too many. From Desertification to depleting food supply there’s not much to look forward to…literally. What’s more depressing than that is the fact that there isn’t much we can do about it! Cornelis breaks down the ten ‘menaces’ that are plaguing mankind, and we happen to be on that list. Humans can’t help but leave a mark behind wherever they go, but since the Industrial Revolution our impact on the world has grown tenfold. Examples of revolutionary thinkers from centuries past brought these hazards to light and it’s only in the twenty-first century that we are seeing them. Yet, the data is still being stifled by the very entity that is causing them; us. A bleak picture is painted for us in this essay. Our unbelievable population growth is quantifying and the prospect of the next thirty years does not seem any better. We are destroying the earth, the only earth we have. Resources are being depleted and for some things there is no regeneration; like water. Dying of thirst sounds like a horrible death to me, yet if we don’t act now it might become a very real possibility.

Are we too Many? Is an easy read outlining what we have done and what we can do in order to save our coming generations and ourselves. I’m scared, this is a real life horror movie. This book brings theory to life. It’s time to prepare and this book shows you why.  

The China Buzz by Justine Barron

The China Buzz by Justine Barron

As a student enrolled in the Travel and Tourism program it has always been a goal of mine to go abroad on an international internship. Sounds like a pretty fair tradeoff, huh? Send me to a foreign country, I work for six months. Here’s the best part, not only do I get real industry work experience in a luxurious hotel but I get to live, travel, and experience the culture all with the money I make as an intern. Many of the opportunities for our program include destinations in exotic places such as the Caribbean, Maldives, and South Pacific Islands. Instead of choosing exotic, I traded in my tan for a cultural experience that I will never regret.

The excitement I felt before leaving was building up and I was on a mission to tell everyone. But to my surprise, the reaction I was getting from those around me wasn’t what I expected. For the first time I was going beyond the comfortable boarders of the United States to venture into an unfamiliar culture and the response I received was, “Why China?”

Well, I say, “Why not?”

China: An enormous nation built upon one of the earliest known civilizations; rich in history, culture, excellent food, beautiful landscapes, rapidly growing cities, a booming economy, and home to billions of proud citizens.

The country that was mainly cut off from the western world has only recently been revealed. What they have to offer is even greater than what many may have expected. Business in China is growing faster than most can keep up with. One industry that is emerging in most recent years is Tourism. The world caught a glimpse of China’s hidden charm during the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing and then 2 short years later at the World Expo in Shanghai. The Chinese business culture is drawing in all kinds of visitors from different regions of the world. Many of which are excited to explore this beautiful country. Luckily for their tourism industry they already have the foundation to satisfy this demand.

At 22 years old, I am fortunate enough to have experienced firsthand what the China buzz is all about. Where ever you go in the country—whether it is Beijing in the North, Guangzhou or Hong Kong in the South, Shanghai to the East, or the mountains region to the west—there is an endless list of cultural, historic, natural, and modern sites to see. Each region emits a different vibe drawing in countless visitors. Only being in the country for 6 months, with almost 80% of that time contributed to work, there was little to spare for travel. To do and see as much as possible, corners had to be cut. Spending an afternoon in the busy international city of Hong Kong, after a full day of work taking a 13 hour overnight train to modern Shanghai, and saving up 5 off days to visit the breathtaking historic city of Beijing would be the sacrifice.

My placement was in a smaller city of only 3.5 million residents. Taiyuan, unlike the larger cities such as Beijing, is less developed and English is scarce making everyday life a little more difficult for a foreigner. An average day to the store consisted of getting on one of the many crowded buses, strategizing a plan to make your way to the back, counting how many stops until you need to get off, and making sure you don’t get trampled on the way out. As a westerner this way of life took some time to adjust to.

Many challenges came along with living in a developing city on top of not knowing the language. Being from an individualistic culture it was natural for me to do things on my own. But, figuring out how was the hard part. In the beginning, ordinary tasks were overwhelming because of the language barrier but learning how to communicate without words became instinct. Another struggle came from being an outsider looking in. My whole life I’ve lived in an area where I was the majority. Spending time out of this comfort zone has given me a different perspective. I feel blessed to have lived in a smaller, less known city because of the experience that came with it.

With its thriving economy China’s cities are growing fast and Taiyuan is no different. I could see infrastructure and modernization happening before my eyes. This was truly incredible to witness. Upon returning home I was surprised to hear China was the focus of conversation; on the news, the front cover of TIME magazine, and even at the dinner table. Since then people have asked me what the buzz is about, “Why China?”

Holland America Cruise Lines

Key Job Responsibilities for Travel Guides: Performance: Give dynamic PowerPoint presentations about the ports of call and related topics of interest Provide knowledgeable and accurate information about the itinerary in a exciting and educational way Drive revenue to Shore Excursions onboard by promoting tours whenever appropriate Provide entertaining and informative narration from the bridge in specified scenic cruising areas Programming: Prepare and develop PowerPoint presentations based on the itinerary Present a minimum of two (2) presentations on sea days and one (1) on partial sea days Manage daily schedule with direction from the Event Manager and Seattle Enrichment Manager Foster a positive working relationship with other departments, particularly Shore Excursions Lead travel-oriented entertainment activities (i.e. “Travel Trivia” and language classes) Share knowledge collected by adding presentations and resource materials to the E-Resource Library Guest Relations: Greet guests on the gangway/tender dock when in port to answer last-minute questions Interact with guests in a positive and helpful manner Positively represent Holland America Line both on and off the ship Hold adequate desk hours (minimum of two hours per day) to answer guest questions Policies and Procedures: Read and follow MOM E04 – EXPLORE OUR WORLD. Adhere to uniform policies, appearing professional and well groomed at all times. Comply with Health, Safety and Environmental Practices Provide an accurate and in-depth handover at end of contract. PLEASE INCLUDE A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH OR PROMOTIONAL HEADSHOT WITH YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER.

Charlaine Ramsay www.pacificislandadventures.com

BRAVO for our VERY own!
Charlaine Ramsay
www.pacificislandadventures.com

Pacific Island Adventures

pacificislandadventures.com

We sponsor unique, memorable travel experiences to romantic and exotic islands of the Pacific Ocean. By designing magnificent adventures, featuring fabulous accommodations, stunning attractions and enticing culinary events, we guarantee maximum enjoyment for your travel experience. 

Professional Associations to consider

§(TCC) Traveler’s Century Club

§The EXPLORERS Club, NYC

§(SATW)  Society of American Travel Writers

§(RGS) Royal Geographical Society of England

§(SWG) The Society of Woman Geographers

 Members: Amelia Earhart, Silvia Earle, Jane Goodall

§(I-CHRIE) International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education

§(TIES) International Ecotourism Society

§ (NAI) National Association for Interpretation 

§ (AZA) American Zoo and Aquarium Association 

§ (SEJ) Society of Environmental Journalists