Hospitality & Tourism Management

My Philosophy: A Reflection on Sectors in the Tourism Industry – Part 2

Posted on December 16, 2020 by samasoklis

Wow! To think I was just writing a reflection like this only under a half a year ago is crazy to think! Time sure does fly, I will tell you that! Before reading this, if you haven’t had a chance to check out my first reflection, My Philosophy: A Reflection on Sectors in the Tourism Industry, go check it out! After strengthening my knowledge on hospitality and tourism through another great semester of courses, I sure can say that I gained a lot of new information for my future endeavors and even my career overall! From areas of safety and preparation during travels, to monetization within the industry, this semester has definitely enriched my overall understanding of the field. In reflecting on some of my favorite parts of the semester, the first thing that pops in my head from this course is the documentary on the cruise ship, the Norwegian Pearl. Additionally, I truly enjoyed learning from panels of former GVSU students who incorporated hospitality and tourism in their life and careers post-graduation. Throughout this final blog for the semester, I will highlight my overall reflection on what I have added to my tool belt for this industry and what we have learned about how COVID-19 has affected it thus far.

Just looking back at the blogs I have got to write since September, let alone since the start of my college career, there is a lot to understand. Hopefully, I will bring it all together in these few paragraphs, but let me tell you, there is a lot more to the industry than I ever imagined. Highlighting some of my favorite sectors of this industry, I truly enjoyed learning about how the lodging and cruise ship industry works. With so many moving parts, it is crucial that one leading either of these sectors has the proper operations and accommodations to give their guests a memorable experience. Additionally, understanding the harsh realities that travel can bring has allowed me to think a whole other way to come up with action plans just in case for that “what if” scenario. From natural disasters and abandonment, to dangers in other locations not know as home, bring great fears to the traveler. These should never deter us from achieving our aspirations and dreams of seeing the beauty that world has to offer. As Hawaii has always been my dream vacation, I can now not only use this information for my career but my personal travel as well.

Remember going to concerts and live events? I do, but it has been way too long. Prior to this pandemic, I personally think this industry was already heading in a good direction as we had a booming economy and sustainability goals to save the future of this planet and industry. While those are still intact, I think this pandemic will cause a lot of delay in plans to make the progress needed for our society. But one thing that I know will come back quickly and better than ever is the hospitality and tourism industry. The day Americans are told they can travel safely without worrying about spreading a life-threatening disease will be the day this industry will boom once again. The comeback that I expect from this industry post COVID-19 is one that will be unforgettable. From abandoned flights to overbooked flights, I truly think the industry will flip a switch to better than we were before. This will not only help those individuals who have been hurt in this industry from the pandemic but those antsy tourists who are looking for a getaway from reality. Not only do I think that professionals are planning for the day that happens, but they are beyond ready to get back to some sort of normalcy. The interactions that both the worker and individual gain from people across the globe truly have an impact on you and your outlook on life. Yeah, is a vacation much needed, YES, but more importantly following your spiritual pilgrimage in achieving your aspirations and connections to yourself and others is what our society needs coming out of this pandemic. With much hope in vaccinations spreading across the nation, I truly think the end is near and the industry is prepared to come back.

In thinking about what I would like to do with a hospitality and tourism minor, I truly think this course has helped solidify my ideas. As a Public Relations (P.R.) major, I know these two industries can go hand-in-hand. I would like to be involved in the cruise or lodging industry, with this, I could see myself being a P.R. or communications director with any major hotel or cruise chain, promoting a good image of the company while still being able to make the guests’ experience valuable and memorable. As this is the goal, I know that I am open to different sectors in each field but having this semester has allowed me to fully view the field from a large scope. I truly hope that these things learned this semester can carry with me for the duration of my time in college as well as my future career, knowing as much as I do now. As I only have three or four courses left for my hospitality and tourism minor, I know that I will have to go into them with the same perspective that Lorie has taught me for the last couple semesters – #sayYES! This mantra has been instilled in my head as it brought so many new perspectives to my personal life. I know that if I continue to go forward with this, my possibilities are endless entering the career field and my future.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

My Franchise of Choice: Dairy Queen

Posted on November 23, 2020November 24, 2020 by samasoklis

When thinking of a franchise, the first thing that pops into my head is a fast-food chain like McDonalds or Taco Bell. These restaurants are scattered all over the US and even internationally, often seeing them at every corner. As we got the chance to learn about what goes into owning and running a franchise location, I will uncover the franchise I would choose to own and what the pros and cons would be overall. While I chose a business that is not directly tied to the tourism industry, it is important for my readers to know that there are many different franchises out there for travel specific interests in the hospitality realm. As I currently work at Starbucks as a supervisor, this company would probably be my first choice, but Starbucks does not franchise their locations. Instead, I have chosen to uncover Dairy Queen and what goes into franchising a location overall. While this would be my first choice, I would make sure that I was in a warmer climate as I would aim to create an atmosphere that is up and coming, allowing for an atmosphere that would interact with tourists and beachgoers.

The reason I would choose this franchise all leads back to my personal love for ice cream. As a kid, I would always ask for this treat for dessert almost after every meal. Whether it was snowing outside or it was 100 degrees, this would be my go-to treat that would make me so happy. As I know ice cream brings joy to many others as well, I would hope to share this love to my employees and my customers. As I noted in the last paragraph, I would want my location to be located somewhere with a warmer climate and a lot of tourists. This would allow for my employees and I to interact and get to know those coming from all different parts of the world. Additionally, I think it would be cool to have a location that encompasses the climate. For example, I think it would be a lot of fun if I had a store that could have an open entrance at the front allowing for the air and atmosphere to be reflected in the store. Overall, I would aim to make this franchise different than many other Dairy Queen locations most are used to.

In looking at start-up information on this franchise, it is important to note that Dairy Queen has been doing this for over 80 years and has been very successful thus far. With 4,537 locations within the US, only two of these locations are company owned. This is a very strong success rate as this franchise is still very prominent in today’s society, especially in Michigan. In order to even be considered for this franchise, one’s net worth must be above $750,000. From there it will take anywhere from $1,100,000 to $1,800,000 in the initial investment to get this franchise up and running. When choosing this franchise, it was important to look for any specifics or regulations that I would have to follow by when opening this location. A few things that Dairy Queen requires is that the menu reflects what their current offerings are and not anything that isn’t promoted or created by them. For me personally, that is okay as I have always been a fan of the choices they have to offer, and I know that customer do too. Although I would not like that we would sell food too, that is something that doesn’t deter me from this business.

In looking at more of the specific in regard to this franchise, it is important to note that their royalty fee is 4%. For those who don’t know what a royalty fee is, it is basically a membership fee that allows you to continue to run your business under their name and standards. As I have explored many other businesses for franchising, this rate is lower in comparison to other companies. As training is also a major part in franchising, Dairy Queen allows for almost 300 hours of training for the opening of new location, in addition on training at locations that are already established. Looking at what else franchising one of these locations allows for, it can be understood that the company provides support at all angles, whether it be just safety and operations all the way to marketing support. These tools provided by the company shows that they have the best interest in their franchisees and have the resources pessary to fully support their team.

Reflecting on this franchise, I would say that I have a positive view on possibly becoming an owner of Dairy Queen location in the future. As it would probably not happen until later on in my life (if it did), I would be proud to work for a company like Dairy Queen and hope that their reputation keeps as I grow older. I feel as if this opportunity would be something that I take on after I’ve hit the peak in my career and start to wind down. While I don’t know if this will ever happen in my career, it is definitely a possibility that seems promising to me. I feel as if I would bring a lot to this location, especially if it fit the criteria for the location and style I would like to have. Overall, while franchises are not at the top of my list in the hospitality and tourism field, it is definitely a plausible scenario for something to do later on in my life. Learning about franchising this week has allowed me to gain a strong insight on the endless possibilities I could take on in the future.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Monetization in the Industry

Posted on November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 by samasoklis

When thinking on my favorite YouTube channel, I follow and interact with many individuals that make money off of just entertaining and talking about their life. After gaining some insight on the content for this week, many understand that you can do this a career. When I think on my favorite influencers, I wonder to myself, “what do these individuals do for their career and how do they make money?” Well, the simple is answer is just that, they make money off the public viewing these of these videos. From advertisements in monetized videos, to getting all expenses paid for a trip to film your adventure, there are so many ways one can live the nomad life and still make it in society. After watching a few YouTube videos on monetization and the travel industry and Sailing Zatara, I am going to discuss my insight and how this would possibly come into play in my own life in the future.

When thinking on taking on the life of monetization though a career, I think I would take the path of filming attractions and tourists spots in all four seasons around the country –or even the world. While we endure a Michigan winter every year, I would love to experience a winter in Washington or Colorado to enjoy their attractions and destinations. In contrast, I would love to travel to many tropical locations such as Hawaii or Florida and gain perspectives and insight on their summers. Experiencing multiple seasons would allow to direct my filming and focus on a sector in the industry. I would hone in on hotels and main attractions that bring much traction to each of these areas. From there, I would review and inform my viewers though my YouTube channel and even WordPress to get the world out to my followers and make money while doing it.

Thinking about how much I would like to make off this career, I would just hope to make enough to make me happy. While having a big house and everything I ever wanted would be nice, I feel as this type of career would allow me to just want the necessities to live comfortably. As necessities vary from person to person, I would aim to not be strapped with cash but enjoy some luxuries while living the a simplistic life. I would have an apartment or a small house to call “home” but would be traveling from destination to destination staying in these hotels and resorts. I would be able to enjoy and review their food, restaurants, and facilities, while creating content for the public to view and interact with for ideas on their future travels. In addition, I would make sure to stop at key attractions that bring tourists to the area to create incentives to visit these hotels.

As I ensure I would be eating good and having a safe place to stay, I would love to branch out throughout my travels in trips like we saw in the film. Having the opportunity to live on a boat for some time or even a cruise would be a great experience for me and my viewers. While these off-land trips wouldn’t be my focus, it would be interesting to take my viewers on different adventures that keeps my content engaging and intriguing. Throughout my videos, it would be the best way to advocate for the tourism industry to ensure safety and tips that could help tourists along the way. From natural disasters and dangerous situations, to even a way to save a quick buck, I would be there for my viewers in insuring the most productive and enjoyable trip possible. I would hope that my content would inspire and enlighten those to see the full possibly of what this world offers. While I would be focusing on the hospitality and tourism industry, I make sure that my videos are meant and welcome for all audiences.

Overall, I do think that monetization within the industry is a great way for those to pursue a career while having your own freedom and ways of making an income. It is a fun and interactive way to be there for the public, while still being able gain so many experiences yourself. If I were able to pursue this sector of the industry, I do think that I would enjoy it and would be very happy with myself and career. Still dabbling at what I want to do in the industry in regard to my future, I know that this is one at the top of my list. Being able to travel to my most admired locations, while being employed, would be an experience that I know I would thrive in. Going forward, I know it is very important to explore all my options and through the content I’ve learned this week, monetization in the hospitality and tourism industry is one that stays open for possibilities.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Events and Gatherings During COVID-19

Posted on November 3, 2020 by samasoklis

Thinking back on a simpler time, we can all remember going to concerts and live events in large crowds. The excitement one gains from being in this environment allows for many to feel as if they are part of something bigger. For example, when I attended my first concert at The Palace of Auburn Hills seeing the Black Eyed Peas, I remember the way I felt as I knew I was with thousands of other people who shared the same interest in music as me. This is very relevant when thinking about the hospitality and tourism industry, as many Americans are not getting these events and concerts during COVID-19. This pandemic has changed the way in which we do things as a society, industry, and individuals. As many of these events are deemed unsafe during this time, it is important to think about the future of this industry and how we will adapt until we can finally return to a sense of “normalcy”. Events like a live concert or gatherings such as the Color Run are events we haven’t seen since the beginning of 2020 and as we continue to adapt, virtual events have been this industry’s go to. Throughout this blog, I will discuss my personal thoughts on these large gathering during a pandemic and how the hospitality and tourism industry will make their way in transiting as we make our way through the rest of 2020 and into 2021.

Thinking back on this sector of the industry, we know that these events require much planning overall. From having the proper facilities, vendors, tickets, and security etc. we know that these are just a few of the many things that go into event planning. Understanding the adjustments we have made as a society has allowed us to take advantage of technology and what it has it offer. We have seen so many events canceled due to this pandemic but defining the way for the industry has shown though these major technological advancements we have made over the last few decades. While we will eventually make it out of this global pandemic, we know that we must continue to find a way to entertain and inform the people of our society. This sector is one that I would love to be a part of in my future career path and possibly my lifelong job. As leadership and accountability is key in event planning, I feel as if my personal characteristics would set me up for success in this industry.

As we have learned to adapt over the last few months, it is saddening to not see people gathered in large crowds for a common purpose. For example, the Color Run has been an event that have allowed those to complete a 5k while being submerged in music and tons of color! This event has been moved to virtual as we have transitioned into this pandemic, which allows a quite different experience than most are used to. Looking at the Color Run website, we can see this event allowed of those to be in close proximity of others. This has created a challenge as we have had to adapt and not have these personal interactions that we are so accustom to. The new virtual experience allows one to incorporate all the same features of this run while incorporating safety measures to protect one another from a possible exposure of the virus. While these organizations have had readjust the way in which things were done, we can see that individuals in this sector have taken leadership to still provide the public with a way to be active and participate.

Reflecting on other events like concerts, we know that many have been canceled, especially during the beginning of the pandemic. With restrictions on capacity and increased measures to lower the spread, these events are often not plausible to keep their attendees safe. We have seen many public figures and performers using live stream to attract viewers from home, while still keeping that communication with the public. As this is not the same as planning a live event, it still requires those to make sure it runs as smoothly as possible. When looking back at my favorite event or concert, I would note the Katy Perry halftime performance. While I was not there in person, we saw over 50,000 individuals there packing the stadium in support for the game and the performer. When I was watching this event from home, it allowed me to connect with those who I was watching it with to share the love of music. These events leave a big impact on people whether they are in person or virtual and it is up to the professions in this field to make sure the viewer gets the experience they know and love regardless of the circumstance. As a future professional in the field, I will make sure that any event that I am a part will be most productive and successful to satisfy the public.

While I have discussed events on a larger scale, it also important to note that all events aren’t as massive as a concert or 5k run. As a public relations professional, it is important that smaller events hold just as much dedication and planning to be successful overall. Outreach and fundraiser events are prominent in both fields (PR & HTM) and making sure that we can tend to the overall satisfaction of the attendee is key. As we do not know when we will be able to gather in groups without putting others at risk, it is important to make sure that we continue to adapt to the virtual setting and strive for continuous improvement overall. As a future professional, I will use these key strategies and tactics from the COVID-19 pandemic and apply them to making the event planning sector of the industry even stronger as we make our way out of this global health crisis.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

The Hotel Industry at its Finest!

Posted on October 26, 2020 by samasoklis

**Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash**

The hotel industry is one of the many sectors within hospitality and tourism and so far, one of my personal favorites. Thinking back on a recent experience at a hotel or resort, I think about my vacation to Mexico. With the white sand beaches seconds from the building and food and beverages at every corner, the hotel industry has a lot that they can do to accommodate guests with the best experience. As every hotel I have been to has its own touch, it is important to differentiate yourself in the industry and know what makes one want to come to your business instead of others. As it is all about your guests’ experience, it is necessary to have clean facilities and accommodating staff to overall reach the maximum satisfaction for all who stay at your hotel. Throughout the films The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, one is able to see what they can bring into their hotel or lodging experience to truly embody the guests temporary home. This blog will encompass my personal thoughts in addition to new information that has broadened my horizons on this industry.

Throughout the movies, one is able to gain a new perspective on starting up a business from nothing to something amazing. While creating a warming environment for guests and embracing true authenticity is key, one must have a plan on how they will make and maintain their business to keep all guests happy. Having engaging activities and strong customer service leaders in the business is necessary and crucial to keep the business operating and afloat. Having staff that stands behind and backs the business will ensure a strong community feel to ensure guests are being given an experience above and beyond expectations. Simple gestures such as interacting and supporting guests in any situation allows for a trust and connections that will mean a lot for your business for returning and new guests.

In thinking about this sector of the hospitality and tourism industry, I know that this is where I would like to spend part of my career. Whether it be a position higher up in a cooperate chain or just being part of an individually ran hotel, this sector would suit me well as an individual. I feel that most of my personal characteristics align with what is needed within a hotel: leadership and communication. In addition, I feel as if my bubbly personality would allow guests to feel excited to be at the hotel where I work and allow for an environment that is upbringing and welcoming. I personally would love to be in a warm location with close proximities to recreational land where guests could enjoy activities outside of the hotel facilities. While the experience in the hotel would be a main focus, having things for guests to do outside of their lodging is engaging and allows them to have a more memorable experience. Overall, I feel as if my presence in a hotel, resort, or lodging facility would be a good step for me to begin to understand what goes behind this sector in the industry.

If I had all the money and time in the world, I would open an individual lodging business in Hawaii that encompasses the true beauties of the land while enjoying peace and serenity. This would be done on land near the water, where the least damage could be done to the environment and its’ species. I would include many facilities that would provide guests with room, food, drink, and activity choices. My main focus would be on creating a Zen environment that would allow guests to feel relaxed and comfortable in this hotel allowing for the best experience possible. In addition, I would make strong efforts to acknowledge and specialize each guest’s experience to make them feel as if they are part of a community while they are enduring their stay. Making sure that our lodging emphasizes that our target audience is those above 18 who need to kick back and connect with themselves and the environment would be our focus. This dream hotel would truly embody my vision of the perfect resort for the employees and guests who visit.

When thinking of my dream stay at a hotel, I would have to pick my vision above. But if I had to choose a location currently running, I would choose the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. This resort has always stood out to me in the past as it offers so many luxury features while having a beautiful view of the mountain ranges in the desert. The climate in Arizona has always been one of my personal favorites as it has a dry heat with low humidity. This climate, in addition to the beautiful scenery and facilities, would drag me to vacation here in the near future post COVID-19. Overall, the hotel industry is seeming like a pretty promising sector for me when I start my career. I would hope that I can incorporate my skills from my public relations background but embody the field in the hospitality and tourism industry all-in-all to create the job just right for me.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

The Aviation Sector of Tourism

Posted on October 19, 2020 by samasoklis

When thinking of the word aviation, I would hope this brings thoughts to one’s head of traveling through air. This is a very exciting experience for many as they are usually on their way to a getaway or vacation of some sort. As this is true for many, airlines also have regular passengers that use flights for business or personal reasons too. While I have many positive experience experiences on airlines, there are many who take on the responsibility to fly for their career. From flight attendants, pilots, to even those who load the luggage on the plane, all these people play an important role in the aviation industry. As safety is at the forefront of the tourism industry in general, this sector plays an important role in ensuring both the passengers and workers are always protected and prepared. After watching the film Inside American Airlines: A Week in The Life, we can see that there is a lot that comes into play when operating an airline. In the following paragraphs I will uncover my personal feelings in addition to key finding from this documentary.

As we uncover the sectors of the tourism industry, I try and picture myself in each of these scenarios as a possible career path. Knowing myself personally, I feel as if I would fit very well with a team in the aviation career. I would bring strong leadership characteristics and fluent customer service skills that would allow me to fit in with the profession. As our professor Lorie has shared her experience with Pan Am, I truly do think it would be a positive experience for me to damper with throughout my career. In contrast, I do believe that I would struggle personally with being on a plane for long amounts of time throughout the week. While the travel benefits are a plus, it would still discourage me that I would have to be cramped in the small spaces for a certain amount of time. When thinking about the lifestyle that many have to live in the career, I don’t think I’d get much enjoyment out of it even though it is an amazing opportunity. If I did dip into this sector of the tourism industry, I think it would be a position outside of the plane.

While the flight privileges would be such a great benefit to being in this field, I think the risks would also play an important factor in not joining the field. When I traveled to Mexico, I remember connecting with an attendant on the plane and she noted how much she loves her job. From strong benefits, to free travel and shares in the company, the career fit her well and she was very happy overall. It provided so many opportunities and opened so many doors for her to face new experiences on a regular basis. As many can see past the “what ifs” scenarios that could happen on the plane, I feel as if that would way heavy on my mind. While I am not one to worry or often, I do think that the always having the mindset of keeping others safe where it’s hard if an emergency did occur would be prominent on my mind. I do understand that the risks that go along are statistically small and highly unlikely, but we have seen that these emergency events do occur once in a while.

When thinking about my feelings towards the airline industry, I would say it’s a very great route to go through if you are passionate towards it. Those who have this passion will reflect on their passengers and other co-workers that will allow for a positive experience overall. I do think that the airlines are safe and provide customers with proper protocols and tools in an event of any type of emergency. While I would not personally enter this sector, I know that this would fit many looking for a startup career in hospitality and tourism. In regard to the profitability of the aviation field, I do believe that it is strong for both the company and the individual who joins the team. As an individual can start at a lower level in the company, there are many opportunities for one to move up the chain and grow in the field. In looking at company profitability, we saw that airline typically overbook and use other tactics to keep their revenue up. While this can keep profits up, there any many factors that can hurt the industry’s profits as well. For example, COVID-19 and weather factors can sway funds and even hurt this sector at times. This allows for companies to boost revenue significantly during prominent travel times and makeup for losses during weather and global crisis’s.

After learning about this sector in the tourism industry, there are many things I learned that I did not know prior. One thing in particular that piqued my interest was the amount of fuel these planes use and how much weight it accounts for on the plane. As the industry is aiming to switch to greener energy, this will continue to take time and advocates for this change need to speak up and stay on track with a plan. In addition, as I mentioned in the beginning, there are so many different parts of an airline company which allows for so many more opportunities for one to grow in these companies. If being on the plane isn’t for you, that okay! It is important to know and understand what this sector offers before ruling it out of your career path. While I do not see myself joining the aviation field, I will always leave the possibility open as it could provide a great experience for me personally. In future travels on an aircraft, I know that my appreciation has grown since learning about what goes on behind the scenes. I will always continue to respect and admire those who give their time to ensure enjoyment and safety on these planes for the sake of secure travel.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Life on a Ship: The Cruise Industry

Posted on October 4, 2020October 4, 2020 by samasoklis

When many think about a cruise, they typically think of a luxurious vacation boat that travels to many popular tourist destinations. As there are many leading cruise brands in the industry, when one hears Carnival or Royal Caribbean, they know that this is referring to a vacation getaway. As many have taken these trips in sections of the world, we will uncover what goes into this sector of the tourism and how they manage running lines most of the year. From entertainment to dining, the team running this ship must coordinate together to create the best vacation for their guests. Though the film Cruise Inc. Big Money on the High Sea one is able to uncover the practices that go into play when coordinating a ship and a business. Ensuring that all guests receive the ultimate satisfaction from their trip, creating ways for tourist to invest in the cruise industry, and ensure safe travels are all key factors that will be discussed in the paragraphs ahead.

After watching the film, one is able to get a pretty good grasp of understanding how they operate. As this is a major part of the hospitality and tourism industry, it is important to be aware and understand what goes on behind on the scenes. The narrator of this film Peter Greenburg stated its a “30 billion-dollar industry,” but only “17 percent of the public goes cruises.” As this was filmed over ten years ago, these numbers may have changed. It seems interesting that they generate so much funds, while only receiving about a fifth of the public. This is due to the stereotypes that have followed with the industry, noting that they often appeal to older and wealthy individuals and couples. While this is understandable, one can begin to understand how much directors put into the industry before, during, and after the trip. From food and beverages to luggage and supplies, there is a lot the crew must load on the ship before departure. Making sure all the individuals are on the vessel and boarded safely is necessary as their workers and visitors make the trip possible. As each week goes on, workers do this process once a week and work for ten hours a day. From hotel to cruise directors, there are many leaders on the boat that help run the trip smoothly for the passengers while enjoying all the great amenities.

Beginning to understand each part of the cruise would be a lot of information, instead I will discuss the way oil which they combine all the activities and options into one. From the Norwegian Pearl in the documentary, we can see the director there uses the style of freestyle cruising. This encourages all ages to come on these cruises and be who you are. It doesn’t matter what you wear or what you do, the options are endless. With over 100+ activities for guests to do each day, we can see that cruises want you to soak up your vacation. With that comes many expenses in addition to paying for the cruise, such as fine dining, drinks, gambling and many other activities. While lodging, entertainment, food buffets and some activities are included, it is often that one must fork over a pretty good amount of cash in order to receive the all-inclusive experience. In order to get tourists to engage in these activities, the staff engage with their passengers to inform them of all their opportunities. With this brings additional revenue for the business and sucks them in for an unforgettable experience that will stick with the passengers. From there, this will hook tourists to try other trips and recommend to their family and friends.

As the ship stops at multiple locations, each ship depends on where you will stop. From Caribbean cruises to cruises around Alaska, one can find trips that encounter different environments and climates. When stopping at these spots, tourists are able to exit the boat and engage with the community and the amenities that come with it. When say amenities I mean the beaches, land, water, and the fresh air, not the excursions or shopping of course. As this brings income to local businesses and communities, it also generates funds for the cruise lines are they often partner with them. This allows for the cruise lines to advertise these places prior to boarding and allows them to book reservations in advanced if necessary. The film notes that the cruises pay fees and taxes to stop at these destinations throughout the trip, as it is not cheap. While this promotes growth in the communities, the industry often hires workers to run this ship internationally to save costs on paying employees. This allows for the cruise lines to balance funds and generate additional funds to the business. When cruises stop at these points it is important to think about the environmental impacts they may have on these cities as well.

In understanding the last key factor of cruises, we can understand that safety is a priority for all aboard the ship. From the minute the passengers step foot on the ship, it is the cruise lines responsibly to keep their passengers and workers safe. Upon entering the ship, passengers and their luggage are inspected in aims to protect other guest from any danger. They also scan for prohibited substances and items as they want to provide everything the passenger may need on board. The workers are also scanned by intensive background checks insuring they are a right fit for the team and the passengers. From fires, to technical issues, to sicknesses, there are many issues that can arrive while at sea. Ensuring that all staff is properly trained prior to departure is necessary and going over protocol often is crucial. In an event of an emergency disaster, it is necessary that passengers are aware of exits and life gear that will help get passengers off the boat. In addition, it is very important for engineers and operators know the protocol at sea in order to protect our waters and their environment from spills or pollution.

As cruise lines have had to go though many pandemics over the last century or so, it is interesting to see how they handle these types of viruses. As we are living though COVID-19 currently, we can compare how measures were handled during other pandemics such as the NORA virus. While COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, NORA virus was a stomach flu. On the ships they took similar precautions to the same ones we do with the current pandemic, sanitation and quarantines. This puts the safety of their passenger first, while still allowing the ship to continue with normal activities. With additional measures such as intensive sanitation and hand sanitizer stations, the ship must continue to do everything they can to stop the spread. The same goes for this current pandemic and making sure that social distancing, masks, and reduced capacities are included as well. Those who do decide to travel during these times should do some intense research to make sure protocols and proper measures are being taken. As I would love to take a trip on a cruise line soon, I would wait until this pandemic passes so I can get the most out of the experience while staying safe and healthy.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

My Travel Aspirations: A Spiritual Pilgrimage

Posted on September 27, 2020 by samasoklis

When reflecting on my journey of travel thus far, I remember happy thoughts that immersed me into the beauty the world has to offer. From Mexico, to Costa Rica, to many states across the US, I have been introduced to many of the wonderful places across the globe. As there is much more I plan on doing in my lifetime, this small chuck has already added a chapter to my spiritual pilgrimage. Now you may one wonder that is? It’s okay, I didn’t know what it meant either before introducing myself to tourism courses here at school. The best way I could describe it is the journey that you embark on while you are traveling through reflection and beauty of your destination. All of these trips and adventures help to contribute to one’s overall pilgrimage. As many of you know from one of my previous blogs, Hawaii’s Tourism and Its Effects, I noted my dream destination is Hawaii. As this many seem as a very typical travel location for many, I believe Hawaii has something more to offer me than just the beautiful scenery. Throughout this blog I will discuss my anticipated pilgrimage though travel and how I will get the most out of my adventures – especially my dream trip!

After watching the movies for this week, The Way and The Bucket List, we can see prime examples of spiritual pilgrimages though the journey these movies b both go through. As I have seen The Bucket List before, I chose to watch it again knowing the quality of the film. When looking back on my journey when I’m older, I want to say that I have truly achieved the life I wanted to live. As traveling has already been a major part, I know my future holds many more adventures that will contribute to the person I am. Looking into my dream destination, I know that this trip will be planned accordingly to my best standards knowing that I want the most out of it. Preparing for any disaster that could occur on the trip is necessary, as noted in my last blog. In addition, having plans and the proper point of contact for any activity or reservation is essential. Although I will not plan each minute to the tee, it is important to know the general activities and specific plans for adventures on the trip.

In understanding why Hawaii is my dream location, there are many contributing factors that bring it up to the top of my list. For one, the idea of being on an island is a very prominent factor as I have not been to one before. In addition, the warm climate with the sandy beaches and the beautiful terrain are strong influences that add to my interest in this state. While many would probably choose an international destination, I believe that this location is a prized possession of the US. Another reason why Hawaii means so much to me is due to the fact that my grandmother admired it so much. As she took many trips there and loved the show Hawaii Five-O, the respect for this tropical state was passed down to me. Knowing that I can take in all the experiences it has to offer and truly enjoy the purest form of nature in front of me is a key factor to me. I hope to not only take that away but learn about the cultural influences and societal differences in their community.

In looking at specifics of my trip, I would want to go to visit the botanical gardens as well as hiking trails. In addition, I would love to swim, enjoy the fresh seafood, and even try surfboarding. When doing these types of activities, the prominence of practicing tourism in the most pure and safest way will be weighing heavily on my mind. Knowing that tourism can have negative impacts on these tropical locations, I have pledged to myself to not interfere or disturb any wildlife or contribute to the damage that has already been done to the land. This is one standard I always set and will continue to use on my spiritual pilgrimage, as I want to be helping to dilute the problem, not adding to it! Learning all these things from this course and others have helped me understand the importance of keeping the areas we travel better than the way we found it.

When reflecting on this trip once I return home, I hope that I can say I embarked on a new journey that changed my perspective of the world. While this might sound quite drastic, I know that all my experiences with travel thus far have helped to broaden my knowledge in many different aspects. The interactions that I will have with the residents, environment, and myself will be those that I can hold near and dear to me for a long time. As far as when this may happen, who knows, but hopefully soon! As we are in the middle of a pandemic, I know that it will occur many years down the road. I want to be able to fully immerse myself with new environment that I am visiting and learn the most I possibly can. As I am not rushing my personal timeline, I hope by the time I am 30 I can add this trip to my spiritual pilgrimage and check it off my bucket list.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Horrifying Travel Experiences: Being Prepared for Environmental Disasters

Posted on September 20, 2020September 20, 2020 by samasoklis

Understanding the different disasters that can occur while one is on vacation can range from being robbed to getting in accident, but what happens when a natural disaster hits? As there is no way one will know if a disaster like this will actually happen, there are many steps one can prepare for to deal with the mental and physical challenges one my endure in an event like this. As I have discussed this topic in one of my previous blogs, Tourism and Natural Disasters: A Travels Worst Nightmare, I will dissect additional steps to do before, during, and after a disaster. In addition, I will discuss how the aftermath of one of these natural disasters and how it takes a major hit on the tourism industry. Through thought-provoking scenes in Tsunami, The Aftermath and The Impossible, we will dive deeper into the daunting reality some face when they are traveling. Both of these films help to gain an understanding of just one type of natural disaster that can occur in these scenarios: Tsunami’s.

Putting together the trip prior requires enough planning as it is, tickets, reservations, transportation, the list could go on forever. But another thing that should always be at the top of your list before doing any of these things is doing the proper research. What location are you going to? Does it have a high crime rate and is it typically considered safe? Does it have significant weather patterns in history during the time you want to go? Are you able to access health care and emergency service if needed? All of these questions and many more could provide you with information that you didn’t think you would need prior to booking or during the trip. When traveling to an international country, it is crucial that communication is able to be present at all times especially during an emergency situation. Choosing a location that often doesn’t have any significant weather trends would be ideal as this could prevent a trip from turning upside down. It is also important to know the area by using a map prior and gaining your bearings once you have arrived. Scoping out the area with others on your trip is something that could save you and your group members if a disaster or dire situation were to occur.

The films do an amazing job at showing what people go through first-hand in these types of natural disasters. As the 2004 tsunami in Thailand was the main disaster in both films, we can see the powers that the waters hold when the earth is disturbed. Both movies offer different perspectives, but I think it is crucial the message both bring to the table. The matter of sticking with one another while making the best decisions possible in the moment is what really struck me. Being able to get the resources during or after a storm can often be challenging, which is where some of before the trip steps can come in handy. When medical attention is necessary is it crucial to know where you can receive professional treatment or get safe water to drink. Things like this can have a major impact on whether or not once makes it through the aftermath of the disaster. In addition, it is crucial to be cautious of your surroundings, whether it be the people you interact with or the unsafe conditions left from the storm. More often than not there is debris, downed power lines and other types of dangers that people need to be aware of.

When the storm is over and the tourists leave, the residents will aim to rebuild and return to a semi-normal state for their community. This is often hard as it is costly and takes a lot more time than many realize. Many residents have to come up with the funds to rebuild their homes and the demand is high in these types of situations for builders and construction workers. Also, they are still experiencing mental shock and emotional pain that holds with them after the storm blows over. Not to mention, many people may have been at the forefront of this disaster, whether it be the press or emergency services. Trying to return to this “normal” state is often hard, as it is costly and takes a lot more time than many realize. This challenging hurdle is something that the tourism industry has to overcome after each disaster, and it is a very hard and timely task to do. Many residents and businesses have to come up with a game plan for how they we build, if they do.

In reflection on this blog overall, any type of disaster that occurs while one is on vacation can make a major impact on the travelers and how they do so in the future. Following some of the simple tips plus being resourceful and making the best possible decisions will help to better any horrible situation one has to go through. While the tourism industry takes some major losses during this time, making sure their visitors are safe and return home are at the forefront of their minds during these unusual events. Being a safe and smart traveler can make or break a situation in which you must act fast to save you and your loved one’s lives.

Hospitality & Tourism Management

The Horrifying Reality of Human Trafficking

Posted on September 12, 2020September 12, 2020 by samasoklis

Photo by Tim Tebow Foundation on Unsplash

Today in America and all around the world, the prominent issue of human trafficking plays a major role in our society. As many people are aware, this is the act of trading and selling people illegally, moving them to different locations typically for forced labor or sexual misconduct. It’s a scary topic but unfortunately, it’s the reality of the world we live in today. Making sure to always keep your guard and do anything to protect yourself from predators and suspicious figures in your vicinity is key, but most times than not, it’s hard to always been on top of your game. More often than not, these individuals will take you when you least expect it, creating venerability in the abductee. Through the next couple paragraphs, I will dive into the various examples seen though the film and discuss my thoughts on human trafficking and how it affects the people around the world today.

Prior to watching the two-part film Human Trafficking, one is able to grasp the concept of what is truly going on in this world. The film introduces us to a girl named Helena who is waitress in Prague with a 3-year-old at home. She gets involved in a relationship with a man who invites her to Vienna, then taking her by surprise and passing her over to traffickers. The emotional and physical tole this takes on one from the instant they realize what’s going on is an unimaginable feeling that no one can understand. Luckily in this film it showed the resilience that some had in them to keep pushing through despite the circumstance they were under. The films truly did a strong job in showing the severity of this issue and how traffickers will act towards one stuck in this situation. Although very scary, it is good to be aware that things like this actually do happen.

In looking at this topic from the perspective of the parents in this type of situation allows one to truly think about your protection of your child. In the film we see that parents will do anything to get their loved ones back, as these traffickers don’t mess around. One prime example of this is when Nadia’s dad joins the ring of traffickers in attempt to save his daughter. He finds the modeling group that Nadia was sold to and travels across the world undercover to save his daughter. Although one would hope this is what any parent would do, Nadia’s dad had inside information from his involvement in the military. Saving his daughter and many others, the dads will to protect his daughter truly showed in the film. While Nadia was saved in the end, more often than not victims suffer post-trauma from these types of incidents that will leave an emotional scar for the rest of their lives. Bringing yourself back up into the strong individual you are can take time and development as it is a process one must overcome at their own pace.

In attempts to trick the traffickers, abductees will tend to play along and act like they okay in aims to make their escape. This a strong strategy that parents should teach their children on as it can often save someone’s life. Attempting to find the safest and best way out, this film shows us the pact the abductees make trying to save the majority of the group. Sometimes this isn’t an option though as we saw Annie drugged with the other girls and held in strict captivity while trying to enjoying a simple vacation. While this happened while Annie and her family were on vacation, this can happen in any scenario in ones everyday life. The tourism industry should aim at taking stronger precautions, but by no means should they be responsible for these type of incidents. Luckily the police were able to get information on this case, but most times this information is not known and typically happening behind the scenes. Making sure to check in on your loved ones and going over safety precautions is an extra measure that could help one in this kind of unfortunate but frequent situation.

Overall, this film has allowed for us to view human trafficking as a worldwide issue that plays prominently in our crime rates and our society. Through the victims like Nadia and the others we can see that awareness and protection must be raised overall. This could range from better border patrol, increased cyber security, to inside tips from undercover agents. Monitoring suspicious activity in and around communities across the world is crucial in order to reduce the amount of cases yearly. With the US being the number one offender it is key that we take these steps to better protect our citizens. According to the Federal Trafficking Report (2018), we can understand that 51.6% of trafficking cases in the US are children. While this is the horrifying reality, we must understand the precautions one must always take to put safety and well-being of themselves and their children at the top of the list.