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.
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