Baxter Student Ambassador Finalist Presentations are Underway
Since January the best and brightest travel and tourism students have been applying to become the Baxter Student Ambassador from their school.
Two exceptional applicants from each partner school have now been selected to move on to the finalist stage of the Baxter Student Ambassador Program.
They will deliver a virtual presentation on an industry-related topic to a panel of judges that may include Baxter Media staff, their professors or program coordinators, and a representative from our sponsor companies.
Winning Baxter Student Ambassadors will be chosen based on the finalists’ demonstrated product and sales knowledge as well as verbal and visual delivery. Their professional profiles will be announced in a special issue of Travel Courier in both print and digital on May 16.
This installment of Where the Industry Meets Its Future will inspire you with a travel executive’s career journey, a new training module from Visit Orlando, mentorship opportunities from TIAO, Baxter Media’s recent interview with an artificial intelligence expert, and more.
INDUSTRY INSPIRATION
A.I. Insights: A Conversation with Adrian Lopez of Flight Centre Travel Group
On March 5, Canadian Travel Press’ executive editor, Bob Mowat, interviewed Flight Centre Travel Group’s Head of A.I. for Corporate at the new A.I. Centre for Excellence, Adrian Lopez. They discussed where A.I. is taking the travel industry, the efficiency and value it provides to clients, and the potential for generative A.I. to transform how people work. The full 30-minute interview is available on demand on Baxter Media’s YouTube channel:
The next Travel Webcast will feature Carmen Roig, VP of Sales at Princess Cruises, discussing Princess’ new homeports and game-changing features coming this year. Click here to register.
Discover Tourism – Career Profile
Martin Soucy has a gift for leadership, and values having the opportunity to work in customer-facing roles. He’s President and CEO of the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec, and spends his day-to-day helping his team achieve their highest potential.
He’s been working in customer service since he was just 16 years old. In his first tourism role at Oka National Park, he started out as a welcoming face for visitors.
He enjoyed this position so much he worked his way up to the role of general manager at the national park in that area.
He believes when it comes to tourism, the key is to truly immerse yourself in the industry and always prioritize the needs of customers.
Learn more at https://discovertourism.ca/career-pathways-with-martin-soucy/
New Advisor Training Module by Visit Orlando Focuses on Student & Youth Travel
Visit Orlando has launched a new module in its Orlando Travel Academy to educate travel advisors on the key market of student and youth travellers. Orlando is considered among the top destinations for student travel, and is popular for youth performance groups, sports events, educational groups, and more. The virtual training modules will help advisors understand student group booking logistics, the attractions and opportunities most visited by youth, and other sales tips to increase their knowledge of the destination.
TIAO Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program – Tourism Mentor Match
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program helps tourism employers in Ontario attract and retain employees in order to strengthen the workforce and encourage career longevity.
This month will see the launch of the Tourism Mentor Match as part of the program. New tourism employees will be matched with mentors to receive guidance as they enter the industry.️
If you are interested in becoming a Tourism Mentor, email Leni Brem at [email protected]. If you’d like more information about the Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program, contact Mark Capistrano at [email protected].
Click here to view recorded information sessions, FAQs, eligibility information, and to access the registration form: https://www.tiaontario.ca/cpages/twsp-1
Children’s Book Series Launched to Promote Tourism Careers
The European Travel Commission has partnered with the University of Surrey to publish two children’s books intended to encourage young people to enter the tourism industry. Created as a response to the labour shortage following the pandemic, the initiative aims to strengthen the workforce pipeline by creating an early positive perception of the industry. The stories also highlight skills like communication, problem solving, and teamwork to children in a tourism-centered storyline. Targeted to ages 5 – 11, the books are entitled Dee and Flee at the Theme Park, by Julia Hubery, and Searchlight: The Rock, by Ann Bryan.
Baxter Media Subscriptions
A reminder to encourage each of your students to subscribe for free to the digital editions of our weekly publications, plus our daily e-newsletter at travelpress.com/subscribe. These free digital editions of Canadian Travel Press, Travel Courier, Press Today and TravelBlast will help students gain useful and meaningful insights into the travel industry.
To request any changes or additions to your own subscription(s), contact [email protected].
Thank You to our 2024 Sponsors
Sponsors enable Baxter Student Ambassadors to receive a jumpstart in their careers through bursaries, prizes, networking opportunities, their professional profile published to thousands of our readers, and more.
