Hospitality Students Completing Degree in Canada

Thirty-two students from the Western Hospitality Institute (WHI), in Montego Bay, St. James, are in Canada for approximately one month, to conclude their three-year Bachelor of Science degree programme in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The students recently paid a courtesy call on Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, George Ramocan and the Regional Manager for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in Canada, Sandra Scott, at the offices of the Jamaican Consulate in Toronto, Canada.
They will conclude their programme of studies with a Trade Show entitled, ‘Brand Jamaica 2010’, where they will showcase Jamaica, its people and products. The show will be held at the Seneca Residence Hotel and Conference Centre on Friday, July 23.

Jamaica Tourist Board’s Regional Manager in Canada, Sandra Scott (left), addressing students from the Western Hospitality Institute, located in Montego Bay, during a courtesy call at the offices of the Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto, Canada.

Co-ordinator of the event, Beverly McKenzie, who is also one of the students, said Jamaica has long been a destination of choice for Canadian visitors.
“With the recent developments and increased airlifts between ourselves and our Canadian partners, we thought it fitting to use this opportunity to highlight those yet to be discovered gems of the island and also to remind everyone of the reasons why we remain the Caribbean’s leading destination,” said Ms. McKenzie.
For the trade show, the students will be taking on the role of travel agents and selling Jamaica. Consul General Ramocan will open the show, while the keynote speaker will be Ms. Scott.
Ms. McKenzie said the students, who will be graduating in December, are divided into two batches.
“One batch, which is majoring in Culinary Chef Management, is doing practical work with a professional Chef at George Brown College and the rest of us are doing professional development courses which look at key aspects of the service industry,” she outlined.
These courses, which are done at Seneca College, include customer service and guest relations services. Members of the group take French courses and excursions to major attractions in Toronto.
Some of the companies that will take part in the Trade Show include Travel Kiosk, Sunquest, Air Transat, Total Vacations and Kisko Products.