Hospitality

usually have to pull most of your stuff out to get to what’s at the bottom. This is also a safety concern because there may be someone watching you pull out your camera, binoculars, shoes, etc while trying to get at something at the bottom.

When you travel, your backpack will become your home from which you live. It will either make your trip easier and pleasant or it will be a cause of frustration and pain, or both. Choose your backpack after thorough research and many, many different fittings. It is definitely worth the effort.

When traveling abroad, if you plan on doing a lot of moving around, avoid hand-held luggage and opt for a backpack. Your backpack should be light, durable and comfortable. Look for a ‘bombproof’ pack because it’s going take a lot of abuse. Look for tough fabrics like pack-cloth or Cordura (especially in high-wear areas). Go with a reputable name-brand pack to ensure quality (hopefully). A name-brand pack will probably have some sort of warranty feature as well. Keep the colors subtle and ‘easy on the eyes’… avoid hot pink and other disgusting colors. Aim to fit into the crowds as much as possible rather than stand out.

Your backpack is definitely one item that you do not want to try and save money on in exchange for poorer quality. You will be dependent on your pack, and any problems with it — and there will be more if you buy a low-quality pack — will directly impact your traveling experience. Spend good money on a good pack and feel confident that it will perform for you when you most need it to.

Internal vs. External Frames
Older-style backpacks consisted of an external aluminum frame to help the pack keep its shape. The pack cloth material would then be ‘hung’ from within this frame. This was the only way to help distribute loads within the pack. External frame packs are very bulky and cumbersome to carry through crowds or on busses. They are also relatively fragile, as the main ’skeleton’ of the pack is exposed to impact damage (such as while being loaded and unloaded on an airplane). They have too many exposed bars and straps and don’t fit well on luggage racks on most trains. Needless to say, this is not the backpack of choice for most travelers, including myself.

Most modern backpacks have an internal frame. Internal frame packs have of a number of flat aluminum rods that are strategically placed within the pack to help the pack keep its shape. The main rods go from the top to the bottom of the pack and rest close to the wearer’s back (with padding in-between of course). These rods can be bent slightly to conform to the contours of the wearer’s back as well.

The overall shape of internal frame packs is tall and narrow, perfect for walking in crowds. The shape of the pack is generally maintained by what ever is in the pack. If it’s half full, it can be cinched up and made even smaller. Internal packs are often built for serious hiking. They have fully padded back support, very wide waist belts to take most of the weight of the backpack off of the shoulder straps, and fully padded shoulder straps for added comfort. This style of pack is without a doubt the best choice for budget travel.

Top loaders vs. Front loaders (convertibles)
Among the internal frame packs, there are two additional styles to choose from. The first is the top-loading pack (TL). This is primarily a large backpack with a small opening at the top, closed with a cinch string and covered by a pocket flap. The other style is a front-loading pack, often called a ‘convertible’. On this pack, the entire front of the pack unzips to expose the inside in its entirety.

TLs are by far the more durable of the backpack styles. They offer more protection from the elements (like rain), tend to ride better on your back, and are usually narrower, fitting very closely to your body. Plus, because the main compartment doesn’t rely on a large zipper, you don’t have to worry about zipper problems like you would a convertible pack. TLs are the first choice of hikers and mountaineers for these reasons.

Although TLs are usually more durable and have better support systems, TLs make finding items in your bag somewhat difficult. You 

TL styles also usually have straps hanging out everywhere. If these straps get caught on a conveyor belt at the airport, the ‘baggage bashers’ will simply cut the strap to keep everything flowing smoothly. If you do use a TL, wrap and tuck the loose straps under each other to avoid this hassle.

* Hold your cursor over the images for a description

Convertible packs are designed specifically for traveling. With convertible backpacks, the front panel zips open completely, so everything stays organized and is easily accessible without unpacking each time you need something. You can also zip the shoulder and hip straps away in a compartment when you check it in at the airport.

Disadvantages to this style of backpack are that they are less weather resistant and the zippers may burst on you. Look for compression straps to take some of the stress off of the zippers. Travel packs are designed to have the civilized look of a soft suitcase. Because these packs are designed primarily as luggage, they tend to have a relatively less supportive suspension system than TLs. Walking for long periods or on uneven terrain will be less than pleasant while wearing a convertible pack.

Buying Your Pack
When you go to purchase your pack, try it on and let the sales person adjust the straps, pads and internal frame for you to fit your body size. A good store will have weight bags that you can put into your pack and walk around the store with to simulate loads. Check out the quality of the suspension system. The suspension systems of modern packs are designed to transfer most of their weight to your hips, reducing back strain. The waist belt should allow you to put most of the weight on your hips and the straps should be wide and have plenty of padding for comfort. Play with the adjustments to fine-tune the fit. If a pack doesn’t feel right now, it won’t feel right after several hours of walking around.

Fit is perhaps the most important factor to consider when choosing a backpack for a couple of reasons. First, backpacks come in different lengths depending on the length of a person’s torso (upper body). Second, the larger the pack, obviously the more that can be carried in it. The volume of a pack’s interior is usually measured in liters or cubic inches. If you are an ultra-light traveler, take a small pack. It’s easier to walk in crowds and on trains with a smaller pack. If you run out of room, you should be able to strap extra stuff to the outside of your packs. I prefer to take a larger pack and keep everything inside for ease of use and organization. However, when you have the extra room in your pack, you will more than likely be tempted to fill it up.

Take a day-pack with you. You can either buy a separate one or just buy a travel backpack that has a detachable one that zips onto the outside. Carry your daypack on the plane to keep your toiletries, travel guide, cards, etc in. When you arrive at your destination, just put it into your large pack (or zip it on if you have a travel pack). When you arrive, you can use your day-pack for daily outings while you store your large pack at your hostel or the local train station. Daypacks also come in handy when you have collected too much junk and your large backpack is full. You can wear your day-pack on your stomach like a baby holder.

2 notes of caution about your backpack while away:

1. no matter how secure you make your pack, by using zipper locks, cables, etc, if a thief wants into your pack he will simply cut the material and take what he wants. Keep your eye on your pack as much as possible, particularly when in crowded areas, and don’t rely on zipper locks.
2. if you are using a zip-on daypack, while wearing your full-size backpack, do not keep anything valuable in your daypack if it is zipped onto the back. Thieves can easily remove your daypack without you even noticing. Keep your valuables in your full-size backpack or on your body, or put your daypack inside your backpack if you have room.

There are many different logistics that go into planning a vacation. Airline tickets must be purchased, hotel reservations must be made, and an itinerary must be made. In truth, planning a vacation can be a lot of work for one person. That is why many people enlist the help of a travel agent to plan vacations for them. Finding the right travel agent can be as important as finding the right hair dresser or the right mechanic. If you are thinking about hiring a travel agent to plan your vacation, look around before settling on one; find one who you know you can trust to plan the perfect vacation for you.

Using a travel agent can provide you with a number of benefits you would otherwise miss out on if you were to plan your vacation on your own. The experience of travel agents has allowed them to create good relationships with other companies involved in travel. They can get special deals on airline fares, hotel reservations, and any other tickets or reservations you might need to things such as theme parks or restaurants you plan to visit during your stay. This allows them to get better bargains for you in areas where you would be paying full price on your own. But overall, the mere convenience of having a travel agent plan your vacation can be entirely worth it.

The best way to find a good travel agent is to do your research. You can talk to friends and family members who have used travel agents in the past. You can also use the internet to try to find the best agency or agent in your area. In some cases you will be able to read testimonials from other customers who have used a certain agency. Try searching for message boards that might give you some insight to good travel agents in your area. It is important to find a travel agent who understands your personal needs and desires when it comes to the type of vacation you are looking for. You should find a travel agent who is willing to get to know you, your likes and dislikes, so they can build a relationship with you and be able to better plan this vacation and vacations in the future. Read more…

The economics of the 21^st century will be dominated by three industries: telecommunications, information technology and tourism. The travel and tourism industries have grown by 500% in the last 25 years and it is estimated that by the year 2007 tourists will spend US$884 billion in foreign countries on tourism related activities.

Travel and tourism represents a broad range of related industries. The growth of these industries has opened up many new job opportunities for graduates in areas such as:

• hotels
• restaurants
• retailing
• transportation
• travel agencies
• tour companies
• tourist attractions
• leisure, recreation and sport
• cultural industries

It is interesting to realise that in 1997 travel and tourism provides 10.5% of the total world employment, with up to 25% of all employment, in some areas, such as the Caribbean. It has been estimated that, by 2007, more than 100 million people world-wide will be employed in this sector. Because of this, tourism is now seen to be of importance to most countries of the world.

During this time, the nature of tourism has developed in scope and direction, away from traditional activities, such as the sunshine sand and sea holidays to a wide range of new activities such as cultural tourism, adventure tourism, sports and leisure activities and eco-tourism.

Given the potential for interesting and rewarding careers in these industries many young people are looking for suitable courses which will help prepare them for careers in management within the tourism and hospitality industries. The UK higher education system has a well developed range of courses, at all levels from Higher National Diploma, BA or BSc degrees and MA/MSc/MBA Masters courses and using alternative methods of studying, (including full-time, part-time and distance learning). When looking at courses in hospitality and tourism, there can seem to be a bewildering variety of course titles covering the main employment areas of travel, tourism, hotels and restaurants. Typical titles include:

For hotels and restaurant management:

• hospitality management
• international hospitality management
• hotel and catering management

For travel and tourism:

• tourism management
• tourism studies
• travel and tourism Read more…

Are you planning to study hotel management…or perhaps hospitality, tourism, business or a mix of one or more of these fields ?

With the myriad of choices out there, it is very easy to get lost or sidetracked into choosing the wrong institution. After all, education is big business these days…and hotel school marketers will go to great lengths to paint a rosy picture of their school and facilities.
When running a search on the internet for hotel and hospitality schools, one is presented with hundreds of options and adverts…breaking through the clutter can be quite difficult. Here are a few tips on some of the basics to look for when choosing a good hotel or tourism school:

1. Is the School recognized by official bodies?

It is vital that the hotel, hospitality or tourism school that you choose is recognized and accredited by the appropriate government bodies. This guarantees better recognition of your qualifications once you graduate. The best way to find out about this, especially in foreign markets is to check with the school directly on federal and local accreditations or run a search for official hotel school associations. A classic example is Switzerland, which is home to many hotel schools, but only a handful really measure up. For statistics on Swiss Hotel Schools, try the Swiss Hotel Schools Association

2. Course Levels and Options

Again, a keystone to your decision…what sort of options do you have for study? Are you interested in a Degree, Diploma, Professional Certification or just specialized, short-term courses? Not all schools have the same strengths when it comes to differing course options, therefore it is important to choose the institution with known prowess in the qualification levels you’re interested in. Time is also a crucial factor – degree studies can take from 3 to 4 years, diplomas upto 3 years and certifications from a few months to a year or more. It is important not to choose shorter courses, e.g. a Bachelors of Science in Hotel Management in 2 years, when this is not the standard…unless you’ve taken a closer look at the course structure and strength.

Speaking from experience, you’d be better off choosing the longer course – it usually pays off by giving you a better, stronger academic base to start with. If you are planning to study abroad, also check if the English language curriculum is well established and is not something that was recently conceived from another language.

3. Recognition by the market and peers

While goodwill may not be a tangible asset, it does add value to the balance sheet…and so will graduating from a well-recognized university or school. You may not have the budget to go to Cornell or the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, but do try and ask around (perhaps a friend or relative who has studied hospitality or works in the hotel / tourism industry) and see what names come up more often than others.

 
4. Affiliations
The School or University you choose can really help you network, raise your ‘value’ and find jobs and options for further studies if they have strong affiliations with other companies in and outside the industry. A classic example is a hotel school partly or fully owned by a tourism company, which also owns hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Your chances of finding a good job placement with this school is definitely enhanced due to the schools strong affiliations.

5. Student Strength and Diversity

Most hotel and hospitality schools proudly advertise the fact that they feature students and alumni from all over the world. Try and find out the exact figures, though. Check how many international students are enrolled on current courses that you’re interested in…being in an international crowd will not only make learning fun, but also give you a superb network that will most likely last a lifetime.

The hospitality industry is all about people, and studying with the best from diverse backgrounds will foster your creativity and inter-personal skills. Also important to check is the total number of students in the school or university, and how many students are included in each class / batch. There is a big difference in learning in a class comprised of 20 or 50 students!

6. Staff / Teacher / Educator Strength and Competency

This is probably the hardest thing to check before you enroll on a course or join a school…but can also be one of the most crucial. You need to know the quality of the product you are paying for…after all, good hospitality education doesn’t come cheap these days, with costs running to $25,000 per semester (or more) in some schools.

There are important questions to be asked – is the educator strength sufficient for the number of students in the school, are the teachers specialists in their field with relevant industry experience, are the teachers from diverse backgrounds, etc. Being taught by a strong educator with 20 years experience in the industry vs. someone who’s just graduated, with absolutely no experience (and it hurts to say this, but was probably hired by the school because he/she represented a cost savings on payroll) is an experience that is poles apart. Read more…