Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

TOURISM INTERNSHIP REPORT

2007
Internship Report Travel and Tourism Department Ming Chuan University International College Taiwan R.O.C Solange Sanchez ! "#! $%% &'( sweet)elizeangirl*gmail.com +!" De, Ming Rd. -wei,Shan. Taoyuan. Taiwan R.O.C

/elize Tourism /oard &(' $$0 $%$( !% Regent Street. /elize City. /elize C.1. www.travel)elize.org www.)elizetourism.org Supervisor2 1nthony Mahler &(' $$0 $%$( Start Date 3or Internship2 4uly %. $((0 5nd Date 3or Internship2 Septem)er ' . $((0 Report Date2 6e)ruary ' . $(("

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

PREFACE

1s part o3 my /achelor7s Degree completion I have completed %(( internship hours at the /elize Tourism /oard 8ocated in /elize City. /elize. In this report I will share my e9periences 3or the period o3 4uly'. $((0 to Septem)er ' . $((0. During my internship my role. responsi)ilities and o)ligations were to the :roduct Development Department. ;ere I have noted my e9periences as well as provided some recommendations 3or the organization7s development.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

CONTENTS :1-5 :R561C5 8IST O6 T1/85S 8IST O6 1::5<DIC5S '. $. I<TRODUCTIO< I<T5R< OR-1<I=1TIO< Mission Statement> O)?ectives /oard Duties Organizational Structure /oard o3 Directors :roduct Development Overview :roduct Development Sta33 I<T5R<S;I: @ORA R5685CTIO< CO<C8UDI<- 1<18BSIS Aey 8earnings Recommendations Conclusion R565R5<C5 $ % & ! 0

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

LIST OF TABLES

/elize Tourism /oard Organizational Chart Structure /oard o3 Directors and Duties :roduct Development O33icers and Duties

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

LIST OF APPENDIXES Internship :ictures and /rie3 Description Curriculum Citae2 Solange Sanchez Recommendation 8etter 3rom the Dr. Chang Internship 1greement )y 3a9 1pplication to 59tend Internship Dates 8etter 3rom ;uman Resource Manager Tourism Industry Training 1dvertisement Ci)rant Dishes 8ists Sample 8etter to Media Sample 8etter to :articipants Tourism Industry Report Un,edited 1dvertisement Septem)er Cele)rations Committee Sta33 worDing -roups Septem)er Cele)rations Calendar o3 5vents ' Septem)er Cele)rations Calendar o3 5vents $ E6lyer F :osterG Sample Re3erence Material 3or Sustaina)le Tourism :ro?ect /elize Tourism /oard :acDage INTRODUCTION
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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

Ming Chuan University International College calls 3or mandatory internship )e3ore any student can success3ully complete his>her %yrs o3 study. 1long with the practical internship a student must su)mit a written report o3 his> her time and e9periences at the internship organization. This report is thus an account o3 my completed internship period. In order to complete graduation reHuirements. I chose to undergo %(( internship hours in the :roduct Development Department o3 the /elize Tourism /oard. The period originally assigned 3or the internship was 4uly 'st to 1ugust #'st. due to company worDing hours the assigned time would have only )een su33icient to complete #&( hours. I reHuested an e9tension. thus. my internship carried on to Septem)er ' th.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

INTERNSHIP ORGANIZATION: /elize Tourism /oard !% Regent Street. /elize City. /elize C.1 &(' $$0 $%$( Internship Department2 :roduct Development Internship Supervisor2 Mr. 1nthony Mahler /elize Tourism /oard is a company located in /elize City. /elize Central 1merica. It was 3ormed within The Ministry o3 Tourism in partnership with the government o3 /elize and the private sector. Mission Stat ! nt The B "i# To$%is! Boa%& is a statutory )ody within the Minist%' o( To$%is!. which represents a strategic partnership )etween government and the private sector to & ) "o*+ !a%, t+ an& i!*" ! nt to$%is! *%o-%a!s that will 3ul3ill the emerging needs o3 our local industries and the international tourism marDetplace (o% t. / n (it o( B "i# an& B "i# ans. The % s*onsi/i"iti s o( t. BTB include. )ut are not limited to. the 3ollowing2

:lanning. developing. and promoting the tourism industry Developing the tourism product locally 5ncouragement o3 private investment in tourism Issuance and management o3 licenses 3or the tourism hotel industry. tour guide. and tour operators Surveys and planning related to natural and cultural tourism resources Maintenance o3 historical sites and )eauty spots in tourist areas Cetting the standards o3 3acilities as o33ered )y the tourism hotel industry 1ssisting in the supervision and improvement o3 the tourism environment Conducting tourist marDet surveys and research O33ering prompt and e33icient service in every capacity to visitors at all times MarDeting o3 /elize as a tourism product )oth locally and internationally

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

The &$ti s o( t. Boa%& include the 3ollowing2

Developing all aspects o3 the tourism industry o3 /elize and promoting the e33iciency o3 the industry MarDeting /elize as a tourist destination :romoting and securing increased airline and shipping 3acilities in order to increase tourist tra33ic to /elize Securing the most 3avora)le arrangements 3or the entry o3 tourists into /elize 5ncouraging measures as it may deem 3it 3or the development o3 such amenities in /elize. These amenities should enhance the attractiveness o3 /elize to tourists with special re3erence to entertainment. local culture. conservation o3 3lora and 3auna. deep sea 3ishing. scu)a diving and handicra3ts UndertaDing such research. e9periments. and operations necessary to improve the tourism industry and to control and eliminate any undesira)le 3actors that may a33ect the industry 6ostering and understanding within /elize o3 the importance and economic )ene3its o3 the tourism industry. 5ncouraging and promoting training 3or sta33 Classi3ying hotels according to the amenities provided MaDing all such inHuiries and collecting all such in3ormation as it may thinD necessary 3or the purpose o3 carrying out its duties 6ostering and understanding within /elize o3 an importance o3 environmental protection and pollution control and the conservation o3 natural resources

-enerally the /T/ undertaDes all such other law3ul measures it may consider help3ul in e33ectively e9ecuting the act.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Since the B "i# To$%is! Boa%& E/T/G was changed to a statutory )ody in 1pril '""(. it has )een the main policy maDing mechanism 3or the tourism sector. 1dditional responsi)ility 3or policy,maDing lies with the B "i# Nationa" To$%is! Co$n0i" E/<TCG made up o3 people active and involved in tourism. /T/ worDs closely with the Ministry o3 Tourism and the Department o3 1rchaeology F the /oarder Management 1gency in the esta)lishment o3 Tourism :olicies as well as with the /elize Tourism Industry 1ssociation E/TI1G and other organizations 3rom the private sector 3amily such as the /<TO1. /5T1. /1O1. etc. The operational management o3 the organization is per3ormed )y a Director o3 Tourism>C5O. a Registrar o3 ;otels. and 3our Directors EMarDeting and :u)lic Relations. :roduct Development. ;otels. and 6inance F 1dministrationG and a #& mem)er sta33 divided into 3our 3unctional departments.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

D$ti s an& F$n0tions o( t. Boa%& o( Di% 0to%s It shall )e the duty o3 the /oard. within the limits o3 its resources, a.G To develop all aspects o3 the tourist industry o3 /elize and to promote the e33iciency o3 the industryI ).G To adopt all such measures. as it may deem 3it. to advertise and pu)licize /elize as a tourist resort throughout the yearI c.G To promote and secure such increased airline and shipping 3acilities as will tend to increase tourist tra33ic to /elizeI d.G To secure the most 3avora)le arrangements 3or the entry o3 tourists into /elizeI e.G To encourage. )y such measures as it may deem 3it. the development o3 such amenities in /elize as may )e calculated to enhance the attractiveness o3 /elize to tourists with special re3erence to entertainment. local culture. conservation o3 local 3lora and 3auna. deep sea 3ishing. scu)a diving and handicra3tsI 3.G To undertaDe such research. e9periments and operations as may appear to it )e necessary to improve the )asis o3 the tourist industry and to control and eliminate any undesira)le 3actors that may a33ect the industryI g.G To 3oster an understanding within /elize o3 the importance and economic )ene3it o3 the tourist industryI h.G To encourage and promote training 3acilities 3or hotel sta33I i.G To classi3y hotels according to the standard amenities providedI ?.G To maDe all such inHuiries and to collect all such in3ormation as it may thinD necessary 3or the purpose o3 carrying out its duty under this sectionI

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

D.G To 3oster understanding within /elize o3 the importance o3 environmental protection and pollution control and the conservation o3 natural resourcesI l.G -enerally to taDe all such other law3ul measures as it may consider liDely to assist it in carrying out most e33ectively the purposes o3 this 1ct.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

Boa%& o( Di% 0to%s

Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia

Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Singh

Director of Tourism Mrs. Tracy anton

Chairman Mr. %as!ar %uerrero

De!uty Chairman $e!resentative Mr. Santino Castillo

"T#A Mrs. $osella &a'aneh

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

"HA $e!resentative

Mr. Einer %ome( Mrs. Mariam $o'erson

Mr. Elito Arceo

Mr. )indsey %ar'utt

Mr. *eal "radley )ongs+orth

Mr. Stanley

Secretary Ms. ,oycelyn Mc-oy

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

PRODUCT DE1ELOPMENT O1ER1IE2 Mission Stat ! nt The :roduct Development Department is charged with developing /elize as a premier tourist destination )y designing and implementing meaning3ul programs that will improve the social. environmental. and economic position o3 our country. O/3 0ti) s

To 3ind creative ways to educate and sensitize /elizeans a)out the socio,economic impacts o3 tourism on /elize To develop and e9pand the internal and e9ternal systems used to collect and analyze in3ormation and data To strengthen tourism regulations and policing o3 the tourism industry To improve the in3rastructure and tourism product in /elize To eHuip the tourism la)or 3orce with the sDills and Dnowledge needed

/elize7s tourism product is multi,3aceted in nature. 3rom commercial to non, commercial. 3rom tangi)le to the intangi)le. These elements include our natural and human resources. as well as man,made in3rastructure and services. 1s a result. /.T./7s :roduct Development Department has concentrated its e33orts on developing an attractive and via)le tourism product and tourism,related in3rastructure and services in /elize. H$!an R so$%0 D ) "o*! nt 4 T%ainin-: The tourism industry is la)or intensive and involves people at all levels 3rom those involved in 3ormulating tourism development plans to persons involved in accommodations. restaurants and tour guide sectors. 1s the num)er o3 vacation spots continue to increase and as e9pectations grow. it is vital that we 3ind new and creative ways o3 eHuipping industry personnel with the necessary tools to meet this demand. The :roduct Development Department accomplishes this )y developing systematic )ut aggressive approaches that present interested parties with the opportunity to enter. train

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

and advance in the tourism industry. P%o&$0t En.an0 ! nt: /elize is )lessed with an a)undance o3 natural resources. In order 3or tourism to reach the e9pected growth. the preservation and responsi)le management o3 our resources and the sustaina)le development o3 in3rastructure are paramount. The :roduct Development Department is charged with developing /elize as a premier tourist destination )y designing and implementing meaning3ul programs aimed at improving the social. environmental and economic position o3 /elize. P$/"i0 A5a% n ss: The stigma o3 tourism )eing an industry that is only made up o3 waiters and waitresses is still em)edded in the minds o3 many /elizeans. In an e33ort to change this perception. the product development department )elieves that it is important to implement aggressive pu)lic awareness programs that will educate and sensitize /elizeans a)out the important role that everyone plays in the tourism industry there)y a33ecting the overall development o3 /elize. Data Mana- ! nt: The :roduct Development Department is responsi)le 3or collecting and disseminating accurate and relevant in3ormation to /elize7s private and pu)lic sectors in order 3or them to thoroughly understand and determine the new trends and per3ormance o3 /elize7s Tourism Industry.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

PRODUCT STAFF

DE1ELOPMENT

8 nn t. 2i""ia!s Product Development Officer

Ms6 La$%a Es7$i) " Director of Product Development

Is responsi)le 3or licensing Tour Operators and Tour -uides and en3orcing legislation 8 s.a 9o$nProduct Development Officer

Romy Haylock Product Development Officer

Runs the Juali3ied Retired Incentive :rogram Manage pro?ects 3rom International 6unding 1gencies

Is responsi)le 3or tourism training and education unit Coordinate new manuals Coordinate Scholarship Opportunities locally. internationally K Tour -uide F Dive Scholarships

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

S.a$!a Ha"" Product Development Officer

Is responsi)le 3or the entry o3 data 3rom all )oarder points to )e used in statistical reports Is responsi)le 3or the entry o3 data 3rom all )oarder points to )e used in statistical reports Cross checDs 3igures received 3rom Immigration Department against /T/ count 1ssists in the maDing o3 Tour Operator and Tour -uide license. M%6 E)an 9o$nProduct Development Officer Creates pu)lic awareness o3 all tourism activities )y doing presentations at schools and <-OLs Coordinates sponsorship and advertisements 3or all ma?or tourism activities and events Organize presentations at schools and other organizations M%6 Mi0.a " A%ana Product Development Officer Cross checDs 3igures received 3rom Immigration Department against /T/ count 5nters Cruise Ship Data. 6ile Lo%%ain H %% %a Product Development Officer

Is responsi)le 3or /elize Rural Development :ro?ects Coordinate Cisitor Center Coordinate on small Tourism 5nterprise :ro?ect Ni,,ia Go! # Product Development Officer

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

to characterized process 3or optimal control Develop. implement. and maintain statistical programs :repare and run statistical analysis and provide cost estimate.

:rovide e9pertise in statistical techniHues and predictive methods

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

INTERNSHIP 2OR8 REFLECTION

On 4uly %. $((0. I reported to Mr. 5van Tillett. the Director o3 6inance and 1dministration. Mr. Tillett in3ormed me that I would )e placed under the supervision o3 Mr. 1nthony Mahler. The Director o3 the :roduct Development Department. ;e also e9plained that since /T/ was relocating. actual orientation would )e scheduled 3or Tuesday. 4uly '(. $((0. On the weeD o3 4uly ",'#. $((0. /T/ relocated to a more centralized location in /elize City. 5veryone was still in the process o3 organizing 3iles and arranging o33ice 3urniture. The o33ice o33icially opened to the pu)lic on Monday. 4uly '!. $((0. Thus. my internship orientation had )een rescheduled until then. During this time. I was a)le to get com3orta)le in the o33ice. meet the sta33 and )ecome 3amiliar with the day to day running o3 the o33ice. On 4uly '!. I 3inally met with the director in charge o3 my internship. ;e. 1nthony Mahler. was 3ormerly the Director in charge o3 the :roduct Development Department. Mr. 1nthony Mahler 3irst discussed the organization7s structure which includes Management. 6inance and 1dministration. ;otels. MarDeting. and the :roduct Development Department. Mr. Mahler also e9plained to me in detail what my duties at the /elize Tourism /oard consisted o3 as well as what my o)ligations were to the company. ;e was also concerned a)out what Ming Chuan University e9pected o3 me during this internship. thus. I had the opportunity to e9plain to him what was e9pected o3 me. My duties at the /elize Tourism /oard were )ound to those o3 the :roduct Development Department as this is where I was placed 3or my internship. My responsi)ilities included )ut were not limited to2 data entry. pu)lic awareness. application 3or tour guides. tour operators. worD permits. community tourism proposals. and sponsorships. and community assessments to promote tourism. The core o3 my internship worD contri)ution however was the organizing o3 a variety o3 Tourism ;ospitality Training programs 3or local citizens involved in the tourism trade in order to improve the service sector o3 our country. Mr. 1nthony

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

Mahler then introduced me to Ms. 1ngelica 8una who would )e in charge o3 guiding and instructing me on the tasDs necessary to carry out and success3ully complete the organizing o3 all training programs which I would )e assigned. The main training programs which I was assigned to organize were the 6ood and /everage training. the 6ront O33ice training. and the /artending training. 13ter the meeting with the :roduct Development Director. I was 3ormally introduced to the /elize Tourism /oard Sta33 which included all mem)ers o3 each Department as well as to the Director o3 Tourism at the /elize Tourism /oard. 13ter orientating with my supervisor and )eing introduced to sta33 I met with Ms. 1ngelica 8una. the :roduct Development O33icer responsi)le o3 directing and overseeing my internship training. :reparation 3or the 6ood and /everage )egan on the 3ollowing day. 4uly '0. $((0. )ecause my orientation lasted an entire day. The 6ood and /everage Training was aptly title The Ci)rant Dishes Training. thus 3rom here on I shall )e re3erring to the 6ood and /everage Training )y it7s proper name. the Ci)rant Dishes Training Course. Due to relocating and setting up o3 the new o33ice. all preparations 3or the Ci)rant Dishes Training Course were interrupted and set )acD at least a weeD. There3ore. we were limited on time and had to worD vigorously to meet the deadline. My 3irst pro?ect. The Ci)rant Dishes Training Course. involved numerous tasDs 3rom setting up grocery lists to shopping to )ooDing airplane ticDets and even setting up the venue o3 the course. In the past I have seen advertisements 3or these types o3 training courses held )y the /elize Tourism /oard and other tourism related organization in the country. )ut it7s not until now that I have had the opportunity to have 3irst hand e9perience in the setting up o3 such a course. I must say that it is more complicated than one I e9pected as it reHuires plenty o3 attention to details and a lot o3 time. The 3irst step in preparing 3or the course was a general )rie3ing )y Ms. 1ngelica 8una. In this )rie3 orientation she went through the importance o3 such course. the preparation. costs and listed individuals involved in the running o3 the course as well as the participants. The ;ead Che3 3or this course was coming straight to us 3rom the <ew BorD Culinary Institute o3

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

1merica. ;e. the ;ead Che3. had sent us his course outline along with a list o3 3ood items and utensils that he and the participants would need 3or the entire course. so I had to go through it and 3igure out what things we already had and which things were availa)le in /elize. The sorting out o3 the list was one o3 the most tedious and time consuming ?o)s which I had to carry out 3or the course preparation. 6irstly. I checDed the items such as utensils and Ditchen appliances that we had. Secondly. I checDed what type o3 3ood items we needed and grouped them into three categories2 '. 6ish F Meats. $. :roduce. and #. Cegeta)les. Thirdly. I prepared the list 3or orders and also went out to di33erent supermarDets and grocery stores to checD what was availa)le in their stocD. In )etween all this preparation I also had to maDe calls to the di33erent participants in order to noti3y them o3 the scheduled date as well as remind them which necessary items they needed to )ring along 3or the course. The items participants needed to taDe with them were )asic. a notepad. pen> pencil. and their che3 uni3orm )ecause everything else would )e provided )y the /elize Tourism /oard. 1nother very important part o3 the preparation process was maDing sure that the venue was up to standards and well,prepared 3or the training course. The venue was the Institute 3or Technical and Cocational 5mployment Training 3ormerly Dnown as Center 3or 5mployment Training. I visited the Institute 3or Technical and Cocational 5mployment Training EITC5TG along with Ms. 1ngelica 8una. There we met with the center7s maintenance personnel who Dindly opened the doors 3or us to inspect the Ditchen and classroom. 1s we looDed around I tooD note o3 various appliances or 3urniture which we needed that were missing as well as o3 things that needed to )e 3i9ed in the room. /ecause we were worDing on a )udget. we contacted other schools to )orrow appliances 3rom them rather than )uying new ones. 13ter locating all cooDing utensils. appliances and 3urniture needed 3or the Ditchen and classroom we moved them over to the ITC5T. 1ll 3ood supplies needed to )e purchased 3rom supermarDets. marDets and other shopping centers. In order to do this I needed to get involved with a little )it o3 accounting. I needed to write out purchase orders 3or the groceries then cash cheHues. )ill and pay the proper stores. 1lso 3or this preparation we needed to use the company vehicle thus I needed to write purchase orders and su)mit gasoline receipts 3rom each time we 3illed up the tanD. There was a lot o3 planning

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

and preparation that went into this training course and everything needed to )e very well organized so I made spreadsheets and Dept notes and lists o3 all reHuired actions and supplies. I was also reHuired to maDe calls to clients reminding them o3 the course and payment deadline. 1side 3rom all the ma?or tasDs I was also reHuired to complete all others that seemed less signi3icant. Some trivial tasDs included typing la)els. organizing training manuals. la)eling the training manuals. grocery shop. type lists. picD up supplies. move supplies or eHuipment 3rom one point to the other. and set up the venue. 6inally I had completed the preparations 3or the Ci)rant Dishes Training Course. ;owever. the course needed much more worD as I had prepare 3or the opening ceremony. monitor it7s actual progress and prepare 3or the closing. The monitoring o3 the Ci)rant Dishes Training Course may sound to some liDe an easy or perhaps dreary tasD. On the contrary. it is more di33icult and not at all )oring. The 3irst day o3 the course opened up with a special ceremony in which Dey sta33 mem)ers o3 the /elize Tourism /oard were present as well as representative 3or the Minister o3 Tourism. 5veryday I returned to the ITC5T in order to ensure that the course was progressing smoothly and to 3ind out i3 the ;ead Che3 had all necessary supplies. I also continued to transport supplies and appliances )acD and 3orth 3rom the o33ice to location. 1lso the /elize Tourism /oard included 3ree )reaD3asts each day 3or the participants. so. I needed to maDe certain that each day7s )reaD3ast was ready 3or the students at the )eginning o3 the day. 1t the end o3 the day. I returned to the venue to oversea cleaning. taDe stocD. and secure the place properly to prevent any lost items.

During the monitoring o3 the Ci)rant Dishes Training Course I also had to prepare a special ceremony 3or the closing. The worD involved in preparing 3or the closing ceremony included )oth desD and 3ield worD. The date was already set and the location would )e the same place where the course tooD place )ecause the closing was also an opportunity 3or the participants to display their worD to the pu)lic. It was somewhat o3 a mini graduation. Since date. time and place were already in order my ne9t step was to create

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

invitations 3or the student7s 3amilies. 3riends. and signi3icant mem)ers o3 the pu)lic along with media representatives. 13ter having prepared the invitation. I o3 course had to mail a 3ew and hand,deliver others. 1part 3rom preparing invitations and contacting media personnel. I contacted caterers who provide 3inger 3ood. 1n even )igger responsi)ility and more important chore was to prepare each student7s certi3icate. veri3y that names on the certi3icate were correctly entered then pacDage and send it out to <ew BorD 3or authentication. The day o3 the closing ceremony was a huge success. The students were proud to have had the opportunity to partaDe in such a course and proudly displayed their 3oods and shared e9periences on their newly learnt sDills. @orDing on this pro?ect gave me greater understanding o3 the whole product and more appreciation towards the people responsi)le 3or its success.

1side 3rom the organizing o3 the Ci)rant Dishes Training Course I also had other responsi)ilities in the o33ice. One o3 which included assisting other sta33 mem)ers o3 the :roduct Development Department in preparing 3or the previously planned <ational Tour -uide Training 59ams. My contri)ution to the preparation o3 these e9ams were photocopying and pacDaging e9ams. 13ter each e9am was 3inished I also needed to collect and organize them 3or grading. @hen the e9ams had )een 3inished grading I also had to veri3y that each was properly checDed and graded. The last step taDen was entering the grades into the organization7s data)ase. TMIS. I was thought how to use this data)ase )y Ms. 1ngelica 8una. TMIS Deeps records o3 grades 3rom past and present students who tooD or are taDing e9ams 3or the <ational Tour -uide Training. ;ere I even 3ound my own record o3 grades 3rom when I tooD the <ational Tour -uide Training 59ams. During my internship I had many opportunities to participate in pu)lic activities held )y the /elize Tourism /oard. One 3or e9ample. is the annual :i)il 6est. which taDes place in a village called :rogresso in one o3 the northern districts. The :i)il 6est re3ers to a 3estival where a host o3 activities have )een arranged centered around the maDing o3 :i)il. :i)il is a traditional way to cooD porD. The porD is wrapped in )anana lea3 then )uried in a pit

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

with 3ire at the )ottom to roast it. The Maya word Mpi)ilM means M)uriedM. :i)il 6est is a cele)ration that commemorates one o3 many traditions )elieved to have )een passed down )y the Maya as well as to showcase the culture o3 the little village o3 :rogresso. Only a selected 3ew o3 the sta33 mem)ers at the /elize Tourism /oard were given the chance to attend this honora)le event. I am very 3ortunate to have )een one o3 those chosen to represent the organization. Interns at the /elize Tourism /oard are considered to )e as valua)le as any sta33 mem)er thus we must attend all sta33 meetings ?ust liDe any other sta33 mem)er. @hile I was an intern at the /elize Tourism /oard. I attended appro9imately & meetings. each o3 which were di33erent in its own way. The 3irst meeting which I attended was the monthly sta33 meeting. It was interesting to see the sta33 all together and watch the manner in which the director conducted a sta33 meeting. It was very 3ormal. /oth management and sta33 had turns to input and in the end the director summed up the meeting and reminded sta33 o3 the 3ollowing meeting.

1nother one o3 the trainings which I was responsi)le 3or organizing is the 6ront O33ice Training which tooD place on 1ug '# to '0. The 6ront O33ice Training was much easier to put together than the other 6ood and /everage Trainings which I worDed on. 6or this training my main responsi)ilities were to post ads in local newspapers and radio stations announcing the dates o3 the training and what it entailed. I also had to Deep contacting clients once they made the 3irst commitment to the class. Thirdly. I needed to reserve location 3or the course and since no cooDing was involved and we wanted to give students a more 3ormal setting we contacted one o3 the )ig hotels in the area. My ne9t tasD 3or this ?o) was to set up the actual venue everyday )e3ore the class started. 1nother thing I had to do 3or this was the Ngreet and meetO everyday )e3ore class. 8astly. I monitored the course7s 3low and ensure that the teacher who also came in 3rom <ew BorD was adeHuately supplied with all materials necessary 3or the class.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

My internship stipulations 3rom the organization included preparing the /artending Training. @e started preparing 3or this training which was to taDe place on 1ugust $(, $%. however. it didn7t materialize during my time there. due to a hurricane threat. On 1ugust '%. the )oard held an emergency meeting in3orming us o3 the emergency plans 3or the organization and 3or the country. The /elize Tourism /oard is in charge o3 maDing sure that )oth locals and tourists are appropriately sheltered in the event o3 a hurricane. The sta33 was asDed to stand)y. On 1ugust $(. the sta33 was called in to worD in order to prepare 3or the hurricane which was e9pected to maDe land3all on the $'st. @e secured all 3iles. o33ice supplies and eHuipment on the upper 3lat o3 the )uilding. /e3ore we le3t the o33ice the director gave us all emergency contact num)ers and an emergency we)site address. On Tuesday. 1ugust $'. $((0 at $2#(am ;urricane Dean hit near the /elize,Me9ico )order. 1lthough. /elize was not directly hit )y ;urricane Dean. the country su33ered much damage and loss to agricultural crops. in3rastructure etc. in the northern most part o3 the country. On @ednesday. we reported to worD as per usual and tried to organize the o33ice and get it )acD in order as HuicD as possi)le so that we could )e up and running to serve the pu)lic )ecause many were a33ected )y Dean and )eing the Tourism Organization we had plenty o3 worD to do. /y Thursday and 6riday the o33ice was )acD to normal )ut much was le3t to )e done. 13ter the hurricane the Director o3 Tourism held another sta33 meeting and we were in3ormed o3 the ongoing pro?ects )eing carried out )y the /elize Tourism /oard to help restore the country to its normal state. @e were also asDed to put together a team who would physically go into the a33ected areas and help with the re)uilding and organizing o3 those communities. 1 team o3 the permanent sta33 was assem)led and everyone else went )acD to their normal o33ice worD. I )egan worDing on the pro?ects I was assigned to prior to the hurricane. The ma?or pro?ects which I was given to worD on were completedI there3ore. the :roduct Development Director gave me three new pro?ects. Two o3
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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

which I had to worD completely on my own while I worDed on another pro?ect with the :roduct Development O33icer in charge o3 Community :ro?ects. Miss Romy ;aylocD. The 3irst pro?ect I was assigned was to worD on the new Tour -uide Training Manual. It was already prepared )ut I needed to read through the whole )ooD and veri3y that all 3acts. dates and places were correct as well as checD 3or grammatical errors. I had one weeD )e3ore completion o3 my internship to 3inish editing the guide )ooD and su)mit it to my supervisor. The other individual pro?ect was to research and compile data 3rom the o33ice 3or a statistical report which was released to the press. My second pro?ect was a )it more detailedI It was a Sustaina)le Tourism Community development pro?ect with Miss Romy ;aylocD. the :roduct Development O33icer in charge o3 Community :ro?ects. @e researched a variety o3 materials and 3ound some interesting pieces o3 in3ormation. ;owever. we had not 3ully decided what su)?ect area our sustaina)le tourism pro?ect would contain )ut we were hoping that it would )e more towards an 1gricultural, Community Tourism :ro?ect. There3ore. we contacted and visited numerous local artists and cra3t,maDers to get an insight on their arts and cra3ts. the techniHues they use and the material they reHuire. @e also studied techniHues and inHuired a)out the di33erent natural products in /elize that one could use to maDe cra3ts. Some o3 these materials included )anana lea3. potato sDin. rice and even coconut shells. This pro?ect could not )e completed during my internship as it needed a minimum o3 si9 E!G months o3 research. 6urthermore. our worD Dept )eing interrupted )y the unsta)le weather in /elize which was due to the hurricane season that runs 3rom 4une to the end o3 <ovem)er. During my internship I e9perienced a)out $ hurricane threats and one severe 3looding. 6or the second hurricane threat we. the sta33 o3 the /elize Tourism /oard. had )een more prepared )ecause o3 the previous one and were a)le to move HuicDer and smarter than 3or the 3irst threat. 1lthough we were more prepared it still seemed a )it hectic and nerve racDing to have to go through the same thing again. 1s always with any natural disaster we were set )acD in our worD. The second type o3 disaster occurred )ut we were not very well

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

prepared as it was a very rare one. On 1ugust $". there was a terri)le 3looding in the entire city o3 /elize. The 3lood literally covered the whole o3 /elize City. This had )een the 3irst time that I have ever e9perienced or even seen this type o3 3looding happen. 1ccording to news reports it had not happened )e3ore. Many 3amilies7 houses were 3looded and motor vehicles were 3looded and shut down in the middle o3 the street. It all looDed very horri3ying liDe something 3rom a horror movie. The 3lood was due to a tropical storm which )rought plenty o3 rain and as result e9tremely high time which 3looded the city.

1lthough. my internship seemed to )e ?am pacDed with pro?ects. assignments and the escaping o3 natural disasters. it was very 3un. My time there was also 3illed with happy moments. one main one )eing that my )irthday 3ell on a worD weeD. On that day. the sta33 surprised me with a )irthday caDe which made me 3eel honoured. Their Dind gesture shows that they care a)out their employees and are not only concerned that they worD hard )ut also have a 3un and healthy employment there. 1lso we cele)rated the $("th anniversary o3 the )attle o3 St. -eorge7s Caye. 1n o33icial pu)lic and )anD holiday had )een originally set out 3or this day some o3 us en?oyed it the 3ullest while others worDed in the parade and at 3estival stalls. The /elize Tourism /oard was the o33icial sponsor o3 the Septem)er cele)rations thus we also had other worD we were responsi)le 3or carrying out. The Septem)er cele)rations re3ers to a num)er o3 historical events that tooD place in Septem)er and are remem)ered with 3estivals. carnivals. o33icial parades. and other parties during that month. 1t the end o3 my internship I liaised with Mr. 1nthony Mahler a)out the <ational Tour -uide Training Manual. ;e concluded that my 3indings were Huite appropriate and the te9t )ooD was su)mitted to the proper editors 3or changes. 13ter discussing the <ational Tour -uide Training Manual I met with my supervisor again 3or an evaluation on my per3ormance during the internship. ;e summarized my )ehaviour and commented on how impressed he was as well as gave me an opportunity to speaD a)out my time there. I also met with the Director o3 Tourism. Mrs. Tracy :anton. the Minister o3

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

Tourism. ;on. -od3rey Smith. and the ;uman Resource Manager. Mr. 5van Tillett to e9press my appreciation on having the opportunity to worD at the /elize Tourism /oard and to say my last good)ye. I sadly said good)ye to everyone and was surprised with a small 3arewell party and presents. I really en?oyed my time and 3elt very com3orta)le worDing there as well as learnt Huite a lot. I am Huite thanD3ul 3or the chance to have met such wonder3ul and dedicated sta33 mem)ers.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

8E9 LEARNINGS 1part 3rom my ma?or roles and responsi)ilities. the :roduct Development O33icer. taught me how to use TMIS a data)ase 3or the Deeping and recording o3 grades and personal in3ormation o3 all <ational Tour -uide students. 1lso she taught me a)out their corporate culture. organizational structure. application handling and grievances chopping with respect to aggressive clients. It was my 3irst e9perience with organizing pu)lic community events so I was nervous and )ecame tense hoping that nothing would go wrong. Ms. 1ngelica 8una assisted me everywhere possi)le and encouraged me whenever needed. She watched me worD as well as helped me out. 1lthough. it was my pro?ect to worD on she never a)andoned me. 6rom this I learnt the importance o3 worDing together as a team. Other sta33 mem)ers were ?ust as help3ul and )ecause o3 them I even learned a)out other things related to the day to day running o3 the o33ice. I got 3irst hand e9perience learning the data)ase used to enter visitor entry and departure in3ormation which came in handy when one sta33 mem)er had to leave the o33ice 3or the day. 1lso I learnt a)out application processing. 3iling. 3a9ing and ?o),related calls.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

RECCOMENDATIONS FOR 1ISIBILIT9 The organization was located in a central area however in one o3 the lesser ventured streets and )ecause the company had recently moved to this area people could not 3ind it. There were no signs on the )uilding and even though it was a new )uilding people could not recognize it as the /elize Tourism /oard7s o33ice location. There3ore. I suggest placing a visi)le sign on the )uilding as well as on the streets that lead to it pointing out the location o3 the o33ice. FOR ENHANCING SALES ;ere I am re3erring to sales o3 the Training Courses availa)le to the pu)lic. The 3irst and most important thing needed is the human power meaning that e9ecutives should )e specially chosen to conduct the sales activities o3 those particular courses rather than leaving it to one person to sell. promote and organize the course at the same time. FOR CUSTOMERS: SATISFACTION The general satis3action o3 customers is pretty highI however. I would liDe to suggest one minor change. The new o33ice is huge and com3orta)ly accommodates all sta33 mem)ers )ut the waiting area is minuscule compared to the rest o3 the o33ice. There are con3erence rooms )ut to get to those one has to walD through the entire o33ice and head up to the second 3loor. Instead o3 this inconvenience the lo))y should )e e9tended especially 3or those customers who are only looDing 3or a short $ minute in3ormal meeting.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

CONCLUSION @orDing at the /elize Tourism /oard gave me a good insight and e9posure to the corporate world. @orDing alone and with others to meet targeted deadlines and per3orming in such a pro3essional manner gave me deeper understanding and appreciation o3 the tourism system in our country. It has opened my eyes to the physical needs as well as the changes which must )e done to improve our standards glo)ally. Interning at the /elize Tourism /oard has motivated me to continue worDing diligently as well as to 3urther my studies in order to contri)ute greatly to the development o3 my country.

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Solange Sanchez (94202132) Ming Chuan University International College

REFERENCE http2>>www.)elizetourism.org> www.)elizelaw.org www.travel)elize.org

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