I graduated college with an associate’s degree in Travel and Tourism Management and a baccalaureate in Hotel and Resort Management. While my education has assisted me in my career progression, there are some lessons that were not part of my college curriculum, yet it quickly became apparent how important these topics are and that’s what brings me here today.
1. Make friends with your competitors.
In the Hospitality and Tourism Industry, it will benefit you to create and nurture your working relationships. Having a positive relationship with your competitors enhances your position because it keeps you informed and sharpened on what’s going on around you.
Staying in the loop on the competition will also strengthen your relationship with existing and new clients. For example, if you’re working with a Tour Operator,one aspect of a client’s decision may be determining something like the parking lot logistics.
When you know your competitors, it could benefit you to give your client a friendly nudge that your open free parking lot holds more spots than your competitor who has a 4-story uncovered parking garage with a daily parking fee.
On the other side of the coin, there may be a time when your competitor cannot accommodate a group situation and as a result of your relationship, you will stand a much higher chance of receiving that business referral over someone they do not have a strong relationship with.
Building rapport with competitors isn’t a topic that I was exposed to when earning my degree, but it was a small lesson that warranted gigantic positive results.
2. Knowing how to drink alcohol…professionally.
Being the baby of the family has benefited me in more ways than one throughout my lifetime! As the youngest, we get to witness our sibling(s) make mistakes as we innocently soar through childhood.
Many of us that are the youngest develop the skill of observation before action. My ability to utilize this skill in my professional life has come in handy especially when I began attending work events that had alcoholic drinks.
One of the first networking events I attended with drinks had an attendee that drank too much and was talking negatively about their workplace and direct supervisor. Personally, I see nothing wrong with drinking at work events, you just have to know how to do it.
It’s important to remember that your reputation precedes you and even though you may be off the tradeshow floor or done with your sales calls, you’re still representing yourself and your company while engaged in business travel or work-related events.
In fact, some of my highest revenue-generating clients and great friends have been made by sharing a few drinks at a work event or networking gig. Another great tip I learned along the way was to order water when you order a drink.
It’s all in how you pace yourself, because you want to bear facing yourself afterward!
3. The main determining factor in what you get out of your job is YOU.
I’ve taken a ticket on the humble train many times in my career and I’m certain there are more awaiting me. Let’s face it, we spend an immense amount of our time at our jobs and putting effort into advancing our career life. I didn’t learn from my degree that sometimes you have to set the reset button on yourself.
There have been a few times that I was not satisfied with the way that I felt while I was at work. What I didn’t realize initially is that there are many steps that I can take within myself to improve the situation before I blame it on others or the lack of this or that.
It’s not to say that dysfunction does not occur, and some environments are simply just not being managed correctly. However, it is to say that you may be surprised how much your own attitude and way of thinking contributes to your outcomes.
You may also surprise yourself on how much your situation improves when you start making adjustments within yourself and how you view the situation.
Are there areas where you can take things less personally and think more with your business mind rather than your emotional compass? Maybe there’s an area you’d appreciate more guidance and training; so instead of dwelling on the disappointment that you don’t feel that you were not shown the tools – ask for help in this area and take pride in the opportunity to learn it.
Each person’s experience varies but I can assure you that taking an internal inventory will be your first steps to improving any outcome you seek.
Moral of the story, my degree makes up a major portion of the foundation of my professional path and accomplishments. But through working experience, mentors and awareness, the tourism industry has taught me the things that my degree didn’t have written in the lesson plans.
You can connect with Kate on LinkedIn.
How can I help you become a better Tourism Pro in April 2023?
Are you new to the Tourism industry or do you know someone who is? Check out TourismProAcademy.com. This site has both free resources for you ( like 25 Terms every Tourism Pro should know) and paid courses. Looking for a book to read on your next flight? Check out the Best Books for Tourism Pros section where I review some of the books that helped me in my career.
Join a Free Group Tour Webinar on Tuesday April 18th
Join your colleagues from around the country for Group Sales Strategies and Tactics for our New Reality. On Tuesday,April 18th at 1 pm EST., I will talk about ways you can succeed in the new Group Tour market recovery. Register here.
If you would like to register more than 20 people ( or partners) let me know and I will create a customized invite for you to send out. And thanks to Groups Today and Serendipity Media for sponsoring the webinar!
Do you work for a DMO/CVB?
If you are like most DMOs around the country, you have new partners with limited experience. And you probably don’t have the time to pull together presentations on all the topics they need. Hire me! I work with state and regional DMOs around the country to provide live Zoom training on topics such as group tours, Tourism sales, and Tourism 101. My Online Tourism Training Program is cost-effective and attendees love it!
I am currently booking clients for customized training programs that will start in the Fall of 2023. Click here to learn more and see what your peers are saying about the opportunity. Then reply to this email with questions, or schedule a call with this link.
I am looking forward to hearing from you!