CTH Connections Newsletter – December 2016

CTH AROUND THE WORLD IN 365 DAYS As has come to be expected of CTH over the years, we try to actively engage with our CTH Approved Centres. This can come in the form of telephone exchanges, correspondences via email and also centre visits for both newly recognised and long established partners. You may remember some of our reported visits over the past year, however, let’s take a look back and select a few of your favourites. First on the list is CTH’s Director of Membership, Simon Cleaver’s visit to Myanmar, earlier in the year. He went to see our approved centre, Inspiro Institute (YANGON). He touched base with the staff and students there, saying: "I left Yangon absolutely buzzing. It’s a fabulous country that’s certain to have a huge future as a tourism destination. And the young people, especially the Inspiro students I met, are full of enthusiasm for their careers in the sector. I can’t wait to see things develop!" Next, we have our Academic Director, Angela Hagenow and her visit to Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka she went to visit Thames College who were hosting their graduation ceremony in October. The ceremony was full of joy, tradition and a sense of fulfilment. Leaving the event feeling very satisfied, Angela had this to say: “I was very privileged to be able to join the management, staff and parents of Thames College students to participate in the graduation for 2016. It was a wonderful event and coming from the UK I was thrilled to be part of something traditional to Sri Lanka. I left the graduation feeling confident that CTH has had a part to play in these student’s future success.” Most recently, our CTH Sales & Marketing Manager, Carla Lopes travelled to South Africa to visit some of our centres over there. She travelled together with our South African regional manager Yogini Sigamoney. See what Carla has to say about her time in South Africa. "I was completely amazed with all the centres I have visited in South Africa during my visit. All the facilities have a high level of quality and all people I met were very warm and welcoming. The students were so enthusiastic and motivated with CTH that it is impossible not to be curious about how their careers will develop!" Look out for a full length article on Carla's experience soon.

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YUMMY LOVE JOURNEY CHRISTMAS IN NORWICH Norwich was recently featured in the Metro newspaper with the Tunnel of Light as one of THE Christmas light displays to see. With 50,000 bulbs it really is a stunning display showcasing a rendition of the Northern Lights. Truly magical.

I recently spent a long weekend in Norwich and I must say that I fell in love with the city. They have one of the highest number of independent retailers in the whole of the UK. Now that's taking 'local' to another level. The best bit - you can find the most unique and beautiful Christmas gifts for your loved ones. There are lovely cobbled streets and alleys lined with shops that lure you in with their window displays.

Christmas has arrived in Norwich. As well as the Tunnel of Light there is the spectacular light display in The Forum as well as festive stories projected onto the walls of the Castle and City Hall. There are various other Christmassy things to do in Norwich including markets, Cathedral Carol services, festive performances and chances to celebrate Christmas in heritage locations such as Strangers' Hall. Less than 2 hours by train, Greater Anglia run a half hourly service from London Liverpool Street that takes you right into Norwich. Great service. I travelled by First Class and I must say that compared to other train services it was very comfortable. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Norwich City which is a short walk from the rail station and right next door to the football stadium - bonus if you are going to watch a game too. Great rooms and service and about a 25-min scenic walk along the riverside into the hustle and bustle. Sundays are quieter in Norwich with some smaller independent restaurants and cafes closed, though shops are open as are big high street named restaurants. So I would suggest a stay from Thursday to Sunday allowing you enough time to shop, sightsee and try out the various restaurants. I had lunch one afternoon at The Grosvenor Fish Bar and boy was that a delicious and hearty meal. I ordered some battered gherkins at the suggestion of the staff and a wise suggestion it was. I am not usually a fan of gherkins. I don't mind them but not at the top of my list, but battered gherkins are now right up there. There were absolutely delicious! It is also a great little restaurant with a grotto-style set up downstairs that adds to the spirit of Christmas. But if there is no space or you fancy a pint with your fish and chips then fear not. You can order and then perch yourself at the bar across the lane called The Birdcage Pub and they will bring your meal over to you. What more could you ask for! The main dishes comprised of every fish dish I could imagine! I definitely need to go back and try some of the other delights. One trip is not enough. Dinner one night was at Namaste India which is an Indian vegetarian and vegan restaurant and a gem of a find. We are spoilt in London with the choice of restaurants but I must say that Norwich has its fair share. The food was delicious and tasty and reservations need to be made on a Friday night as there is no way you'll get a table otherwise. However, they have just opened a larger restaurant called Namaste Village closer to the Holiday Inn and whether you are vegetarian or not I would make a dinner reservation here. Below are all the links you'll need to organise a long weekend in Norwich and remember to watch the short video above. I'm just upset my suitcase wasn't large enough to allow me to shop more. My husband, on the other hand, is very happy!

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HOSPITALITY THINGS HOSPITALITY STUDENTS NEED TO DO IN THE NEW YEAR 2017 is a new year, full of a new set of challenges, however, this short guide is here to help you manoeuvre through some of them. Take a look.

Tech savvy

Customer engagement as well as business to customer (B2C) channels are areas where hotels have seen a significant degree of change in recent years. The influence of the mobile has had a snowball effect across various industries and the hospitality industry is no exception. Being able to understand a customer cannot simply be gleaned from one avenue, customers no longer exclusively use review platforms to express their opinions, Twitter and other social media sites are now being used. Utilising technology can help hotels further their customer engagement initiatives. This is where a hospitaliy student or graduate comes into play. Showing that you are aware of the changes in the market and are moving with the market demonstrates a level of insight that a hospitality organisation with certainly acknowledge. It shows that you are actively engaging with your job and your industry. Being tech savvy in today's market can present a hospitality graduate as 'a doer', someone who is 'part of the solution' (Ciaran Fahy, The Caterer), and this is something that can put you a step ahead.

Understanding the company

In 2017, the hotel industry is set to adjust to changes in the market by aiming to compliment consumer habits and trends. The use of apps and in-room technology is predicted to increase, as guests crave for comfort and accessibility. Acknowledging how your company or a prospective employer is moving with the market will be essential. Ciaran Fahy, chief executive of the Ellerman Hotel Company, the owner of The Ritz says (via The Caterer):

I urge you to visit the hotel. If you have visited the hotel it shows the commitment. Find people who have worked at the hotel. Graduates from their programmes – where are they now? Are they succeeding?

Get to know the organisation and what strategies it is taking up. This will help you to adjust better and adapt with the organisation, as opposed to becoming a square peg in a round whole.

Communication

As is always a priority for hospitality students, the art of communication is a key skill that must be practised. However, year on year from 2017, international arrivals are set to reach almost 1.6 billion as suggested in the UNWTO Tourism 2020 Vision Report. This is will open a whole new set of clientele for the hospitality industry, set with new challenges. Being able to effectively engage with new and existing stakeholders is something that hospitality students must be able to do. Michael Huff, dean of Hospitality Management at Cuyahoga Community College says (via Smart Business):

Chefs and managers alike must be able to communicate with servers, vendors and customers clearly to be successful.

This process is part of working in a hotel, but getting it right can make a huge difference and giving a guest a more personalised experience can make all the difference. This is especially true due to the widening of the market that is set to occur in 2017.

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CTH CTH STUDENT APPRECIATION At CTH, our students stand at the forefront of what we are about. In fact, our strategic vision is centred around providing opportunities for students to reach their full potential via the different routes that we have to offer through the qualifications that they can obtain. For that reason, when our students are successful, so is CTH and that’s the very reason we like to keep track of our students and see what successes they have gone on to achieve. We’ve given out awards this year, see Dr. Publis De Silva. However, a special appreciation to some of our students who participated in our student articles must be recognised.

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TRAVEL TRAVEL PREDICTIONS 2017

Take a look a Booking's top 4 travel industry predictions for 2017, do you think they'll come true?

Let's see which ones Santa helps come true this time next year.

This article was originally posted at: https://globalnews.booking.com/8-big-travel-predictions-for-2017

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CTH NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND At CTH, we've had a busy 2016; we've had new staff members, new partnerships have been formed and new graduates have stepped into the working world. However, 2017 is an altogether new adventure, and we want you to come along with us. To get you excited about what's to come, here's a preview of what to expect from CTH in the new year.

We'll leave you with just two for now, however, to find out what else we have planned, you'll have to follow us into the new year.