Hospitality Program Explores Tourism

What's New, Mar/Apr 2002 by Anglin, Leonard

The interest was there and the demand stepped up. The Ferris School District stepped up to the plate to offer career - interest courses. Since Ferris High School in Jersey City, NJ, launched the Academy of Travel and Tourism Program, the program has become quite popular. This series of courses exposes students to different career opportunities and business experiences. With the growing interest and need for trained personnel in the hospitality industry, this program is a natural success.

Each year, about 50 students are accepted into the program. Inter-ested students apply for the four-year Travel and Tourism Program in the eighth grade but actually begin in their freshman year. Students write an essay explaining why they want to participate and then interview with three Busi-ness and Family and Consumer Sciences teachers who form the program's design team. These teachers offer courses specific to business and the Travel and Tourism Program, which are mandatory for all participating students. In addition to taking required high school courses, Ferris High School students also take the following classes in lieu of any electives.

* Freshman Year: Travel Geography and Economics. Students are introduced to economic and business concepts by playing a stock market game, taking field trips to local businesses and listening to guest speakers. Speakers address topics such as business trends and issues, resume writing, job interviewing techniques and business etiquette.

* Sophomore Year: Introduction to Travel and Tourism I and II, Computerized Business I and II and Computerized Accounting. In these courses, students learn how to operate business software programs like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

* Junior Year: Hospitality and Systems Application. Students learn how to use a simulated version of the Sabre software system, which is the reservations program used by many hotels, car rental businesses and airlines. Students visit six travel and tourism companies and job shadow with a business person.

* Senior Year: Travel Destination I and II. Students apply what they have learned by planning an out-of-state, three-day field trip with their school supervisor. During this educational trip, they meet with hotel staff to learn about hotel operations. While teachers actually confirm the arrangements, students research every aspect of the trip, from flight schedules and hotel costs to daily activities. Students make a short presentation of their itinerary to the school board, who approves the trip.

Getting Started

For teachers who want to implement a similar program in their own school, the first step is to obtain a commitment from your principal and superintendent. The program can be funded by school-to-work grants as well as local business partnerships. One place to help you develop content is the National Academy Foundation of New York (www.naf-education.org), which has an already developed travel and tourism curriculum.

An in-school travel and tourism program is an excellent way to prepare young people for the business world. With the guidance of mentoring programs, outside visitations, videos and computer software, students can truly explore what this exciting field has to offer.

Leonard Anglin is coordinator of the Academy of Travel and Tourism Program at James J. Ferris High School in the Jersey City Public School District in Jersey City, NJ.