Lesley’s Travel Journal: Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Beijing, Seoul and Busan

ITC International Marketing Manager, Lesley Brough, recently visited the Great Wall of China during a business trip to Asia.

Every few months, ITC International Marketing Manager Lesley Brough travels overseas to meet with international students and agents. Her last trip was to Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Beijing, Seoul, and Busan. Below, she shares some highlights from the trip.

It was a bit of a whirlwind trip! I was away for two weeks so I didn’t have a lot of time in each city, but I did get to do a few cool things.

The purpose of the business trip was to attend workshops with Quality English/Education in Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei, as well as visit agents in China and Korea. The workshops were kind of like speed dating with agents and companies, to get to know each other and see if there’s potential to work together in the future.

Here’s a glimpse into what I got up to in each city.

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ITC students experience Auckland’s busy cruise ship season

When cruise travellers anchored in Auckland, several ITC students were among the check-in agents who helped them disembark and board their vessel. 

Many cruise ship holidaymakers were greeted by enthusiastic ITC students when they disembarked and boarded in Auckland over the busy cruise season.

Several ITC students worked as check-in agents for ID Tours and Renaissance Tours – meaning they were right on the customer service frontline to meet arriving and departing passengers.

“Students were required to check passengers onto the cruise ships and also give directions to passengers at the cruise terminals,” says ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins, who helped organise this paid work experience opportunity.

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ITC tutors bring love of tourism to the classroom

ITC tutors LOVE tourism! ITC supports them to undertake formal teacher training so they can share this passion with students. 

Every tutor at the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) shares at least one trait in common: a love of tourism.

ITC employs tutors based on their passion for the industry – they are tourism professionals first, teachers second.

It’s their boundless enthusiasm for tourism that makes them so great in the classroom. Their passion for the subject is infectious, and this resonates with the students.

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TRENZ kicks off in Auckland with help from ITC students

Hundreds of tourism professionals are in Auckland this week for TRENZ 2017, and several ITC students are volunteering at the event to make sure it runs smoothly. 

New Zealand’s biggest travel and tourism trade event, TRENZ, kicks off in Auckland today – and ITC students are on-hand to make sure everything runs smoothly.

A group of 18 high-performing students have been chosen to assist as volunteers. They will support the presenters and attendees by:

• Helping the sellers set up their stands
• Manning key information areas such as coat check and food stalls
• Assisting with any last-minute errands or requests

ITC Account Manager Ceri Jenkins says volunteering at TRENZ is a great way for students to learn more about the exciting travel and tourism industry. (more…)

‘Freedom Seat’ activist inspires ITC staff and students

Naresh Kumar recently spoke to ITC students about his experience riding the length of New Zealand to raise money for charity.

Staff and students at the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) were recently inspired by the incredible story of Naresh Kumar from Freedom Seat. Naresh delivered a presentation at ITC’s City Campus in early April, where he spoke about his journey.

On January 16, Naresh set out to ride the length of New Zealand on a tandem bike named ‘Kindness’ to raise money for Tearfund, a not-for-profit leading the fight against human trafficking. He cycled from Cape Reinga to Bluff – an impressive 3,300 kilometres.

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12 ways to impress your interviewer

Being positive, asking questions, and dressing professionally are just some of the ways you can impress at a job interview.

If you want to ace a job interview, preparation is key. Planning ahead can help you feel calm and confident on the day.

There are several ways you can prepare. We spoke to Cathy and Sarndra, ITC’s employment experts, to find out more.

Here are Cathy and Sarndra’s top 12 tips for impressing your interviewer.

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ITC tutor achieves Master of Business with First Class Honours

Everyone at ITC is overjoyed for Carla’s amazing achievement. Congratulations, Carla!

For the past ten years, ITC Level 5 programme leader Carla Sutton has been chipping away at something special – her further education.

She may be a tutor and a programme manager, but she never stopped being a student. After work, Carla dedicated her spare time to learning new skills.

First, she completed a Bachelor of Business through Unitec, with an amazing A+ grade point average. And now, she has completed a Master of Business with First Class Honours.

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All about the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism (Level 5)

The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism (Level 5) can set you up for a rewarding management career.

Do you dream of one day becoming a manager in the aviation, travel or tourism industry?

If you’ve got ambition, drive, and a passion for travel and tourism, then you’ll love the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism (Level 5).

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All about the NZ Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation (Level 3)

If you love airports and airplanes, then you’ll love the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation Level 3.

Do you love flying? Do you enjoy the thrill of a busy airport? Do you like watching planes take off and land just for fun?

If so, you’ll probably love a career in the aviation industry.

Whether you dream of becoming a flight attendant or a customs officer, a baggage handler or a check-in assistant, the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation can get your aviation career off to a flying start.

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Virgin truths: What I learned from An Evening with Sir Richard Branson

ITC Marketing Director Claire Huxley, and her husband Jon Huxley, recently attended An Evening With Sir Richard Branson at Vector Arena.

ITC Marketing Director Claire Huxley recently attended An Evening with Sir Richard Branson at Auckland’s Vector Arena. Here’s what she learned from the famous entrepreneur who continues to make waves in the global airline, travel and tourism industry.

On Sunday 26 March, I was in the same room as Sir Richard Branson. Wow! I never thought I’d write those words.

I joined 2,000 of New Zealand’s movers and shakers, business leaders, Virgin fans, journalists, and curious souls to listen to Sir Richard in conversation with the Right Honourable John Key.

We couldn’t take any pictures, but I did scribble down lots of notes. I believe we can all learn a lot from this innovative entrepreneur, especially how his bold ideas are transforming the travel industry. Here are a few of my favourite takeaways from the special evening.

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