The future of Canada’s travel industry is here
... and it couldn’t be brighter!
ASHLEY ROCHEFORT
School’s out and the industry is preparing to welcome the next generation of travel industry leaders.
In its second year, Baxter Travel Media’s Baxter Student Ambassador Program (BSAP) has continued its commitment of identifying the industry’s most promising student talent in tourism and hospitality programs at Canada’s leading colleges and universities.
Through networking, mentorship, hard work and teacher encouragement, these select students connect with industry leaders, gain hands-on experience and are energized as they begin their careers in the exciting field of travel. Their eyes are opened to the who, what, when, where, why, and how of this complex business.
“For many years, the industry has struggled to find ways to bring young people into the travel business,” observed Wendy McClung, Vice-President, Operations and BSAP Program Director at Baxter Travel Media.
“As Canada’s leading travel trade media outlet,” McClung noted, “we believe we are perfectly positioned to create a program that brings students, faculty and industry leaders together to empower the next generation of travel professionals.”
Based on a combination of academic success, industry and community involvement, leadership skills, and a skill-testing webinar presentation, one graduating student from each participating school is designated as the winning Baxter Student Ambassador.
And for the winning Ambassador, some amazing opportunities await − including an eight-week internship at Sandals in St. Lucia, a one-year membership to Young Skål, access to ACTA’s learning centre and invitations to industry events including the May 4 BSAP reception at the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.The funding and prizes that make this possible come from the generous support of BSAP’s sponsors − Transat, Sandals, WestJet/Princess Hotels & Resorts, Sabre, and Baxter Travel Media.Launched in 2014-2015 with Humber College, BSAP is the only travel and tourism student mentoring program of its kind in Canada, offering learning and net-working opportunities for aspiring travel industry professionals.Since its launch last year, the program has gained a lot of traction in the industry with a total of six participating post-secondary institutions in 2016 including Humber College, Sheridan College, Ryerson University, Algonquin College, Confederation College, and Mohawk College.“Humber’s collaboration with Baxter in the development and execution of the BSAP pilot project last year gave our students a huge advantage. More specifically, it afforded them the chance to develop key industry-related skills and network with travel leaders just as they completed their studies,” said Kevin Smith, Program Coordinator, Tourism Management, School of Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism, Humber College.Smith continued: “I’m thrilled the industry has taken note and is responding to the expansion of BSAP. I’m sure I speak for all schools when I say that BSAP is a wonderful, real-life learning opportunity for our graduating students.”With even more support from the industry, the plan is to expand the program nationwide in 2017.Schools and industry leaders, are you interested in getting involved in next year’s Baxter Student Ambassador Program? Send a note to the BSAP Program Director, Wendy McClung at [email protected] to find out how you can help shape the future of our industry.