Tag: New Zealand school of tourism

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Three Things to Do in School to Prep for the Workforce

Work-experience

Preparing to step into the big wide world can be daunting for some, but with a little work experience and a lot of enthusiasm, you can take the tourism industry by storm from the moment you leave school.

If you’re currently studying tourism or hospitality and you’re looking for ways to optimise the experience, then you’re in the right place! The key to success is in going the extra mile, doing that one extra thing that makes you stand out above the rest of the crowd come recruitment time. Beyond that, knowing your way around the industry before you even begin your first job is a sure-fire way to rise through the ranks of your chosen sector quickly.

Please observe the seatbelt sign is on, be sure you know where the nearest exits are, and let’s take off into three things you can do to prepare for the tourism workforce!

Get comfortable in a team

In school, there are many things you can do to get comfortable with working in a team. Namely: get into some extracurriculars or branch out and take one of our short courses in Auckland. This will help you acclimate to working with others who share similar interests but might approach it in a way that is different to yours. Basically, extracurriculars build your communication skills, prepare you for a diversified team, and even help with time management.

In the tourism industry, you are seldom working alone. More often than not, you have a team of people by your side, all working to achieve the best experience for the customer, so it’s crucial to know how to work in a team dynamic!

Talk to your tutors

Our New Zealand school of tourism and hospitality is a resource in more ways than one. Our teachers and tutors are industry professionals who know what it means to thrive in tourism, so take the time to tap into their wisdom and experience. It’s every educator’s goal to help their students excel, so if they find a student who is very engaged, they will do what they can to provide them with additional opportunities to succeed.

Chat to your teachers about any questions you have, any concerns you’re carrying about the field, and express your interest in learning more about tourism overall. Learn what you can from their experience and try to implement any pieces of advice they give you. They’re invaluable sources of insight into what the world will be like once you leave school, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Get some work experience

Heading into your chosen field for a stint of work experience does wonders for your start in tourism or hospitality. It gives you a glimpse of the real day-to-day patterns of work and helps you to identify any of your weak points so that you can work on bolstering them.

Even better: it’s a lot of fun to try your hand at what you’re studying towards. We offer programmes that help students experience the workforce before they join it. We’ve found that students benefit hugely from the opportunity and tend to hit the ground running once they graduate.

Take the time to really invest in your educational experience. Take charge of your learning, sink your teeth into the field and don’t let go! We’ll see you out there.

Crown Institute invests in the learning of our students.

At the Crown Institute of Studies, we’re dedicated to providing a well-rounded educational experience for all our students. Whether you’re studying tourism or hospitality, you will find the opportunities to launch you into a successful career here. Come and study with us today!  

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Top Winter Break Destinations in New Zealand

Top-winter-break-destinations-new-zealand

New Zealand is positioned right at the bottom of the world, and as the closest country to Antarctica, you had better believe this tiny trans-Atlantic nation has got some of the best winter getaway spots in the whole world.

Education can take you all over the world, and if you study at a New Zealand school of tourism, exploring New Zealand while you can is a great opportunity. During full time study, the year is split up by a number of study breaks, giving you a valuable chance to gain real life experiences by getting out there and visiting New Zealand.

Mt Ruapehu

For snow sports enthusiasts and amateurs alike, the nearest place to Auckland to see the snow is the beautiful Mt Ruapehu. Just a 4-hour drive from the big city, you’ll venture into a different world – and you’ll definitely want to bring all your woolly warmers with you. Stay in the small mountainside towns of Whakapapa or Turoa, or in Ohakune township if you want to be closer to the shops.

The mountain itself has options for everyone. Beginners can rent ski or snowboard gear and start off with a lesson from one of their instructors; Happy Valley is a fun and easy ski slope on Whakapapa. As New Zealand’s largest ski range, Ruapehu has plenty to offer more experienced skiiers too. All you have to do is rent a chairlift pass, and up you go!

Auckland’s West Coast

For those who don’t have the time, or are on a student budget, there are some beautiful destination spots within the boundaries of Auckland itself. All you need is a few friends, a car and the day to spare, and you’ve got yourself a west coast road trip. If you’re interested in Auckland tourism, this is a top spot to visit.

West Coast beaches such as Piha, Muriwai, Bethells and many more in between are incredibly popular spots in summer, but have unique qualities that not many get to see when the seasons get colder. On a fine winters day, the beaches are a serene place to go for a walk, and there are some absolutely stunning Airbnb’s which are rarely booked out in the colder months, if you want to stay for a few days.

Rotorua

If you can’t stand the thought of being near the icy seas anytime outside of peak summer, Rotorua is the getaway spot for you. This town is pretty well known for its sulfuric smell, but there’s a good reason for it. We won’t get too into the science of it all, but there’s something in the water in Rotorua, and it is unlike anywhere else in the world.

The thermal springs in Rotorua have been around for centuries. More recently, they have been utilised for their wellness and relaxation, and there are a huge range of spa options in Rotorua that use these minerals and thermal techniques to renew and replenish your body and soul.

Windy Wellington

They say you can’t beat Welly on a good day. There’s no denying that it can tend to get a little windy down there in the winter, but it’s still worth it for the crisp sunshine that peeks through.

For those Aucklander’s who crave the hustle and bustle even on a getaway, Wellington is the only real decision. There is plenty to see and do in Wellington, from visiting Te Papa museum, to shopping the vintage stores along Cuba Street. Wellington has plenty of delicious, world class food to eat too, not to mention places to catch up with friends for a drink.

Northland

For those who seek to get away from the cold of winter as much as possible, North of Auckland is a great place to retreat to. Usually a bustling tourist spot in Summer, the Bay of Islands and the surrounding towns are just as vibrant and exciting in the off season, although without the masses of people.

Escaping to Northland in the winter can feel like your own private getaway in the sun. Northland has a subtropical microclimate, meaning it benefits from warmer weather throughout most of the winter months. Not many people know about this, so tourist season doesn’t extend much further than April.

 

See the world!

New Zealand has so much to offer when it comes to tourism – we’ve only just scratched the surface. If you’ve got an inner travel bug, Crown Institutes travel and tourism courses are world class, and can take you around New Zealand and the world toward your dream career. Contact us to discuss what course is right for you today.

 

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What You Need to Know About Working in Travel and Tourism | Crown

What-you-need-to-know-about-working-in-the-travel-and-tourism-industry

Everyone has different reasons for entering the travel and tourism field. Some may want to travel the world, become stewards of the sky, or run their own hotels. Some people may have just stumbled upon one of the many job opportunities that the industry has to offer. While all these prospects sound exciting, there’s a lot of real-world information about the industry that you should know first, to give you the tools required for achieving a happy and flourishing career!

 

No matter where you are in your travel and tourism journey, here are some important things you need to know about working in the industry:

Your job options are varied

We all have our own dreams, and yes, we should chase after them, but that doesn’t mean we should be rigid and inflexible. There are plenty of job opportunities in the field that we may or may not know about – things we haven’t yet discovered that we have a latent passion for. Travel and tourism is a great industry because there’s so much to discover, even preparing people for plenty of future job options and opportunities that are yet to exist.

While you may start out wanting a flight stewardess position, this may ignite an interest in entertainment, the food and beverage service, or retail trade. Your travels and experiences will only lead you to more and more doors of opportunity, a few of which you may want to open at some point in your career.

 

You’ll need transferrable skills

To really flourish, you’ll need to possess a long list of transferrable skills that will help you conquer any job or opportunity within this ever-growing and changing industry. The most important skills in this list include organisational skills, networking, flexibility, adaptability and, of course, a genuine commitment to good-hearted customer service. These five skills will assist you every step of the way, so you should hone them to near perfection to ensure you can do great work no matter what job or environment you’re in.

There’s plenty of benefits

Just as we talked in our previous blog post about Why People Love Working in Travel and Tourism, you’ll be excited to know that there are plenty of work perks that come with pursuing a career in this industry. Your company can send you on work-related travel, you’ll have “ins” on travel, retail, or entertainment discounts, get the opportunity to explore new cultures, meet new people and network with industry leaders, as well as receive tips, bonuses, incentives, and so much more!

Qualifications aren’t required, but they boost your chances of success

While there are a lot of skills you can learn on the job, obtaining a certified qualification through travel and tourism courses will keep you one step ahead of the competition. Qualifications will certainly show employers that you’re serious about your chosen career, but also provide you with skills beforehand that many would learn on the job, thereby boosting your chances of getting your dream role in the bag.

Crown: Helping Travel and Tourism Students Take on the World

Crown Institute is a well-known NZ school of tourism that teaches successful graduates essential skills through real-world experiences, no matter what their dream job is in the field. If you’re ready to take on the world, apply for our travel and tourism courses online or call 0800 357 316 to enrol with Crown today!