Dear Mr. Perkes:
I have been in Cape Town for a month now
and I just can’t believe how wonderful this experience has been. Three
months ago, while searching the web for my upcoming Christmas holiday, I
came up with the Travellers Worldwide website, and after reading about
your projects decided to further inquire about your Hotel Work Placement.
Currently I am a “Hotel Administration” student at Sacred Heart University
in Puerto Rico and have worked for Hilton International and Wyndham
Hotels.
After reading about your placement, I was
certain that this experience would allow me to demonstrate my full
potential for greater advancement, the intellectual ability to grasp the
complex issues facing the industry today in an international perspective,
and the motivation to learn and work in a multi-cultural environment. I
just couldn’t believe that your placement would be in the best hotel in
Cape Town!
The Mount Nelson Hotel has provided me
with a solid and profound international perspective aimed at strengthening
my commitment to excel in service within the Hospitality Industry.
During this month I’ve had the opportunity
of analyzing and discussing management issues with top executives which
has opened my mind to innovative as well as classical problem solving and
analytical frameworks. It has further reinforced my belief that culture
has a profound impact on the attitudes, priorities, and behavior of
individuals. I believe that it is vital to interact with people from
different cultures in order to understand their values, norms, and
priorities. It definitely enhances our ability to serve others and
nurtures the only psychological prejudice we should ever have: to think
about others and their well being before we think about ourselves.
As an advantage, cultural diversity
enriches the workplace. We too often approach others from our own cultural
perspective and expect them to be like us. It is offensive and leads to
certain narrowed prejudiced views we may hold of other countries. In
today’s Hospitality Industry, it is imperative for managers and all
employees, to have a cross-cultural awareness and an understanding of
ethnic identity that are required to fulfill the many demands placed upon
individuals in a multifaceted industry. The world is therefore a
fascinating book to be read slowly by traveling to different countries and
engaging in first hand interactions with their culture and people.During this month, I have learned some
important lessons that, in my view, are responsible for overall success
and I would like to put them into practice in the future. I believe that
success in the Hospitality Industry lies in attention to detail, a good
listening ability, effective communication, teamwork, and the
encouragement of employees to be productive by making them feel that their
work is acknowledged and appreciated. They must be able to share
alternatives and solutions, which will help them realize that their
responsibilities are not a burden but an asset.
If employees feel they are an integral
part of the business, they will have the incentive to excel in the
performance of their tasks no matter how difficult they may be because
they know their work is not indifferent to their superiors. If the
employees are happy, the guests as primary recipients of their services
will also be happy and satisfied, and they will certainly cherish a
comeback.This experience has provided me with more
maturity and empowerment to assess the freedom and responsibility in
achieving success. One of my biggest satisfactions, however, has been to
motivate others, and doing so with a smile, by acknowledging their work,
fostering collaboration and celebrating their accomplishments. I want to
inspire others in order to help them carry their dreams through reality.
As I write this letter from my hotel room,
I can't believe that already a month has passed. This experience has been
so highly rewarding and fulfilling that I have decided I should forever
incorporate it into my life. I have met a lot of people, all from different
cultures and backgrounds, and without their knowledge, each and every one
of them have marked my life forever. They have all, in different ways,
taught me that success in service is rooted in your ability to overcome
adversity by giving the best you have to others with an open mind that
will allow you to understand their needs.
Finally, I am extremely grateful to Mr.
and Mrs. King [Travellers Cape Town Manager and his wife]
for all their support! From the first day we met in the airport they have
ensured that my stay is a memorable one. I really value and appreciate
this a lot! They have even called me to make sure I get to see the
Christmas lights in Adderley Street!
I wish to take this opportunity to thank
you and everyone at Travellers Worldwide for having made my dream into a
reality! I wish you and your family and everyone at Travellers Worldwide a
wonderful Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
My kindest regards,
Myrella A. García Vélez
.
+44 01903 502595
