A pair of students from the University of Chester Business School impressed industry professionals at a national tourism conference with a presentation on the influence of the digital tourist.
The presentation by Monica Escobedo and Paris Taylor Flint was voted the most highly rated of all the talks on the day and they have since delivered it to students across the Business School. It highlights the changing habits of tourists when it comes to choosing their dream destinations and the importance of social media, especially Instagram and YouTube, to the tourism industry.
The future tourism professionals, both studying International Tourism and Management with Spanish, gained 100% positive feedback from the delegates of the TMI (Tourism Management Institute) Convention when theyexplained the importance of Keeping up with the Followers in their presentation about travelling, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and social media. The International Tourism degree at Chester is accredited by the TMI, the UK’s national professional body for destination management. The University co-hosted the conference for the Institute with Marketing Cheshire.
Monica, from Los Angeles, explained that both students are taking every opportunity they can to gain experience and to network during their time at Chester.
She said: “Being able to get involved in the conference was an opportunity that we wouldn’t have had without the support of our lecturers and the University and it is really helping us with our future in tourism.”
Paris, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, added: “Speaking at and helping organise the conference has enabled us to get involved with industry professionals and has given us
an insight into event planning and tourism management. We were pleased to get such positive feedback.”
Martin Metcalfe, the Programme Leader for International Tourism Management said “We are so impressed with the professionalism of Monica and Paris and that they are taking every opportunity to enhance their experience from working on the Chester Heritage Festival to being student experience representatives. We wish them every success with the rest of their studies and beyond.”
Both students have clocked up enough volunteering hours to gain their Chester Difference Excellence
Award, which showcases all the experience and employability skills they have achieved during their studies. Monica enters the third year of her course next year and is doing a one year internship for Marketing Cheshire to complement her studies. Paris begins her internship in Spain with a translation company. Both are looking ahead to graduate roles in the industry.