Students lead the way putting Hospitality at the top of the agenda

Travel and Tourism students from Neath College attended the New Institute of Hospitality Cymru Student Committee hosts From Wales to the World event at Senedd

Students and Alumni from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and Neath College took leading roles in the event being organised to promote career and networking opportunities in the Hospitality Industry across Wales and the world.

From Wales to the World is a two-part event hosted by the newly-formed Institute of Hospitality (IoH) Cymru Student Committee, held in Cardiff Bay’s historic Pierhead Building and iconic Senedd. The event will help students interested in building a career in Hospitality, Tourism and Events network and gain real industry insight, whilst also encouraging the industry to network and support future managers.

As the Hospitality Industry recovers from Covid, the sector faces shortages of skilled operational and management staff, providing exciting opportunities for young people to fast-track into a highly successful career. To support this, the event provides an opportunity for industry representatives and career-seekers across Wales to meet, engage and discuss the future of the sector.

Real-life industry and student case studies from Wales and the world will be used to showcase exciting opportunities, helping promote career pathways and training options across Hospitality, Tourism and Events. Industry-leading speakers included:

Damian Jenkins – Divisional President at The Management Trust California

Ed Sims – former CEO of WestJet Canada

Heledd Williams – Head of Business Events at Events Wales at Welsh Government

Helen John – Bluestone Wales Academy Manager

James Hayward MIH – Manager of Celtic Manor’s Coldra Court Hotel

Jessie Wakely – Founder and Director of Sales and Marketing at Harbour Lights Spirits

Mike Phillipps – Dubai based ex International Rugby Player and Director of FabFour Coffee

Paula Ellis – Group General Manager of Retreats Hotels

Philippa Fitzgerald, a final-year International Travel & Tourism student at UWTSD, was elected as the first Chair of the newly-formed student committee. She said: “It’s an honour to be asked to be the first Chair. This position has given me the opportunity to connect with some fantastic students and inspiring industry representatives whilst developing essential skills to use in my future career. To be part of the amazing team putting on the first student committee event in the nation’s capital is an experience that will stay with me forever.”

Jacqui Jones, IoH Cymru Branch Committee member and Programme Manager for the Tourism, Events and Leisure Resort Management portfolio at UWTSD, said: “This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the launch of the new Institute of Hospitality Cymru Student Committee, which provides students from different universities across Wales with the opportunity to work together to represent the future of the industry and showcase career opportunities across the Hospitality, Tourism and Events sectors.

“I am delighted to see both current students and alumni of UWTSD speaking at the event, demonstrating the University’s important role in developing the industry leaders of the future.”

The event is being supported and sponsored by Senedd Member David Rees.

Click here to find out more about our Travel and Tourism courses at NPTC Group of Colleges and the opportunities we can offer our students.