In the context of place-based learning and culturally responsive teaching, the use of field trips is an invaluable source of experience and learning for students. The Hawaiian history is particularly vulnerable in the face of cultural changes that neglect the prioritization of local particularities under the burden of globalization (Peattie et al., 2023). Thus, the implementation of learning activities using a field trip to Kailua will allow for facilitating students’ learning and community advancement based on values of cultural uniqueness (Peattie et al., 2023). Thus, this presentation will present an overview of Kailua history, cites, and related traditions to inform a place-based learning project for history learning by 6-graders.
Kailua Traditions, History and Culture
Hawaii is home to some significant historic locations, from the cradle of King Kamehameha to the Hawaiian cowboy. It is also home to Captain Cook’s final resting place. The Ali’i who were associated with this island and its Moku, however, are more fascinating than the religious sites in this area. King Kamehameha the Great, who had ties to both the island and Kailua-Kona Moku, is undoubtedly the most well-known of the Ali’i. Closeness to the shore predetermines the sea-related lifestyle and traditions of the local populations (Peattieet al., 2023). Thus, the location presents numerous opportunities for students’ place-based and culturally-informed learning.
King Kamehameha the Great
When Kamehameha returned to the Big Island in 1812, he stayed at this heiau. Not only did Kamehameha pass away here, but on April 4, 1820, permission was given for the first New England-based Christian missionaries to arrive. In conclusion, Kamakahonu Bay is a significant part of Hawaiian history, and given how many people visit the area, hopefully, it will be carefully preserved.
Lekeleke Burial Grounds
Many of the troops who battled here were buried under it, making this battleground even more sacred. This site’s lack of closure is my only issue with it. Many visitors to this place disobey the warnings not to trespass over the lava rock because there are bodies there. Kuamo’o, in which the armies of Kekuaokalani and Liholiho clashed, is a battlefield location worth seeing (Wright, 2022). The state should impose stricter regulations on protecting tourist sites like these because if we want to continue teaching tourists about Hawaiian culture, we must first safeguard it.
The San Agustin Church
When the Chinese pirate Limahong took control of Manila, homes and the San Agustin Church were set on fire. As a result, wood was used in the church’s 1575 reconstruction. Tragically, a second fire destroyed the brand-new wooden church in 1583. For the third church, the Augustinian friars decided to utilize adobe stones out of concern for yet another catastrophe. They sought advice from Juan Macias in 1586 regarding the layout and building of the church. In 1607, it was finally declared to be finished. A visit to the church might serve as a powerful educational activity for students who will see the architecture and religious life of the city.
Diamondhead Volcano
Many people walked up the summit trail of the extinct Diamond Head Crater for an incredible view of the entire island even though it has been extinct for years. The only well-known location is Hanauma Bay. The aerial vista of Hanauma Bay resembles a scene from a fantasy science fiction film. You can go down to feed the fish or look at the coral reefs through the water. A visit to the volcano might become a valuable source of information about local nature and landscapes.
Puerto Princesa
Western Philippines’ Palawan Island contains the coastal city of Puerto Princesa. It serves as a starting point for boat tours into the enormous limestone caves and underground river. It is home to long-nosed dolphins, turtles, and rays, are numerous dive spots. The 19th-century Immaculate Conception Cathedral sits near the harbor. A boat is required to enter the cave where the national park is located. One of the most well-liked travel locations from Puerto Princesa, which might inform visitors about local history and culture.
The Santa Maria Church
In Ilocos Sur, the Santa Maria Church is a popular destination for visitors and Catholics. It is a monument to the four centuries of Spanish rule in that area and an outstanding building representing a variety of brick-and-mortar architectural styles. When the region was first under the Spanish soldiers’ and friars’ reign, on top of a hill there was built a lookout, a castle, and a religious complex. Locals claim that the statue of the Virgin Mary which was formerly housed in a separate church, kept vanishing only to be rediscovered perched on a guava tree where the Santa Maria Church is now.
K-12 Place-Based Project
The proposed place-based project activity is aimed at teaching sixth-graders the history of Kailua City and its relevance to Hawaiian history in general. The activity implies a field trip with lectures and excursions about the battlefields and important historical sites covered in the presentation. It is anticipated to provide a solid basis for students’ community awareness and culturally respective learning. The social science implications of the proposed project are based on the opportunities for visiting multiple places and facilitating the research of the historical background of the location for its better preservation.
Conclusion
In summation, the presentation has covered the most essential locations in Kailua, which is a Wahi Pana selected for the place-based project. The traditions, lifestyle, culture, and history of the location allow for implementing a field trip in the context of history learning. The suggested learning activities, including field trips, lectures, and excursions, will be educational for students. Thus, the place-based project implementation will ensure that the students experience the nature, culture, and historical artifacts of Kailua first-hand, which will enhance their knowledge of their history and ancestry.
The hotel industry is essential to the U.S. and global economies since it contributes billions of dollars to it. Although many lodging facilities were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, they strive to provide exceptional service to their customers. It is particularly critical in serving luxury events and a unique cohort of clients. In this report, the Ritz-Carlton hotel will be selected to host a white-tie dinner for twelve guests to show them the aesthetic of Universal Luxury Creations (ULC). The event will include personal invitations, transportation, a dance show, as well as gourmet dining and beverages.
Market Overview
The hospitality industry is believed to be one of the business sectors with enormous economic potential. It is thought that the global capitalization of this market will soon reach $12.5 trillion (Su & Chen, 2020, p. 2). The hotel industry, which provides lodging services to visitors, takes a significant share in this, but other sectors like leisure, gambling, restaurants, recreational service, and airlines play an essential role, too (Su & Chen, 2020). Indeed, the market size of hotels worldwide is $1.06 trillion now, which is undoubtedly lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic began, but the numbers are still impressive (Lock, 2022b). Notably, there was a 17% decline in revenue of this industry in 2020 in comparison to 2019 (Davahli et al., 2020, p. 11). The quality of services hotels provide to the customers ranges from limited to high, corresponding to the star ratings, with one being the former and five being the latter (Allied Market Research [AMR], 2022). For the event ordered by the ULC, the North American Ritz Carlton Hotel was selected as a five-star service provider to organize an important event for the invited twelve guests.
Hotel Industry Overview
Hotels can be classified based on price, room capacity, and region. For example, the types include business, resort, boutique, casino, and transit (AMR, 2022). Depending on price, this accommodation service can be luxury, upscale, midscale, and economy (AMR, 2022). The four main regions are described in the hotel industry: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa) (AMR, 2022). The leading brands include Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt and Holiday Inn, Marriott International, and Wyndham Hotel Group (Lock, 2022a). Various factors play an essential role in the hotel industry, including workforce, technology, world and local economy, global epidemiologic situation, and people’s travel patterns (Rutherford & O’Fallon, 2021). Moreover, the leaders and managers of the hotel should decide what specific services will be offered to their clients. If it is a luxury hotel, the company may choose to build larger rooms with exclusive design and furniture. This market should consider various sales and human psychology aspects to be prosperous firms.
The lodging sector is known for its particular emphasis on customer relations management because it influences how clients view the hotel and what feedback they give. In fact, the traditions and image that hotels create are vital for the companies that offer luxury services. For instance, such companies as Savoy Group and Ritz-Carlton are known for their special attitude to their guests and lists of priority customers (Rutherford & O’Fallon, 2021). In this report, the Ritz Carlton Hotel, North America, a luxury brand, will be discussed and considered for organizing a white-tie dinner event.
Hotel Industry in the United States
The hospitality industry and especially hotels, occupy a significant portion of the American market since the U.S. is one of the major places for tourists to travel. According to Huang et al. (2020), “in 2017, it supplied around 20% of the U.S. GDP and employed about 30% of the U.S. labor force” (p. 1). Indeed, visitors spend more than $1 trillion annually to travel to the United States, which is equivalent to 10% of the income from the country’s export (Hadi et al., 2020, p. 3). In the U.S., its value reached over $200 billion in 2019 (Lock, 2021). The ongoing pandemic caused a decline in this industry, with millions of jobs and billions of dollars lost in 2020 (Davahli et al., 2020). Still, it seems that companies started to recover from the recession at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis after the introduction of the vaccination and the removal of travel restrictions. Hotel owners in the United States, like lodging service providers worldwide, are mindful of their marketing decisions and actions because their goal is not only to attract more clients but also to retain them.
The Story of Ritz Carlton, North America
The story of this luxury brand in the spere of lodging services started more than a century ago. In the U.S., it was established as Ritz Carlton Investing Company by Albert Keller (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.b). Although there were several hotel buildings across the country, the only one that was functioning in the 1900s was Boston’s Ritz-Carlton (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.b). In fact, it was where high standards were established, and services of exceptional quality were developed. From 1983 to 1992, this company expanded from a few to 23 luxury hotels across the U.S., and in 1993 it went to the international market by opening its first resort in Hong Kong (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.b). Since this firm was successful, it attracted the attention of Marriott International, one of the leading corporations in this industry, which bought Ritz-Carlton in 1998 (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.b). Since then, hotels and reserves have been opened in Washington, D.C., Colorado, Thailand, and many other places (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.b). The company continues to grow today by opening its hotels and resorts in cities with the highest number of tourist attractions.
The primary feature that made this company unique and luxurious was its approach to providing customer service. For example, Ritz-Carlton, Boston, was the first to offer individual bathrooms in each room and introduce a unique uniform for its staff (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.b). Furthermore, it started placing fresh flowers in the hallways, making smaller lobbies, and offering gourmet cuisine to the guests, creating a sense and experience of opulence (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.b). Overall, Ritz-Carlton hotels are now considered among the most desired destinations for people who value outstanding service.
The Invitation
Dear guest (the title and full name will placed here),
We would like to invite you to the dinner that will be hosted in Ritz-Carlton, New York, on August 1, 2022. Our organization was hoping you could honor us with your presence and share the excitement of opening a store in New York and enjoy some of our new luxury products. This event would not be possible without your contribution, support, and feedback. Therefore, we are organizing this dinner, where we will announce the store’s official establishment and demonstrate novel items.
The transportation to the event will be provided from the airport or any other location you choose. We will send a silver Lamborghini with one of our best chauffeurs to take you to this event. If you decide to stay at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a 20% discount will be offered. Our manager will be available 24/7 to answer your questions and concerns regarding the event. We will call you on the afternoon of July 14, 2022, to confirm your participation in this banquet. If this time is not convenient for you, please e-mail us the dates and times when you are available.
With the warmest wishes, Lincoln Phelps (Please put the real name). President and CEO, ULC
The Theme of the Event
Since this event is a private dinner for twelve guests who will be shown some of ULC’s luxury products, the preferred theme is classic. Therefore, Ritz-Carlton’s Royal Suite will be chosen and slightly modified. Although this room is elegant in itself, more formality should be added since it is not only a private dinner but also an official event announcing the title of a news organization. The room has neutral coverings, a parquet floor, and one crystal chandelier above the dinner table.
Location of the Event
Since this organization will be primarily based in New York, we decided to organize the event in Ritz-Carlton, New York, Central Park. The dinner will be conducted in the Royal Room of the hotel because it has a relatively large size for the small number of guests. Specifically, the size is 203 square meters and the chandelier height is three meters (The Ritz-Carlton, n.d.a). The room is located on the ninth floor of the hotel’s building.
Colors and Aesthetics of the Event
The color of the table coverings will be dark grey with a silver silk ribbon at the bottom. We will use Pantone color to ensure that materials that will be used for decoration have the desired tones and good quality. The chairs will be white with an eloquent silver design. Each table will have a crystal vase with a bouquet of fresh white roses. Moreover, since the lighting in the room is fully adjustable, we will try to set a medium brightness.
Scent for the Event
The scent for this dinner will be floral, particularly lavender, but it will be delivered in tiny amounts to avoid irritation or adverse reactions in guests. Indeed, research shows that lavender scent possesses the quality of reducing anxiety and helping people relax (Zhou & Yamanaka, 2018). According to Zhou and Yamanaka (2018), “mental images are usually created by combining olfactory, auditory, and visual inputs so that it can be claimed that there is a relationship between different senses” (p. 127). Furthermore, the stimulation of the olfactory nerve results in the activation of the autonomic nervous system, sympathetic or parasympathetic (Zhou & Yamanaka, 2018). The studies demonstrated that if the smell was unpleasant, it stimulated the former, which is a fight-or-flight response, and conversely, palatable scents caused relaxation through the activation of the latter (Zhou & Yamanaka, 2018). Therefore, to create an even more pleasant experience for the invited visitors to this reception, we will combine the indicated scent with a mixture of calm classic music at a shallow volume.
Transportation for the Event
As the invitation letter indicates, all guests will be provided transportation to the event venue. ULC will offer a silver Lamborghini with a driver to meet each invitee at the airport and take them to Ritz-Carlton, New York, Central Park. For those who live in New York, we offer the same option except for the cases when a guest decides to come in one’s own car. Still, if they ask us to drive them home or hotel, leaving their vehicles, we will definitely provide them with our Lamborghini with a professional chauffeur.
Guest List
Twelve guests will be officially invited to this dinner, and three backups will be selected in case some of them refuse to come for some reason. These individuals are potential investors for ULC, the firm’s featured customers, or prospective brand ambassadors due to their popularity on social media. Since this firm is planned to be officially opened, the dinner for the most important donors is being organized.
Jeff Bezos, one of the richest individuals in the world, potential investor (Ireland, 2021)
Larry Page, listed the sixth wealthiest persons in the world, potential investor (Ireland, 2021)
Bernard Arnault, the third richest man globally, potential investor (Ireland, 2021)
Michael Bloomberg, one of the wealthiest individuals, ULC’s honored customer (Ireland, 2021)
Rob Walton, belongs to the top 20 richest people of the planet, ULC’s frequent customer (Ireland, 2021)
Alice Walton, Rob Walton’s sibling (Ireland, 2021)
Ariana Grande, one the most followed celebrities on Instagram (Rodriguez, 2021)
Leonard Lauder, belongs to the top 50 wealthiest men (Ireland, 2021)
Kendall Jenner, one of the most followed celebrities on Instagram (Rodriguez, 2021)
Kim Kardashian, has over 200 million followers on Instagram (Rodriguez, 2021)
Cristiano Ronaldo, famous soccer player and most followed person on Instagram
Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo’s wife
Dwayne Johnson, one of the highest paid actors with 225 million Instagram followers (Rodriguez, 2021)
Brad Pitt, may be interested in the brand
Lionel Messi, a famous soccer player, has more than 190 million Instagram followers (Rodriguez, 2021)
Menu Planning
The beverages that will be paired with the food include raspberry juice and a dry martini for appetizers, mojito for the first course, bourbon cocktails for the second course, gin and tonic with the cheese plate, tea with the dessert, and signature cocktails at the end of the dinner.
Signature Cocktails
Martinez
Pisco Sour
Dinner
Shrimp Tartlets
Snow Pea Holiday Wreath
Chocolate-Covered Cheese
Fruit and Cheese Board
Meatballs
Greek Veggie Tartlets
Cucumber-Staffed Cherry Tomatoes
The First Course
Creamy Shrimp and Crab Bisque
The Main Course
Ravioli Di Erbette (Vegetarian Option)
East Lothian Beef
Cheese and Beverages
The five sorts of cheese that will be served during this dinner are Pule, Moose, White Stilton Gold cheese, Wyke Farms Cheddar, and Bitto. The selected types are considered the most luxurious cheeses in the world due to the complexity of preparation or unique raw materials (Restaurantware, 2021). Furthermore, the cheese plate will include two types of crackers, with and without salt, meat, nuts, olives, and grapes. Gin and tonic as well as sparkling wine will accompany cheeses.
Dessert
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Wine/Champagne Pairing
Moscato d’Asti Ceretto
Moscato d’Asti Ceretto Italian sparkling wine will be chosen for this particular event. Its citrus flavors match almost any food; hence, it will be an excellent fit for any course during dinner (Hallowell, 2018). Furthermore, it has a relatively low alcohol content for those who prefer such options.
Entertainment for the Event
Due to budget limitations, inviting a celebrity may not be the best option; hence, the team plans to hire a group of professional dancers. Specifically, we want to cooperate with Scarlet Entertainment, which offers themed performances. For example, the theme is particularly interested in the diamond-themed show. Since this firm has no office in Ohio, the troop will likely be sent from Illinois. The show will be presented at the dinner’s opening, middle, and end.
Budgeting
Table 1: Budget Breakdown for the Dinner
Service/Product
Cost
Renting the venue for two days
$40,000
Renting a car (Lamborghini Huracan Evo) for three days
$20,000
15 vehicles per three days
$300,000
15 drivers per three days
$200,000
Printed personal invitations (cards with golden design)
$20,000
Dinner prepared by the chef (food products included)
$250,000
Beverages
$150,000
Scarlet Entertainment’s show
$700,000
Decoration of the venue
$70,000
Management of the event (contacting guests, meeting, guiding, coordinating)
$50,000
Total
$1,800,000
Since the total budget for the organization of this event was $1.8 million, the best available options of products and services were considered. For example, the team decided to rent 15 silver Lamborghinis and hire professional chauffeurs for three days to ensure that guests that arrive earlier or leave later are provided with transportation (Table 1). Furthermore, food will be prepared by the best chef in New York, who will need high-quality organic products. The dance show will be presented by a troop of professional performers working for Scarlett Entertainment; thus, the cost is approximately $700,000.
Davahli, M. R., Karwowski, W., Sonmez, S., & Apostolopoulos, Y. (2020). The hospitality industry in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: Current topics and research methods. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(20), 1-20.
Mejia, C. (2019). Influencing green technology use behavior in the hospitality industry and the role of the “green champion.” Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 28(5), 538-557.
The Republic of Haiti is a country in the North American continent in the Caribbean Islands; it won independence from French rule. Typical landmarks within the country include the National Palace, the Cathedral, the Labadee, the Museum, Fort Jacques, and the Paillon Enterprise (Villacorta, 2020). Many citizens reside in rural regions, and women constitute most of the population. Haitian demographics consist of Blacks, the majority, Europeans, and Native Americans; other minority groups include Asians, Arabs, and Mulattoes (Villacorta, 2020). The official languages spoken within the country are French and Haitian Creole. Other spoken languages include Spanish, English, West African Languages, and Portuguese. The staple foods of the Haitians include cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fish; the traditional dishes are pumpkin soup, griot, black-eyed peas and rice, and milky cornmeal beverages (Villacorta, 2020). Haitian society is diverse and rich, incorporating French, African, and West Indian elements; music and dance are common. Port-au-Prince is the capital of Haiti and constitutes all the nation’s cultural heritages; through its various tourist destinations, the city can attract foreigners to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Port-au-Prince History
Haiti has several cities and towns, but the most outstanding is Port-au-Prince. It is also the most populated and serves as the country’s capital. After being founded in 1749, it became the capital of the French colony of Saint-Domingue in 1770, currently referred to as Haiti (Briney, 2018). The principal founders were Charles Burnier and the Marquis of Larnage. After the country gained independence, Port-au-Prince continued being the metropolis. The city was in the past under the rule of the French, but currently, it is led by mayors, with the most current being Ralph Youri Chevry (Briney, 2018). Before Chevry took charge, the town was under the administration of Pierre-Richard Duplan. The city is one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere and was built by farmers using French and traditional designs. Past events in the area include the burning and the earthquake. A significant tremor witnessed in 2010 caused severe damage, and previously, in 1791, the town was burned during the battle between the white plantation owners and black revolutionaries (Briney, 2018). The occurrences destroyed historic landmarks and properties, leaving everyone devastated.
Location and Experience in the City
Port-au-Prince is located at a bay of the Gulf of Gonave, the west coast of the island of Hispaniola. The town in Haiti is spread across sixteen hills and lies to the south on the northern slopes of the Saddle Mountain Range (Briney, 2018). It is the municipal town of Haiti and controls the majority of the economic activities in the country. Port-au-Prince is protected from the open sea by the island of Gonave. It is situated on the southwestern coast of the Caribbean. The layout of the city is close to that of a theater. Residential houses are located on the hills and the commercial district near the water sources.
People like the city as it is the center of the intellectual and political life of the country. Most people travel from the rural settlements to the town in search of further education and others for work. In 2021, the urbanization rate was 57.96 percent, an increase from 48 percent in 2011 (Briney, 2018). More opportunities are presented here rather than in the interior regions. Port-au-Prince is a beautiful town with forts, parks, natural wonders, and Haiti’s museums. The city is accessible using the air, railway, water, or roads, thus being affordable to travel.
As a result of the growing population in the city and lack of enough job opportunities, there is the emergence of high crime life. Most occurrences relate to car theft, hacking, and robbery with violence. The vice rates are higher in large centers like downtown Port-au-Prince, thus displaying a negative picture to the locals and potential tourists (Briney, 2018). Armed gangs operate and occasionally steal from visitors who lack knowledge about the area. With this negative picture, the tourism sector is majorly affected. The issues can be prevented by taking certain precautions and do not necessarily portray the region as a no-go zone.
Port-au-Prince has many popular tourist attractions making it an ideal place that visitors will appreciate. The guests can visit the National Palace or the Cathedral Ruins and enjoy the beautiful scenery (Villacorta, 2020). Other popular attractions within and near the city include the Fort of Jacques and Delmas. Tourists can visit the city’s historical landmarks, learn more about the voodoo culture, view the colorful buildings, and enjoy the tropical landscape and cool climate. The museum is the preferred destination for those wanting to know about the history and culture of Haitians. Visitors will be able to understand and learn of past occurrences in Haiti.
Main Features
Haitians prefer staying in cities due to the availability of social amenities and modern facilities. Port-au-Prince has several primary features that make it outstanding from the rest. The city has a tropical wet and dry climate with a constant temperature throughout the year. As Haiti’s most important center of economy and finance, the town is developed and constitutes several modern facilities like schools, hospitals, and companies. There are food-processing plants and cement, textile, and soap industries. Several hospitals, such as Chappelle de Hospital and Hospital Saint Francois de Sale, are present to offer healthcare services to the public (Briney, 2018). Port-au-Prince is also considered the chief port of Haiti; standard exports made from the harbor include sugar and coffee. The city has eight universities, several colleges, and elementary schools. Most educational facilities are privately owned, with very few public-funded ones. Haitians express their love for the culture and traditions of the country by participating in national celebrations and consuming traditional meals; it is their nature to commemorate their forefathers.
Haitian Culture and Traditions
Haitians embrace and respect their culture and traditions, which fuses African, West Indian, and French elements. The most important aspects of the Haitian way of life include faith, music and dance, football, family, and storytelling (Villacorta, 2020). Dancing is part of life for Haitians, which is heavily expressed during the Carnival celebrations. Music and dance are performed during social activities such as church functions and weddings (Villacorta, 2020). Concerning sports, football is typical in the country and has been practiced by all age groups; the public is passionate about playing soccer. Family is valued more than anything else, and the extended unions play a significant role in guaranteeing support to other members ensuring they survive and that children do not suffer. Folktales and mythology are essential and unique parts of the culture; they are used to pass generational beliefs to new groups.
Food is a crucial aspect of Haitian society and is heavily influenced by French and African flavors. The most celebrated feed in Haitian culture is the soup joumou. The meals are usually tasty and vibrant, forcing the public to be loyal to eating them. Staple food for the Haitians includes fruits like coconut, avocados, and bananas; meat like turkey, fish, and beef; cereal like wheat, cornmeal, and cassava; vegetables and legumes including beans, cabbage, arrowroot, and potatoes (Villacorta, 2020). Traditional dishes served within the community include soup joumou (pumpkin soup), akasan (milky cornmeal beverage), and black-eyed peas with rice (Villacorta, 2020). There is a meal pattern breakfast (dejne), lunch (manje midi), snacks, and evening meal (Villacorta, 2020). The most used drinks are coffee, with fruit juice and water common, and are to be consumed the entire day. The food is generally prepared in outdoor kitchens, traditionally over charcoal stoves. Meals provided are to be moderate; they need to be balanced both hot and cold.
Tourism in Port-au-Prince
The favorable climate, coastline beaches, mountainous ranges, waterfalls, and caves present in Haiti make the region an attractive tourist destination. Port-au-Prince attracts thousands of visitors yearly who yearn to view its colorful buildings, voodoo culture, and tropical landscape. The culture incorporates the religions of West and Central Africa and Roman Catholicism, making it a unique and perfect piece of study. Famous places in this region include the Museum of the Haitian National Pantheon, Notre Dame Cathedral Ruins, and Fort Jacques (Upadhyay, 2020). Tourists can visit other beautiful locations, including Champs de Mars Square, Stade Sylvio Cator, and the Museum of Haitian Art. Touring the neighborhoods facilitates the learning of Haitian culture and promotes entertainment for those in love with nature. Port-au-Prince has museums, parks, forts, and natural wonders that are aesthetically appealing.
The Museum of the Haitian National Pantheon
The museum features the heroes of the independence of the country, its history, and its culture. Its unique design makes the whole structure a possible destination, not only the artifacts it contains. Built partially underground makes it solid and likely not to be destroyed when natural disasters such as earthquakes occur (Paulemon, 2021). The museum displays remnants that illustrate the Haitian history of the revolutionary years and the cultural and political forefathers. During the 2010 disaster, the facility survived; getting built below the surface was to safeguard and display the country’s accomplishments (Paulemon, 2021). The museum is accessible to the public and all visitors at a small fee. It is split into two showrooms, a permanent and a temporary exhibit. What gets showcased includes antiques from the pre-Columbian to the modern period. A tour guide directs visitors as they navigate the culture and traditions of the locals (Paulemon, 2021). The temporary exhibit displays artworks from various present and past artists and rotates regularly. Works shown are customarily chosen based on particular themes, historical occurrences, and current social and economic issues.
Notre Dame Cathedral Ruins
The earthquake that occurred in 2010 destroyed much of Haiti’s infrastructure. The once beautiful Norte Dame Cathedral, built with millions, is a sad reminder of the devastating experience. It was not rebuilt and is now a significant tourist destination near Port-au-Prince. Upon impact, the roof was destroyed, but the firefighters saved the outer walls and the main bell. The lack of funds is the primary factor reconstruction of the church. The ruins are an excellent view to the population who can take pictures and visit it with family and friends. It showcases the history of the Christian religion among the Haitians in which the locals’ culture can be studied (Upadhyay, 2020). Apart from taking photographs, one can walk around it and enjoy the display of children playing and vendors. The ruin also gives a glimpse of the medieval architectural designs of the French, as they are the ones who designed and built the church.
Fort Jacques
Fort Jacques is another potential destination that showcases Haitian history. It was built in the early nineteenth century and is considered one of the oldest historical landmarks since independence. It is named after General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who led the people to a revolution and became the first free-state leader (Kelly, 2022). It is located deep in the forest, thus giving those touring it a beautiful experience of nature in Haiti. The destination is critical to nature lovers and can be accessed by car or hiked on foot. At the top, the display of Port-au-Prince is given clearly; the main reason it was built at the precise location was to help the fighters spot naval attacks (Kelly, 2022). Visiting this beautiful landmark is free of charge as there are no formal guides.
Conclusion
Port-au-Prince is an essential city to Haiti historically and economically in the contemporary world. It is unique in that it serves as the capital city of Haiti, facilitates the trade of various products to the international market, and serves as a destination for tourists. Since the colonial era, it has provided administrative functions by housing the state’s leaders, such as the president. It is also one of the oldest towns, constituting various historical sites such as Fort Jacques. The state is strategically located along the coast with a good harbor, thus facilitating transport by water. It is urbanized and contains modern facilities that promote better living. The Haitian culture and tradition are displayed throughout the town by the locals and also in museums. It is an ideal place to live as the climate is favorable; the beautiful sceneries also make staying worthwhile. Breathtaking locations in the region include the National Pantheon Museum, the Cathedral ruins, and the fort. Like any other modern center, the crime levels are high but can be avoided.
The capital city of Japan, Tokyo, has long been a favorite vacation spot. The city’s tourism sector has been expanding quickly, and its primary branding approach has been essential in drawing visitors from across the globe. Nonetheless, despite Tokyo’s allure, not all of the city’s tourism-related efforts are effective, and there is a need to move toward more all-encompassing methods that incorporate more heritage and culture.
Tokyo’s current branding initiatives emphasize the city’s distinctive fusion of traditional and modern culture. The region has promoted itself as a center for fashion, anime, and technology (Roman and Bury, 2022). Yet one disadvantage of this tactic is that it could not appeal to visitors seeking a genuine cultural experience, which is why not all tactics keep enhancing the tourism images of a city. The number of visitors and revenue from tourism serves as a measure of Tokyo’s branding tactics’ performance (Sugai and Kikuchi, 2018). Tokyo’s current marketing tactics might not be universally appealing to visitors because the emphasis on technology and animation in Tokyo may not attract everybody. As a result, it could not be viable in the long run. To draw in a wider variety of tourists, Tokyo must strike a balance between its emphasis on technology and the promotion of its rich cultural legacy.
Tokyo should implement new branding tactics to draw in a wider spectrum of tourists and improve the city’s tourism reputation. Tokyo might start by emphasizing the promotion of its extensive cultural legacy, including its temples, shrines, and traditional festivals (Berger, 2019). Tokyo might even encourage eco-friendly tourism to draw in conscientious travelers (Crowe-Delaney, 2021). Over the long term, these options might be better than existing strategies since they will help the city to keep the city’s tourist sector current and relevant (Yanagi, 2022). Tokyo will continue to draw a wide variety of tourists and keep its status as a top travel destination by implementing innovative techniques. Tokyo may utilize metrics, including visitor volume and revenues from tourism, to measure the efficacy of new branding initiatives.
Hence, despite Tokyo’s appeal, not all tourist-attraction initiatives are effective, and more holistic plans that incorporate more heritage and culture are needed. To maintain its position as a leading tourist destination, Tokyo needs to evolve its branding strategies to attract a more diverse range of tourists. By adopting new branding strategies, Tokyo can continue to attract tourists and enhance its tourism image in the long run.
Reference List
Berger, A. A. (2019). Brands and cultural analysis. Germany: Springer International Publishing.
Crowe-Delaney, L. (2021). Tourism and coastal development in Japan. Germany: Springer Nature Singapore.
Paris is one of the best places to visit in France and Europe on account of proficiently learning about art and history. Different landmarks contribute to the essence of Paris as a preferred tourist destination. Transcendentally, the vital havens include the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. The sites represent profound historical foundations among the French, European, and international evolutionary scales on certain quotients (Duncan 250). The Eiffel Tower demonstrates the power of architectural designs. The Louvre Museum exhibits core artistry concepts and revolutionary perspectives from distinctive parties. Primarily, touring Paris offers an opportunity to enhance the multicultural diversity experience while developing a social network.
The first visit would involve the Eiffel Tower based on international admiration while enjoying the view of the Champ de Mars. As a historical spectacle, research indicates that it illustrates the optimal intersection of physics concepts including aerodynamics, tension, torque, traction, and compression (González-Almeyda et al. 1). Further, the proximity to the impeccable beauty ascertains core morale on the world’s wonders. The second visit would be to the Louvre Museum to learn and experience the socio-cultural dynamics, frameworks, and constituents of the French foundational pillars. The construction of the Louvre Museum is an inspiration from a reversion of the prince’s palace to rationalize enlightenment among individuals.
The central role of the visit encapsulates attaining intense knowledge concerning divergent features of French revolutionary scale, architectural practices, and artistry. Therefore, apart from learning about history and art, I will record videos and take photos to mark as a memory library. A different thing that will happen entails intensifying my social interactions and engaging in upcoming cultural events. Participation contributes to the acknowledgment and buildup of a network with dynamic personalities. During the touring experience, I will create a journal and write down key points on daily encounters to review at the end of the trip.
Content analysis is a very convenient method for research in the field of social sciences, management, and marketing. The tourism industry, in many ways, relies on the vision of consumers of services and products to improve business. The owners of Mantra Terrace hotel will find useful information in the research, where the authors measure the importance of some aspects of hotel service for guests. Mantra Terrace hotel, despite the significant demand among travelers and corporate officers, has many problems that require an immediate solution. The results of the study showed that expensive parking, poor breakfast options, messy rooms, and small room size cause complaints from visitors. At the same time, guests are extremely satisfied with the location of the hotel, the design of the rooms, and the courtesy of the reception staff. The last three features are paradoxically dangerous, because they typically characterize hostels, while Mantra Terrace hotel positions itself as a middle-class B&B facility.
Property Description
Mantra Terrace is a hotel located in downtown Brisbane, Australia, targeted at lower-middle income and middle-income customers. This 12-story hotel with balconies is a decent version of B&B stays and boasts 96 elegant rooms for one and two persons, free Wi-Fi, an iPod dock, and Foxtel TV. The hotel has a 24-hour reception, allowing for early and late check-ins and check-outs. The information on the website assures that the hotel has “secure undercover parking,” and is located close to the Queen Street Mall and Eagle Street Financial District. Currently, a hotel has been facing some difficulties in providing services, and there is a warning message saying that due to COVID-19-related restrictions, “the hotel facilities may experience temporary closures or changes to operating times and/or services provided” (“Mantra Terrace Hotel,” 2022, para. 8). It is also said that some inconveniences can be prevented through scheduling with the help of the hotel reception.
Method
The method of content analysis is a great tool for analyzing the massive amount of semantic data, including texts of all sorts – scholarly articles, news, feedback responses, books, and other types of information that consist of words. The content analysis method primarily focuses on developing a coding system for conceptual or relational analysis (Kleinheksel et al., 2020). The conceptual analysis was used to systematize the reviews from the TripAdvisor website.
The responses were put into a table, and the text was then reduced to categories and codes. The category system was used extensively and proved to be very handy. It included eight categories for ‘product aspects’ responses – location, hotel facilities, room style, room size, in-room facilities, cleanliness, tranquility, and in-F&B options. Six categories for ‘service aspects’ responses were developed as well – staff, reception, room service, housekeeping, car park service, and breakfast. There were also two categories for ‘overall comment and willingness to stay again’ – positive comments and negative comments. Codes green, red, and blue were used for positive, negative, and neutral keywords.
The relationship between concepts was determined through the grouping of categories. The deductive approach was used to analyze the responses as regards the overarching moods of customers, and how many deficiencies in particular categorized product or service aspects impacted the overall impression and decision to visit again (Park et al., 2018). The deductive approach was also applied in terms of developing the codes and categories system (Pandey et al., 2019). Forty-three responses from the TripAdvisor website were analyzed, dated February 2020 – September 2022. The inductive approach was used to come up with some insights regarding everyday in-hotel staying, probable improvements, and innovations.
Results
The content analysis method described above proved to be very effective. First, positive feedback should be considered, so that the shareholders see the main strengths of their property. Location is an important component of a positive visitor experience, with 16 positive reviews during the period (Verhagen et al., 2021). In ten cases, reviews of the place included positive impressions of the friendly staff, and in four cases, they coincided with an overall intention to visit again. The friendly staff category collected 17 positive responses, which can also be considered an important advantage of the hotel (Al-Ansi and Han, 2019). The design of the rooms is also seen positively, with 12 responses expressing satisfaction.
The second category of reviews is mixed impressions of guests, and it requires utmost attention. For example, 12 responses mentioned satisfaction with the cleanliness of the rooms, while 4 people were extremely dissatisfied with the complete lack of room cleaning during 4-day stays, and another 4 were surprised by the lack of room service. Equally important, 10 guests were satisfied by in-room facilities, mentioning comfortable beds, good wi-fi, and TV, big-sized TV screen with sports programs, a nice bathroom, compact and cozy rooms.
But another 14 guests were left with extremely negative impressions, complaining about no light in the bathroom, no hot water, lousy ventilation, no soap, no TV, and ‘granite-hard’ beds. Negative responses also reported confusing bed settings, absence of desks for laptops, bad table and sitting arrangement, no channels except Netflix paid subscription on TV, poorly working TV, not working TV, not working air conditioner, and air conditioner leaking water. Other guests were dissatisfied with the loud sounds from the upper and neighboring rooms, while 3 guests considered the hotel very quiet and cozy. Mixed reviews also include complaints about the lack of a restaurant in the hotel with 6 more recent negative reviews, while responses for 2021 and 2020 indicated satisfaction with the in-hotel breakfast, and another 5 guests were satisfied with the opportunity to drink coffee with pastries or visit the bar.
The third category of reviews is extensively negative, and those that did not have positive connotations. These are 8 reviews about paid parking with high prices, 20 negative reviews about room sizes, and 4 reviews sharing dissatisfaction with hotel facilities such as ‘terrible lift’ and ‘confusing entrance.’ Some guests were dissatisfied with the staff – 3 negative reviews complaining about rudeness, discriminatory behavior, and refusal to solve the guest’s problem.
To sum it up, the most important for guests were no parking, no in-hotel restaurant, problems with in-room facilities, room cleanliness, room services, and tranquility. Twenty guests were dissatisfied with the size of the rooms and suggested they are designed for one guest. The most positive impressions were caused by the location, the design of the rooms and in-room facilities, friendly staff, and fast check-ins.
Recommendations
Given the above, shareholders, top managers, and heads of departments should consider the following improvements to preserve the hotel’s reputation and fix the guests’ overall impressions. First, the parking problem should be served – guests were mostly offended by the price, which was seen as too high, compared to the price for the hotel stay. Some 3 guests even said they will never visit the hotel again due to this deficiency, so the price should be lowered to at least $20-25 per night. The absence of an in-hotel restaurant was another major issue, and, although on the website it is said that the kitchen may not be working due to COVID-19 measures, this service should be restored to improve the situation, especially given that Mantra Terrace hotel is positioning itself as a B&B class option, not a hostel.
Further, the hotel back-office departments should be informed of numerous problems with in-room facilities, tranquility, lack of room and cleaning service. These are all issues that caused expressive negative feedback and impacted the guests’ final decisions on whether to visit the hotel again. The managers should rethink the policy of attending to problems with the in-room equipment, such as ventilation, air conditioning, working TV, hot water, and light in the bathroom (Sinulingga, 2021). Then, the arrangement of furniture and the quality of the mattresses should be checked – some rooms should be complemented with laptop desks, while in others the bed arrangement should be changed for better convenience (Alemayehu, 2020). Daily cleaning and available room service is a must for decent B&B hotels (Ineson et al., 2019). Therefore, the department managers should hire more cleaners and increase the expenses in this area, this notice regards the room service as well. The front office should also attend to the complaints about the noise and the rudeness of some reception staff and baristas.
Finally, the hotel should warn guests about the size of the rooms, and offer alternatives for accommodation, such as discounts for a second room for people who come in pairs or groups. Currently, the situation is critical, as the main characteristics that make visitors happy are the design of the rooms, the location, and the courtesy of the staff, which are typical signs of a good hostel. If the Mantra Terrace hotel wants to remain in the category of B&B hotels, the top management should consider the comments presented in the results section and listen to the advice and recommendations given above.
Reference List
Al-Ansi, A., & Han, H. (2019) ‘Role of halal-friendly destination performances, value, satisfaction, and trust in generating destination image and loyalty,’ Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 13, 51-60.
Alemayehu, E. (2020). Assessment of the level of customer satisfaction with in-room technological facilities for branded hotels: A case of Best Western Plus Addis Ababa (Doctoral dissertation, St. Mary’s University).
Ineson, E. M., Čomić, D., & Kalmić, L. (2019) ‘Towards a hierarchy of hotel guests’ in-room needs,’ International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 5, 1-15.
Kleinheksel, A. J., Rockich-Winston, N., Tawfik, H., & Wyatt, T. R. (2020) ‘Demystifying content analysis,’ American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(1).
Pandey, J. (2019) ‘Deductive approach to content analysis,’ In Qualitative techniques for Workplace Data Analysis (pp. 145-169). IGI Global.
Park, S., Hahn, S., Lee, T., & Jun, M. (2018) ‘Two factor model of consumer satisfaction: International tourism research,’ Tourism Management, 67, 82-88.
Sinulingga, S. (2021) ‘Tourism & Covid-19 (Coronavirus Impact Inventory to Tourism Stakeholders in North Sumatera),’ Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal) Vol, 4(1), 170-179.
Verhagen, T., Meents, S., Merikivi, J., Moes, A., & Weltevreden, J. (2021) ‘How location-based messages influence customers’ store visit attitudes: An integrative model of message value,’ International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 12, 1-10.
Scholars and practitioners are in agreement that the modern hotel and hospitality industry would not have attained its present status had it not been for the dedicated and passionate contribution of a number of its founders, one of them going by the name of Conrad Hilton.
Indeed, Conrad is perceived by many renowned hoteliers of modern times as the “founding father” of today’s hospitality industry (Lockyer xiii). This paper aims to provide a deep insight into the man who has led the hospitality industry from the front, particularly in relation to his background, company, history, accomplishments, and contributions to the hospitality industry.
Born in 1887 to a Norwegian migrant father and a German-American mother, Conrad Nicholson Hilton rose from humble backgrounds to build perhaps the best known hotel brand, both in the U.S. and globally.
As observed by family members and business associates, not only did Conrad Hilton project a strong belief in the American dream, but derived his philosophy and might “…from his faith in God, his belief in the brotherhood of man, his patriotic confidence in his country, and his conviction that natural law obligates all humankind to help relieve the suffering and distress of the destitute” (DeFranco 1).
These principles, it is believed, assisted Conrad to establish the business empire that operated, and still operates, under the flagship company – Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Although Conrad Hilton acquired his first hotel, the Cisco Mobley Hotel, in 1919, it was not until 1946 when Hilton Hotels Corporation was formed to take care of the expanding business. Even though the corporation made history in 1947 as the first hotel entity to list its stock on the New York Stock Exchange, it was Conrad Hilton who shook the hotel and hospitality industry to the core when, in the same year, became the president and the largest stockholder of Hilton Hotels Corporation (Reference for Business para. 8).
Additionally, it is the Hilton Hotels Corporation, under the able leadership and guidance of Conrad N. Hilton, which sealed the largest hotel merger in the industry when, in 1954, Hilton Hotels sealed a deal with Ellsworth Milton Statler for the purchase of Statler Hotel Company for $111 million (Reference for Business para. 10).
In 1948, Hilton Hotels Corporation was again instrumental in the establishment of yet another company, the Hilton International Company, to take care of the expanding international hotel business. Today, the company owns, manages, and franchises in excess of 2000 hotels in the U.S. alone, not mentioning that it oversees the operations of Conrad Hotels, the company’s international arm (Reference for Business para. 1).
To write or rewrite the history of Conrad Hilton may, in itself, be self-defeating due to the great influence that Hilton had on the hospitality industry, and which has led hotel commentators to argue that each day was history for this great man (Lockyer 9).
However, it is imperative to note that Conrad Hilton, who lived from 1887 to 1979, left an indelible mark in the hotel and hospitality industry. The hotel mogul, who had earlier wanted to become a banker, bought his first hotel in 1919 in Texas to cash in on the influx of fatigued oil-seekers and railroad travelers (DeFranco 2).
The hotel performed exceedingly well that, in 1925, Conrad Hilton was able to construct the first hotel bearing the ‘Hilton’ name in Dallas. In 1946, the Hilton Hotels Corporation was formed to manage the rapidly expanding chain of hotels, and in 1947, the corporation became the first company ever to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Reference for Business para. 29). In 1949, Conrad Hilton bought the lease on the exclusive New York’s Waldorf-Astoria, and in 1953, Conrad, through Hilton International, decided to taste international waters by opening the first European Hilton in Madrid (Lockyer 11).
Hilton International, the company charged with the responsibility of managing Hilton’s international hotels, was transformed into a public company in 1964,and in 1970, the same corporation sought to diversify its business operations by purchasing two casino hotels in Las Vegas. As already mentioned, Conrad Hilton died in 1979, but not without demonstrating to practitioners in the hotel industry that he was a force to reckon with.
In terms of accomplishments, it is important to note that Conrad Hilton is still regarded as one of the founding fathers of today’s hospitality industry, not mentioning that his company, Hilton Hotels Corporation, was the first hotel company to list its stock on the New York Stock Exchange.
Having started with only one hotel in 1919, Conrad Hilton was by 1953 sampling the international hotel scene, an accomplishment that the feint hearted can only dream to achieve. In 1954, Conrad Hilton was at the center of the largest hotel merger in the industry when Hilton Hotels Corporation bought the Statler Hotel Company for a staggering $111 million (Reference for Business para 10).
The merger, in my view, must have been one of the greatest accomplishments for Conrad Hilton. Lastly, although Conrad is long dead, he still touches and improves the lives of the disadvantaged and the destitute through his own personal initiative – the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which not only assist the homeless and people suffering from HIV, alcoholism, and drug abuse, but also assist numerous non-governmental organizations to sustain and expand the impact of their work (Conrad N. Hilton Foundation para. 1).
Lastly, it is indeed true that Conrad Hilton has impacted the hotel industry in a positive yet disarming manner. It is obvious that Conrad’s management style, philosophy and values are variants that can be imitated or adopted by practitioners in the hotel industry to achieve success.
Conrad had the capacity to buy underperforming hotels and convert them into cash-flowing assets, not mentioning that he is credited for developing innovative joint-venture arrangements that were later adopted by hotel owners as the standard industry practice (Lockyer 12). These and other contributions demonstrate that Conrad was indeed a man that stood above the rest.
Lockyer, Timothy L.G. The International Hotel Industry: Sustainable Management. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, Inc. 2007.
Reference for Business. Hilton Hotels Corporation – Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on Hilton Hotels Corporation. 2011. Web.
Tourism in Jiangsu Province is one of the main economic activities that have experienced massive growth over the past few years. According to Zhang, the geographic location and topography of this province has made it very attractive both to the local and international tourists.
Environmental analysis of tourism in this province clearly indicates that this province has remained one of the most popular destinations for tourists who want to understand the historic and cultural heritage of the Chinese. The manner in which nature and modern day architecture have been brought together in various locations within the province never ceases to amaze many of the tourists.
Current Situation of Jiangsu Tourism
Jiangsu tourism has been experiencing consistent growth over the years, especially due to the economic development of this country. Although the province is also known for its agricultural production, it has gained global attention because of the unique features it offers to tourists.
The local government has developed environmental conservancy policies that are meant to protect water and vegetations in order to preserve the sceneries that have been attracting local and international tourists. The increasing local and international competition has put a lot of pressure on the administration of this region to find ways of maintaining a steady flow of tourists into this region.
Jiangsu Tourism SWOT
In order to understand the environmental factors that have been affecting tourism in Jiangsu province, a SWOT analysis would be necessary. The strength of tourism in this province lies in a number of factors. The location of this province makes it a very attractive centre for tourists. The province borders the Yellow Sea, making it an attractive location for tourists who want to cruise along the coastal strip or the Great Canal.
The region is also known for its cultural heritage of the old Chinese practices. According to Mimi, this province acted as the capital for six ancient Chinese Dynasties that were very prosperous during their reigns. Many Chinese have associated the province with royalty, a fact that has attracted many local tourists.
The strategic location of the province and the infrastructural development has made it easily accessible to tourists. The developed hospitality industry has made it easy for this region to accommodate its visitors even during high seasons. As Alastair observes, the high level of security has also helped the region attract more tourists.
Despite the above strengths, the region has some weaknesses that have made it vulnerable in the tourism industry. One of the main weaknesses is that the majority of the population does not understand other foreign languages such as English, French or Spanish. This means that it may not be very attractive to non-Chinese speakers.
It is also important to note that some of the indigenous trees have been lost because the policy makers have failed to lay emphasis on the need to regulate human encroachment in some of the protected areas. The increasing population in this province may also force the administration to reduce the percentage of the protected lands to give way for residential to the local population.
The market has a number of opportunities that this region can take advantage of in order to advance its tourism. According to Arlt, the number of international tourists who visit China has been on the rise.
This means that this organization can take advantage of this growth in tourism within the country. The economic development of the country also means that the 1.3 billion Chinese have the capacity to boost tourism. This massive population can support local tourism in this region.
However, the region has been exposed to local and international competition that threatens its prosperity. The increasing rate of pollution in this region that is attributed to its closeness to the City of Shanghai, is threatening the natural vegetations and other living organism in this region. If the authorities fail to address this issue as soon as possible, some of the natural beauties in this region may be affected.
Jiangsu Tourism PEST
In order to understand the external market, a PEST analysis would be necessary. According to Gang, the political environment in Jiangsu province has been stable over the years, a factor that has boosted tourism. The province has enjoyed a long period of peace, making it possible for the tourists to visit the region without fear of sporadic attacks. The national government of the country has also been supportive to tourism as one of the main pillars of the country’s economy.
The economic environment of this country has also promoted tourism. China is the second largest economy in the world, after the United States. This means that local tourism can easily be supported because people are economically empowered. The growing relevance of China as an economic powerhouse has also increased the flow of the international community into the province.
This has boosted tourism in this region. It is important to note that the growing relevance of Dubai as another economic hub in Asia may have a negative impact on tourism in this country.
The socio-cultural environment of this province has affected tourism in a number of ways. The cultural practices of Jiangsu people have attracted many international tourists who are interested in understanding the Chinese culture. The unique housing structure, the dressing mode, the martial arts, and traditional foods have attracted a lot of attention from the international community. The strong attachment that the local Chinese have towards their culture has also boosted local tourism.
Technological environment has also helped in promoting tourism in Jiangsu province. Improved transport system makes it easy for local and international tourists to move easily, making their tour more enjoyable. With improved communication system, popularizing the region in the international market has been easy. Most of the sceneries have also been improved, thanks to advancements in technology.
Jiangsu Tourism Competition Situation
Jiangsu tourism is facing massive competition both in the domestic and international market. There are other regions within the republic of China that have been attracting local and international tourists. Locally, Guangxi Province has been one of the popular tourist hubs, especially its A Li River where tourists visit to enjoy cruising in a serene environment. Other local regions that have been attracting tourists include Leshan’s Giant Buddha of Tang Dynasty, Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor, and Beijing’s Forbidden City.
International tourist destinations such as Leeds in England, Flanders in Belgium, Adelaide in Australia, Normandy in France, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and the Grand Canyon in the United States have also posed serious threats to this firm. Tourism management board in this province must find ways of managing both local and international competition in order to maintain the flow of tourists into this province.
Bibliography
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This brochure contains travel information for persons who would wish to travel to the City of Riyadh from Toronto. The flight information provides rates from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH). It is relatively cheaper to fly by Lufthansa Airlines as their current rates averages $1557 and is less variable. Riyadh is located at approximately 6629 miles north- west of Canada. The city is the capital of Saudi Arabia and serves as the head quarter of Al-Yamamah province. It has a hot and dry climate because it is located in a desert.
The city derives its name from former wadis that dominated the area underlined by a water course. During that time, the place was covered by gardens proliferating orchards and palm trees. Since the wadis dried up, the city planners sunk a number of well to reach zones of permanent saturation in the water table. Ultimately this solves the problems of the Kingdom’s capital. The city is home to modern buildings, in both Arabic designs and contemporary architecture most fitted with state of art equipment and facilities. It is situated in the heart of Arabian Peninsula. Due to its rich history and cultural diversity, the city is listed as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. It is adequately served with transport network and all necessary means of communication is presently established in the city and its environs.
The main airport that serves the city is the Riyadh’s King Khalid international airport (RUH) which is located approximately 35 kilometers away from the city’s central business district. There are a number of cabs available to transport passengers and their luggage from the airport to the city. The premier airport receives airlines from many parts of the world. The common airlines which operate in the airport include British airways, Lufthansa and Emirates Airlines. The official language is Arabic and because the majority of the natives are Muslims, Islam is the main religion. As the cradle of Islam, the Kingdom is ruled by the Sharia law. There are many tourist attractions that draw many tourists both to the capital and the Kingdom as a whole. The attractions range from ancient architecture to modern self contained malls. The presence of good hotels, villas, and theatres also guarantee visitors suitable accommodation and promotes them to tour Arabia. Some of the attractions identified for an organized group of people visiting the capital for five days are illustrated below. To ensure that the tourist obtain optimal value of their visit, the sites are carefully selected and the schedule arranged to the flexibility of the visitors each day. The attractions selected are: the Al Musmak Castle, the Kingdom’s Tower in Riyadh, Al Murabba’a Palace, Al Dough Park and Riyadh Museum of history and Archeology.
Al Musmak Castle is found along Khazzan Street. It is considered an important part of the city’s history. The Castle was constructed by King Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Rasheed. Later, Riyadh was conquered by King Abdulazziz when he invaded the territory with the help of his military. Since the Al Riyadh Development Authority converted the castle into a museum, it has been more accessible to the public at considerably low fees. Some of the interesting sights at the castle include The Mosque of Al Musmak Castle, The Sitting Place or Saloon, The Watch Towers of Al Musmak Castle, The Well of Al Musmak Castle and The Gate of the Palace. The mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the city. It was established around the time Mecca was being established. It contains prehistoric Islamic literature among other arte facts that were used by the royal family of King Mohammed. The sitting place or Saloon provides a calm and peaceful environment that is essential to recollection activities particularly for group that might still want to be reserved while away from home the castle has four watch towers. At each watch tower, there are abandoned rifles that were used for defense of the city during the reign of King Mohammed. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia holds strongly to its religious teachings. Hence the scheduling off visits to the Castle is set as Sunday for girls while boys go in on Mondays and Wednesday. This arrangement id made for families intending to visit the castle and does not affect everybody.
Al Musmak Castle
The Kingdom centre stands to a height of 311metres. This is the tallest building in Saudi Arabia and it is visible from all direction of the city. The tower is built on a 94, 230 square meters land. It belongs to the price of Saudi royal family. It has a approximately 30 floors under the ground. As the land mark of the kingdom it is home to certain envoys and major government offices are situated in this building.
Kingdom Centre, Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Riyadh Museum of history and Archeology
The museum is a must visit. It showcases local art, religion and culture as well as the diverse and intriguing history of the Arabian Kingdoms. Artifacts such as jewelry, musical instruments including weapons as old as the Stone Age are on display in this museum. The first floor of the museum is a library containing spiritual books and classical writings of the Kingdoms ancient History.
Al Murabba’a Palace
This is a principal component of the King Abdulaziz Darat which comprise of an institute and a library mainly for the purpose of preserving the Arabian history. The palace is situated outside the original city walls some of which were brought down when the kingdom was attacked. It is found on Kanzzat Street.
Al Dough Park. The park is located at Towiak Quarter in western Riyadh. It covers an area of 57,000 square meters. It is fenced by a metallic grill on the outside. On the inside, it is enclosed by an evergreen live fence to make it appeal more to visitors. Green areas cover about 60% of the park region. There is a water pool right at the middle of the park that provides beautiful scenery through its cascading flows. The park has lime lawns, trees and a bright water fountain including playing areas for children. There are fast food shops near by and the sitting area suits both the environment and the location. The garden had adequate parking space which relieves one of the worry for parking space.
While at Riyadh, you can enjoy “Kapsa” (a meal of Chicken and Rice) prepared according to the preference of the Arabs native to Riyadh. Its recipe features olive oil, medium chopped onion, ground cardamom, chicken broth, water, chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, garlic , lemon, cinnamon sticks, boxes of raisins , breast halves package of skinless boneless chicken and thigh bones with basmati rice. The procedure involves baking the chicken in a preheated oven to a bout 300 degrees Fahrenheit. While the chicken is baking the oil is heated in a pot then chopped onions are added to it together with cardamom and keep stirring the mixture when it thickens chicken is added, followed by remaining cardamom, tomato , tomato paste, garlic powder, lemon rind, cinnamon stick, salt and raisins to the browned onions and water. Cooking continues as heat is regulated till both the chicken and rice are fully cooked. The rice and chicken are served simultaneously.
For purposes of accommodation, we chose reservations at Al Faisaliah Hotel which is the most elegant in Riyadh considering its space and number of suits. It is managed by Rosewood Hotel &Resorts. All the rooms feature the present day furnishings, amenities and the latest telecommunication systems. The hotel also offers a 24 hour butler service. The best dining facilities and convenient services made it preferable. We also considered catering for dinner. The total cost per person is $810 per day. The cost includes accommodation meals and entry fees to all the proposed attractions.
Al Faisaliah Hotel Suits
There are a number of handicraft and souvenir that one can buy from Riyadh. These include silverware and materials made of gold. Thus jewelry and ornaments are commonly made out of these materials in the city. Fashion designs identical to people of the locality are also available from the shopping malls. These cloths are souvenir since they are bought for use only in certain specific occasions. Musical instruments are sold as souvenirs. Some of the instruments have been used in King’s palace and during important ceremonies in the Kingdom while performing music to the occasions.
One of the most fascinating and enjoyable outdoor activities that a person can go for is a wilderness hike through several of the country’s numerous national parks, forests, and mountain paths. Through this activity, not only do you get a moderate degree of exercise as you walk through the various designated routes set out by the tour guide but you also get to experience nature in all its glory.
From snow capped mountains, to dense woodlands, and even scenic lakeshores; a nature trail can let you experience all the wonders of nature with your family and friends at your side. Best of all, a wilderness hike is usually quite safe given the fact that the areas picked for the hike are along paths that are seldom frequented by large carnivores such as wolves, bears, mountain lions or an assortment of other predators.
Degree of Difficulty
While a wilderness hike does require a certain degree of preparation such as making sure you have a first aid kit, enough water to sustain you throughout the hike as well as easy to eat lunches that can be stored back into your bag; there is little difficulty involved in actually going for a nice hike.
All you need is to be marginally fit in terms of being able to last walking more than 5 miles or so through a variety of environments. Overall, whether you are young or old a wilderness hike is something for people of all ages and should not be missed given the way in which you get to observe the wonders of nature first hand.
Why do People participate in this Kind of Activity?
One of the main reasons why people participate in this sort of activity is that it allows them to feel and experience nature directly through their senses instead of looking at nature through a TV screen or a reading about it on the internet. In fact, many nature lovers take extensive wilderness hikes all throughout the various woodland areas throughout the U.S. in order to better appreciate the natural wonders within the country.
Aside from being able to commune with nature there are actually numerous health benefits associated with going for a wilderness hike. For one thing, it helps to improve a person’s cardiovascular health since constant hiking helps to strengthen the muscles of the heart while at the same time increases a person’s stamina. Not only that, constant exposure to fresh air devoid of pollutants actually helps to ease lung related illnesses. All in all, the activity is both a boon for the mind as well as the body since it benefits both.
Basic Equipment Needed
In order to properly participate in a wilderness hike you will actually need an extensive collection of items in order to ensure both your safety and your overall health during the hike. First and foremost, all hikers need to have a plentiful water supply at all times since it is unlikely there will be suitable areas where you can get water along the trail.
This involves having to bring a large jug filled with water that is waterproof so that no liquids will spill into the contents of your backpack. You will also need to be wearing the proper attire; this consists of sturdy hiking boots, loose but durable clothing as well as having spare clothes within your backpack.
Easy to store food are also necessities, with pre-packed sandwiches or other convenient forms of sustenance being the type of food you need bring along and eat during break periods. Lastly, in case of possible emergencies you need to bring along a first aid kit as well as a mobile phone with good reception so that you can call emergency services in case something happens.
Ideal Location for the Activity
The ideal location for this type of activity would have to any number of state parks, hiking trails and mountainous regions within the U.S. that have scenic but easy to navigate routes. For example, Yellowstone Park, the Great Lakes Region, the Rocky Mountains, and the deserts of Nevada all have dozens of well utilized hiking trails that anyone can go for.
Rei Adventures
Services Provided
This particular wilderness hike tour company provides a variety of tour packages for any number of locations both within the U.S. and in other countries. The company fully books your hotel stay, transportation and ensures that qualified guides are with you every step of the way in order to ensure that throughout your trip you are as safe and secure as possible.
Facilities Utilized
This particular company does not have a facility where customers can go to; rather most of the transactions are done online with a tour guide meeting up with you and the other hikers at the location. It must be noted though that the hotels where the company usually registers you at are actually quite pleasant to stay at and as such if that is measure by which the company will be judged then I have to say that they have excellent facilities.
Target Market
Given the prices posted on their website, (ranging from $650 to $6,000) the company mainly caters to individuals who are hiking fanatics or companies that are arranging retreats for their executive staff. As such, the target market for them is probably around the age range of 30 to 45 years old, or merely people who can afford the hiking packages that they have available.
Pricing
While their prices may be quite high, the fact is that given the spectacular destinations that the hikes usually encompass the prices are well worth it since some of these locations are in areas few people have seen or have been to.
Most Appealing Aspect of this Provider
The most appealing aspect of this particular wilderness tour provider is the fact that they have so many locations to choose from that it would take most of your lifetime in order to try them all out.
