September 25, 2007

Orlando CVB and UCF’s Rosen College Partner for World Tourism Day, Sept. 27

ORLANDO - In celebration of World Tourism Day, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB), in partnership with the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, will host the 3^rd Annual Tourism Job Shadow Day for students.  The Orlando CVB has organized members of the area’s tourism industry to host inquisitive and career-oriented students in their workplaces from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thirty-eight Rosen College of Hospitality Management students will take part in the Job Shadow Day.  Students were pre-screened by the Rosen College and matched to the employers that best suit their career interests. This program focuses on the industry and education working together to shape future hospitality leaders and highlight potential careers within the tourism industry. Students will be placed throughout Central Florida with employers such as the Orange County Convention Center, Loews Hotels and Arabian Knights.  

“There are some very exciting careers in the hospitality industry, making this a great time for students to pursue degrees at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management,” said Gary Sain, president and CEO of the Orlando CVB. “We reached out to our 1,400 members, encouraging them to be a part of this invaluable job shadowing opportunity.”

Rosen College sophomore Andrea Gonzalez, an Event Management major, will learn about corporate sales, events, convention services and resorts while shadowing Anne Hamilton, vice president for Resort Sales and Services at the Walt Disney World Resort.

“It allows me to observe and learn directly through a professional in the event industry,” Gonzalez said. “These individuals are established industry leaders who have the experience, knowledge and dedication that made them successful in their careers. The event industry is still a developing industry, and these professionals help set precedents for today's standards of quality and service.”

Rosen College Dean Abraham Pizam said tourism is the largest industry worldwide. “It is an industry that promotes peace and understanding between people of all nationalities and, most importantly, Florida and Central Florida would not be what they are today without the tourism industry.”

Companies such as the Walt Disney World Resort are looking forward to hosting students for a day of learning and networking.

“As a meeting professional, I'm passionate about exposing students to our industry,” Hamilton said.  “We're excited to be involved with this year's job-shadow program and consider it as another facet of the great relationship that Disney has with the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management.”

Tourism in Orlando directly employs 226,363 people and generated $29.6 billion in spending in 2005. It ranks first among the 20 major industry sectors measured by the U.S. Census Bureau.

National activities surrounding World Tourism Day started in 1980 and are coordinated by The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO/OMT), a specialized agency of the United ‎Nations and a leading international organization in the field of tourism. More information can be found at unwto.org