“Our objective with this event is to demonstrate that one can have a lifelong career, not just a job, in the hotel and hospitality industry,” says Rick Bell, Executive Director of ABHA. “We’re telling these future industry professionals our own story, about our education and career path that got us to where we are. We also think it’s important to give students a sense of how hotels operate, and how various departments work in synchronicity to create a successful business enterprise.”

The tour will cover several topics relevant to the hospitality industry, including marketing and sales, destination management, hotel services and operations, along with many others. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to visit a few downtown Asheville hotels, including Embassy Suites, Flat Iron, Haywood Park Hotel, and Cambria. 

“It’s our pleasure to host the next generation of travel and hospitality professionals in Asheville and Buncombe County,” stated the President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “Travel and hospitality are a vital part of our local economy, with visitors contributing nearly $3 billion annually or 20% of Buncombe County's GDP. Jobs in the visitor economy form the essential foundation for meaningful and fulfilling careers across various fields such as lodging, food and beverage, marketing, operations, finance and management.

For Bell, it’s important that students realize the career opportunities that are available in Western North Carolina, and he wants to keep young talent local. He continued, “We want to encourage these students to consider starting their hotel careers in Asheville after graduation. There are many advantages that this city can offer to anyone starting a hotel career locally.”

Source: The Asheville Buncombe Hotel Association (ABHA).