Essays

ABBIE-GAYLE JOHNSON
Having a never-dying love for the hospitality and tourism industry over the years, I deem it a great privilege to pursue this exciting yet challenging path. I am currently an undergraduate student enrolled in the Hospitality and Tourism Management program offered by the University of Technology, Jamaica with major in travel and tourism management and minor in Marketing.

My journey towards my ultimate goal in life of being a vibrant, prominent tourism ambassador has not been an easy one. Many challenges have come my way over the past months but as a result of knowledge and experience gained from the industry, I have been able to conquer these threats with the strengths I possess. Hard work and determination are the key elements of survival which prove useful on a day-today basis at the University.

The semester is at its peak now and I can assure you that I have learnt a lot, both academically and socially. As a seasoned student at the tertiary level, I have been able to balance my class sessions with that of extra- curricular activities to aid my overall development. This I acknowledge as being a compulsion if one wants to become a well-rounded individual.

I am grateful for the assistance rendered to me by the lecturers and tutors at school as I am being prepared for the workforce. I have gain additional industry knowledge and practical hands-on experience which will prove useful in the demanding industry that I am looking forward to. In and out of the classroom setting, I have been given the chance to further develop my leadership, communicating, time management and technical skills. Presently, I am actively involved in one of the oldest societies, Kiwanis International through Circle K of the University of Technology, Jamaica where I am able to contribute to the community at large. I have also been given the opportunity to share with persons of different cultural backgrounds and create linkages with industry personnel at varying levels.

It is prudent that I express my paramount appreciation to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation for granting me this opportunity- the opportunity of moving one step closer to my goals and aspirations. Special thanks to the following persons who have assisted me every step of the way: Janet Musi, Sonia Beharry, my family and God Almighty.

My goal of gaining professional qualifications, my goal of contributing at varying levels through sustainable tourism development practices, my goal of acquiring industry experience and my absolute goal of being an ambassador to not only my island home Jamaica but to the Caribbean region and the world at large is slowly moving from just a dream to a reality.

Working to build and preserve all tourism forms from the past, for today and for the future.


~BRAND JAMAICA~
~BRAND CARIBBEAN~
~BRAND THE WORLD~
~~ONE LOVE~~~


Written by
Abbie-Gayle Johnson

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