Students in the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center's Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) visited the recently refurbished adults-only hotel in Frederiksted, The Fred.
The hotel's human resources and training manager Lauren gave students a tour of the property and crash course in the hospitality industry.
All month long, students have been engaging with key players in St. Croix's hospitality and tourism industry. The Virgin Islands' tourism product is key to the growth and sustainability of the economy.
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St. Croix Educational Complex alumnus and Owner of Virgin Islands Food Tours and Cruzan Foodie Anquanette Gaspard visited the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center's Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) and the Academy of Finance (AOF) to speak to students about entrepreneurship.
Ms. Gaspard was met at the front gate by AOHT tenth-grader Anthony Mardenborough, Jr., and escorted to the classroom where she was presenting.
Following a brief ice-breaker, Gaspard introduced her business to the students. She then engaged the students in a brainstorming session discussing events and activities they can coordinate, to include a food tour on the island.
Gaspard entertained topics such as challenges she faced as a minority business owner, the importance of customer service, hiring the right staff, handling difficult customers and her successes.
In the tourism industry that promotes local cuisine, Gaspard told students, “don’t forget your culture, even if you embark on opportunities in the United States (mainland).”
