Curtin Malaysia tourism and hospitality students go on field trip to one of Miri’s leading hotels

Miri, Sarawak – 23 May 2024 – As part of their ongoing education in the dynamic field of tourism and hospitality, students from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently went on a field trip to Imperial Hotel, one of Miri’s leading hotels. The visit provided the students with an invaluable opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insights into the operations of a leading hotel establishment.

The students were warmly welcomed on arrival by the Imperial Hotel’s management team, and given briefings on hotel operations by the heads of various departments of the hotel. These informative sessions covered various aspects of hotel operations, including guest services, event management, sustainability practices, and the challenges of managing a diverse workforce in the hospitality industry.

“The visit to Imperial Hotel was a really enlightening experience for the students,” remarked Dr. Ho Jie Min, lecturer in the Department of Management, Marketing and Digital Business, and the field trip coordinator. “It provided them with a unique opportunity to witness the inner workings of a renowned hotel and to engage directly with industry professionals. Such hands-on experiences are invaluable in preparing our students for successful careers in tourism and hospitality.”

Additionally, the students were taken on a tour of the hotel’s rooms, allowing them to witness first-hand the meticulous attention to detail and impeccable standards maintained in guest accommodations. This experience gave students valuable insights into the importance of quality assurance and guest satisfaction in the hospitality sector.

The field trip concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which the students posed questions to the hotel’s management team. This engaging exchange further enriched the learning experience, fostering meaningful dialogue, and facilitating a deeper understanding of the hospitality industry’s intricacies.

Tourism and hospitality are rapidly growing industries offering career paths in areas such as tourism development, event and festival organisation, and hotel and resort management. Curtin Malaysia, along with the Curtin campuses, in Australia, Mauritius and Singapore, offers Curtin’s three-year Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality.

In this double degree major, students gain the knowledge and skills they need to become effective managers in the tourism and hospitality sectors in Malaysia and overseas. In addition, they learn about contemporary issues in international tourism, such as event and tourism sustainability, the impact of tourism and events on the local and global economy, destination management, hospitality management, and marketing.

The course is accredited by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) TedQual Certification, as well as a number of tourism and hospitality and marketing related professional bodies in Australia. It also endorsed by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

As part of the course, students gain hands-on experience at tourism hotspots, and go on field trips  to local tourism destinations and establishments.

There is also the option of pursuing  the Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Tourism and Hospitality, with added focus on marketing where students learn to blend advertising, promotions, digital and social media marketing, public relations, retailing and sales strategies to promote an organisation’s brand, products and services. For information on undergraduate courses at Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my/study/undergraduate/.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Dr. Ho (2nd right) presenting a token of appreciation to Imperial Hotel Miri Sales and Public Relations (PR) Executive Clement Chin.

The students and Dr Ho (centre) pose for group photo with Imperial Hotel staff in the hotel lobby.