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Neil shared the experience and knowledge he’s gained whilst working within the Cruise and Hospitality sectors. His career spans over 30 years and he has worked around the world, including the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and South East Asia.
Neil has worked in various roles throughout his career, ranging from Entertainment Crew to Human Resources Manager. His portfolio is impressive – he is currently a Fellow and Brand Ambassador at the Institute of Hospitality and on the Chair Board of Trustees at Multi-Academy Trust, to name a few of his achievements.
Anthony started working in Hospitality at the age of 21 and hasn’t stopped since. After leaving school, he was unsure what he wanted to do with this career, however he accepted a position working as a Trainee in a large hotel group and has never looked back. He then became a Hotel General Manager at the age of 35 and to date, has managed 14 properties around the world including destinations such as the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
In 2020, Anthony took his passion for hospitality and formed a hotel company called Nomadic Escapes with his friend. They are currently building their second resort in Mauritius and are about to embark on the development of a resort in the UK.
Both speakers shared their experiences and covered topics such as organisation structures, the opportunities available, what to expect when entering the industry and tips on how to progress in the chosen career.
This was a fantastic opportunity for our students studying towards their BTEC Diploma in Travel and Tourism at Canterbury College to gain valuable insight and advice about starting a career in the Cruise and Hospitality sectors, directly from professionals who have had such successful careers in the industry.
Linda Marsh, Business Lecturer at Canterbury College, explains "by introducing students to 'real business journeys' they can connect with the path they need to consider for the future. Many students have an aspiration or mindset for a path when they come to College, but if you open up their minds to different opportunities, real people and experiences, they see more. My students have experienced what it is like to work in roles including Virgin Airlines Pilot, TUI Cabin Crew, Wales Tourist Board, cruise ship entertainment to front of house and owning a string of hotels all over the world. It’s the generosity of these business people who give up their time to talk and answer questions that really bring work and careers to life, so I will always continue to try and link business, skills and young people together to inspire the next generation".