BU Travel: Every Step is a Learning Opportunity, Bringing Real Professional Field Training
When it comes to tourism, it's like opening a door to the wider world, an opportunity to discover oneself and experience the wonders of this planet. Whether visiting historical sites, immersing in beautiful nature, or delving into different cultures, every journey offers valuable lessons and precious memories. The Faculty of Humanities and Tourism Management joins in demonstrating potential and expertise in tourism management at the Asian regional level.
Commissioned by the Department of Tourism of Bhutan, they co-organized a 5-day Educational Tourism Package for a group of officials from government agencies and private sectors during September 16-20, 2024.
The 5-day Educational Tourism Package was designed under the guidance of Dr.Siwasak Pansukkum, Chairperson, Tourism Management Department Tourism Management Department, and Dr.Chayanisa Wongphan, Instructor Tourism Management Department.
Two Tourism Management students, Mr. Pearada Phanrueang (Kisskie) and Mr. Jetsada Sringamchom (Jet), participated in learning the entire process from program design, coordination, to providing services throughout the 5 days alongside professional tour guides from BU Travel, a simulated tour company of the Tourism Management program.
The program presented various forms of tourism including historical and cultural tourism, sustainable tourism, health tourism, and community-based tourism. It covered popular tourist attractions in Bangkok such as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho, historical sites in Ayutthaya province, health tourism learning at RXV Wellness Village, and sustainable tourism at Sampran Garden in Nakhon Pathom province. Additionally, BU Travel organized an exclusive corporate meeting with tour companies to exchange insights on tourism market trends in Thailand and Bhutan. The program concluded with community-based tourism at Suan Pa Ked Nom Klao Urban Forest Community in Samut Prakan province.
Fun Travel Requires Understanding the Target
Kisskie Pearada "The fun of tourism is knowing your tour group well first. Who are they, what's their background, what's the weather like for them? These factors affect how they'll enjoy activities with us. We need to know them to create a fun program. For instance, our challenge was people from Bhutan, where hot weather affects various activities they might not be used to and might not enjoy. We need to include activities that help them cool off and avoid being in direct sunlight to make them happy."
Jet Jetsada adds, "Another important thing is the locations in the areas where we organize the program. We need to do our homework to study the information of the area. This will help us plan activities that will occur at each location and understand the suitability of activities to make them fun and continuous. Most importantly, all activities must make the tour participants feel fun and captivated."
Hands-on Experience
Kisskie Pearada "With the outstanding language skills, we gained more experience than others. We got to try real coordination, be part of the team leading tour participants in activities, understand and learn to solve various situations, and know the preferences of tour groups with different likes and interests."
Jet Jetsada "This program was fun as we got to see the lifestyles of people from different places visiting Thailand. We learned about their needs, how to provide smooth service throughout the trip. The food must be delicious and suitable, and importantly, we need to be considerate of those with food allergies or vegetarians, ensuring they can enjoy delicious food that they like, no different from others in the same tour group."
