The brainchild of Benson Tang, ACTE’s regional director in Asia, this travel industry career familiarisation program is now in its second year and is immensely popular with participants – both those looking for employment, and hotels looking for dedicated staffers.
Corporate Social Responsibility is often perceived as environmental sustainability in a world driven by global economies and international development. CSR starts with people at the Association of Corporate Travel Executives. In Asia, ACTE is introducing aspiring hotel workers, late adolescents many of whom are underprivileged, visually impaired or disabled, to potential employment at some of the most renown hotels in the region.
“The key world in CSR is ‘social,’” said ACTE’s Executive Director Greeley Koch. “And social means ‘people.’ Not only is ACTE dedicated to bringing executives together from around the world, but we also see a need for introducing new, young talent to careers in the vast business travel industry.” Koch added that this goal is becoming a reality with support from ACTE’s members in Asia.
The brainchild of Benson Tang, ACTE’s regional director in Asia, this travel industry career familiarisation program is now in its second year and is immensely popular with participants – both those looking for employment, and hotels looking for dedicated staffers.
“Our 2014 event took place in Hong Kong, made possible by eight enthusiastic supporting companies,” said Tang. “ACTE is about providing travellers with options, but you have to see the light in a student’s eyes when they realise they have the option of working in the business travel industry.” Tang stated that ACTE brought eight supporting companies together with the Hong Chi Association, a group dedicated to providing vocational training to young people with intellectual disabilities.
The program begins with an orientation, a presentation from one or two of the supporting companies, and a behind the scenes tour of a property, including a demonstration of the kind of jobs that are available. The Hong Kong event included a demonstration of a hotel kitchen, during which a pastry chef led the class through a cupcake-baking exercise.
Supporting companies that made this event possible are:
- ACI HR Solutions
- China International Capital Corporation
- Fuji Xerox
- Hyatt Hotels
- Marco Polo Hotels
- Regal Hotels
- Regal Hong Kong
- Rosedale Kowloon
Over the last two years, Tang has conducted three of these events, one in Bangalore, India. The last event was filmed for presentation at ACTE’s landmark Asia Corporate Travel Conference in Hong Kong, which drew participants from 26 countries. Attendance at this year’s conference was substantially higher, reflecting the relevance of ACTE’s 4 Pillars Education Program and the association’s 140% membership growth in the region.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
