NSW Wines featured at WineFest 07

Kenvale College of Tourism and Hospitality Management teamed with 12 NSW wineries and Department of State and Regional Development to promote the diversity and excellence of the State’s wines at its annual WineFest, held on Monday evening, 28 May 2007 at the NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney. A number of distinguished people from the industry and the media attended the event, which was organised and conducted by Kenvale students.

The event was sponsored by DSRD, working with the NSW wine industry to increase trade and consumer awareness of the quality and diversity of the NSW wines. Other platinum sponsors included the NSW Restaurant & Catering Association, Tourism Training Australia, and Tourism, Hospitality and Catering Institute of Australia.

Read the full report from Kenvale College's news web page.

NSW top hotels awarded - Congratulations!

THE Westin Hotel in Sydney has received top honours at the Australian Hotels Association NSW Annual Awards for Excellence taking out the award for Deluxe Hotel of the Year.

Amongst the other major award winners were Lillianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa (Regional Property of the Year—Deluxe) and Novotel Northbeach (Regional Property of the Year—Superior), Quay Grand Suites Sydney (Aparment-style Hotel of the Year), and Courtyard by Marriot Parramatta (Mid-market Property of the Year).

The annual awards celebrate excellence in the state’s best three, four and five star hotels. The winners go on to compete in the AHA’s national awards later this year. The awards were held at Star City which is home to the restaurant named Restaurant of the Year, Astral, and its chef Sean Connolly, who received the award for Chef of the Year.

Regional restaurant of the Year was the acclaimed Darleys at Lillianfels Blue Mountains Resort. The awards cut across all aspects of the operation of hotels with the role of concierge recognised with the Concierge of the Year Award, which went to Victor Baraya at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, Sydney, and housekeeping with Maureen Jolowicz—also from the Radisson—being named Housekeeper of the Year.

Source: http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/articles/96/0C04C796.asp

Winter Magic Festival

To some of us it feels like winter is already upon us! But the real move into winter will be “celebrated” in a big way in the Blue Mountains.

On the weekend of June 23-24, the Winter Magic Festival takes place in Katoomba to mark the changing of the season. This year there will be a special emphasis on responsible energy use.

The festival kicks off with a grand street parade of court jesters, community groups, a town crier, etc. For two days, the town is taken over with buskers, jugglers, musicians, and street stalls.

So if you’re looking for something different to do as winter moves in, keep that weekend free. http://www.wintermagic.com.au/

The Terminal

Sydney Airport’s Terminal 2 has undergone a $20 million refurbishment.

The upgrade has included the addition of an extra 15 food & beverage outlets, bringing the options to 41 outlets. They have even added a day spa and a pub.

A new look has been achieved through an increase in natural light and space, new floor surfaces, and improved signage.

Terminal 2 is the domestic terminal, utilised by more than 10 million passengers each year. The redevelopment was performed over a six stage process, to allow the terminal to continue operating with minimum disruption to passengers.

Launch of a real hotel in the virtual world!

In September, Starwood hotels became the first company in history to open a new hotel brand in the virtual world! In the months leading up to the opening of the Aloft hotel, its development can be followed through their site in the virtual world of Second Life.

Through the site, see the project unfold – from the development of the exterior and interior of the hotel to a virtual official launch party. http://www.virtualaloft.com

The actual Aloft hotels are innovative and contemporary, with in touch entertainment kiosks that recommend attractions and places to eat, download music, and surf the net. Music, aroma and lighting programs are used to set the mood in the hotels, and the design is very modern.

And the exciting news is, Starwood have announced that they are opening their first Australian Aloft hotel at Sydney airport in 2009.

Rent a Cave

Imagine spending a night in a cave in the middle of the mountains! “Hatters Hideout” in the Blue Mountains gives you the opportunity to stay in a magnificent natural cave with cathedral ceiling of ancient sandstone. An open fire is provided (the wood is already cut for you!); plus a BBQ, solar powered lights, camp beds, etc.

There are also Cave Concerts available, for a “Mountains Dreamtime” experience – imagine hearing the didgeridoo played in the acoustics of the huge sandstone cave! You will also be treated to Dreamtime stories and billy tea around a camp fire. What an experience!

http://www.hattershideout.com.au/

Minus 5

“Minus 5” is a vodka bar in Sydney’s Circular Quay built entirely of ice! Visitors stay for only 30 minutes at a time, that being the maximum time the body can endure the bar’s chilly minus 5 degree temperature.

Everything is made of ice – the walls, the seats, even the glasses you drink from. Guests are given sheepskin lined jackets, gloves and boots to wear while in the bar.

Minus 5 even host team building days. A work team have the opportunity to build an ice sculpture or solve the mystery of “The Rescue of Catalina Pasquale”.

The bar is constructed from 46,000 litres of cold water. The ice is imported from Canada as they have high density ice there which holds is shape longer. Minus 5 recycles the water for the use of watering office plants in Sydney’s CBD.

See more at: http://www.minus5experience.com/Page.php?page=38

International Visitors to Australia

The UK continues to be the greatest source of visitors to Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. And the second most common place of origin of our visitors is still New Zealand.

Tourism Australia provides comparative statistics on the number of international visitors to Australia. According to the latest statistics, the number of visitors in January was 2% less than the numbers visiting Australia in January of the previous year. However, the total numbers visiting in December and in February were up by 7% on the previous year.

For more information on visitors to Australia, see http://www.tourism.australia.com/Research.asp?sub=0318

Work on an Island

Read about the experiences of a past Kenvale student who went to work on Hayman Island for a few months:

Hayman Island presents a unique experience and environment for guests and staff alike. Situated in the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, it is often advertised as a place where one can experience retreat, indulgence, adventure, romance, revitalisation and relaxation. With its prestigous membership to the Leading Hotels of the World organisation, it boasts world class service, bringing with it many challenges and training opportunities for the staff who work there.

People often hear about the natural beauty and amazing activities that the island offers including helicopter rides, seaplane tours, cruises, romantic sunset dinners, weddings- anything is possible at Hayman! However guests and visitors rarely wonder about the staff experience- the people that make these dreams a reality. There are endless job opportunities available from engineers, landscapers and retail assistants to food and beverage attendants, front office staff, chefs, housekeepers, gym instructors, children minders, hairdressers, skippers- the list goes on!

Being a totally privately owned and isolated island means that all staff must live on the island, in the Staff Village located behind the resort itself. Living on an island has many advantages including being minutes from a beach and pool and also being able to take advantage of all the activities available to guests (at discounted prices!). However there are set backs that include having limited access to shops, being restricted mostly to the staff village (as the resort is out of bounds) and living in shared accommodation. This is not to say it is not a great opportunity to meet many poeple who share the same goals as you, and have many opportunities to be trained. It is well known on the island that promotion from the inside is preferred.

Living and working on Hayman Island is a challenge, an experience and an opportunity. Living and working with the same people alllows close friendships to be formed, while at the same time can be challenging. Being trained to Leading Hotels Of The World standards allows for many future employment opportunities and having the opportunity to explore the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef is amazing.

Each day on the island is different to the one before with new obstacles and challenges, and new experiences that have a wow factor for guests. It is a once in a lifetime experience that must be experienced to be understood!!

Making a Difference

Jeff Gambin and his wife Alina have been putting their hospitality expertise to the service of the community for the last 14 years. Former restaurateurs, they have committed themselves to helping the homeless in various ways.

Seven days a week, all year around, they serve more 400 hot meals a night from a van. They also help provide long term solutions – since 1993 they have helped more than 1200 people find jobs and housing! They also have a restaurant in Leichardt where they provides hands-on hospitality training for those in need.

Their organization is called JEF (Just Enough Faith). It has no religious affiliation. They are always looking for an extra hand or donations of all kinds – from food to farming equipment! www.justenoughfaith.org

How many of us think we are too busy to help with good works like this, when maybe its just a matter of comfort? How many hours are gobbled up in front of the television, when we could be getting out and making a difference?

Latte Art

Those who work in hospitality know it well – presentation is everything. And when it comes to coffee, the crowning touch is to finish it off with latte art.

From swirls to hearts, to rosettes - latte art takes many forms.

How is it done?? There are two main methods – free pour latte art, and etching. Free pour works solely on the control of the milk flow from the jug. Whereas in etching, a design is drawn in with an implement. It works on the froth, the etching and the use of powders.

For a guide on latte art, and more impressive images, see http://www.xpressivo.com/theespressoguide/recomended_latte_art.asp

Look out for the designs of Luigi Lupi – he is a master!

World Youth Day – SYDNEY, 2008

500,000 young people are expected to participate in World Youth Day (WYD) in Sydney in July next year. WYD was an initiative of Pope John Paul II. Every three years, young people from around the world would gather in one place, to celebrate their faith, and meet with the Pope. Pope Benedict has continued the tradition.

Events in World Youth Day include:

- the arrival of the Pope in Sydney’s Harbour
- a Youth Festival with exhibitions and performances
- a Mass in Randwick Racecourse (just one block away from Kenvale College!) celebrated by Pope Benedict

Organisation of WYD commenced at least three years in advance. Accommodation and travel arrangements; registration of thousands of international participants; the mobilization of hundreds of volunteers from around the world; venues, entertainment, speakers…this is event management on a massive scale!

For more information on the event: www.wyd2008.org

What do you think will be the response to WYD of Australian youth?

Corroboree Indigenous Tourism Expo

Friday, 9 February 2007, 10am to 5pm, Sydney Opera House – Open to the public

http://www.indigenoustourism.australia.com/news.asp?sub=0648

A celebration of Indigenous Tourism, this Expo opens with a traditional Indigenous smoking ceremony to welcome people to the Opera House, on the traditional land of the Eora People.

The Corroboree at the Opera House features traditional and contemporary dance and music exhibitions, a Sydney Harbour Cruise from an Indigenous perspective, as well as children’s activities. Indigenous tourism operators will be available to assist travel industry professionals and general public.

I wonder how many locals are aware of what is available regarding indigenous tourism, and how many take advantage of it to learn more about this rich culture.

Tourism Review On-line Magazine - Event Management

Tourism Review is an interesting on-line resource. The first issue for 2007 is up now. It has a special section on event management, including a “step-by-step guide”.

http://www.tourism-review.com/magazine.php

There’s no doubt about it - Event Management is a popular choice amongst students. What is it that makes it so appealing?

Dal Cafe

Dal is an innovative supported Training and Employment Service, operating a gourmet catering service and two retail cafes in Geelong. Dal employs around 40 young people with special needs, and about half as many support staff.

The employees at dal show just what people with special needs are capable of when given the chance to develop in a supportive environment. From preparing and cooking the food to waiting on tables, from stocktaking to ordering – there is little they don’t do. They are even involved in the planning and management of the business.

And the success of this venture can be seen by how it has grown in the fifteen years since it started out as a small business with six employees.

Dal has become a hugely popular outlet amongst locals, who enjoy the up-market décor, great atmosphere, fantastic coffee and delicious gourmet food. But as anyone in the industry knows, the most essential element to success in hospitality is service, and dal’s staff are truly renowned for their friendly, cheerful service.

If you’re in Geelong, make sure you try a visit to dal, at 6 Little Ryrie Street,Geelong or 5 Pakington Street, Geelong West.

Fussy Foodies Jump at Roo

Nestled in provincial France, surrounded by forests and castles, is a restaurant which serves ''kangourou''. French locals, besotted with tradition and living much the same as they did a century ago, are fascinated by the marsupial on the menu. Former Tasmanian restaurateur Catherine Brys is the chef daring to serve 'roo to the French and she is thankful the villagers accept the Australian fare. She says many French villagers are extremely suspicious of foreigners and exotic ways—and kangaroo is definitely not sourced from their local forests. ''But when I serve kangaroo they love it,'' Ms Brys said. Ms Brys, a former mastermind of the Taste of Tasmania festival, operates an 11-bedroom hotel, restaurant and bar called Echalier in the village of Fussy in central France. Ms Brys's restaurant, which seats 40, features local produce combined with the herbs and spices of the world with a Tasmanian twist. ''I have found good producers here, especially of organic vegetables and goat's cheeses,'' she said.

Sunday Tasmanian, January 14.

Food and Culture

“More attention should be paid to how food and meals shape and develop culture,” according to Dr Marta Elvira (left), Academic Dean at Lexington College, Chicago, in her article Culinary Education Transforms Culture.

“If eating is critical to the development of culture, culinary educators have an important task in preserving values that sustain society and helping future generations understand its value.”

Dr Elvira also talks about the role of the family meal. She explains its influence on the development of children, in regards to social skills, problem solving skills, and language skills. With frequency of family dining, academic performance also increases, and risk of substance abuse is lower.

The complete article can be accessed at http://www.cafemeetingplace.com/archives/guest_dec2006.htm

Hotels in Space

It was just a matter of time. In 2001 the first tourist travelled to outer space. Now, preparation is underway for the first space hotels. Bob Bigelow, owner of Budget Suites of America hotel chain is spending $(US)500 million on developing hotels in outer space.

He has had an experimental inflatable spacecraft in orbit since July last year, testing the durability of its design. The walls of the inflatable hotels are made of the same material as bullet-proof vests – to offer some protection against flying space debris and micro-meteorites.

Some of the possible activities available to these space travellers could include laser light shows on the dark side of the moon, short space walks, and phone calls to envious friends back home.

So start saving – Bigelow is hopeful of getting the cost of a space stay down to as low as $50,000-$100,000.

New 7 Wonders

Move over Australian Idol - voting is now on for the New 7 Wonders of the World. Millions of people worldwide have already voted, and our own Sydney Opera House is in the final 21. At number 18, we need a lot more votes to make it in the top 7!

The aim of the New 7 Wonders campaign is to increase awareness of the great monuments we have around the world, and the need to look after and maintain them.

For more information, or to cast your vote, go to http://www.new7wonders.com/

The Final 7 Wonders will be announced at the Official Ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, July 7th (07.07.07).

Peace Through Tourism

Have you ever thought of the good that tourism can bring to the world?

Tourism certainly leaves its mark on a community – potentially either negative or positive. Tourism has a big responsibility to local communities, which it can meet through considerate planning and infrastructure.

With travel, people are exposed to different cultures, bringing greater understanding and respect for different cultures and creeds.

Also spreading good will is the “voluntourist” – who travels to a destination specifically to contribute to their community

International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) is an organisation committed to promoting a “culture of peace through tourism”. Its ‘credo of the peaceful traveller’ prompts people to commit themselves to certain ideals when travelling – to appreciate all cultures they discover, to protect the natural environment, and to respect and appreciate the host community.

They put their ideal to action with initiatives like:

Conferences around the world to spread awareness of how tourism can contribute to peace on earth

The building of IIPT Peace Parks across the globe

World Peace Travel – the organisation of special tours such as the “Abrahamic Faith Tour”, bringing persons of Christianity, Judaism and Islam on a tour together to Jordan and Israel to explore their common religious heritage as “sons and daughters of Abraham”.

Their official charity “Just a Drop”, which raises money to build wells, hand pumps and health and sanitation programmes to give access to clean water for children and families in disadvantaged areas

The IIPT website has more interesting ideas, link, and articles on the topic of peace through tourism. http://www.iipt.org/

Futura Training - useful resource

With a hospitality and educational background, the Futura Training (http://www.futuratraining.com.au/) group presents multimedia resources for the school, teacher and student. The emphasis on industry can only enhance the VET classroom.

Easy to navigate website with visually stunning photographs and easy to use resources.

• Check out the menu assistant
• Lesson plans
• Student assessment tools
• Teacher support
• Virtual trips to fish markets etc
• Interactive learning

Kenvale College Web Cafe aims to provide you some useful information such as the posting above, to facilitate your studies or teaching of hospitality. Email us if you want us to source out possible links on specific topics. We are most willing to assist.

Regional Tourism Booming

Asia Pacific Hospitality Enews (Week Ending January 5 - 2007) had interesting news about our very own...

We're Out Of Room!
Geelong (Victoria, Australia) turned away hundreds of tourists over the New Year due to a lack of accommodation and the situation looks set to worsen as tourist demand for the region surges. Tourism head Roger Grant yesterday said "local and state governments needed to tackle the problem now to stem the flow of tourists heading away from the region." It is understood that many people are contacting tourism information centres looking for a place to stay and that there were too few beds available. Many tourists were having difficulty finding certain types of accommodation such as serviced apartments or well serviced hotels. Mr Grant made a statement that the region needed another 'big-brand' hotel to join the Four Points by Sheraton and the Mercure, covering the high end of the market."

Now, what do you think about that! Regional tourism at its best!

2007 Hospitality Industry Issues

How about this?? The recent International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Annual Conference in Miami, in a series of roundtable discussions, identified their Top Ten Issues in the Hospitality Industry for 2007.

From one to 10, their list included the following:

1. labor and skills shortages;
2. construction costs;
3. technology and keeping up with it;
4. changing demographics and their impact on travel trends;
5. future of hotel profits;
6. branding;
7. distribution revolution;
8. travel restrictions;
9. global emerging markets; and
10. capital availability.

Take note - labour and skills shortages in the top list! So really, if you want a job, hospitality is the industry for you - here in Australia or overseas... take on the challenge!

Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Job Stats

The Department of Employment and Workers Relations has recently released the document Australian Jobs 2006. These are interesting information about hospitality, travel and tourism industry:

• Accommodation, Cafe's and Restaurants is expected to contribute to jobs growth over the next 5 years with over 45,000 new jobs (or 1.8% per year)
• This industry has a high proportion of young workers and has the lowest proportion of workers aged 45 years and older.

Don't you think it is consoling to know that in spite of terrorists attacks (in Madrid on 30 December, in Bangkok on 31 December), wars, military coup (Fiji) and other unsettling global events, this industry manages to bounce back?

Everyone still wants to travel. Everyone needs food and shelter (accommodation). Australia is becoming a prime destination for international events, conferences, conventions and exhibitions.

Hotels and restaurants are here to stay - Olympics or no Olympics, Rugby or no Rugby, Cricket or no Cricket! How exciting is that?

HSC is not the end, it is the beginning for all students

Time and time again, we come to this time of the year as families, with mix feelings of good and bad anxieties. HSC time!!!!
For those of us parents, mothers and fathers with children in the HSC year, we wait pretending not to worry about the results to align the fears from our brood.
We worry. We worry about where they are going to go with their results... Unit, Tech ,the dole etc, and we worry how we may be able to help them if they succeed in their expectations or if they don’t.
I believe as a mother and educator that too much emphasis and pressure is being placed on our kids about results and effects of the HSC and I also believe that not enough stories in the media are devoted to the options and alternative career path that exists in today’s society.
Is not everyone’s dream to go to University as the papers and others expect us to believe ?. Well I believe that indeed many Kids may not wish to and still be happy and responsible individuals.
However as young adults the students when they finish School are battling between the new and the old and these two concepts play a big part into where they may go. The old is the drudgery, the hard pressure of twelve years of formal education. The new is a new found freedom which is scary because as all things new there is excitement and fear as to where it may lead.
I am talking as mother again in appealing to the reporters to cover the stories with light and focus on the positive ways in which not only successful HSC students have a path but also how with a bit of research , they may also notice that there are other ways for those that dont reach the right UAC scores. I speak of worthwhile training in much needed social roles such as nursing ,and in particularly about Tourism and Hospitality, an area close to my own professional expertise.
In Tourism and Hospitality we find our young students taking courses which involve them from an early start with industry players and hands on experience.
They earn a wage whilst they study and they have flexibility to build on their knowledge year by year till they get a degree at University if they so wish.
However I would say that any well meaning reporter should look at providing our kids with leads as to where there is employment growth in Australia and opportunity to further their lives and this industry is showing all the signs on being a winner globally according to the Travel Industry Association of America ( TIA).
Furthermore , it is fun service industry , people oriented, progressive and global, allowing our kids to work and further study not only in stages and in Australia but also to fulfill the normal aussie kid dream of travel and work.
I hope someone can take up this story and I will be happy to contribute with what I know as mother and educator .
Mirella

What is hospitality?

Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia defines hospitality as "the act or practice of being hospitable, that is, the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, with liberality and goodwill".

Well, don't you think this definition is spot-on, that we can rightly say, hospitality is EVERYONE's business - that means YOU and ME! You may not want a career in hospitality, but whatever you do, you need to know how to make people feel at home.

The skills you learn in doing a hospitality course are skills for life. It's like driving - you acquire the skills once, and you have it with you wherever you go, whatever you do in life!