Tourism and Hospitality Canada Experience Co-op Program

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Tourism and Hospitality Canadian Experience Co-Op Program at Eton College is a dynamic two-year course designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the tourism and hospitality industries, while offering hands-on experience in real-world settings. The program covers key areas such as front office management, guest services, food and beverage operations, seasonal and winter tourism, tour guiding, and cultural heritage tourism. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the global tourism market, seasonal trends, and hospitality operations through specialized courses like Tourism Geography, Wine and Beverage (Beer) Service, and Hospitality Industry Automation. This well-rounded curriculum is complemented by practical training that allows students to apply their learning in various tourism and hospitality businesses under the mentorship of experienced industry professionals.

A unique feature of the program is the Canadian Experience Co-Op, which provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning an income. This component allows students to work in diverse tourism and hospitality roles, including in hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and airlines, enhancing their career readiness and understanding of the Canadian workplace culture. In addition to gaining technical skills, students develop strong customer service, communication, and business acumen, making them well-equipped for entry-level positions in front office, guest services, food and beverage, sales, and other customer-focused roles. Upon successful completion, graduates are prepared to pursue career opportunities both in Canada and internationally in the growing global tourism and hospitality sectors.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Communicate effectively, respectfully, and with cultural sensitivity, in a diverse tourism and hospitality environment.
• Demonstrate professionalism (positive attitude, good work habits, responsibility, adherence to work safety etc.) and core employability skills (communication, managing information, problem solving and teamwork skills) necessary for success in the industry.
• Relate to specific job requirements and employer/industry expectations for performance.
• Utilize resources, equipment, and appropriate technology to complete tourism and hospitality tasks.
• Apply effective personal selling techniques of tourism and hospitality products and services.
• Provide tourism and hospitality products and services in a sustainable and ethical manner.
• Perform effectively, individually or as the member of a culturally diverse team, for the success of a tourism or hospitality enterprise.
• Access industry resources to continually upgrade knowledge and skills.
• Apply creative, problem solving skills and critical thinking techniques when facing challenging situations in tourism and hospitality settings.
• Research career and advancement opportunities in the industry and implement a strategy and relevant documents to obtain employment.
• Analyze the hospitality industry’s evolution, classify and distinguish between types of restaurants and hotels, assess the impact of globalization and technology, understand the roles of hotel departments, and apply front office skills, including using a Property Management System (PMS) to meet guest needs and enhance service delivery.
• Design innovative tourism experiences and itineraries that cater to seasonal travelers and align with the interests of local communities and businesses.
• Develop strategies for marketing cultural and heritage tourism products, including digital marketing techniques, and understand how to ensure authenticity and quality in tourism experiences.