Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel service excellence programme |12 February 2024
Bridging the gap between the industry and the workforce of tomorrow
One of the notable achievements, if not the most significant, of the Lospitalite Lafyerte Sesel service excellence programme is its effectiveness in bridging the gap between the industry and the students who represent the workforce of tomorrow.
Branded as the 'Lospitalite Tourism Clubs,' these school-based tourism initiatives, which were re-introduced in March 2019, aim to unite students from primary and secondary schools across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, fostering their interest in the hospitality sector.
After two years in operation, nearly all schools have formed partnerships with a variety of tourism enterprises, including large and medium-sized establishments, destination management companies (DMCs), restaurants, airlines, and hotel suppliers. These dynamic businesses not only provide financial and training assistance to the tourism clubs but also actively engage with the schools in various activities throughout the year.
Shifting the spotlight onto the clubs in this edition.
We share with you interviews with Bernice Docteur from Independent School and Sir Dave Mousbé from Persévérance secondary school.
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Interview with Bernice Docteur from Independent School
Give us a little background about the Lospitalite Tourism Club at your school, example facilitators and members.
Ms Bernice Docteur: Lospitalite Lafyerte Tourism Club started in 2022; however, it was not really active, because the teacher responsible for it had additional responsibilities. In 2023, I (Ms Bernice Docteur), took over the running of the club. At first there were around 30 members and 3 facilitators, but since the beginning of this year, a lot of students are showing interest and for now there are 49 members and 4 facilitators.
Can you provide an overview of the activities and events that have taken place within the Lospitalite Tourism Club at your school since its inception?
Ms Bernice Docteur: Since its inception, with the previous facilitator, the activities done were mainly at school level. These included field trips and nature walks to name a few. When I took over last year, during the second term, we have been able to organise an activity together with the adoptive parent business. After that, we only participated in the activity organised by the tourism department and the competitions. But this year we intend to have more activities both within and outside the school.
How has the participation and engagement level of club members evolved over time?
Ms Bernice Docteur: At first, the students were reluctant to come forward. I really had to convince them of their need to participate. But now, they willingly volunteer, and they are more eager to come up with ideas for the activities for the club.
Have there been any notable achievements or successes of the tourism club since its launch?
Ms Bernice Docteur: Yes, there has been notable achievements and success of the club. The greatest one was to come out second overall in all secondary schools in 2023, after participating in different competitions for the schools organised by the tourism department. This was possible because for the table setting and culinary competition: the participants got to the finals and came out third. For the quiz as well, even though they did not get into the finals, the students progressed to the other rounds. Apart from that, we were able to have the official launch of the club at the school, by Paul Lebon, director general for destination planning and development, together with our director, Andy Esparon. This also gave the club its visibility, especially as we rewarded the students who had participated in the different competitions.
What challenges, if any, have you encountered in running the club, and how have you addressed them?
Ms Bernice Docteur: The main challenge, for now, is to be able to raise fund for the club and we are working on a plan for that.
Tell us a little bit about the collaboration with your adoptive parent business to enhance the impact of the tourism club?
Ms Bernice Docteur: Our adoptive parent business is Silhouette Cruise. We had a series of activities planned for 2023, but we were able to do only one because we were busy with the competitions. We hope that this year we might be able to implement the activities planned.
Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects that the tourism club is currently working on or planning for the future?
Ms Bernice Docteur: The facilitators, together with the members, we have come up with a list of activities that we would like to do for this year. The students have come up with great ideas and we are yet to finalise everything. But definitely, they will be interesting ones.
What feedback have you received from club members or other stakeholders about their experiences with the tourism club?
Ms Bernice Docteur: Generally, the feedback from the club members and their parents is positive and encouraging. The students who participated in the competitions last year are happy because they have been able to showcase their skills, and this has encouraged other students to come forward. As for our stakeholders, they are happy that we are active and have been able to show progress. They are very encouraging and ready to support us as they can.
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Interview Sir Dave Mousbé from Persévérance secondary school
Give us a little background about the Lospitalite tourism club at your school, example facilitators and members.
Sir Dave Mousbé: The lle Persévérance Secondary School Lospitalite club has been adopted by Hilton Northolme Seychelles. The main facilitator is myself, Mr Dave Mousbé and I work with a dynamic team of teachers and hotel professionals to organise activities for the students.
The teachers assist in organising and execution of activities on a rotational basis.
Until last year we had approximately 80 students who were members of the club.
It was very challenging to try and accommodate everyone for the activities and at the same time prepare for the different competitions. Hence this year we will downsize the club to make it more effective.
Can you provide an overview of the activities and events that have taken place within the Lospitalite tourism club at your school since its inception?
Sir Dave Mousbé: Our activities range from talks, poster competitions, educational visits, hikes, practical role plays, students experiencing being a guest, presentation, singing, exhibition, environment-related campaign, cultural-related activities and preparation for national competitions. Some examples include hotel visit and workshop, wellness and spa basic demonstration, housekeeping practical, East Indies bartender workshop, cooking workshop, inter-house cooking competition, educational visit at the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA), tourism exhibition (Hilton Northolme Seychelles and 7° south), hike at Anse Major, restaurants (students serving teachers, other students and people from the community in our school restaurant), role plays, beach and community clean up, cultural-related activities for the Creole Festival – Laserenad, poster competition
How has the participation and engagement level of club members evolved over time?
Sir Dave Mousbé: Overall, it has been satisfactory. Most students participated adequately. At times even the demand for more activities was too high.... but it became difficult to juggle the competition preparation and the activities, together with other duties. In my opinion the competition should happen only once and choose the winner, rather than every week doing different stages, it becomes overloaded for us.
Have there been any notable achievements or successes of the tourism club since its launch?
Sir Dave Mousbé: Yes, our students have been performing quite well.
In 2022 we won first place in the Interschool quiz competition (Valeshka Sinon, Ethan Bonnelame and Hezron Labrosse).
The same year, Hayden Crispin won second place in the cooking competition. He also staged his first menu in our school restaurant ‘Tropical Vibes’ for the Creole Festival with support of the Carana Beach Hotel kitchen team, Hilton Northolme Seychelles food and beverage team, Lospitalite facilitators and students
In 2023, we won second place in the project competition ‘The Kreolite Garden’ (Maria Desaubin, Liana Michel, Shamika Moncherry and Keesha Adelaide)
Our students also had the opportunity to do a presentation during the Children’s conference at Hilton Labriz Silhouette (Kursha Marie and Hayden Crispin).
What challenges, if any, have you encountered in running the club, and how have you addressed them?
Sir Dave Mousbé: Some materials for practical use still remain a challenge at the school and may not be enough for students to use. However, we try to borrow at times.
We need more support from professionals to take time and work with us to organise more workshops for students at school where we can cater for more students from time to time.
Tell us a little bit about the collaboration with your adoptive parent business to enhance the impact of the tourism club?
Sir Dave Mousbé: Overall it has been an interesting experience. The hotel has tried its best despite its busy schedule to accommodate us every Saturday for visit and educational workshop, practical, beach and community clean-up, exhibition, talks etc. However, we will work together and find new strategies for 2024 to keep on inspiring our students.
Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects that the tourism club is currently working on or planning for the future?
Sir Dave Mousbé: We have an upcoming cultural dance workshop and a visit to Praslin for some S5 food and hospitality students (who are also members of tourism club) coming soon. We hope this activity will provide the students with more real life experience to choose a career in this industry.
What feedback have you received from club members or other stakeholders about their experiences with the tourism club?
Sir Dave Mousbé: In general, we have received encouraging feedback from parents and students so far. We have the support of the school management and council chairperson.
The Ministry of Education, Hilton Northolme Seychelles, Seychelles Tourism Academy and department of tourism have also given some great feedback on our club.
Contributed
