The 2020 class of students majoring in hotel management at HNU-ASU Joint International Tourism College and staff of Novotel Hotel pose for a group photo in Haikou, capital city of South China's Hainan province. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

A group of students enrolled in 2020, who major in hotel management of the HNU-ASU Joint International Tourism College (HAITC), conducted a study tour to Novotel Hotel on Xinbu Island and to a downtown duty-free shop owned by China Duty Free Group (CDF) from Jan 13 to 15 in Haikou, capital city of South China's Hainan province.

The after-school study program is among HAITC's featured course specialties for newcomers, and aims to give them a general understanding of the major and a chance to explore their future educational targets.

Well-planned by the school and supported by its partners, the activity involved 134 students.

The 2020 class and teachers pose for a group photo with staff at the Haikou Downtown Duty Free Shop. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

The Novotel Hotel staff explained in depth to the students about the hotel’s layout, facilities and equipment, as well as its community functions and cultural construction. They also shared their experience and understanding to provide the students with a broad overview of the hotel industry.

In the duty-free shop, a trainee manager introduced the operation philosophy of CDF and the prospects of the duty-free industry to students and shared his experience in this field.

In 2020, the CDF Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex generated revenue exceeding 32 billion yuan (US $4.96 billion), and has boosted the high-quality development of Hainan's economy and the construction of a free trade port.

Having witnessed a wide range of goods and crowds of customers, the students found that the consumption level of Chinese people has improved significantly improved. The lively scenes they encountered on the tour strengthened their career identity, enhanced their vocational interest, and increased their motivation for learning.

Students listen to the trainee manager of the duty-free shop. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

After the three-day study tour, students gave an account of what they had learned from the activity and shared their feelings about integrating the hands-on experience with theoretical knowledge.

"Through the study tour, we have an intuitive and systematic understanding of the development of hotel management and related industries," a participant said.

"It cultivated our interest in the major, and made us aware that only when we have a solid professional foundation and the ability to apply theory to practice can we apply what we have learned and pave a smooth way for our future employment," she added.