What’s the most important thing you learned in school?
The most important thing I learned is that to grow in the tourism industry, you need to start with a good foundation and love for travel. As you add new skills, you will enhance your ability to share your passion with someone else. This is the most important to me, as that shows me a future of more growth and opportunity as someone just starting out on their journey in the tourism industry.
Why did you choose to study travel, tourism or hospitality?
I chose to take the travel and tourism program at St. Clair College after coming up with the idea for a golf-related travel agency while I was brainstorming how I could work in golf without being behind the counter in a pro shop. After talking with my golf coach and mentor, I decided that taking the program here at St. Clair was the best course of action to get the knowledge I would need to make that idea a reality.
What is your greatest professional strength?
My greatest professional strength is my willingness to learn and grow in any environment. I am always seeking new knowledge and skills to improve myself, whether through hands-on experience or studying new concepts. I embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and adapt quickly to new situations. This mindset allows me to continuously develop and contribute more effectively to any team or project.
In your opinion, what’s the most exciting trend in travel, tourism or hospitality right now and why?
The most exciting trend in the travel and tourism industry is the emphasis on social media content creation. YouTubers such as Kara and Nate with their van life or even jet lag, the game playing tag across Europe. These regular people sharing their love for travel via social media are inspiring in the fact that I could do that or build a career making content for a travel brand.
What are your goals for the year ahead?
My goals for this next year ahead are to become a PGA of Canada Professional and start working towards my Class A membership, get my TICO certification and start creating more content for my personal YouTube. Trying to build a foundation to eventually move to content full time, like Disney food blog, running a golf resort or my golf travel agency.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
It’s hard to say where I see myself in 10 years, considering the fact that I came to school almost two years ago and my idea of what I wanted my career to be has changed a lot. In a perfect world, I am traveling the world making content for YouTube and playing golf in every country I visit. Realistically, I could see myself being a general manager at a golf resort somewhere in Canada or teaching golf lessons and booking vacations out of my house.
What are some of the top places you want to see in Canada and why?
Some of the top places I want to visit revolve around my love of sports. I would love to go to Vancouver, B.C., to see the Whistler Sliding Center so I can try out the sport skeleton. Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs are on my golf bucket list. The number one and three golf courses in Canada are both located in Inverness, Nova Scotia as part of the Cabot Cape Breton Resort. Then I would love to visit Montreal during the Canadian GP of Formula 1.
What do you do to engage in travel, tourism or hospitality mindfully/sustainably?
Supporting local businesses is what I do the most to be mindful while I travel. That little coffee shop on Main Street in town has better coffee than Tim Hortons. Taking the time to see the businesses that are run by the people who allow us to visit their home is the least I can do to show I appreciate the ability to travel.
Name your favourite travel or hospitality experience so far:
My favourite travel experience so far has been being able to swim in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the span of one week. It was two different vacations, but I went to California, visited Disneyland, Hollywood and saw the LA Angels play. Then after getting home on Thursday, my father and I went to South Carolina visiting my uncle in Columbia, then experiencing Myrtle Beach. I was very fortunate to have these experiences so close together which makes a good fun fact about myself.
Name your greatest achievement so far:
My greatest achievement so far is having a 4.0 GPA during the first semester of my program. I have always struggled in school with writing tests, papers and doing presentations. My dedication to achieving this GPA shows my passion for travel and tourism.
What’s the best OR worst piece of travel advice you’ve received?
The best piece of travel advice I have received came from the South Carolina University baseball team: “Good players inspire themselves. Great players inspire others.” This has sat with me over the years, reminding me that I can inspire the next generation of students, athletes and officials by just being me, through working hard, dedication and spreading joy.
What destination is next on your dream travel list and why?
The destination that tops my bucket list is St. Andrews, Scotland. It’s the birthplace of golf, the home of the R&A and a pilgrimage for all golfers. With all the history in that little town surrounding golf checks all the boxes of my interests and why I want to travel. The next step is to win the tee time lottery so I can play the Old Course, which was home to 30 Open Championships.
