National Tourism Foundation Announces 2004 Interns
September 9, 2004
National Tourism Foundation Announces 2004 Interns
September 9, 2004 (Lexington, Ky.) – The National Tourism Foundation proudly announces its 2004 interns. Eduardo Becerra Pimentel and Edwige Sery will work with the Foundation management team in Lexington, Ky. from August through December. Each will receive a $3,000 personal stipend and an all-expense paid trip to the National Tour Association’s Annual Convention in Toronto this November.
Becerra is in his fourth year of tourism studies at the Andina University of Cusco in Peru. He has worked as a lifeguard in the United States and as an adventure tourism coordinator and a tour leader at several companies in Peru. He recently completed a food and beverage management internship at the Wade Hampton Golf Club in North Carolina. Becerra is fluent in both English and Spanish.
"I have always enjoyed tourism because it is a vast career that mixes many different studies into one: history, geography, anthropology, ecology and many others. I love learning about different cultures, as well as showing my own ancient culture to tourists from all around the world. During my time at the Foundation and with the National Tour Association I hope to gain a better understanding of tourism in the United States, learn what makes a successful company and understand management within the tourism industry. I look forward to applying the knowledge I will gain from this experience," said Becerra.
Sery is majoring in business administration with a concentration in hospitality management and management information systems at Central State University in Ohio. She is president of the International Student Association and an active member of the Hospitality Club. She is originally from West Africa and is fluent in English and French.
"Besides my interest in the opportunity to travel and meet people from all around the world and be exposed to different cultures and ideas, I would like to participate in the development of the tourism industry in my own country, the Ivory Coast. I strongly believe that the tourism industry has the potential to become one of the pillars of the Ivorian economy. I hope that with the knowledge and experience that I will acquire as a Foundation intern, as well as with the support of the Foundation, I will be able to aid the Ivory Coast move in that direction and embrace the challenges of the new millennium," said Sery.
During the NTA Annual Convention, the Foundation interns will have the opportunity to network with more than 3,000 industry professionals, participate in roundtable discussions with NTA members and get a firsthand look at business negotiations in progress during the Tour & Travel Exchange®. They will also assist with all student-related activities, the Foundation’s Silent & Live Auctions and Rock the Foundation, a fund-raising party that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The National Tourism Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by the National Tour Association, an organization of nearly 4,000 travel professionals. The mission of the National Tourism Foundation is to benefit society through the support of education and research, contributing to the values of travel and the preservation of tourism resources. Since 1982, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million to travel and tourism students in the form of grants, scholarships and awards. For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-682-8886 or visit http://preseason.ntaonline.com/www.ntfonline.org.
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