Liao Zhiqiang, Jerry (graduated Sep 2007)
Hunan, China
One may say that he was at the right place at the right time. Or one may say that he had a good boss who rewarded him generously. One may even say that he was a natural choice since he’s originally from China.
However Liao Zhiqiang (Jerry, to his teachers and friends), a graduate from the Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Business (DHTB) at The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa, credits the opportunity to personally lead a group of Singaporeans and Malaysians on an eight-day tour to China to hard work, good working relationships with everyone at work, and a willingness to put in the long hours of research needed to be thoroughly prepared.
As part of the DHTB programme, Jerry had obtained a 15 week internship position at CTC Travel Pte Ltd, a major tour operator in Singapore. Within a week, he started closing sales as a counter sales staff. For the month of May 2007, he came in 5th company-wide for the most number of successful sales. He had hit more than $80,000 selling tours.
As a reward for his achievement, his boss allowed him to lead a group of more than 30 Singaporeans and Malaysians on their first tour to China’s capital city Beijing. No other interns at CTC had ever been given such an opportunity. The tour lasted eight days and covered major attractions like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
“When my boss first told me the news, I felt so proud and excited. I was also extremely nervous as he only gave me a week to prepare for the tour!” Jerry recalled.
Jerry’s supervisor, Assistant Manager Ms Liu Xiao Juan, said: “Jerry had shown himself to be a conscientious and capable worker, with the right learning attitude. His achievement in terms of sales volume is a testament to his ability”.
Jerry worked hard for the next seven days, talking to his experienced colleagues and seniors at work, researching into the wee hours of the night to make sure that he knew the tour itinerary and destinations like the back of his hand, not to mention the people who were counting on him to make their trip to Beijing a memorable one.
He did not disappoint.
By the time he brought the group back on 16 June 07, the group was full of praise for his professionalism and knowledge of the various places they visited. Even the local guide in Beijing was full of compliments for him, saying that he was a very detailed young man who had evidently done his homework and was fully prepared for the tour.
Said Ms Ng Lee Li, DHTB Section Head / Lecturer, whom Jerry contacted when his boss broke the news: “I’m not at all surprised that he received such a special assignment, and that he did so well. Jerry is diligent, mature and responsible with good leadership qualities. I am also grateful that the company offered him this great opportunity to learn and develop during his internship.”
