VMSIIHE hosted senior tourism expert and a former member of Goa’s State Level Tourism Marketing Committee Mark Mendes a while ago at its sprawling green campus in Raia. With over 35 years of experience in the travel and destination marketing industry, Mark has a wealth of knowledge. He was the Country Director at Discover The World Marketing (DTWM) which specialized in destination marketing. Over the last few years Mark has founded and created ‘MyVillage Anjuna’ in an effort to give back to his community. The initiative teaches the village community how to sustain through responsible tourism and showcase the art and culture of Anjuna. Excerpts from an interview with students of VMSIIHE, Joana Maria Agnela Souza Lobo and Rishika Verenkar.
What are your thoughts and views on our campus and facilities?
This is much which cannot be seen. It’s underneath the obvious, hidden behind walls and has gone into the planning of this beautiful campus. It’s impressive. It’s not just about what you see from the outside, but also about what has gone into creating this institution. Probably because of my association with Switzerland, I was touched by the hues and colors of the place. There is a lot of familiarity for me. It takes me back to my days in Switzerland. There is so much detail in the design and planning. But for me the most important element is the emotion associated with this campus which I could see in the eyes of everyone that I met, and that actually reflects the character of this college. So, if I have to say it in simple terms, there’s an entire thought which has gone into creating this environment and it is reflected in its architecture. But what makes this place what it is, is the people who not only run this institute but also the students who attend and study here. That’s my only impression. During weekends I get my bike and I go for a ride. Whenever I passed this place I always used to wonder what this structure was – it had these very attractive colors. I always wanted to visit this place and now I have been able to.
Goa is a much sought-after global destination. In your opinion is Goa an ideal destination for hotel management and hospitality education?
Absolutely. For me, Goa is an ideal destination for opening up as many institutes in hospitality studies. Why I say this is because the environment is conducive for it. For example, Panchgini in Maharashtra has some of the best schools. It’s a holiday destination, the environment is pleasant and so is the climate and the people. It’s a great place for premium schools. In Australia there’s a place called Blue Mountains which is outside Sidney. It is beautiful, green and is a conducive place for a student to come in and study at some of the best institutes. So also is Goa. This campus located in the beautiful village of Raia is such a lovely place to come and study. There’s a beautiful view and it’s green. It’s conducive for a student to activate themselves.
As a student of hospitality what advice would you have for us, considering we will be stepping into the industry in a few years?
What you need to do as students is always keep learning. Don’t stop, don’t think you’ve come out of college and you’re not a student anymore. Please, that will be the biggest mistake you have ever made in your life, ever. Because as human beings we always have to be students; so irrespective of where you go, understand that you don’t know everything. Understand that there’s always an opportunity to learn. This isn’t only for hospitality; I mean this in general. Also remember that you don’t only learn from your seniors, you also learn from people who are junior to you, they have lessons to teach you. We unfortunately don’t allow them to teach us because it’s preconceived that I’m senior to and I know it better. Sometimes when you reach that position it’s good to turn around and ask a junior “How do you do this?”, “What do you think about this?” Don’t tell them how to do it. So, be students all your life and remember that you can learn from anybody and everybody, it’s not only your seniors, it’s a three-sixty degree learning experience. You can learn from the gardener the way he trims the tree, there’s learning there as well. So keep your mind open.
The pandemic impacted tourism globally last year. However, things seem to be looking up. What’s your forecast on the travel and tourism industry’s performance in 2021?
So, it is not only impacted, it is still impacting us. What we’re seeing right now, as you said the recovery process, is only the tip of the iceberg. What we are witnessing right now will create a new vertical for tourism in the future. Staycations will be more popular where people will look for holiday options within the state. As things get better across nations, people will travel within their countries more often. Be it Europe or in Australia, ‘Domestic Tourism’ will be a trend till 2024 to 2025 in my opinion.
