Reflection on Internship Experience at Island Travel Inn Hotel

This assignment is a reflective journal entry detailing a student's internship experience at the Island Travel Inn Hotel. The student, working as a front desk officer, describes the challenges and purpose of the role, emphasizing the importance of customer service and interaction. The reflection highlights the student's growth in the hospitality industry, including the acquisition of skills in reservations, guest services, and overall front office operations. The student credits mentors and colleagues for their guidance and support, and also emphasizes the relevance of their MBA coursework to their practical experiences. Key takeaways include the development of team leadership skills and the importance of providing superior customer service. The student expresses anticipation for future leadership roles and the creation of a rewarding work environment. The reflection concludes with a bibliography of supporting resources.

Running head: REFLECTION: ISLAND TRAVEL INN HOTEL 1
Reflection: Island Travel Inn Hotel
Student’s name
Institutional affiliation

REFLECTION: ISLAND TRAVEL INN HOTEL 2
Reflection: Island Travel Inn Hotel
The tasks and activities I undertook in my internship were challenging and
purposeful. Working as a front desk officer at Island Travel Inn Hotel has defined my career
in the hospitality industry. I noticed that the front office made me the public face of the
organization because it involves receiving and handling guests during their stay (Lanz, 2017).
I turned to be the nerve center of the operations of Island Travel Inn Hotel. Through this
internship, I always got an opportunity to interact and serve clients successfully.
Interestingly, I managed to grasp the expectations of the clients and the organization based on
the guidance of my mentor and colleagues. Without a doubt, I have realized that the front
office department encompasses the reservations, guest service offices, reception, executive
club, recreational and business center, and operators (Erasmus, 2014). The workers attached
to this department provide the impression of the facility to guests. To this effect, I have
learned that employees need to display courteous and prompt attitude to the hotel’s guests.
My first-4 weeks as an internship student in various countries in the hospitality
industry have given me an outstanding experience. However, my working in the front desk
department in Island Travel Inn Hotel, Canada provided me a unique opportunity and
exposure. This is because, in this hotel, I took the lead role in executing the guest services.
My team executed the best services that created an exceptional experience for all the guests. I
give credit to my mentors and colleagues who helped me adjust to this new environment thus
upscale my skills in serving clients. I must reiterate that I worked hand-in-hand with my
workplace peers and mentor who offered feedback regularly. These worthy peers never let
me made mistakes but guided me throughout my cause thus making their support valuable
and productive.
My MBA classes proved relevant because most of my classroom knowledge and
theory have made me an outstanding person in the hospitality industry. For instance, I had to

REFLECTION: ISLAND TRAVEL INN HOTEL 3
set my workplace goals, which helped me add value to the Hotel. Team leadership was an
important factor in helping achieve my goal because it focused on system understanding
training, observation, shadow training, and understand the hotel’s front desk team (Farhan,
2014). I have completely integrated these skills into the internship. Without a doubt, my work
at the Island Travel Inn Hotel has proved incredible because it ensured I provided superior
customer services thus assuring guests of quality experience. This is part of my core goals
and interests, as it opened me new and exciting opportunities. With this experience, I
anticipate becoming a forward-thinking and innovative leader. For the first time, I became
part of a team who developed a culture that offered workers a rewarding and motivating work
environment for Island Travel Inn Hotel to thrive.

REFLECTION: ISLAND TRAVEL INN HOTEL 4
Bibliography
Erasmus, D. (2014, June 2). What Does a Front Office Manager Do and His or Her
Responsibilities? Retrieved September 5, 2017, from The Hospitality Industry Diary
& Careers Blog: http://hospitality-industry.divanerasmus.com/what-does-a-front-
office-manager-do-and-his-or-her-responsibiliti
Farhan, T. (2014, August 7). How Front Office Involves with Customer Service in
Hospitality. Retrieved September 5, 2017, from LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140807084133-209563478-how-front-office-
involves-with-customer-service-in-hospitality
Lanz, L. H. (2017). Internships in the Hospitality Industry. Retrieved September 5, 2017,
from Hotel Business Review:
http://hotelexecutive.com/business_review/5134/internships-in-the-hospitality-
industry