The Impact of University Center Cesar Ritz Students Expenditure on the Local Community of Brig - Research Paper Example

 The impact of University Center Cesar Ritz students’ expenditure on the local community of Brig. Table of Contents Page Abstract 1 Cesar Ritz University Centre: An Introduction 2 A glimpse on the heads of student expenses 4 Defining Multiculturalism 6 Significance of Multiculturalism in Brig Economy 7 Conclusion 13 References 14 Abstract This study is conducted to evaluate the impact of University Centre Cesar Ritz’s students’ expenses and as partial requirements for the completion of a Bachelor degree in International business in Hotel and Tourism Management. University Centre Cesar Ritz represents an international education institution, which houses multicultural students and the study result concludes that students’ expenses do enliven the economic livelihood of the Brig town. The methodology used in this analysis is based on questionnaire and direct interview with respondents. Cesar Ritz University Centre: An Introduction The UCCR is a multinational student body, which fosters an environment of education and social interaction. This mini “United Nations" truly represents the international aspect of the hospitality industry. The faculty and staff of UCCR are here to assist the students and guide them to achieve academic excellence. This environment may also help the educators in hospitality management to enhance their professional abilities and knowledge to guide and educate future professionals “who are mentally equipped to face current and future challenges with regards to the internationalization of hotels” (Velo & Mittaz, abstract, 2006). In turn, they aid the students by giving them the capital to implement transformational leadership methods and techniques to face the new challenges (Gil, Flaschner & Shachar, abstract, 2006). Unlike other hotel schools, UCCR focuses on the management aspects of the hotel & tourism industry, and prepares the students for supervisory and managerial positions. It is an objective, which Ricci and Tesone (2006) describe in their abstract as the importance of certain knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes, as well as their competencies. University Center Cesar Ritz was originally founded in Switzerland in 1982 under the name Hotelconsult SHCC, which represented a hotel chain management. By 1986, after the death of Cesar, under the management of his wife, the Hotelconsult, transformed the hotel into Cesar Ritz Foundation which operates and manages a chain Ritz hotel and an education institution to teach young people the hospitality management and trade. The name Cesar Ritz was adopted as a legacy of one of the founders of the hotel industry and the owner of the Hotelconsult SHCC. In the section of “Founders of the Hotel Industry,” Cesar Ritz is described as “a hotelier at the Grand National Hotel in Lucerne, Switzerland. Because of his management abilities, “the hotel became one of the most popular in Europe and Cesar Ritz became one of the most respected hoteliers in Europe” (3). He was also famous for his contribution in hospitality industry that emphasizes on fashion with attitude by coining the phrase “Customer is always right.” The philosophy of the institution is taken from Cesar Ritz own philosophy which is “The Customer Never Wrong,” which is later to be adopted as the fundamental philosophy of every customer service industry. Also “his tradition of luxury, excellence and service in the hospitality industry has set the standard for hotels and restaurants throughout the world” (The Life of “Cesar Ritz”). The institute aims at teaching young people from all over the world the fashion attitudes, which respects “The Customer Never Wrong,” the knowledge and skills for their chosen profession, and guiding them to be competent and become professional managers. The educational concept based on awareness of ethical and cross-cultural differences and a respect toward company’s philosophy and people’s culture. The mission of the company is to teach the basic knowledge required for a successful career in the international hospitality industry. In 1992, the University Centre Cesar Ritz (UCCR) opened up its the college branch in the US by forming a partnership with the Washington State University (WSU) College of Business, and the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) announced their partnership with UCCR as part of their global initiative and opened the International College of Hospitality Management . These unique partnerships provide students with various opportunities to achieve academic qualifications in Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Post Graduate Diploma and the Master's Degree level – students who take major or minor in international business would have to complete one semester studying in Europe, especially at the University Centre Cesar Ritz. Similarly, in 1996, the institution also expanded its program in Manly, New South Wells – Australia as an International College of Tourism and Hotel Management. The University Centre Cesar Ritz is located in a town of Brig or part of the municipality of Brig Gils whose population as of 2006 was 32,175 (www.citypopulation.de/Switzerland-Agglo.html) and German is the main dialect. It is described by the Switzerland.isyour.com as “a graceful old town… southeast through the Simplon train tunnel into Italy; southwest to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn; west to Lake Geneva; north through the Lötschbergtunnel towards Bern; and northeast to the high Alpine passes.” A glimpse on the heads of student expenses Amongst the unique student services, Brig offers many indoor and outdoor activities. It offers more than just activities but also as part of tourist attraction which is “economically, socio-culturally, and environmentally an important activity” (Faulk, 2000, 1) Students may become involved in extracurricular activities once their classroom requirements are satisfied. Working in conjunction with the elected Student Committee, the Student Services Department aims to enrich the overall learning experience of those attending University Centre. Numerous world-class ski resorts (Saas Fee, Zermatt, Crans Montanna, Verbier) are accessible by public transportation, and other resorts that provide a fantastic ski experience. Summer skiing is very popular. It gives ski enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby to ski all year round. The town of Brig is well equipped with sporting facilities such as swimming pools, basketball courts, football fields, tennis and squash courts, and fitness centers. Brig also has an American Football team which plays in the Swiss American Football League. The Student Services arranges for occasional barbecues and hiking trips. The mountain region is perfect and beautiful for such adventures. Twice a year, the college theater club produces and stages its home production. It is open to the local community and is very popular with the student body. There are many beautiful cities throughout Switzerland that should be visited while you are studying at UCCR. UCCR student Services also organize trips to Florence (arts) and the wine growing regions of Switzerland. Throughout their study period, students are given the opportunity to actively develop their professional competence through excursions to hotels, restaurants, breweries, wineries, suppliers, trade-shows, and food-manufacturing facilities. A strong fraternity of Student Committee governs the welfare and activities of the organization. The Student Government is composed of five to nine elected students representative of the various programmes, cultures, and in-takes. The committee is composed of a President and a Vice-President, an Entertainment Manager, a Public Relations Manager and a Residence Manager. Defining Multiculturalism UACC defines multiculturalism is “the process of recognizing, understanding and appreciating one’s own culture as well as the culture of others. Multiculturalism stresses learning to appreciate the impact of social and political categories (race, ethnicity, age, gender, class, ability, mental illness, sexual/affectional orientation at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and community levels of interaction” (Mayeno, 2003). In practice, multiculturalism is a term often used to describe the cultural and ethnic diversity of a nation and recognizes that this rich diversity is a positive force in furthering society’s cultural identity. In our understanding of multiculturalism, it represents an ideology advocating that society consists of distinct cultural groups, with equal status. It is almost always applied to distinct cultures of immigrant groups in developed countries, not to the presence of indigenous peoples. They often assume it will lead to intercultural - beneficial cultural exchanges, where cultures learn about each other's literature, art and philosophy, and influence each other's music, fashion cuisine and various other ways of social life. However, Mayone said, multiculturalism is a process of recognizing, appreciating and valuing similarities and differences. It includes the availability, accessibility, acceptability for different groups and it is broader than race/ethnicity (inclusive of class, gender, sexuality, disability, age and other differences) Significance of Multiculturalism in Brig Economy When Brig became the conventional ground of international understanding, professional centre of management skill and other eco-social attraction the indigenous people proved to be very hospitable and cordial. They understand the value of cultural ethics, taste and traditional values on the way of their hospitality of repute. They cater almost all the needs of the international community. The multicultural society brings in their values, culture, and tradition which add values to the Brig’s social enrichment. Its tourism becomes “as a catalyst towards regional development because it necessitates the development of physical, economic, and socio-cultural infrastructure that can later be used by other industries (Gartner, 1996 in Faulk, 2000, 3). Students’ expenses on these attractions represent foreign exchange earnings to the Brig economic development because it “may create their own economic sub-systems that encourage inter-sectoral linkages in the economy, and multipliers of tourism revenue all benefit the development of a regional economy (Ibid) The following sample form represents the questionnaire used in this study. Part A: These questions are developed in order to examine the impact of UCCR students expenditure on the local community of Brig. Tick appropriate box. First box refers YES while second stands for NO 1. Do you have your own accommodation? 2. If your answer was yes, please can you tell us how much rent do you pay per month? 3. If yes, do you pay a deposit for the owner? Please specify the amount? 4. If you live outside the school, how much do you pay for the grey garbage bags, and what is the size you normally use? __________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What is your budget per month for living expenses in Brig? Less than 500 CHF 500-1000 CHF 1000 CHF or more 6. Do you live in the school dorms? 7. Do you have a meal plan? 8. Do you have the full meal plan in the school? 9. Do you have the half meal plan in the school? 10. When you go out to eat in a restaurant in Brig, which ones are most favored? Please make a tick in the box. a) Muller Pizzeria b) Couronne c) Molino Pizzeria d) River Side Bar e) Thai restaurant f) Take away kiosk next to the station g) Steak House h) Romantica i) Britania j) Conte k) Commerce 11. If your answer was yes, can you tell us how many times per week you do eat in restaurants and how much do you spend approximately? 20-40 CHF 40-60CHF 60 CHF or more 12. If you do not eat in any restaurants in brig, do you buy from the following super markets in brig: please make a tick next to the one you buy your products from: a) Denner b) Coop c) Migros d) Other Please specify _________________________________________________________ 13. If you buy your products from these supper markets, can you please specify the approximate amount that you spend per week? Lees than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF More than 100CHF 14. Do you go to the gym or fitness center? 15. If yes, how much do you pay per term? Please specify 16. Do you visit a hairdresser in Brig? 17. How often do you visit the hairdresser? Once per month twice per month More 18. How much do you pay for the haircut? Please specify? 19. Do you visit the Marionnaud Perfumeries? 20. If yes how much do you approximately spend per month? Less than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF More than 100 CHF 21. Additional question for females, if yes how much do you spend on cosmetics? Less than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF More than 100 CHF 22. Do you go to Interdiscount? 23. If yes, please can you tick the items from the list below? a) School supplies b) Laptops c) DVD’s d) House supplies e) Surround system f) Blank CD’s g) Video games h) Electronics 24. How much approximately do you spend per month on these items? Less than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF 100 CHF or more 25. If you have a car, how much do you spend on fuel and parking per month? Less than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF 100 CHF or more 26. Do you smoke cigarettes? 27. If yes, how much do you spend per day? Can you please specify? 28. Do you use the vending machines that are provided by the school? Yes No 29. If yes how much do you approximately spend per month? Less than 10 CHF 10-20 CHF 20-30 CHF more than 30 CHF 30. If you live outside the school, do you visit the second hand shop (for house utilities & Furniture)? Yes No 31. If yes, how much approximately do you spend per month? Less than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF 100-200 CHF more than 200 CHF 32. Do you drink alcohol? Yes NO 33. If yes, please can you specify how much approximately do you spend per week? Less than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF 100-200 CHF More than 200CHF 34. If no, how much do you spend on non-alcoholic Beverages? Less than 50 CHF 50-100 CHF 35. Do you visit the dry cleaning shop next to Alpina? 36. If yes how much approximately do you spend per month? Less than 20 CHF 20-40 CHF more than 40 CHF 37. Do you use Flash Cards to call your parents overseas? 38. Do you go to visit some other places in Switzerland? Please answer this question and can you tell us how much approximately do you spend and on what? 39. When you want to travel back home, do you use the travel agent here in Brig? 40. If yes please can you tell us how much approximately per term? a) 100 CHF b) 150 CHF c) More than 150 CHF d) ………………………. Please specify the amount 41. Usually when you go outside Brig, you spend a lot of money. So in your opinion what are the things that should be provided in Brig, so you can spend the money here? 42. How much do you spend per week on the prepaid phone cards, (Orange, Swisscom...) Please Specify? 43. The movie theater in Brig always show movies in German, would you go more often if the movies were shown in English once a week? Part B: Demographics 1. Age: 18-21 22-27 27 + 2. Gender: Male Female 3. Nationality: _____________________________ 4. Program: Higher diploma BIB Masters The above questionnaire forecast the services the small scale of businesses available in Brig, which students of the UCCR are associated with. Brig community, on the other hand, represents a symbiosis of commercial avenues ranging from laundry to haircut and theatre to package tour during the study period. The study found that on average, students’ expenses are relatively high but they represent standard of living expenses of the locals. Brig small business community understands the importance of international student community whose expenditures add value to their economic prosperity, and hence they welcome and treat them as their important clients. They also want the students to become part of the community or to help the students to have the sense of belonging – that they belong to the community. A total number of 200 questionarraires were distributed and returned while other information was collected through personal interviews. Nine out of ten students out of ten expressed their satisfaction in the service and commercial facilities in the Brig community. The statistics below shows the recent growth of the international students exchange in the Cesar Ritz University Centre in different programs. On one side, their presents add to the town demographic, on the other side, they add value to the town’s economy. The average increase of the student entries rise at least 10% per year. Empirical studies suggest that till 2003 since the inception, there had been a drastic flow of migration into the centre which in turn adds to the economic prospect of the local businesses. Year Term1 Term2 Term 3 Term 4 Average Term Total Year 2003 214 203-177 207-184 257 214 856 2004 263 252 190 227 233 932 2005 262 266 236 283 262 1047 2006 255 243 203 286 247 987 2007 272 In fact, the main revenue of the small business in Brig, especially those at the Cesar Ritz University Centre, both in and off the campus, comes from the students of the UCCR. Not only do they depend on the students to purchase their goods, but also they represent the top job providers for the students and migrants. Those in hospitality industry benefits the most from the institution. On one hand, as they employ the students, they gain from students’s capacity to improve their establishment. On the other hand, the students gain from field experience as they apply their knowledge and enhance their capacity in their fields. While employing students and migrants, they ensure there is trust relationship between the employers and the employees, which will reflect in the their attitude while serving the customers. At the same time, the students of University Centre Cesar Ritz could reflect the philosophy of the Cesar Ritz, which is “Customer always right” in practice. Organizations such the Business Bureau and the International Charter now offer Small Business authentification to certify houses can be turned into small business units. This changes has created the Brig’s houses to evolve as a new phenomenon of commercial enterprises in the field of hospitality. Banks can easily fund household owners who want to turn their houses into hospitality industry, which further the town’s economic health. Conclusion University Center Cesar Ritz represents an international institution, which houses or educates multicultural students from many different backgrounds in the field of hospitality and management and tourism and hotel management. It was founded in 1982 under Hotelconsult SHCC, and was later established as Cesar Ritz Foundation after the death of Swiss hotelier and the owner Cesar Ritz in 1986. Under the leadership of his wife, the Foundation emerges as education institution (University Centre Cesar Ritz) that teaches international students the hospitality management and tourism and management, and a chain of Ritz hotel across the globe. As an international institution, the multicultural students bring special challenge to the faculty but also bring opportunity to the institution and good prospect to local economy. Over all result of the study indicates that University Center Cesar Ritz students’ expenditure do enliven local economy. References Brig. 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