At last, it was the final day of a long week. This day was still one of the best since we had the whole morning and afternoon to ourselves. I slept in until noon. Although I cut my time short to spend the day outside, I was feeling under the weather still. I finally woke up around noon. It took some time for me to get out of bed but, I finally got the energy to prepare myself for the day. I left the hotel to go on a solo journey through Prague, my destination, the Artisan Cafe & Bistrot. During the walk, my path took me through smaller hidden streets where i was able to get some amazing photos. Arriving at the cafe I ordered a latte, with fluffy pancakes & berries. I spent my time eating lunch, enjoying the atmosphere in the cafe, giving myself a break from all the hustle and chaos throughout the week before the stress of traveling. Although I didn’t let the fact the trip was ending stop me from enjoying the day. After getting some food, I felt awake and energized. On my way back, I stopped at the Christmas market to buy gifts for the family. I bought some cool products, one being a glass blown bird, and a roman soldier statue, handcrafted by a blacksmith. I headed to mall afterwards walking through many shops & got lost in the library. Finding the exit, I met up with friends where we spent the day connecting before, we had to collect for the dinner cruise.
Before the dinner, I made sure to pack all my belongings so I would be ready to leave later that night. I headed down to the lobby ready for dinner, where I learned we would be walking in the cold rain. It was a fairly quick walk, and we got on to the boat where it was warm and dry. The service was incredible, as soon as everyone got seated, they made sure to put in drink orders, and they always arrived in a quick manner. The dinner buffet options accommodated all food preferences, the options being delicious ham, goulash, salads & much more. By this time, everyone had connected and formed a bond with each other. Naturally, Circles were formed, everyone kept a professional & mature attitude, inviting everyone into each other’s circles, whether they were going to a museum, or having a fun night out. Personally, as someone who lives a solo life, I am proud of myself for taking the initiative in expanding my connections and forming trust among my peers.
Having to leave for the airport at 2am, going to sleep was not in my playbook. I spent the night with some friends one last time at an underground bar. Everyone was having a good time and despite the trip being over, everyone kept the positive energy that they brought at the start of the trip. Unfortunately, it was time to leave, I got back to the hotel earlier than expected. Not wasting any second in the final minutes, I rushed to the desolate market square to take in the surroundings and reflect on the past week.
During the trip, each day I learned a lot about Tourism & Hospitality through reading the book “Overbooked” by Elizabeth Becker and experiencing one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world. This has changed my perspective on tourism. Many people overlook industry because it is very complex, industry changes with societal trends. Prague is a hot tourist destination because the city is historic, affordable, offers many attractions, and most importantly the city has a welcoming environment with endless accommodations. Czechia is a destination that everyone can enjoy, and Visit Czechia does an excellent job at analyzing what tourists are looking for and promoting the opportunities to all kinds of travelers. Once the tourist arrives in Prague, the hospitality industry takes charge, providing the experience for the tourists, while keeping them safe during their travels. An important leadership skill that the tourism & hospitality industry, as well as locals practice, is bringing positive energy to tourists as well as locals creating an open circle between the two parties.
The positive energy doesn’t just come from service workers, but the tourists. Czechia ensures a happy tourist, by promoting sustainable systems. Walking through the streets, I noticed how strong and resilient Czech culture is. The locals are proud of their history and country and put in endless effort to keep the city thriving. One of the biggest factors of a thriving community is the low prices. Translating to the American tourist perspective, the affordability allows them to experience more through purchasing more products and driving up the GDP.
The social sector also impacts other sustainable concepts such as energy management & waste. Being a member of the EU, Czechia follows strict policies, as well as being a participant in the Paris accords. From the tourist experience, the air is clean since the the automotive industry is held responsible for creating safe vehicles that can operate on the already built infrastructure. The city has a well-established public transportation system, from scooters to trams. While curating for the locals by providing private bike services. One thing a tourist will notice but may ignore, is every trash can is organized with labels and pictures and colors, educating the travelers on effectively disposing of waste while playing a role in executing sustainable systems.