Arianna Vallejo HFT 4955
My study abroad experience at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa allowed me to see how a large luxury resort operates as a connected system rather than just a collection of individual departments. Throughout the program, we observed multiple areas of the resort, including front office operations, food and beverage outlets, housekeeping, and leadership teams. One of the most interesting opportunities I had was shadowing the accounts department, which gave me a new perspective on how financial management supports the entire guest experience.
Before this experience, I mostly associated hospitality with guest-facing roles such as front desk staff, servers, or housekeeping teams. However, spending time with the accounts department showed me how important behind-the-scenes financial operations are in keeping the resort running smoothly. The team structure included a staff member responsible for accounts receivable, another for accounts payable, and a finance manager who oversees the process. What stood out to me most was how carefully every transaction is reviewed. Their system requires invoices and payments to be checked and verified by two to three different people before being finalized. This process helps ensure financial accuracy, prevent errors, and maintain accountability across the organization.
Cost control is also a major operational focus at the resort. I learned that the property receives three full supply trucks every Monday from Miami. These shipments include food, beverages, and other supplies needed to operate the resort’s restaurants, bars, and guest services. When the shipments arrive, the cost control team must verify that every item matches what was originally ordered. They carefully compare the deliveries with invoices before forwarding the documentation to accounting for payment. Seeing this process made it clear how important coordination is between departments such as purchasing, cost control, food and beverage, and accounting. Without accurate verification and communication, the resort could face financial losses or operational disruptions.
Observing these systems helped me understand how all departments contribute to the guest experience, even if guests never see them directly. For example, the work done by cost control and accounting ensures that restaurants receive the right ingredients, housekeeping receives the necessary cleaning supplies, and the resort maintains the resources needed to operate efficiently. These processes support the guest experience indirectly but are essential for maintaining quality and consistency throughout the resort.
During the program, I also noticed several leadership qualities among the managers and executives we encountered. One important characteristic was strong communication between departments. Managers frequently emphasized teamwork and coordination to ensure that operations run smoothly. Another quality was attention to detail. Whether it was financial verification in accounting or service standards in guest-facing roles, leaders consistently focused on maintaining high standards across every area of the resort. These leadership behaviors help create a culture of accountability and professionalism throughout the organization.
The assigned reading from Skift discusses how hospitality brands earn guest loyalty by creating strong organizational cultures that support both employees and guests. According to the article, leadership and company values play a significant role in shaping how employees perform their roles and interact with guests. My experience at Beaches Turks & Caicos reflected this concept. The teamwork between departments, structured financial processes, and strong leadership presence all contribute to an environment where employees can perform their jobs effectively. When employees are supported by clear systems and strong leadership, they are better able to deliver positive experiences for guests.
This study abroad experience has also influenced my perspective on potential career paths within the hospitality industry. While I have always been interested in guest-facing roles, shadowing the accounts and cost control teams helped me appreciate the importance of operational and financial management within a resort environment. Understanding how resources are managed, tracked, and allocated is critical for the long-term success of hospitality organizations.
Overall, this program helped me see hospitality from a much broader perspective. A luxury resort like Beaches Turks & Caicos operates through the collaboration of many different departments, each playing an important role in delivering a seamless guest experience. Leadership, communication, and well-designed systems are what connect these departments together. This experience not only expanded my knowledge of resort operations but also helped me better understand the many career opportunities available within the hospitality industry.