The MBA Foundation Year student Rachel Hucik Lasternas is one of 10 finalists for the 2020 Travel Agents Cup Junior, chosen from more than 200 candidates. the Final will take place in november 2020 at the IFTM Top Resa trade show in Paris.
For its 3rd edition, the Travel Agents Cup Junior released its list of finalists on May 19 of this year. The contest is open to any college students studying tourism in France and its overseas departments and territories. The 2020 edition includes a Vatel Bordeaux student among the 10 lucky candidates selected to compete in the Final, Rachel Hucik Lasternas. A few words about her motivation for entering the competition and a look at the opportunities offered to the finalists.
2020 Travel Agents Cup Junior: A unique opportunity to meet large numbers of professionals
After focusing on leisure since its creation in 1979, the Top Resa trade show expanded its scope in 2008, becoming the IFTM Top Resa. At that point, it opened up to clients of the business world, MICE events and digital technologies. In 2019, the IFTM show brought 34,000 tourism professionals together, representing 7,000 brands.
As a Travel Cup Junior finalist, Rachel is an invited guest of the show. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will undoubtedly be fewer exhibitors this year. However, the event will still be a terrific opportunity for her.
This year, the guest of honor is Indonesia. ‘I would so love to go work there!’ exclaims the Vatel Bordeaux student. And she will certainly have the chance to meet professionals from Jakarta.
2020 TAC Junior: Recognition of students’ knowledge and know-how
To reach the final stage, Rachel Hucik Lasternas had to complete a questionnaire about organizers and the tourism sector in France. Above all, she had to write an essay presenting an original tour of an emblematic location:
– dinner at Pierre Gagnaire in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, in the company of Olivier Poussier, 2000 Best Sommelier of the World.
– a visit to the Eiffel Tower as seen from above, on board a hot-air balloon.
To become one of the five winners of a trip for two at the Final in Paris this November, the MBA Foundation Year student at Vatel Bordeaux will have 4 minutes in which to give a live pitch for a tourist region drawn at random. The candidates will be notified of the five locations – all off the beaten track – that are chosen for the contest, two months before the show. The goal is to demonstrate the ability to present a viable tourism plan, argued with conviction and eloquence before a panel of judges and the general public.
Our student will have the chance to win one of the five prizes awarded:
- Three prizes for ‘the most promising sales people for Destination France
- One audience choice award discerned directly by the spectators
- One prize drawn at random from the remaining candidates
The five winners will each receive a trip in France for two, worth €1,200.
Will Rachel Hucik Lasternas be one of these “most promising salespeople”? Regardless, her selection as a finalist is already strong recognition of her personal and professional capacities. Congratulations, Rachel!
Find out more about our MBA in International Hotel Management course.
