APU’s School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) students took part in a three-day industry visit to Penang, gaining hands-on exposure to hospitality operations, sustainable tourism, heritage conservation, and retail management, which effectively bridged classroom learning with real-world industry practices through visits to key destinations and interactions with industry professionals.

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The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) students took part in an enriching three-day industry visit to Pulau Pinang (Penang), designed to deepen their understanding of resort operations, sustainable tourism, heritage conservation, retail management, and customer service within real-world industry settings. 

The experiential learning programme provided students with valuable exposure beyond the classroom, allowing them to connect theory with professional practice across diverse tourism and hospitality environments.

Day one began at PARKROYAL Resort Penang, where the primary objective of the hotel tour was to raise students’ awareness of resort operations and organisational management.

The group was warmly welcomed at the lobby by the Director of Human Resources, Ms Kartini Fletcher, before being escorted to the Java Lounge for a welcome drink. 

The students were then briefed in a meeting room on the PARKROYAL organisation, its history, brand values, and operational structure.

Adding further inspiration to the visit, the hotel’s General Manager, Mr Edward Kollmer, shared his professional journey from the early stages of his career to his current leadership role. 

His insights into perseverance, adaptability, and leadership within the hospitality industry resonated strongly with the students.

Reflecting on the experience, Noa Kurogi shared, “Listening to Mr Edward and Ms Kartini speak about their career journey helped us understand that success in hospitality takes time, dedication, and a genuine passion for people.” 

Similarly, Hikari Yamashiro remarked, “Seeing how a luxury resort operates behind the scenes gave us a clearer picture of what professionalism in hospitality truly means.”

On day two, students visited The Habitat Penang Hill, a renowned eco-tourism attraction that promotes environmental conservation, sustainability awareness, and nature-based education. 

The visit, conducted by tour guide Mr Khai, supported the Global Travel and Tourism subject by demonstrating how natural attractions are managed within the global tourism industry, particularly through sustainable and eco-tourism practices.

As students explored rainforest trails, canopy walkways, and interpretive stations, they observed flora, fauna, and ecological systems in their natural environments.

The hands-on experience encouraged environmental appreciation and reinforced the importance of conservation efforts in tourism development.

Amin Ali Haimoud reflected, “The Habitat showed us how tourism and environmental protection can work together. It changed the way we think about sustainability in the industry.”

The day continued with a visit to Armenian Street, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its preserved pre-war buildings, cultural landmarks, and traditional streetscape reflecting Penang’s multicultural and colonial history. 

Students observed how heritage conservation was maintained through architecture, street art, clan houses, and cultural spaces, while still supporting tourism, retail activities, and community life. 

This visit enhanced their appreciation of heritage tourism and highlighted the importance of authenticity, cultural identity, and responsible tourism practices.

On day three, students explored a range of retail and cultural tourism settings. The visit to Virinchi, a tailoring and menswear brand established in 1986, provided valuable insight into personalised customer service within a traditional business environment. 

During a meaningful session with Mr Jai Bakhtani, fondly known as Jeetu, students learned the importance of understanding customer preferences, communication, and long-term relationship building in delivering customer satisfaction.

The programme continued at Hin Bus Depot, a former bus depot creatively transformed into a vibrant hub for retail, arts, and community activities.

Students observed how independent vendors and creative entrepreneurs curated products and experiences that reflected local identity, creativity, and consumer trends. 

The visit offered insights into retail operations within a non-traditional setting, including layout planning, branding, customer flow, and experiential marketing.

Lastly, a visit to Chew Jetty provided students with valuable experiential learning in heritage, culture, and sustainable tourism. 

Through direct observation, students gained insights into early Chinese settlement patterns, clan-based communities, and the challenges of preserving living heritage within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The visit also enhanced their understanding of community-based tourism, demonstrating how small-scale economic activities supported local livelihoods while balancing heritage conservation and tourism growth.

Concluding the trip, Lawrence Onindo Perera shared, “This study tour helped us understand how tourism connects hospitality, culture, retail, and sustainability. It was inspiring to see how theory comes alive in real industry settings.”

Mr Shazeel Ali Sardar Ali, SoGHT Senior Lecturer said the 3D2N educational trip to Penang provided a meaningful and enriching learning experience, offering students holistic exposure to hospitality, nature-based tourism, heritage conservation, and creative tourism. 

“The industry visits effectively complemented classroom learning, allowing students to connect theory with real-world practice while enhancing professional awareness and essential soft skills.”

Overall, the three-day Penang study tour successfully enhanced the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism students’ industry exposure, practical understanding, and professional awareness. 

Through direct engagement with industry practitioners and tourism destinations, the programme strengthened students’ readiness for future careers in the global hospitality and tourism sector.