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Campus TourProject Winners
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
In the Tourism and Resort Management course, students are split into groups and given an assignment to produce a complete itinerary and description of a trip of their choosing. This trip must fit the demographics and psychographics of those that would be invited. All projects are then judged by industry members from the community. The winner helps design and produce a banquet at the end of the semester. Following are the past three year winner's.
2002 Winner
Dave Foster, Andy Frank, Chris Jenson, Travis Lundahl
The birth place of the Renaissance and home of past powerful empires, this tiny boot in the Mediterranean Sea is known for it's diverse culture and appealing images. With it's historically reich archives and comfortably accommodations, Italy is this year's choice of adventure.
2001 Winner
Matt Stiger, Andy Vessel, Mike Stradiot
Dana Burkholder, Bettina Lanzenstiel
Journeys Into Paradise presents Thailand "The Land of Smiles". In the north of Thailand you will experience a tour, by elephant, of the awe-inspiring Chiang Mai region. On the River Kwai travel down and experience exhilarating white water rafting or travel to Ayutthaya and see some of the most remarkable architecture in Thailand. However, the tour does not end with the beautiful North. We finally end up in Koh Samui. You will be able to swim, play and have fun on one of the most exceptional island groups in the world. Koh Samui offers some of the best sea kayaking and snorkeling in the world. You can explore sea caves and limestone cliffs shooting out of the water. Koh Samui also has the best beaches in Southern Asia, not to mention an exceptional array of restaurants and nightclubs. There is something for everyone!
2000 Winner
John Hrbacek, Sarah Neumann,
Mike Schieltz, Jeremy Veryser & Kristine Westbrooke
Choose Your Own Adventure Travel invites your tour group to discover the countless and flavorful wonders of Ecuador. From the vast jungles to the modem day cities, this diverse country allows for a truly unique experience. Whether you are seeking the leisure of a city tour or a thrilling raft ride, our two-week package offers an abundance of comfort and excitement that is sure to please everyone. Our company has designed this tour in such a way that we can assure an effortless and worry-free vacation.
The tour begins with a flight to Quito, the country's capital. During your memorable three day four night stay, we offer round robin optional trips featuring: a scenic city, tour/visit to the Equatorial Monument, a tour of Cotopaxi National Park, and a trip to the famous Otovalo Market.
Following the stay in Quito we will fly to San Cristobol, one of the incredible Galapagos Islands. We will embark on a first class cruise ship, chartered exclusively for your group. Three days will be spent cruising the islands and enjoying activities such as swimming, snorkeling , and sight seeing.
After your unforgettable visit to the Galapagos you will be provided with a three optional trips from which to choose.
- A venture to the relaxing mountain town of Cuenca is offered for the more psychocentric traveler. Here you will stay in the Hotel Crespo, a modem first-class lodge- from which tours will depart to the astonishing Giron waterfalls, the Jubones Desert, and the indigenous Inca ruins.
- An exciting trip to the Sacha Lodge, in the heart of the rainforest, is offered for the more allocentric traveler. The Sacha Lodge, near the small town of Coca. is a 3200-acre private reserve with thatched roof cabins. Here you can explore the mystery, and abundant wildlife of the Amazonian Rainforest.
- The small coastal village of Canoa offers activities for the allocentric and the psychocentric traveler alike. Lodging is provided at the Sundown Inn, a newly constructed property with bamboo decor in a peaceful atmosphere. Numerous activities are offered including: snorkeling, surfing, fishing, hiking,, biking, learning Spanish, or just relaxing on the beach.
After participating in one of the optional trips, the entire group will gather Quito. Here, the traveler is provided with a variety of activities from which to choose including: white water rafting, mountain biking, trekking, further exploring the city, or just enjoying personal free time. To commemorate your exciting Paseo a la Mitad del Mundo, a celebration banquet will be held providing an opportunity to exchange stories of your travel experiences. A delectable three course Ecuadorian meal will be served. Entertainment will include a slide show presentation, dancing to live Andean music, a cocktail social, as well as a Christmas gift exchange.
Choose Your Own Adventure Travel offers unique accommodations, numerous activities from which to choose, and reliable transportation. We also insure your safety and travel enjoyment by providing native speaking escorts, embassy and emergency contacts, proper packing guidelines, and cultural etiquette tips. All of these elements, packaged at a reasonable price, assure an experience of a lifetime.
1999 Winner
Dave Ferguson, Gillian Frothingham & Tyler Wagner
Experience what Egypt has to offer by joining us for a wondrous trip down to the Sahara Desert, where you will be in the heart of Egypt's Nile River Valley. Upon arrival, feast your eyes on one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza. Take time to experience camel riding at its best, as they are your transportation there. Enjoy and exotic tour of the Museum of Antiquities and the Mummy Room that tells the story of an ancient culture who has mystified modern society for many years. A cruise will take you through the historical sites along the vast Nile River between Aswan and Luxor. This floating resort will make frequent stops in places such as the Greco-Roman Temple, the Aswan High Dam and the Temple of Khnum. An adventurous end to Egypt will come with an exciting scuba diving experience in the Red Sea. Two diving locations will enable you to see brilliantly colored fish and intricate coral reefs. We have done extensive research to make your trip as unique and exciting as possible. You and other members of the alumni affinity group can join us for this once in a lifetime trip for only $2,505.46 a person or $4,686.90 for double occupancy. This packet contains information on Egypt and all that is needed to enjoy your stay.
1998 Winner
Deborah Clark & Phillip Cooper
The "Murder Mystery" has been a classic occasion in the United States, as well as many countries around the globe, for many decades. As humans, we are continually fascinated by the mystery whether it be of another planet, nature, or the most popular mystery of all time, the murder. What we have done, in the elements of this banquet, is bring together three century-old occasions into one unique occasion that everyone can enjoy: Christmas, food and mystery.
Throughout the creation of this banquet, we have continually intermingled the three components above in order to develop an atmosphere for all to enjoy. Throughout the following pages, we will layout for you the:
- Purpose of the banquet
- Evening's course of events
- Menu
- Plate Design
- Room Layout
- Practical business information
We hope you are as enthusiastic about this project as we are and encourage any questions you may have concerning any element of the project. At this time, we would also like to thank the following people for their help and support in putting together this banquet:
Alex & Greg from Sodexho
Jack, Renee & Shelly from The Doubletree Hotel in Durango
The entire staff at The Sheraton at Tamarron Hotel & Resort
1997 Winner
Sean de Moraes, Casey Striker, and Dave Tranum
We have arranged two tour packages including travel, accommodations, and several entertainment options for a week-long visit to Grand Cayman Island in the Caribbean. Our tour group will consist of roughly eighty clients between the ages of 20 and 60. The tour will depart Durango on January 20th and return on the 27th. With a group as diverse as this, we felt it was critical to offer a wide variety of services and travel experience. Airfare rates have been arranged through United Airlines, and Cayman Airways at a special advance purchase rate. Our entertainment options are designed to appeal to a wide range of customers. These packages only include daytime activities, leaving the warm Cayman nights open to the client's imagination. The first package is a Scuba package offering everything for the experience diver and instruction for the novice. Secondly, we offer a golf package. A tour of the island courses, ending in a tournament and award ceremony on the last day. We feel that by bringing a diverse group of tourists together we can offer a more rewarding travel experience for all.
1996 Winner
Jonilyn Julius, Jessica Lee, and Jim Stover
Experience the secluded luxuries of Africa as you travel with JJ & J on your next exotic vacation. Come with us and enjoy the rugged outback of Kenya's plains while ending your adventurous days at the most luxurious hotels Kenya has to offer. Travel to the heart of the best game reserves where encounters with exotic animals are as familiar as the sunrise over the African plains. Beginning in Nairobi, Kenya's dynamic capital, your itinerary will proceed to the Aberdare National Park and Treetops. In the Northern game park of Samburu, your lodge nestles alongside the Ewaso Ngire River, whose banks are alive with unique northern species. Then it is on to Lake Nakuru National Park to visit the million plus flamingoes. At the world renowned Masia Mara National Park you will be able to see the "Big Five," the lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. Then you will witness the stunning beauty of snow capped mount Kilimanjaro as you ease on by on the Lunatic Express, destination Indian Coast. Upon the arrival at Mombasa enjoy discovering The Old Town via a harbor cruise. The white coral beaches of the Indian coast offers many adventurous activities including snorkeling, diving, and sailing. Then conclude your vacation with Reflections of Africa, an exciting night of reflection, entertainment and delicious cuisine. This packet contains all the information needed to make your trip as pleasurable as possible. This information will assist you in many areas, including acquiring a visa, a brief introduction to Kenya, what to bring with you and other general information.
1995 Winner
Jason Holmberg, Jenni Shormann, and Katie Lawlor
Dear Participants,
Thank you for choosing 1996 Team Building Destination: Kodiak, Alaska! Kodiak is a beautiful, rugged island located in the Gulf of Alaska. Working as a team is essential in any type of business. So, in order to improve your team building skills we have developed a seminar focusing on this. We thought Kodiak, Alaska would be a perfect destination for this because of the untouched beauty and the location. Traveling the Kodiak will take two days each direction. The first day of the trip (Saturday, June 15, 1996) will be spent traveling by air from Durango to Homer, Alaska. Meals will be provided on the planes, so at the time of registration indicate if you have special eating requirements such as vegetarian or low sodium diet. We will spend this night at Land's End, a newly remodeled resort at the end of the Homer "Spit". Land's End has a restaurant, car and gift shop for those interested in an evening snack. Sunday, we will continue our travels by boarding the M/V Tustumena Alaska State Ferry for a 10-12 hour scenic ride to Kodiak Island. The ferry has a gift shop, two lounges, a cafeteria, a full service restaurant, and a bar for passenger convenience. Our lodging destination is the Westmark Hotel in Kodiak. Participants will share lodging accommodations with one other fellow participant. The rooms have two beds and one bathroom. Following room assignments and a brief introduction to the Westmark Hotel and team building objectives, individuals will have the evening to get settled and enjoy the comforts of the hotel. The next two mornings, Monday and Tuesday, will be spent as a group participating in team building activities. Wednesday we will be involved in team building activities for the entire day, lunch will be included. The afternoons of Monday and Tuesday and all day on Thursday and Friday individuals are free to participate in self-guided leisure activities. There are many activities to experience and sights to see. A detailed list of local information, including prices and phone number, will be sent to you upon confirmation. There will be a farewell banquet Friday evening in the Westmark Hotel's Harbor Room. Here, there will be a true Alaskan meal served. This is a great way to celebrate the victories and accomplishments that we will have earned and deserve. Saturday and Sunday will be spent in return travel. Once again, people participating in this unique travel adventure will receive a detailed trip itinerary and information specific to Kodiak Island and local activities with their confirmation notice following registration and payment. On behalf of Team Building, we hope to see you in Alaska!
1994 Winner
Eric Simonich, Tony Berela, and Bly Colbert
This project has given each one of us a better understanding of the Tourism Industry by working with people that work in the industry daily, like the lovely Terry at Discovery Durango (Travel Agent), Kristi Nelson at Tamarron (Director of Conferences), Jack Kays at the Red Lion Inn (Executive Chef), Tom Agius at Fort Lewis College (Food Director) and many other important Tourism industry individuals. During the semester we have been introduced to clients that would be taking part in the travel and banquet. With our study of their demographics, psychographics, and tourism behaviors we decided that the French Polynesian Islands would interest them. We have put together a 7 day 7 night package that includes a round trip airfare from Durango Los Angeles Tahiti, lodging at luxury all inclusive hotels, and a 1 night stay in Los Angeles for $1539 per person. We recommend at least $500 for food, shopping, and extra activities. People who have visited the French Polynesian Islands say that the scenery was absolutely beautiful, local people were extremely friendly, food was great, and they would go back if they had the time. There are many activities to do on the Islands, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, shopping, visiting museums, and hiking ancient volcanoes. It would be impossible to do everything within a one week stay, and it would be even more impossible for someone not to find something to do. It is going to be a fabulous vacation in the sun, so we hope that everyone will have a relaxing and fun vacation. Tahiti is primarily a French atmosphere. Therefore we have planned an extravagant French style banquet. At the reception people will receive one complimentary Tahitian drink from the bar, enjoy Beef Kebobs with Teriyaki Sauce and sample from a Fruit and Cheese platter. Appetizers will consist of a Chicken Breast with a Pineapple Burgundy Sauce, Southern Pacific Fish (AHI) with Coconut Zest Veloutee, Rice, and Vegetables. Dessert will be a Vanilla Caramel Flan. Activities at the banquet will consist of a cash bar, music, dancing, Limbo Contest, and gift drawings. Since the banquet is scheduled for December 4, 1994, it will be a good time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and celebrate the New Year. Also it is a way for students and professors to blow off some steam before Finals Week.