Rounding up my experiences - 5th and last post

About two weeks back, in my last post - I mentioned that I was looking forward to something eventful so here goes.. I went to the Maldives!

Definitely definitely a highlight in my time doing PR modules, PR internship and PR working life :)

I went there with another colleague because of this hotel client in the Maldives, of ours. We're been working on this account and as the hotel just opened, my boss very kindly arranged for us to check out the Maldives so as to better understand the client and the product.

Needless to say, the stay really helped! Previously in our concalls with the client, we knew of the happenings and the Maldivian culture but really experiencing it is another thing. We've written about the menu items in the hotel's restaurants but now we can safely say that we've tried it so drafting menu releases is so much easier.

The client also helped us to set up two meetings with the general manager of a major airline as well as with the staff of the Maldivian tourist board. The culture there is really different. In Singapore, we normally try and schedule an appointment a week before and even then, cancellations may occur. In the Maldives, we do not have to set aside much lead time, meetings can be arranged just the day after!

From these appointments, we've also gathered valuable information about the nature of travellers to the Maldives and the growing tourist markets.

During the time we were there, there was also media from around the world staying in the Maldives. To make a point about climate change, the president held the first underwater cabinet and many of them were there to cover it.

Wish to clarify that I'm interning in the company I'm working in. I've been in PR for a while now but have always felt that there's tons to learn and in this internship, my efforts have been largely focused on the hospitality clients that my company has. It's been a learning curve as this is a new hotel and the first account where the client is not based in Singapore so communication is not always direct and immediate.

I think this trip is a great end to my PR internship - it will be something I will remember. Am leaving you with pictures which I nicked from my colleague, literally an island in the Maldives aptly called Paradise Island.

Farewell, 

Yvette