As a major employer and the Island's second-biggest earner of foreign currency, tourism is a crucial sector in the Bermuda economy. The industry is constantly seeking potential future leaders, particularly the Fairmont Group, which is looking for candidates for its Leadership Development Programme. Young Bermudians Andrew Schwaegerl and Peter Kyle both enlisted in the programme and told Tania Targett about their experiences.

While many a young person emerges from university without a real clue what they will do to earn a living for the rest of their life, two young Bermudians have already found firm footing to launch their careers in hospitality through Fairmont's Leadership Development Programme.

The 12-18 month programme is designed to put high calibre university graduates on a training track to become executive-level managers within five years and hotel general managers within ten years. Both Andrew Schwaegerl and Peter Kyle answered its call this year and are now working at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and Fairmont Southampton respectively.

While their training has been intense and the two report occasionally suffering from "information overload", they both love it and the opportunities it offers. In the programme, the men are rotated through different areas of the hotel to learn the trade from the ground up. They are also paired with a mentor.

Both had studied hospitality in university. Mr. Schwaegerl, 25, obtained a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism at Florida International University after completing his schooling at Mount St. Agnes. He said he has a "passion" for the industry, which he has already been working in for seven years. Mr. Kyle is 24 years old and did his studying in Scotland after many years spent travelling.

"Travelling opens so many opportunities, however, what I have found increasingly is the wealth of opportunities throughout Bermuda — especially throughout the hospitality sector," he said. "Some might not be the most glamorous, however, they all go somewhere in the end."

As a teenager, Mr. Kyle first tasted his trade through working at a snorkelling concession at Church Bay. He later attended Glasgow's Strathclyde University and studied Hotel and Hospitality Management and Tourism.

"University was not as bad or in some ways as difficult as I had thought or been told as I had already lived away from home and had a wealth of experience," he said. Two years into his studies, he got the opportunity for an exchange with the Hong Kong Polytechnic and jumped on it. "Throughout the time I spent in Hong Kong experiencing an entirely different study and work ethic, I found the time to continue travelling — in between helping at a bar in the main bar district — and met some great contacts and people," he said.

Joining Fairmont's leadership programme was similarly an opportunity he was not going to let slip. "I was told by several people about an article in The Royal Gazette about the Fairmont Leadership opportunity," Mr. Kyle said. "With some more investigation, I learned how much of an opportunity it could be and, as seen from my short track record, I do not feel I am one to pass up any opportunity. Fairmont offered what other hotels had not which was a foundation to eventually return to Bermuda, which is where I consider home."

Both young men see their career paths leading to executive level work in hotels — possibly as hotel managers. But Mr. Schwaegerl does not see that as the pinnacle. He has his sights set on one of Dr. Brown's jobs. "I have a deep desire to become Tourism Minister and be a top ambassador to my Island," he said.

Fairmont's Leadership programme provides excellent training and the two young men are called on to work in a wide variety of roles at their respective hotels. For Mr. Schwaegerl that has meant adapting to the graveyard shift (midnight till 8 a.m.) which he calls "character building".

"I have been rotating in different departments including front office supervisor, guest service manager, Night Audit and Royal Service," he said of his trajectory over the first three months he has been at with the programme. He most enjoys interacting with the guests and striving to meet their very high expectations. In fact, Mr. Schwaegerl and Mr. Kyle have a friendly rivalry over which of the two Fairmonts actually has the most demanding clientele. Who expects more — Hamilton's predominantly business clientele or Southampton's tourists? They debate this over long golfing afternoons and post work interviews with The Royal Gazette.

"Although I'm fresh in the industry maintaining guest satisfaction and exceeding guest experiences is the greatest and most rewarding aspect of my career," said Mr. Schwaegerl. He said guests are always looking to be "wowed" and Fairmont really strives to provide that "wow".

Both Mr. Schwaegerl and Mr. Kyle are enjoying the challenges and fast pace of life with at the Fairmonts. "I think in all areas of hospitality there is a new problem or challenge to solve daily no matter how abstract some of them can be," said Mr. Kyle. "For the first few months, there is so much information, it did feel like drinking from a fire hydrant. However, after six months working on the front desk, it hasn't quite slowed the water flow. However, I do feel I have learned how to handle it a little better."

Certainly the opportunities offered by the Fairmont Group are many. The hotel chain has 20 new properties opening between now and 2011 as well as 85 properties already in operation. Mr. Kyle hopes his next step with the company will take him to a far flung locale while Mr. Schwaegerl would prefer to stay closer to home. As a later phase of the leadership programme, both will be assigned to an overseas position with Fairmont. Mr. Kyle is looking toward Asia while Mr. Schwaegerl hopes for an assignment on the East Coast of the US.

Both are also confident that tourism in Bermuda will survive current economic challenges and ultimately thrive. "The tourism industry is projected for growth," said Mr. Schwaegerl. "There is always a demand for hotel rooms. There are social and economic issues facing the world today, including in the tourism industry, that I view as a challenge."

Fairmont is currently seeking two more budding hospitality professionals for the programme. Candidates should be recent graduates and some hospitality experience is preferable. Those interested should send their resume by e-mail (subject line: Leadership Development Program) to Nelda Simons, regional director of human resources, at Nelda.Simons@Fairmont.com or to Kelli-Ann Smith, director of human resources at Kelli-Ann.Smith@Fairmont.com.

"Our greatest focus right now is the development of our future leaders," said Ms Simons.