If it's true that a smile makes all the difference, then the future of hospitality in Bermuda looks like it's in good hands.

Summer students with their eyes on careers in tourism are honing their skills as greeters at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess as part of a scheme to breathe fresh life into the Island's hotel industry.

The bright-eyed group, aged between 16 and 20, have been spending the past few weeks ushering guests into the hotel and making sure their visits get off to the best possible start with a friendly hello.

It is hoped this summer is whetting their appetite to encourage them to seek long-term hotel jobs and reverse the trend of the past few decades which has seen the industry's appeal to working Bermudians seemingly on the slide.

And with so many new venues planned as tourism shows signs of a resurgence, today's greeters could turn out to be tomorrow's hotel managers, sales and marketing agents, caterers or even accountants.

Ashley Dawson, 20, a hotel management student at George Brown College in Toronto, sees her summer job as the first step on the road to a possible high-flying hotel career. But for now, she's happy with the feeling she gets from brightening somebody's day as they walk into the hotel.

"You have some people you feel you can't do anything with, but then you have one person come up and say you've made them feel good. It brings a lump to your throat," said Ashley.

"I love it. It's definitely broken me out of my shell just reaching out to people."

By helping visitors feel at home, Ashley is doing more than just her job she is helping maintain a Bermudian tradition of friendliness to someone in need. "We are known for helping tourists," she said. "If you see them on their bike and they look lost, we help them out. That's what we are known for. People need to keep striving towards being the friendly island that we are."

Reflecting on her summer job's impact on her long-term prospects, Ashley said: "It's opened up a lot windows. Being here you can see things like sales, marketing, catering. There are all kinds of things you can do in hotels."

Fellow greeter Princess Symonds, 18, is set to start a course at York University in Toronto. When she's not amusing guests with her name badge (apparently some people think it's funny to see a Princess working at the Princess), she's making them smile with her cheery manner.

"Being able to talk to the guests as part of my job is just beautiful," said Princess. "It's fun, it's interesting. I'm getting to know different people.

"The effect a smile has on someone it can brighten anyone's day. It's really hot, they might not have had the best day for whatever reason and they come in here and see a smile and it can just make all the difference. A smile is all you need to open up a conversation."

Like Ashley, Princess is hoping her time as a greeter can be the springboard to a successful long-term career.

"This is developing so many different aspects of my personality," she said. "I'm already a social person, but this is making me better prepared as a social person. It's making me go out there and speak to people. To make others feel comfortable, you have to open yourself up to others."

While the initiative is finding favour with the summer students, they're not the only ones who are benefiting. Four students are involved in the Fairmont's greetings programme, with many more working in other areas of the hotel and, according to human resources manager Calvina Joyiens-Tucker, the hotel could ultimately profit from the skills they pick up. She said eight or nine of this year's summer students were already studying hospitality.

"It's a great opportunity for these summer students to be exposed to the hospitality industry," said the manager. "It gives them a feel for the industry.

"Hopefully when they then make their career decision they may want to stay in the industry."