Kristen Hansen, a Term 6 Diploma student from Norway, together with a group of fellow overseas students and friends have made their dreams a reality – opening their own hotel.
Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the hotel is surrounded by the ruins of the ancient Angkor temples, long considered one of the three most important cultural attractions in the world.The hotel opened on 2 March this year and caters specifically for budget travellers who enjoy modern facilities. "Our project all started when I was on a study trip with the International Tourism Institute, a Norwegian school of tourism and hotel management, which I had attended before joining ICTHM," says Kristen.
"As a group of 13 students travelling around East Asia in November 1999, we fell in love with Cambodia, and especially Siem Reap. Recognising an excellent marketing opportunity there, we decided to open a hotel and formed a parent company in Norway comprising 31 shareholders, followed by a subsidiary in Cambodia with a board of 5 to look after the day-to-day planning and management."
Cambodia's culture is very different from Australia and Norway, and it took a studied appreciation of the local industry to make the project a reality. They found and purchased the land, designed the building and oversaw its construction, chose the decor and saw to its implementation, and even designed some of the furniture.
The hotel has 20 comfortable bunk-style rooms, each with their own bathroom, shower and toilet.
There is a restaurant serving traditional cuisine, bar, conference room which doubles as a classroom, and a garden which will feature a swimming pool at the next stage.
"The official opening of the hotel this year saw five monks and one 'power monk' come to bless the hotel," says Kristen.
Kristen's brother has been supervisor on the project since construction began in April last year and is currently managing the hotel together with another overseas hospitality student.
"Earthwalker's aim is to eventually establish a chain of quality hotels in South-East Asia, providing tourists with unique travelling experiences. Contributing to local communities will play a central role in our operations, and part of our profits will be used to support local community projects," says Kristen.
"If it weren't for the training and study I have received at ICTHM I doubt whether I would have had the knowledge to have pursued my dream with confidence."
The venture has already attracted a great deal of press interest around the world.
The College is proud of Kristen and her colleagues' achievements, among them her room mate and good friend at ICTHM, Jane Jakobsen, and we wish them all the best with their present and future ventures. It just goes to show that opportunities abound in this industry, and what can be achieved with the right training, ability and enterprise.
