Tiona Peacock - Diploma in Travel and Tourism Level 6

The Broadmoor is one of the handful of classic Grand Resorts in the United States with its timeless properties on a truly epic scale, with multiple golf courses, vast acreages, endless bars, restaurants, and facilities.

Tiona Peacock had always dreamt to expand her horizons outside of her home in Hawkes Bay and one day work at The Broadmoor – fabled as being ripped from the pages of The Great Gatsby.

In 2018, she moved to Hamilton to study at the New Zealand School of Tourism where she graduated with a Level 6 Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management.

Then at 19 years old, Tiona was offered the opportunity with NZST to jet off to the United States to begin her 12-month internship programme with The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs.

“It was a really weird feeling because I didn’t think I was actually going to do it. Then I landed in America, and the reality that I had actually reached my dream hit me all at once,” says Tiona.

What a typical week looks like at The Broadmoor

At The Broadmoor, Tiona has been able to exercise her expertise developed at NZST in customer service and baseline roles in the industry.

“As a front desk agent, I’m responsible for checking guests in and out of the hotel and managing guest inquiries.”

“I get to interact with hundreds of people each and every day.”

Tiona spends her days off hiking through the surrounding scenic trails and lush valleys with her newfound friends.

Working in the tourism industry during COVID-19 pandemic

Tiona says the tourism industry is booming: “Our hotel expects to be in full occupancy until October and people are even making bookings 12 months in advance.”

“In Colorado, we are lucky because you can choose whether you want to wear a mask and most people are fully vaccinated.”

With her training at NZST and attained work experience at The Broadmoor, Tiona is confident she can get a hotel job anywhere in the world.

After her internship, Tiona plans to start a new adventure in Europe.