ハワイ海外研修（HIBISCUSプログラム）では、ハワイの現地のグローバル企業へ会社訪問を行い、広い視野で観光ビジネスをとらえる感覚を身に付けています。訪問先は旅行会社、有名ホテル、観光施設運営会社など様々です。ハワイならではの観光ツアーを運営する企業や、有名ホテルへの訪問を終えた学生達より、レポートが届きました。

A Precious Time
Risako Seiki

I went to Atlantis Submarine the other day. We first asked a lot of questions to the representative while waiting for the ship to come. He smiled and was polite in answering about twenty questions. After that, I sailed about fifteen minutes by ship from the beach to the offshore spot where the submarine was located. On the way, a crew member explained about the ship to us. We were shown the ship's cockpit. I was excited to see it for the first time in my life. They talked slowly and sometimes with jokes so that we could easily understand them. Also, they agreed, with a smile, when I asked to take a photo of them. When the ships were passing each other, the crew members of the passing ship waved hands with a smile at us. Then I got into the submarine and experienced the deep water world at a depth of 30 meters. When we sat in the submarine, there was a window in front of each person. We saw fish, ships that sunk to the seabed, aircraft and so on. Also, we were able to see a sea turtle. The submarine was lively and everyone was glued to the sea turtle. I was very moved by the sea turtle which I saw for the first time. On this day, I experienced many things I had never experienced before. It was an unforgettable memory for me. I was able to feel the kindness of the crew and the passengers. Consequently, I like Hawaii more. I want to interact with people in Hawaii more. I want to give something back as a volunteer because Hawaiian people are very kind to me.

Kualoa Ranch
Ayami Wakayama

I went to Kualoa Ranch on a company visit. I learned about many things through this company visit. Kualoa Ranch is the movie site and location of a TV program and commercial. It is the shooting place of "Jurassic World." This place is known as a famous power spot in Oahu Island. Kualoa Ranch's goal is to protect and enhance the natural beauty of these lands while developing sustainable recreational, agricultural and aquacultural enterprises that are compatible with the environment. All tours and commercial activities enable Kualoa Ranch to keep the lands undeveloped so that future generations will be able to enjoy them as well. Kualoa Ranch has a lot of activities, for example, a movie shooting location tour, horse riding, ATV, and zip line. The most popular activity is zip line. Zip line is the most sustainable form of tourism, so employees say that ecotourism is becoming very popular. Kaneohe Bay is near Kualoa Ranch, so if you go there, you can have a private beach experience. Kualoa Ranch has a lot of animals. I could see cast, chickens, pigs, turtles, and lamas. I was able to feed the lamas. There are a lot of plants. Kualoa Ranch grows bananas, coconuts, etc. Kualoa Ranch's target market is everyone, for example, tourists, local people, and so on. Employees say they want more people to visit this ranch.

Waikiki Sheraton Hotel
Reika Ito

I went to Sheraton Hotel Waikiki Hotel for my company visit. This hotel is one of the most famous and popular hotels in Hawaii. This hotel is located in front of Waikiki beach and there are 1,636 guest rooms. During my visit a corporate trainer introduced us to the Sheraton hotel. She had been working for 48 years at this hotel. First, we went to the kitchens. This hotel has two kitchens on the first and second floors and these two kitchens support the guest's comfortable service. Next, we went to the special lounge. This hotel has 31 floors and the special lounge is locate on the 31st floor. I took the photo on the right from this floor. The view was very beautiful.
After that, we went back to the first floor and we walked around the hotel's garden. Sheraton Waikiki hotel has a pool and a private beach. Many kinds of people use their facilities. Guests can swim in the pool and use the beach. Sheraton Hotel gives many choices to guests. Also there is a book post at the pool side where you can bring your favorite books. I discovered that there are a lot of books about foreign countries so I was surprised and moved by the hotel's consideration. If I have another chance to visit Sheraton Waikiki hotel, next time I would like to enjoy this hotel as a guest with my friends.