Interim Report

Interim Report weeks 1-3

1.daily activities and placement assignments

During the last weeks I have been working on different assignments. In the first week I mainly focused on getting settled in the office. I wrote my story for CCS and sent it to my group members, who are going to respond with a statement, that I will use for a further analysis. Moreover I started to draft the placement report and the destination analysis. In the second week Violeta explained the various tours that are offered by Golden Empire Tours in detail. She showed me maps, the travel route and pictures from previous tours to get a better impression. I used this information to fill out missing parts of my placement draft. It is really amazing to hear about the many ruins and places that can be visited close to Cusco. Moreover I learned about different transportation facilities, e.g. Peru Rail and Cruz del Zur. The first company transports tourists from Cusco to Machupicchu, and to Puno via railway. It offers four different services, that range in prices. Cruz del Zur is a major bus company that transports tourists throughout entire Peru. It owns the best fleet of buses with GPS-navigation security and comfortable seats, covering almost all important cities in Peru. The third week I started to do research on the internet about Cusco. I am slowly getting a picture about the environment that I am living in. Due to a Virus on all computers in the office, a technician was called to fix the problem. It has taken him more than 4 days to make the computer run again. My laptop needed to be reinstalled as well. Nevertheless, the systems are stable now and work can be continued.

The website www.goldenempiretours.com was discussed as well. I mentioned the things, that I do not like and that could be improved. Violeta agreed with the points and consulted a professional, who has a company in the United States. He is originally from Cusco, but has been living most of his life in the USA. He is going to redesign the website soon.

The fact that strikes me the most is that the organisation is a small company, that can be characterised as a family business. The office in not completed yet, and many things still need to be done. The communication between Violeta and me is very well. I do not have any problems and have adjusted myself to the situation.

I am working on improving my Spanish skills, because it is important to be able to work here properly. In week two I started to take a Spanish course for two hours a day, from Monday until Friday with a private Spanish teacher. The course is for a whole month. I have noticed that I am making progress, because I slowly start to understand the people. However, speaking is still difficult.

2.attainment targets

I have been working on improving my Spanish in writing and speaking. Moreover, I am receiving a incredible insight into the life of Peruvians. Because I live with the family, I am always invited to participate in their daily activities, as well as special ones, e.g. Birthday Party of their Cousin Christian, weekend trip to the families farm or a visit to the grandmother of Violeta. This fact makes this placement experience very valuable for me. Last Saturday Ingrid and me visited the temple of the Sun and I got a glimpse in the incredible ruins that exists here. There is a lot to learn about the ancient Inca Empire, their traditions and their language called Quechua.

3.personal aspects

In the beginning it was difficult for me to live with a family again, since in the Netherlands I have been living on my own, with my own room and privacy. Here in Cusco, I needed to get used to live and socialize with 4 new family members, i.e. having meals together, visiting other family members and adjusting myself to their way of life. However, this can be regarded as an advantage because I am forced to speak Spanish all the time. This fact is the most challenging, even three weeks after my arrival.

4.future action items

The following weeks I will focus on gathering information about tourism in Cusco, i.e. gaining insight into the markets, the tourism product, the impacts, recent developments. I will not only use internet research, but also go to the city centre to consult tourism information companies. I will ask Violeta, if she knows other people who are active in the tourism field and that could help me with my research. Moreover, I am planning to visit Andina University, a private university close to my house, that has a tourism department as well. Hence, I will try to get as much information as possible from different sources. The next step will be selecting this information and using relevant data for the reports. Moreover I will work on my Spanish skill and finish the course, so that I will be able to help in the office, when the tourist numbers are going to increase.