75 graduate VI first hospitality Pop-up School. Team of Reporters

Guest Speaker at the graduation ceremony— President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC)—Ms Judith E. Vanterpool. Photo: Team of Reporters

Team members of the international Pop up School - Saira Hospitality. Photo: Team of Reporters

The intensive training programme is executed through a partnership with Sir Richard Branson' Unite BVI, VP bank, Scrub Island Resort, Bitter End Yacht Club, Rosewood little Bay Resort, Cooper Island resort among others.

Guest Speaker at the graduation ceremony— President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC)—Ms Judith E. Vanterpool, charged that customer service in the hospitality industry is not just external, "it's not just when somebody comes to your workplace. Customer service starts within your company. That's why we say charity begins at home."

Brainchild of Chanrai  

The school is the brainchild of Ms Harsha Chanrai, of London England.

Her growth with the hospitality school boomed, when in 2014, she won the Cornell business’ Panpitch’ a baton, she has since passed on the Ms Cathy O. Richards, who won the 1st business pitch of Saira Hospitality Pop-up School.

At the graduation Ms Chandrai was visibly emotional, a result of witnessing the impact her school has made in the lives of VI service providers, especially after the devastation of Hurricane Irma and Maria in 2017.

"When we look into your turquoise seas and white sands, we see the true challenges we face on these islands…I can't pretend to know what it felt like to have Irma take so much from you but I hope that Saira will be remembered as one that give back to you –a silver lining in the storm," she said in congratulating her graduates.

Two Months

The Hospitality course delivered by Saira, ran over a two month period and covered the vast majority of topics in the industry and was delivered in eight modules.

Students spent three days in classrooms at Tortola and Virgin Gorda and one day in hands-on training at Scrub Island working and learning the activities of all of the department's there.

Fridays were dedicated to health, food and nutrition where they visited several farms and participated in meditation and exercise activities.

Additionally they were exposed to fine dining experiences, visits to luxury hotels and resorts and motivational sessions by different levels of entrepreneurs.