A family affair: ITC graduate inspires daughters to study tourism

Robyn Hicks and daughters Chelsea and Katharine studied tourism with ITC via distance learning.

Passion for travel and tourism runs strong in the Hicks family. When mum Robyn enrolled in a course at the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC), little did she know she would soon inspire her daughters to do the same.

Fast forward a few years, and now Robyn’s two daughters, Chelsea and Katharine, are both well on their way to completing the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3 through ITC’s distance learning arm, Study From Home.

Chelsea hopes to move on to study Level 4 in 2016 and dreams of one day visiting New York, while Katharine is considering moving to England to compete in equestrian events, another passion of hers.

Robyn says travel is something they’ve always prioritised as a family, having embarked on many family trips to destinations such as Australia, America and Fiji.

“I’ve always had a passion for travel. I travelled extensively for a number of years in my youth, including living in London for 2 and a half years before returning to New Zealand, marrying and having a family,” says Robyn.

She is glad her daughters are following in her footsteps and encourages other people who are passionate about the industry to do all they can to achieve their dreams.

“If you are thinking of taking up study in the travel and tourism industry, it doesn’t matter how young or old you are: you’re never too late to give up on your dreams. The world is your oyster.”

Robyn cites receiving her certificate at graduation – an impressive ‘Excellent with Merit’ – as being one of the highlights of her life. She looks forward to sharing this experience with her daughters when they graduate.