BSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management
Read the story of 2024 BSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management graduate, Zoi Delilampou, whose career in hospitality management has taken her across continents and to a management role at an iconic luxury London hotel.
"You never know when the next mystery diner will be coming and deciding on your next Michelin Star. In hospitality, you have to treat everyone as a VIP.” explains Zoi, Sales and Events Manager for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants at the world-famous Savoy Hotel.
Published 8 December 2024
Her role, which involves managing private hires and events at the three restaurants based at The Savoy, sees Zoi drawing on her professional experience and the knowledge and insight gained through her degree course.
Zoi’s passion and commitment to hospitality started from an early age. Originally from Thessaloniki in Greece, Zoi’s interest began with her chef father, who ran the family restaurant, and was inspired by the core Greek cultural value, Philoxenia, or ‘being hospitable’.
Her formal hospitality career started in 2012, with Zoi gaining experience across several front-of-house roles, and, in 2018 she completed her Hotel Management Diploma. Zoi’s dream, though, was to study abroad and enhance her qualifications.
Having done her research, the University of Sunderland in London (UoSiL) stood out for hospitality and “…guided me from day one and supported me throughout the application process.”.
In 2021, Zoi enrolled on her BSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management course and, at the same time, secured her first management role, at a Latin American restaurant in London. The fact that she was about to commence her degree course at the university stood out at the interview for the restaurant.
Over the next year, Zoi gained the ultimate experience in balancing work and study when she was part of a team opening two new restaurants in the Middle East. Shuttling between London, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar “…was tiring and I had to make sacrifices, but it was worth it, 100%. I also remember how accommodating the university was.”.
With her added experience and with her hospitality knowledge growing thanks to her degree course, Zoi took her next career step and joined Gordon Ramsay Restaurants in 2022.
“Studying at UoSiL gave me a real theoretical underpinning which I was able to practically apply at work.”. For Zoi, though, the most important skill in hospitality is emotional intelligence - a skill she developed through her industry experience and enhanced by studying at the university.
Reflecting on the teaching, she explains how the university offered “A very supportive learning environment – especially the academic staff”. Lecturers such as Erika Pall brought so much passion for the sector to her teaching, ensuring that Zoi and her fellow students were “100% focussed”.
“If you’re passionate about hospitality and want to develop your skills and mindset for career success, UoSiL is the perfect university.”.
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