Teacher Jo Dennison swapped Benfleet for New York when she flew out to the States on an important fact-finding mission.

The travel and tourism teacher at The Deanes School in Daws Heath Road, Benfleet, will be finding out what makes America such a joy for visitors.

Jo, 30, of Heathercroft Road, Wickford, has never been to New York and was hoping to squeeze in time to see the sights while there.

She said before leaving: "A lot of talks and meetings with American companies have been packed into the trip, but I am hoping to have a bit of time to go out and look around New York."

But Jo, who has been teaching for four years, will be putting work first.

She added: "In America everything is geared towards service. We can learn a lot from the way Americans do things in this country.

"The whole tourist industry is aimed at ensuring people have a good time. Service is the be all and end all, whether you are on a bus or in a restaurant, which is not the case here."

Jo's three-day trip to Manhattan will take in the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and City Hall and will include discussions with the companies which organise the marketing of these popular sights.

Senior schools advisor for Essex, David Jones is leading the group of Essex teachers on the trip and once in the Big Apple staff will meet up with other leisure and tourism teachers from across the country.

Qualifications are becoming more and more important to students who want to follow a career in the tourist industry and Mr Jones is hoping great things will be achieved by maintaining close contacts with America.

Teacher Jo Dennison - looking forward to her trip

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

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