On a blustery November day, Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism students spent their morning on site at the Castillo de San Marcos, with National Parks Ranger Amelia Vela. Mrs. Vela, who has been stationed at the Castillo for several years, took the students on a tour unlike any other. Instead of the usual historical tour of the Castillo, students learned about the fort’s part in St. Augustine history as a tourist destination. On a tour of the exterior of the site, students learned about the many people involved in the maintenance, upkeep, reinvention and daily operation of the Castillo. Students were able to get insight into the creation of the exhibits featured and the tourism changes forced by the COVID-19 pandemic (total shutdown, then reduced capacity which also meant a 50% reduction in revenue to keep the fort going). As it is an intriguing historical site, the students were also able to ask Mrs. Vela historical questions about the Castillo, and got lots of background information, unknown details, and even had some ghost stories debunked thanks to her wealth of knowledge
