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Delegation from Florence visits UD 4:30 p.m., Nov. 10, 2006--Matteo Renzi, the president of the province of Florence, Italy, and a group of Italian officials recently visited the campus during their stay in Delaware, which was sponsored by the Delaware Economic Development Office. After a campus tour, the group was hosted at a luncheon at the Courtyard Newark-University of Delaware hotel by Fred DeMicco, ARAMARK Chair in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management, and William Sullivan, managing director of the hotel. “Since 1992, we have been bringing students to Firenze (Florence) to study abroad,” DeMicco said. “Tuscany is a wonderful place to see tourism in action--hotels, Tuscan cuisine, Chianti country and art all add to a hospitality student's knowledge bank. In fact, Florence was just voted the number-one best city in Europe in the November issue of Condé Naste Traveler magazine, which called it 'a magical city on the Arno River.' It's one of my favorites, too.” “By hosting the president of Firenze, we are expanding our educational relationship for UD students and faculty and opening up opportunities for tourism and hospitality training for Florence hotel and restaurant professionals,” DeMicco said. “For example, they are just now trying specials, such as stay three nights and get the fourth night free, children stay free in a hotel room, and kids' menus--all new concepts that may be tried there.” In addition, DeMicco said, “Tours are being planned from Florence to Michelangelo's birthplace and Da Vinci's home so that people will stay longer in the city and boost tourism revenue. “According to President Renzi, doors would be unlocked for UD students coming to Firenze, and they would see things, such as the secret passage ways of the Medici family, that most tourists would never see. Now that's educational tourism and 'value added' to a UD education,” DeMicco said. “The luncheon was an opportunity for the group to become acquainted with the University and its hospitality program,” Sullivan said. “Early next year, we plan to visit Florence to explore cooperative and educational ventures as part of the effort to globalize the UD's hospitality program.” The University already has signed an agreement with the University of Rome, and there are currently two exchange students on campus, who were invited to the luncheon. Besides Renzi, the delegation from the province of Florence included Massimo Mattei, president of the Provincial Council, Simone Dens, Giovanni Palumbo, Francesca Grifoni, Roberto Bartolini and Andrea Bacci. In addition, Alberto Giannetti, trade representative from Delaware, and Louis Arena, UD associate professor emeritus of linguistics, were present. Article by Sue Moncure |
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