Hey there! I am Ahlam Bilal. I was born in the Middle East, Lebanon, but grew up in Monrovia, Liberia. I have travelled around Western Asia, North Africa and West Africa. My parents both have mixed cultural backgrounds. As a result, I am a melting pot of Arabic, Colombian and West African heritage. Growing up with so many different languages, ethnicities and traditions, I found myself mesmerized by the hidden beauty of developing countries. The Tourism Industry has always been a wonder to me.

I researched some of the best universities across the Americas, and thought “Canada feels like my best bet”. I had never been on this side of the world and never even experienced the Winter season. Canada, British Columbia took my breath away and felt like a home away from home. The beautiful landscapes, voluptuous mountains and love for local support felt familiar, so I stayed. I applied to Thompson Rivers University, and I am currently enrolled in my third year in the Bachelor of Tourism Management here in Kamloops.

I grew up around countries that were looked down upon. Liberia for instance, is best known for its oil, meaning foreign companies drill the land dry and leave with no corporate social responsibility. I, as a local residing there, knew there is way more than meets the eye. The soothing shoreline and hot sun have so many astounding treasures hidden within this growing country.

Lebanon, my country of birth, has always been known for its “Beirut Night Life”. Yes, the nightlife there is amazing but that doesn’t mean it attracted enough tourists. Lebanon has also been a land rich in history and culture. In one of our cities; Byblos, we still have remains of beautiful ancient structures built by the Roman Empire. Neighboring that city, is a city that was highly influenced by the French colonization, therefor, all the architecture there looks like a mini suburban Paris. One tiny country nest history, culture and the education of hundreds of years.

And so, I noticed that in most of the developing countries I have been to, tourism didn’t even exist. Both my country of residence and birth had no importance for the Tourism Industry. It dawned upon me that someone has to take initiative and encourage countries like that to partake in the industry. Both countries have been weighed down by the horrid ravages of life, yet somehow still resurrect and bloom.

My goal is to introduce both domestic and international tourism to countries that need a healthy flow of tourists. I want to expose most of the hidden gems in countries that are so weary that they can not see their true beauty. Of course, this a long term goal. I hope to eventually build a team with the same motives and goals as me. This team will hopefully turn into a non profit organization that can help educate tourism ministries in developing countries of their potential gain.

This e-portfolio is the first step for me to share my experiences, work, and professional endeavors. It will also allow me to learn from previous encounters and reflect on current experiences. In the current circumstances of the pandemic, this portfolio has helped me learn that the industry relies on technology now, more than ever. This is a great way for newbies in the industry like me to grow.