If you have a passion for travel or if you want to develop the skills to help others make the most of their tourism experiences, this subject will open your mind to the endless opportunities that exist in the world's largest industry. Making up 2/3 of a full-time study programme, this course is especially suited to students already planning for a career in the Travel & Tourism Industry.
Tourism has recovered well from the Pandemic: There will be an estimated 35.1 million visits to the UK in 2023 (86% of the 2019 level and 18% higher than in 2022) and £29.5 billion spent by tourists (104% of the 2019 level and 14% higher than in 2022) source: Visit Britain. This course covers a range of topical aspects relating to the industry as well as helping people to become occupationally ready to take up employment in a range of jobs in both the public and private sectors, in places such as visitor attraction, travel agencies, hotels, airlines and tour operators. This can follow either directly after achieving this qualification, or via the stepping stone of Higher Education at Universities or Colleges.
You will study 8 units over the 2 years, which cover some fundamental aspects of Travel and Tourism as well as some of the specific areas of the industry that make it so exciting and diverse.
| Units | Topic | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | The World of Travel and Tourism | Written Exam |
| Unit 2 | Global Destinations | Controlled Assessment |
| Unit 3 | Principles of Marketing in Travel & Tourism | Coursework |
| Unit 4 | Managing the Customer Experience | Coursework |
| Unit 5 | Travel & Tourism Enterprises | Coursework |
| Unit 6 | Researching Current Travel Trends & Key issues in Travel & Tourism | Coursework |
| Unit 7 | Events, Conferences & Exhibitions | Coursework |
| Unit 8 | Visitor Attractions | Coursework |
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Travel and Tourism is the equivalent to 2 A Levels and allows students to earn the same number of UCAS points. This is a 2-year course and should be taken as part of a full College programme alongside one other A Level or single equivalent BTEC National qualification.
A minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above including English Language or at least a Merit grade in a BTEC First (Level 2) qualification for Travel and Tourism if taken. It is not necessary to have studied this subject at GCSE level at school.
| Assessment | % |
|---|---|
| Exam Board Set/Marked Written Exam & Tasks | 30% |
| Teacher Set/Marked Coursework | 70% |
Each unit is awarded points, which are translated into an overall grade (Pass, Merit or Distinction) by the assessors at the end of the course. Assignment tasks will be in the form of a variety of observed practical tasks, reports, presentations and activities.
College expects that for every hour in lessons you should be doing one hour of private study (50/50). This is the case for all subjects. In private study time for this subject, you will be completing coursework, reading about the subject in newspapers and magazines, watching travel documentaries, experiencing travel and tourism with a critical eye and not just for pleasure, researching statistics on the Internet and keeping abreast of current issues.
The travel and tourism industry is a dynamic one, changing daily through the impact of politics, economics, the environment as well as critical incidents such as Covid 19. Looking at these wider issues will help you understand how the industry has developed and how it currently operates.
You will encounter a wide variety of approaches, tasks and exercises. You’ll get your basic knowledge and understanding through combinations of class notes, articles, research, videos, and practical exercises. You’ll learn to apply this knowledge, to explain, analyse and evaluate the content for each individual unit of study.
Educational visits, your own work experience and guest speakers form an integral part of the course, making the learning experience interesting, thought-provoking and real. This course is hard work but with motivation, dedication and application all students benefit greatly from its broad approach and can achieve excellent A level equivalent results in the end.
The Hospitality, Leisure & Tourism Department is situated in a purpose-built complex with dedicated teaching rooms, complete with multi-media equipment and a computer suite consisting of fully networked machines for all students.
The teaching team are experienced teachers who have relevant experience within the travel and tourism industry. They are very enthusiastic about their subject and are fully committed to providing high-quality education in a caring and supportive environment. Their knowledge of the industry is used to promote a detailed and extensive learning environment as well as support you with your studies.
During your lessons, you will experience a variety of activities and approaches designed to suit different abilities and learning styles. These range from traditional lessons, group and individual work as well as practical sessions. We work hard to support all students with their studies.
Most of our students go on to study a variety of different degree programmes. Others have found employment with international companies such as British Airways, TUI, EasyJet, Kuoni, and Royal Caribbean Cruises.