These courses are developed with employability in mind, and are aimed at increasing your knowledge of the products, structures and operations within the tourism industry. You will examine areas such as niche markets and emerging forms of tourism, as well as looking at the wider social and economic issues.
It is a growing industry, and one of the consequences of its continuing growth is the ever increasing range of job opportunities and career prospects for well qualified and motivated people. The degree will give you the skills and experience that employers are looking for, and will help you to understand the principles essential for successful tourism management. You will study a travel and tourism management degree through a range of modules and analyse issues that are up to date and vocationally relevant, making it ideal for anyone who wants to work for tourism organisations in the public or private sectors.
Travel and Tourism is one of the largest single industries in the commercial world, and its importance to the economy is widely recognised. In the UK it is estimated that approximately 1.8 – 2 million people, (roughly 6-7% of the workforce) are employed directly in tourism and related service industries. Typical job titles to which graduates of the foundation degree might aspire include: Travel Agency Sales Manager, Travel Call Centre Manager, Tourism Development Officers, Junior Human Resources Manager, Resort Office Manager.
Travel and tourism degree course overview
The modules you study in year one will develop and build the knowledge and skills you require to work effectively in the industry. This initial introduction will set the scene for the course and introduce you to the tourism phenomenon through the core concepts involved.
Teaching is delivered through a variety of methods including workshops, lectures, practical projects, seminars, work based simulations, industry case studies, field work and work based learning. It is a hands on course where you’ll go on regular fieldtrips and visits to tourism service providers, such as airports, stately homes and local tourism hotspots. Students are encouraged to develop useful transferable skills that can be used in the various contexts to which you will be exposed throughout your academic study and any future job roles. Programme’s also makes extensive use of ICT in teaching and learning.
All courses combine theory with practical application, and contain a core curriculum which is enhanced and strengthened by various other areas such as; tourism organisations, regulations, motivations and innovations. Combined these will help you to gain an understanding of the operation of the private and public sectors and the interactions between them with respect to tourism.
Assessments will cover individual and group practical sessions, presentations, written assignments, learning logs and evaluations.
Typical course modules and areas of study on a Travel and Tourism Degree
- International Tourism
- Tourism Development and the Environment
- Travel and Tourism Operations Management
- Information Skills
- Law for the Travel and Tourism Industry
- Incoming and Domestic Tourism Management
- Managing Finance for Travel and Tourism
- Marketing for Travel and Tourism
- Tourism Development, Culture and Sustainability
- Events management
- Tour Operations
Students will learn about
- Real-world management strategies.
- Human resources management
- Economics
- Relationship marketing
- Customer relations
- Business management
- Social responsibility within the tourism industry.
- Changes in legislation.
- Financial recording systems.
- The importance of customer service.
- Travel destinations
Students will learn how to
- Be effective organisers.
- Work to deadlines.
- Communicate clearly.
- Search for and use data to aid decisions.
- Work alone and in teams.
- Design business plans.
Travel and Tourism personal statement
Below is a travel and tourism personal statement written by one of our writers. You can use this example to gain an idea of how to structure and put together your own one. You are strongly advised not to copy or plagiarise it, instead use it as a resource to inspire your own creative writing.
Travel and Tourism personal statement example 1
“Today, I feel I am exactly where I have always wanted to be. I have chosen to study travel and tourism because it’s dynamic, wide-ranging and fast-growing, and offers a huge variety of employment opportunities for young people. There is an ever increasing range of job opportunities and career prospects for well qualified and motivated people, and this degree course is a starting point for my career in travel and tourism. Gaining a recognised qualification will open the door to a variety of roles within the travel sector, in areas like airlines, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, tourist boards and tourist attractions.
Over time I have grown in confidence and now feel able to do this degree. My ambition now is to gain a systematic understanding of the theoretical knowledge and technological skills essential for career progression within the many varied sectors of the travel and tourism industry. I am determined to get the best possible degree classification as this will help me stand out from the crowd and also ensure that employers look favourably at me.
On a personal level I am good at listening, and understanding of other people’s needs, as well as being responsible, enthusiastic, friendly, patient and helpful. To keep up to date with the sector I take a keen interest in industry events, regularly attend conferences and seminars and read trade magazines. I also possess extensive knowledge of other countries and their transport systems, accommodation options and tourist attractions.
My time at college was enjoyable and informative, I studied Tourism at A level, and was taught by teachers who really knew what they were talking about. The course covered a wide range of tourism and travel aspects, and also gave me a introduction to business knowledge. What I really liked about it was that it was part academic and part work experience, which I felt gave me a good rounded knowledge of the travel and tourism industry. At college I was heavily involved in the mentoring scheme, which was a programme that helped to empower students to sort out their problems. We sign posted them in the right direction to places where they could get the help that they needed.
During my time at college I got a part time job with a local firm of travel agents, and really enjoyed my work. I was involved in promotions, marketing campaigns, and maximising sales and customer holiday experience by suggesting excursions, upgrades etc. This experience has been invaluable to me as I firmly believe that to stand out from the crowd you have to go beyond simple academics.
Your university is right where it’s happening, and your courses are well recognised throughout the industry for producing graduates with exceptional vocational skills. I feel your programmes will provide me with an appropriate balance of knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the industry at both entry and management level, home or abroad. On a recent visit to your campus I found it to be in beautiful surroundings, where the lecturers appeared to be very supportive of students and had a close personal relationship with them. I was also greatly impressed by your institutions ‘open door policy’, where students can speak to your tutors directly if they need extra help with their studies. I feel that your university will equip me with the skills that I need and prepare me for work when I do eventually go into the industry.”
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