Ever wanted to discover the amazing world in which we live? In Travel and Tourism, we will explore the tourism industry in both the UK and the rest of the world. During the course pupils will research a range of different holiday destinations from the coastlines of the UK to New York and beyond.

The Travel and Tourism industry is one of the largest in the UK and of major importance around the world. This course explores issues that exist in the tourism sector which have an impact on the holiday’s people book. Studying Travel and Tourism helps pupils develop skills that are essential in both further education and the world of work such as; teamwork, individual enquiry, communication, numerical skills, presentation, ICT and organisation skills.

The Travel and Tourism sector is the UK’s third largest employer, accounting for 9.5 per cent of total employment. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK in employment terms, employing nearly 3 million people, and the value of tourism to the UK economy is approximately £121 billion (7.1 per cent) of UK GDP. In 2016, travel and tourism contributed 10.2 per cent of the world GDP, and the sector now supports 292 million people in employment – that’s one in ten jobs worldwide.

What does the qualification cover?

This qualification, which is 120 Guided Learning Hours, is the same size and level as a GCSE. It is ideal for you if you would like to find out more about the importance of Travel and Tourism to the UK and world economies, and to build the skills and knowledge to progress to further learning. The qualification provides an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of Travel and Tourism.

This qualification includes both UK and international tourism, and allows you to explore current issues affecting global Travel and Tourism organisations and destinations. It also includes topics such as destination management and relationships between organisations, as well as social and ethical responsibilities/sustainability.

Students will explore some of the key areas within the sector, including: the contribution of Travel and Tourism to the UK economy; tourism development; trends in Travel and Tourism; how organisations meet customer needs; the location and appeal of different types of Travel and Tourism destinations; and the impact of Travel and Tourism on the local community, environment and economy. Students will also prepare a holiday plan to meet customer needs, understand the different factors that influence global Travel and Tourism, and learn how travel and tourism organisations and destinations respond to these factors.