Travel and Tourism

What is it about at sixth form level?

The travel and tourism industry is a dynamic and global sector that continues to grow due to changes in political, socioeconomic, and technological landscapes, making it vital to many economies. Sustainable management is essential to protect destination environments, economies, and communities. The industry is characterized by constant change, with new enterprises, products, and services emerging in response to various factors. Sustainability and responsibility are crucial for preserving the environment, cultures, and economies for future generations. A strong customer focus is necessary for success, requiring excellent communication, problem-solving, and planning skills. Effective marketing and management are key to meeting customers’ evolving needs and ensuring the economic sustainability of destinations.

Studying travel and tourism offers students a unique opportunity to explore a dynamic and rapidly growing industry that plays a crucial role in global economies. It provides insights into diverse cultures, sustainable practices, and the importance of responsible tourism. Students can develop valuable skills in communication, problem-solving, and planning, which are essential for a successful career in this field. Additionally, the industry’s constant evolution means there are always new and exciting opportunities to innovate and make a positive impact on the environment, communities, and economies worldwide. This makes travel and tourism an exciting and rewarding field of study for those passionate about making a difference.

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Lower sixth

In your first year, you will look at four topics. The first is the changing nature of travel and tourism. You will look at the reasons why people travel, the types of tourism and the changing structure of the travel and tourism industry. The second is travel and tourism destinations. You will examine the types of destinations on offer and how the industry changes, both as regards the changing appeal of destinations to different external customer types and changes in travel choices, including by more sustainable means. The third is trends in travel and tourism. Here, you will look the idea and practice of sustainable tourism. The fourth and final topic is customer service in travel and tourism. You will look at how travel and tourism organisations serve customers and meet their needs, the importance of quality customer service and ways of assessing customer service quality.

You will also complete a practical element, which is to plan and manage a travel and tourism event as part of a team of fellow students. You will look at how to choose the event, produce a business plan, prepare and run the event, and evaluate it afterwards.

Upper sixth

In the second year, you will enhance your knowledge of the Year 12 material through studying two new topics. The first is destination marketing. You will look at how to define the tourism market through market research and analysis. You will look at building a destination brand, communicating it, challenges in branding and monitoring its effectiveness. The second is destination development and management. You will examine organisations involved in destination management, their roles and priorities, developing and managing destinations and the impacts of tourism.

Why study it and what skills does it develop?

Studying Travel and Tourism offers the chance to build transferable skills while exploring one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy. This dynamic field allows students to delve into diverse cultures, locations, business models, and the wellbeing and recreation economy. The program integrates aspects of business, geography, economics, psychology, ethics, conflict resolution, and environmental studies, fostering skills in communication, argumentation, evaluation, and analysis. An A level in Travel and Tourism is perfect for those interested in a rapidly evolving economic sector. The course helps learners appreciate the industry’s changing nature and the importance of sustainability in its development and management. It also enables students to understand key concepts and theories, recognize their impact on people, environments, and economies, and develop practical and research skills through planning and organizing a real tourism event, thereby enhancing a range of transferable skills.

What prior knowledge and skills are required?

An interest in the world about us, business operations and growth and a desire to identify and solve problems are all useful starting points to study Travel and Tourism. There is a group work component as well, so a willingness to work with others to create solutions is also beneficial. The assessments are mainly via written work, therefore comfort with extended writing is important. There is also a presentation component therefore an openness to learning and practicing presenting skills is required.

How is the course assessed?

A level

The course is assessed by four papers. Papers 1 and 2 cover the AS material taught in Year 12 and Papers 3 and 4 cover all the material taught across both years. Paper 1 (Themes and concepts) is a written paper worth 50% of the A level and lasts 2 hours. It contains a series of questions on the four topics you will have studied. Paper 2 is a coursework paper. You work on a project which involves planning and managing a travel and tourism event. You work in a team but will give individual presentations. The paper is internally assessed and externally moderated. Paper 3 (Destination Marketing) contains two questions and last 1 hour 30 minutes. Paper 4 (Destination Development and Management) also contains two questions and last 1 hour 30 minutes. Each of the four papers is worth 25% of the A level.

Reading

Cambridge International AS and A Level Travel and Tourism
By Stewart, S, Rickerby, S and Warburton, F (2022)
Cambridge University Press,
ISBN 9781009082327

Cambridge International AS and A Level Travel and Tourism: Coursebook Second Edition
By Stewart, S, Warburton, F and Smith J D (2016)
Cambridge University Press,
ISBN 9781316600634

Exam Board and Specification Codes

CAIE 9395

Duncan Chamberlain
Head of Department

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