Travel and Tourism

Subject leader: Mr D Gerretsen

Email address: dgerretsen@sackvilleschool.org.uk

Exam board: Pearson

Course specification: Click Here

Course Description:

The BTEC Tech Award in Travel and Tourism is equivalent to a GCSE at grades 9-1. This is an exciting and practical qualification, with strong vocational and work related links that is equipping students for the world of work and potential apprenticeships. This qualification allows students to acquire sector-specific knowledge and skills by studying the aims, products and services of different travel and tourism organisations, their use of consumer technologies, the features of tourist destinations, how organisations meet customer needs and preferences, and the influences on global travel and tourism. The qualification enables students to develop their transferable skills, such as researching, planning, and making decisions and judgements.

Course Units

Component 1 – In this component you will be learning about the aims of travel and tourism organisations, how different organisations work together and the different types of travel and tourism. You will also be exploring the features that make destinations appealing to visitors and the different travel routes used.

Component 2 – In this component you will find out how organisations use market research to identify travel and tourism trends and customer needs and preferences. You will also be exploring a selection of products and services and undertake the planning of a holiday to meet customer needs and services.

Component 3 – In this component you will be learning about the factors that may influence global travel and tourism, and how travel and tourism organisations and destinations respond to these factors. You will be investigating the potential impacts of tourism on global destinations and how these destinations can manage this impact to develop more sustainable tourism.

Assessment:

You will be assessed in two different ways. Components 1 and 2 are assessed through internal assessment. This means that you will be given an assignment brief and a deadline for completing it. Your work will then be marked by your teacher and moderated by the exam board. The assignment will cover what you have been learning about and will be an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills. Component 3 will be assessed through an external examination marked by the examination board. It will allow you to apply your knowledge and understanding of factors influencing tourism, the impact of tourism on destinations and destination management.

Why should I study this course?

This exciting and challenging new course will introduce you to the world of travel and tourism. The travel and tourism sector is the UK’s 3rd largest employer and one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK. It employs around 3 million people and contributes around £120 billion to the UK’s economy. There are a host of different and exciting jobs and roles in the sector, and a wide-ranging knowledge of the different issues and roles in the sector will help you take advantage of the opportunities in this growing sector.

Student Quote:

‘Travel and tourism is interesting because you can go on holiday websites and ‘book’ holidays.’ ‘I want to be a flight attendant and Travel and Tourism is very interesting for me.’ ‘I find it interesting looking at all the types of tourism and there’s a lot more to it than I thought.’