Travel & Tourism
BTEC First Award Travel & Tourism (Pearson)
In BTEC Travel and Tourism we aim to provide students with essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for the next step in their lives, whether that be further education, training or the workplace. For those that have selected to study a vocational course, we want them to fully experience an insight into the breadth of knowledge, skills and capabilities a study of travel and tourism provides.
As a result of this exposure, the students will have the opportunity for practical application alongside conceptual study. In turn, we want our students to be prepared for post-16 progression in this key sector.
The tourism industry contributes £106 billion to the British economy and around 2.97 million people are employed in the tourism sector in the UK, this is an increase of over 18% over the last 6 years. By 2025 the UK tourism industry will be worth over £257 billion. The industry supports 3.8 million jobs, either directly or indirectly. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Britain.
The BTEC Travel and Tourism course if for learners who wish to acquire knowledge and skills through vocational contexts by studying the knowledge, behaviours and skills related to travel and tourism in the UK and world as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The qualification enables learners to develop their technical skills, such as planning travel itineraries and using realistic work scenarios, and personal skills, (such as monitoring own performance, time management and problem solving) through a practical and skills-based approach to learning and assessment. Learners will acquire knowledge, understanding and skills to underpin their practical activities in assessment, which will complement their GCSEs. The qualification will broaden their experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them.
Our curriculum naturally consists of engaging, knowledge-rich subject content which can bring the real-world to life for our students. The BTEC Travel and Tourism course involves teaching students topics relevant to the modern world such as ecotourism and sustainable travel. However, in the 21st century, it also involves training students in the softer skills such as leadership and teamwork, as well as a range of knowledge, skills and capability which can be used in the event of them choosing to pursue a career in the travel industry.
Further to knowledge, the purpose of BTEC Travel and Tourism is to develop analytical and evaluation skills, therefore enabling them to develop a range of skills that can be applied to other aspects of life.
The enthusiastic team of dedicated teaching staff delivering the course are driven to provide students with the transferable skills they will need to be successful in this ever-developing technological world we live in. The subject naturally lends itself to supporting students in their other studies around the school and into their futures, including many links to numeracy and literacy. Our curriculum has been developed to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate creativity, zest as well as independence through project work.
In conclusion, BTEC Travel and Tourism provides the required theory, explains it through practice and real-life case studies and helps to raise new generations of skilful, informed and responsible citizens prepared for life in modern Britain.