Diploma in Travel and Tourism
The Industry
Travel and tourism is a dynamic, fun and rewarding industry with people at its heart. It is made up of a number of industries that fall into two main sectors: travel and tourism, and passenger transport.
This is a constantly-evolving industry where technological, cultural, business, economic, political and environmental factors continue to transform it. This makes it a complex, stimulating and competitive industry - and one that you can help to shape. There is a real need for motivated, creative and inspiring young people who can continue to develop this very exciting industry.
Build essential skills and experience
The Diploma in Travel and Tourism gives you a good insight into the industry. Communication, teamwork, customer service and 'people skills' are important here. By working both individually and in teams, you will become confident in dealing with customers.
This is a dynamic sector where style and image play a big part. You will develop the relevant skills, knowledge and analytical abilities in context to make learning more interesting and motivating.
What will I learn?
The Diploma in Travel and Tourism focuses on three main themes:-
How is the Diploma made up?
Principal learning (subject learning you have to do)
At the heart of the Diploma are your travel and tourism topics. These will teach you the issues that are driving and changing the industry today, how it works and what skills you need to have to work within it.
Activities you might do in your principal learning
These are just some examples of the kind of things you will be learning:-
5 main topics:-
-----Planning journeys: You will look at why people travel, modes of transport and how they interlink, key UK gateways, and sources of travel information.
-----Destinations: You will study worldwide destinations and visitor attractions, why visitor numbers vary, and the impact of tourism on an area.
-----Customer experience: You will look at the importance of customer service, different customer needs, and ways of communicating with them.
-----Tourism: You will look at the range of industries in the sector, key players, employment opportunities, and where to get advice and information about career routes.
-----Products and services: You will work in teams to generate ideas and reach a consensus about a new product or service. You will also learn how to set objectives, produce a plan, identify resources and collaborate with team members.
7 main topics:-
-----Destinations: You will learn how to use and access sources of information, how to plan itineraries, and what makes for sustainable development.
-----Customer experience: You will explore the importance of customer service and working with colleagues, and the link with personal presentation.
-----Working in travel and tourism: You will make personal development plans and set goals. You will also look at recruitment, selection and induction processes, and learn about employer and employee responsibilities.
-----Products and services: In your team you will explore how to target the customer and how a product or service meets customer needs. You will evaluate the activity and reflect on results.
-----The UK travel and tourism sector: You will look at the range and role of industries in the sector, key organisations, trade and professional bodies, and national and regional development organisations.
-----The business environment: You will look at business functions and staff structures, as well as entrepreneurship. You will also look at how businesses respond to innovation and environmental pressures.
-----Promotion and sales: You will look at why sales are critical, as well as how and why products and services in the sector are promoted and sold. You will also look at the role of Public Relations and the impact of technology.
8 main topics:-
-----Destinations: You will look at the world's leading tourist destinations, how they use social and cultural features to attract tourists, and the impact and ethics of tourism.
-----Changes and trends: You will look at socio-economic and technological changes and their impact on choice. You will also study different buying patterns and increased independent travel.
-----Images and perception: You will look at the concept of 'image', studying how travellers get perceptions of places and how an image can be reversed. You will also look at the role and influence of destination management organisations.
-----Products and services: You will look at ideas for business start-ups, set objectives and use project planning techniques, work to a budget, and learn how to negotiate for resources.
-----The UK travel and tourism sector: You will look more closely at why travel and tourism is a 'people' industry. You will also study socio-cultural awareness in a global context and leadership and communication styles.
-----Political and economic influences: You will explore the role of global organisations, governments, agencies, trade and professional bodies and their influence on the sector and how the sector contributes to the UK economy.
-----Environmental influences: You will look at what is meant by environmentally-friendly tourism and the impact of transport on the environment. You will also explore the pressures and problems on local infrastructures and delicate eco-systems.
-----Technology in the sector: You will investigate the new digital channels of distribution, the impact of technology on the customer experience, key software, and the impact of technology on transport developments.
Additional and specialist learning (choices you can make)
At each level, you can develop your particular travel and tourism interests further by taking specialist courses relating to your chosen subject and career ambitions. You could, for example, study industry-based ICT systems, customer service or do a language course.
Or you might choose a GCSE, AS or A level in, say, Geography or Economics, which would help you get onto a university course.
You may also broaden your course by taking an additional subject that reflects your other interests and career ambitions - like a science or a creative subject. Studying a foreign language can be really beneficial in a sector with so many international opportunities.
Functional skills in English, Maths and ICT
Like all Diploma students, you will develop a good standard of English, Maths and ICT. These subjects are essential to succeed in any business or learning environment, whether or not you decide to continue in the travel and tourism sector.
Personal, learning and thinking skills
All Diploma students will develop personal, learning and thinking skills, such as team-working, creative thinking and self-management. These are vital skills in both life and work, and will be useful to you in the future, no matter which path you take.
Work experience
Your Diploma will give you the opportunity to do at least 10 days' work experience. This is a great way to use the skills you have learnt in the classroom, and experience what work is like from the inside.
Student projects
During your Diploma, you will complete a student project to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have learnt. It could be a written piece of work like an investigation or report, or it could be something practical like planning a cultural or music event or developing a marketing plan.
What a Diploma will lead to
A Diploma in Travel and Tourism will give you the skills you need for either university or work, and is a first step towards a career in the sector.
It could lead you to a university degree in travel and tourism operations and management, transport planning, air traffic control, adventure tourism, business studies or hospitality.
Alternatively, you might take a job with training or an Apprenticeship as, say, a retail travel consultant, resort representative, call centre team member, business travel assistant or airport information assistant.
However, the Diploma in Travel and Tourism doesn't mean you have to choose a career in this sector. Because a Diploma teaches a mix of subjects, it will give you the skills that will be welcomed by colleges, universities and employers, no matter what you choose to do.
"The Business School of the University of Greenwich is delighted to welcome applicants who hold the Advanced Diploma in Travel and Tourism. Learners undertaking the Advanced Diploma in Travel and Tourism will have the same progression opportunities as those undertaking A levels, BTECs and other Level 3 qualifications."
Dr Margaret Noble, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Director of Quality and Learning, University of Greenwich.
Want to find out more?
To find out more about the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, speak to your teacher or careers adviser. You can also find more information about Diplomas on these websites:-
www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas
www.connexions-direct.com
www.tandtdiploma.co.uk