Travel & Tourism (Applied AS/A level)

Specific Entry Criteria

Grade C in English Language.

About the Subject

The travel and tourism industry is one of the biggest and fastest growing industries in the UK. Many students enjoy this subject and pursue it at university or enter related employment. Others see travel and tourism as a valuable subject as it can be complemented with other interests.

Course Content

Year 1

In the AS year you will study three units, two coursework based and one examined unit.

The first unit, unit 2 The Travel and Tourism Customer focuses on the importance of customer service within the tourism industry. You will visit a well known visitor attraction in the UK, and this is used as a case study for your assignment. You will also carry out role plays to demonstrate your customer service skills.

The second unit, unit 4 Destination Britain investigates why the British Isles is a popular destination for many overseas visitors. You will produce an itinerary for a family visiting the UK and look at the appeal of different destinations to a range of visitor types.

The final unit is an examined unit, unit 1 the Travel and Tourism Industry. This unit explores the development of the industry, the characteristics of the industry, its structure and the scale of tourism in the UK.

Year 2

The units in the second year are more specialised and focus on different areas of the travel and tourism industry such as promotion and sales; current issues within the industry and responsible tourism.

You will begin two units in September, unit 10, Promotion and Sales in Travel and Tourism, in which you will come to understand the different sales and promotion techniques used in the industry, in preparation for the exam in January. Running alongside unit 10, you will also be expected to plan research and present an issue that has affected the travel and tourism industry for unit 8, which is called Current Issues.

This provides you with an opportunity to study a topic which you are interested in and also introduces you to study techniques which will prepare you for higher level study.

Finally you will sit an examination for unit 7 Responsible Tourism in the summer. This unit concentrates on sustainable and ethical tourism and a trip to a countryside destination will support your understanding.

Assessment

You will have a written exam in the form of a question and answer booklet for the Travel and Tourism Industry, Promotion and Sales in Travel and Tourism and Responsible Tourism. For all other units you will be assessed by coursework/assignments