Travel and Tourism

Ideal if: you want to learn about the national and international tourism industry in great detail, and to achieve a professional level of knowledge.

You’ll learn: the business of travel and tourism; the UK as a destination; long haul travel destinations; the role of holiday representatives; customer service and marketing; entertainment for holidaymakers; special interest tourism and more.

Expect: to participate in a vast range of enrichment activities, including visits to tourist attractions, and overseas volunteering opportunities in Tenerife and Sri Lanka.

You’ll love: the variety of job roles you'll discover and be able to explore within the travel and tourism industry.

This is an in-depth course which is equivalent to studying A-levels. The course aims to provide you with the specialist knowledge, skills and understanding relating to the travel and tourism sector. It can help you prepare for a career in the industry and covers areas such as customer service as well as specialist optional units such as tour guiding and resort representatives. These can be applied to your current or future aspirations of higher education or employment in a variety of roles. The content has been developed with employers, subject experts and tutors to ensure that it's relevant. 

While completing this qualification, you may develop the knowledge, understanding and essential skills employers look for in employees. These range from familiar skills such as team working, independent learning and problem solving to more industry specific such as:

• An appreciation for appropriate behaviour and dress
• Appropriate interpersonal skills
• Communication with professional colleagues/peers and/or hierarchical seniors
• Supporting other aspiring employees
• Personal manners and deportment
• Understanding work practices and how different roles and departments function within an organisation

On the course you will study a range of modules including:

• The UK travel and tourism industry
• Customer service in travel and tourism
• Preparing for a career in travel and tourism
• UK visitor attractions

Learners participate in a range of enrichment activities including airline cabin crew training with JARE training, visits to tourist attractions, and experiences of the travel and tourism industry. The tutors who work at Gloucestershire College all come with years of industry experience and still have strong ties with the sector.

You can rest assured that all your units are relevant to the workplace, and the course is highly recognised amongst employers and universities. What’s more, the College has invested money into creating the right learning environment for you, so you’ll benefit from specialist classrooms and a unique aircraft simulation room where you can put your customer service knowledge into practice.

The Level 3 Travel and Tourism course offered at Gloucestershire College has developed suitably qualified people into this burgeoning industry. So far, past students have found jobs at Gloucestershire Airport, Thomas Cook, Virgin Holidays, Easyjet and at exclusive resorts across the world.

You will need to complete relevant work placement as part of your course. You will have support whilst at College to arrange this but it is advised to start thinking about it prior to enrolment.