Travel and Tourism (BTEC)

Aims of TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Travel and Tourism is one of the UK’s largest sectors currently employing over 2.5 million people. The BTEC first award provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the range of organisations involved with different types of tourism in the UK, including their roles and  how they work together, what the travel industry has to offer to tourists and the factors that can affect travel both within the UK and globally.

The subject gives students the opportunity to develop a range of personal skills and techniques

The course provides students with the opportunity to build on foundations learnt at key stage 3 – map references, factors affecting travel – hurricanes and earthquakes.

Key stage 4 Travel 2018 – 19

Unit 2 – UK Travel and Tourism destinations – Year 10 – Coursework. Terms 1 - 5

Unit 5- Factors affecting worldwide Travel and Tourism – Year 10 coursework. Terms 3 - 5

Unit 1 – The UK Travel and Tourism sector – Year 11 Exam. Terms 1 - 3

Unit 3 – The Travel and Tourism customer experience – Year 11 Synoptic assessment. Terms 3 - 5

Key stage 5

Unit 1 – Investigating the Travel Industry. Terms 1 - 4

Unit 3 – UK as a destination. Terms 1 - 5

Unit 8 – Long Hail destinations. Terms 4 - 6

Year 13

Unit 6 – Preparing for employment in the Travel Industry. Terms 1 - 2

Unit 4 – Customer Service in the Travel Industry. Terms 2 - 3

Unit 2 – The Business of the Travel Industry. Terms 1 - 4

Year 10 

 Year 11

BTEC Level 1/2

Travel and tourism is one of the UK’s largest sectors, currently employing over 2.5 million people. This qualification aims to inspire and enthuse learners to consider a career in the travel and tourism sector. It gives learners the opportunity to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of, and develop skills in the travel and tourism sector.

Travel and Tourism - Course Details

BTEC Level 3

Sixth form course information can be found in the sixth form courses page.

Careers in Travel and Tourism

As a member of air cabin crew, you are responsible for the comfort and safety of passengers on an aeroplane. You’ll meet and greet passengers, provide the safety briefing, and serve food and drinks. You will need excellent communication skills and a good level of English and numeracy skills. Travel is an essential part of the role. 

Entry requirements for air cabin crew vary between airlines. Airlines usually require air cabin crew to be between five feet two inches and six feet two inches tall, with weight restrictions varying.

You will need to be able to swim well and have a good level of physical fitness. You will need to be over the age of 18 to become a member of air cabin crew. The ability to speak a second language is highly desirable.

Airlines will usually require a good standard of education, including GCSEs (grades A-C) in maths and English, or equivalent qualifications. Previous experience in a customer service role will also be useful.

Vocational courses involving an element of customer service, e.g. travel and tourism, or hospitality and catering, could provide some useful background knowledge. Similarly, apprenticeships in these areas could provide helpful skills. 

• Ability to swim
• Meet height and weight restrictions for the airline (these vary so make sure you check before you apply)
• Over 18 when you apply

What does an airline pilot do?

Airline pilots fly goods and people to destinations across the world. You could be working for a big airline or smaller airline. The size and type of aeroplanes you fly will vary depending on which route you are travelling and how many people, or how much cargo you are transporting. You’ll need good leadership skills as well as being able to work effectively in a team. You’ll also need to be good at problem solving. You may be flying shorter internal (within a country) routes, or you may be piloting longer international journeys – either way, travel is an essential part of the job.  

You will usually need to have flown a number of hours as a first officer. To become a first officer, you must first complete your Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL). There are three main routes to obtaining the ATPL – through private training, through armed forces training, or through a university course which includes pilot training. To obtain a full ATPL you must be over 21 years old. To work as a first officer or airline pilot, you will need to also pass a rigorous medical test. 

• ATPL
• Over 21 years old
• Pass medical test

Tour Manager

Tour managers manage the travel arrangements of holidaymakers and business clients.

Tour managers, or tour directors, are responsible for making sure that travel arrangements for groups of holidaymakers run as smoothly and enjoyably as possible. Tour managers accompany passengers throughout a tour, keeping them informed about details such as arrival and departure times and places of interest.

The role would usually involve working on coach tours that could last from two or three days to over a month. It might also involve working on tours by rail or cruise ship.

This job would involve:

• welcoming the tour group at the start of their trip and informing them of travel arrangements and stopover points
• making sure all travel arrangements run according to plan, and that the accommodation, meals and service are satisfactory
• helping with passport and immigration issues
• giving spoken commentaries about places en route (local guides may also be used)
• promoting and selling excursions to tour members
• advising on sights, local restaurants and shops at each destination
• recording issues that may require follow-up after the tour

Tour managers would need to be available at almost any time to give advice, solve problems and deal with emergencies, such as loss of passports or money, illness or difficulties with accommodation.

They might also specialise in the business-travel sector. This would involve managing the travel arrangements for people on business, which could include dealing with insurance, visas, vehicle hire and responding to itinerary changes.

You do not usually need any particular qualifications to become a tour manager, but you would need a good standard of general education.

You would also need:

• experience of working with people
• a friendly and approachable manner
• a keen interest in the culture, geography and history of the locations covered by the tour
• a good working knowledge of foreign languages if touring overseas
• experience of working overseas if the job you are applying for is based abroad

You could move into this job after gaining experience in a related role, such as a travel agent, tour guide or tour rep.

Qualifications related to leisure, travel and tourism are available at all levels through colleges and universities and you may find it useful to complete one of these, but it is not essential.

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