Travel and Tourism conference

30 January 2014, hosted by the School of Sport and Service Management at the Falmer campus, University of Brighton

Over 200 pupils from 9 school and Colleges in Kent and recently spent the day at the University of Brighton to find out about a future career in the travel and tourism industry. They included Sussex Collyers’ College, Varndean College, Blatchington Mill School, Sussex Coast College Hastings, The Holy Trinity Church of England School, The Weald Community School and Sixth Form, Marlowe Academy and City College Brighton and Hove

The pupils, aged between 16 and 18, are all currently studying for City and Guilds and BTEC qualifications in travel and tourism. The conference aimed to raise their future aspirations about studying the subject at degree level and to also show them the employment opportunities the industry offers.

Pip Tyler, Overseas Director at travel operator Neilson led a session on ‘The Importance of an Overseas Rep’. His motivation for attending the event was to highlight the exciting opportunities that the travel industry can offer as well as a longer term recruitment drive for the company. He said “studying tourism and travel at degree level demonstrates that job candidates are educated to a certain level and can help them progress quicker at Neilson.”

Suzanne Donohue and Kim Scott from Sussex Coast College Hastings brought 29 of their students to the conference and said “around 1 in 5 of our students attend university when they leave us and the rest go straight in to work in the travel and tourism industry. Events like this help our students see that university is an option for them.”

Initial feedback from the pupils who took part was very positive, with comments including,

“I have learnt more about travel companies and how I can progress; and what is available at University.”

“It was nice to hear the different roles and the speakers’ history in the industry”

“I enjoyed all the different areas in travel … I never knew there were so many.”

“I enjoyed the speakers as they could give us first hand experiences and tell us what our potential could be.”

“I have found it enjoyable and very useful to make my decision about university”

“I have really enjoyed today and feel more informed about choices to make in the future and what career pat I should take.”