Fieldtrip to Batemans

Students from the International Tourism Management BA(Hons) went on a fieldtrip to Bateman’s to learn about the impacts of tourism on an historical house.

Bateman’s is a Jacobean house and was the home of world famous author and poet, Rudyard Kipling. The 17th century house is set in the stunning landscape of the Sussex Weald and is now owned by the National Trust.

On arrival the students had a talk from the House Manager on the delicate balance of managing visitor numbers to maximise revenues whilst trying to limit the negative environmental impacts caused by too many tourists.

Carmen, a first year tourism student said: “At Batemans I have learnt there were more negative impacts on the attraction than positive ones.

“It is very small and therefore makes it harder for staff to let a large number of visitors come. They have to make it work with the one small restaurant facility.

“Some people going into the attraction will touch the furniture which is historic and therefore the attraction has to spend more money on the maintenance of the house. The trip was very informative and I learnt about certain tourism impacts that I was not aware of.”