The new era of tourism management

Sometimes numbers don't tell the whole story. The team behind BA (Hons) International Tourism Management have recognised this and completely redesigned the course's Level 4 content and students' learning - removing graded assignments in the first year.

Now, students will get credit for challenging themselves to try something new. They'll still explore relevant tourism issues, while growing exponentially as a practitioner thanks to supportive feedback from tutors (leading academics and ex-industry experts) and practical development opportunities. Ultimately, students are given the autonomy to take charge of their own learning and development, while being encouraged to explore experimentation and even failure.

Course Director, Dr. Lisa Gorton said: "We believe that higher education should be a positive experience that helps you grow as a person. We want to inspire you to be curious, motivated, and eager to develop yourself, so our course creates an environment to explore your interests and passions in tourism. You'll learn to question the way things are done and produce innovative and creative ideas that improve tourism for everyone involved."

The overhaul aims to put a stronger focus on industry experience, enabling students to hone their skills and focus on all stages of the project process, not just the end result. By championing creativity, exploration, and collaboration - without the fear of failing – the new course content encourages students to think differently and imagine a better world for tourism. The new curriculum also reflects the skills, traits, and resilience valued by employers.

Taking a non-modular, development-focused approach to learning, separate modules that don't relate to or build upon each other are a thing of the past. Instead, students will solve complex, real-life challenges through problem-based learning projects, gaining a much more comprehensive understanding of the tourism industry and how different areas collaborate.

Activities like charity action weeks go beyond the theory and take students outside of the classroom and into industry. Students will also build practical experience in planning and managing sustainable tourism, including measuring its impact.

This connected approach enhances students' abilities to link different perspectives and theory into practice. Additionally, it highlights the importance of gaining professional transferable skills that will support students' future careers, including resourcefulness, creativity, communication, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and collaboration.

"By the end of the course, you'll have developed the knowledge, skills, and mindset to make a positive impact in the world of tourism and to continue growing throughout your life", Dr. Gorton concludes.

For anyone looking for a tourism degree that prioritises building a truly robust skill set, students' wellbeing, and their future, BA (Hons) International Tourism Management is a great choice. Removing anxieties of achieving specific grades in the first year promotes a practical and compassionate experience, enabling students to think differently, explore new approaches, and build a comprehensive CV.