Travel & Tourism
As we move into a truly global economy, the Travel and Tourism department will give you the skills to work in one of the world’s fastest moving industries. We are a forward looking department with good contacts in the sector and an emphasis on getting the very best out of our students.
Not only do we organise the best speakers, work experiences and trips, so that your knowledge is as broad as possible, but we give you in-depth teaching about the theories, practices and skills you’ll need to become a travel professional.
Teaching on our Resort Reps course has been awarded a Grade 1 by Ofsted and two of our Diploma students achieved a triple distinction this year - some of the highest grades in the country.
Our Staff
The Travel and Tourism team have all enjoyed successful careers within the industry and many are still active in their fields. Organisations we have worked for range from EF Educational Tours and Tailored Travel, to The London Aquarium and The National Maritime Museum. Highly motivated and always striving for excellence in our teaching, we use our industry experience and teaching expertise to show you how your skills will work in the real world.
Our Facilities
In addition to the off-site opportunities, you will find the facilities at Nescot put everything you need within easy reach. You will learn how to present your work in a polished, professional manner, using our IT facilities, and the academic aspects of your course are taught in large, well-equipped classrooms. We also have a full scale air plane cabin, where role play and simulations are taught.
And let’s not forget those all-important field visits that support the theory you have been taught. To develop your professional practice we arrange visits to British Airways and Virgin, where you get the chance to take part in simulated safety and emergency procedures. Each year we organise trips to UK and European resorts, in recent years we have taken groups to Lanzarote, Canterbury, Dublin, Barcelona and Venice!
Working with Other Departments and Organisations
Our industry links are one of the strengths of the department. We run a student led Conference to look at how we maintain and use these relationships, which keeps our Diploma students’ work experience fresh and relevant. We also have an enviable roster of Speakers including travel agents, tour operators and cruise operators like EasyCruise and Caribbean Cruises as an integral part of the programme.
Previous students have had work experience placements with companies such as Kuoni, Hilton Hotel Group, Travel Lodge, Royal Carribbean and Thomas Cook.
But it is not only our contacts in Travel and Tourism that improve your learning here. We run innovative courses that cater to all aspects of our industry and, where possible, use expertise from other Nescot departments to reflect this. Previous collaborations have involved a Ski Trip with Sport and a trip to Chessington World of Adventures for our students with learning difficulties.
A World of Opportunity
The Travel and Tourism industry simply offers a great range of employment opportunities – both in the UK and worldwide. The programmes we provide here at Nescot cover the full range of job and career options – from event management to cruising, from business travel to hospitality operations. We also offer additional options to improve your employment prospects. These Certificates give you in-depth knowledge of more specific jobs and lead to recognised qualifications such as Cabin Crew and Resort Representatives.
Previous students are currently employed throughout the travel industry at the forefront of this exciting and challenging sector.
- Name:
- Kim Catton
- Course:
- Travel & Tourism
Why did you decide to take Travel and Tourism at Nescot College?
I had already spent a year doing a travel course but came to an open evening here as I’d heard the course was very good. The tutors were very helpful and friendly and I was impressed with their knowledge of the travel industry. The course looked ten times better than what I was doing so I switched.
How has the college lived up to your expectations?
Because it’s big here I expected it to be quite impersonal but it’s very different. Everyone I’ve met has been really nice and everyone talks to each other. It’s not at all cliquey, with people getting left out. There’s also a real mix of people. My class has a mix of age groups not just 16 and 17 year olds.
And your course?
One of my tutors used to work for Virgin as head of cabin crew. Having that experience in the classroom gives everyone a boost. All the lecturers have experience in different parts of the industry and it makes a very different atmosphere. Everyone listens and there’s no messing around or backchat because it’s so interesting.
It is very hard work though. Business in Travel involves a lot of research and writing but it helps you get more from the practical work as you have a deeper understanding. You will be challenged too. I found the idea of practical role play really hard but the tutors kept pushing me gently until I did it on a trip to Lanzarote to do our Holiday Rep qualification. The tutors are great and will really build you up to get things done.
How has your time at Nescot College changed you as a person?
Oh I’m so much more confident because I’m able to do a lot of things better. I had a phone interview for a receptionist job recently and things I’ve learned about customer service really helped me. I’ve got a second interview coming up and, before, I would have been really worried about it but the course has helped me so much I know I’ve got a good chance.
What advice would you have for someone thinking of doing your course?
This is a really good college. The tutors explain about different jobs, career options and companies in the industry. You will get to go on things like the Virgin training course and get extra qualifications like NCFE Rep course, which means you can earn money as a holiday rep before you’ve even finished college. It’s brilliant if you plan on travelling but want to be able to earn money at the same time. It also gives your CV a boost and a lot of the stuff you learn, like customer service and interview skills, will help you in any job.
What are your plans for the future?
Travel of course! I’m taking a gap year to travel with friends. We’re going to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and on to visit friends who live in Thailand.
As a career, I’d like to be running a customs and excise team in a major airport. That would be a fascinating job.
- Additional options to improve your employment prospects. These Certificates give you in-depth knowledge of more specific jobs and lead to recognised qualifications such as Cabin Crew and Resort Representatives.
- Innovative projects cater to all aspects of our industry and use expertise from other Nescot departments. Previous collaborations have involved a Ski Trip with Sport and a trip to Chessington World of Adventures for our students with learning difficulties. This year we are planning to work with Performing Arts on our Entertaining Holiday Makers project.
- Previous students have had work experience placements with companies such as Kuoni, Hilton Hotel Group, Travel Lodge, Royal Carribean and Thomas Cook.
- Enviable roster of speakers including travel agents, tour operators and cruise operators like EasyJet and Caribbean Cruises.
- Student led Conference to look at how we maintain and use our excellent industry relationships.
- Trips to UK and European resorts - in recent years we have taken groups to Lanzarote, Canterbury, Dublin, Barcelona and Venice!
- Academic aspects of your course are taught in large, well-equipped classrooms.
- Organisations staff have worked with range from EF Educational Tours and Tailored Travel, to The London Aquarium and The National Maritime Museum.
- Teaching on our Resort Reps course has been given a Grade 1 by the awarding body.
