The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Travel and Tourism is for learners who want to acquire knowledge and technical skills through vocational contexts by exploring the aims of different travel and tourism organisations, the features of tourist destinations, how organisations meet customer requirements, and the influences on global travel and tourism as part of their Key Stage 4 learning.

 “Travel is the ultimate inspiration.”  Michael Kors

The Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment.

The Tech Award complements the learning in GCSE programmes such as GCSE Geography and BTEC Enterprise by broadening learners’ experience and skills participation in different contexts, with the opportunity for them to practically apply their knowledge and skills through project work such as investigating different travel and tourism organisations, how they identify trends and customer needs to provide products and services, the factors influencing tourism, and the impact of tourism on destinations.

Course description

• Component 1: Travel and Tourism Organisations and Destinations – Learners will investigate travel and tourism organisations in the UK, their ownership, aims, key products and services, and how they work together. They will explore the role of different consumer technologies within the travel and tourism industry. Learners will understand the different types of tourism and different types of visitors and will investigate the features of and routes to popular tourist destinations.
• Component 2: Customer Needs in Travel and Tourism – Learners will investigate how organisations use market research to identify travel and tourism trends and identify customer needs and preferences. They will apply their understanding by exploring how specific needs are met by organisations and how travel planning meets customer needs and preferences.
• Component 3: Influences on Global Travel and Tourism – Learners will explore the different factors that may influence global travel and tourism, and how travel and tourism organisations and destinations respond to these factors. Learners will examine the potential impacts of tourism at global destinations and how destinations can manage the impacts of tourism and control tourism development to achieve sustainable tourism.

Enrichment Learners will enjoy visits to various tourist attractions within cities such as York, Leeds and London. Learners will also be enriched by a number of guest speakers including representatives from the British Border Agency, Travel Agencies such as TUI Airlines/Airports and the local Tourist Information Office.

Exam board

Pearson BTEC Tech Award in Travel and Tourism

Assessments

Students will carry out formal internal assessments within components 1 and 2 and will undertake a 2 hour examination, in the summer of year 11, for component 3.

Ways to help my child succeed

You will need the ability to think for yourself. You will also have to be self-motivated, organised, complete work thoroughly and have an excellent attendance record.  Other than the usual equipment, a memory stick to back-up your coursework would be useful.

Useful resources

• BTEC Tech Award in Travel and Tourism Student Book
• Publisher: Pearson
• Author: Steve Ingle
• ISBN: 9781292258690