Travel & Tourism Management

This course, which is validated by EDEXCEL/BTEC at Higher National Diploma level, is to prepare candidates for employment in the tourism industry or to progress to Higher Education in the areas of tourism or general management. It is structured to provide knowledge of the operational context within which tourism functions. This includes the history, structure, organisation and issues pertaining to tourism.

Course Description

This is a two year full-time course. One day each week is assigned to industry work experience with additional block placements during each academic year.

Students will have the opportunity to complete a portion of this work experience in another European country, funded by the Leonardo da Vinci Mobility Programme.

Specialist speakers from the Tourism Industry are invited to speak to the students, on a regular basis. Field Trips are organised by the College to allow students to assess the background of successful commercial tourist operations.

Assignments and projects are designed to be applicable and relevant to practical scenarios within the Tourism Industry.

Course Content

Year 1

• Travel and Tourism Sector
• Contemporary Issues in Tourism
• Tourist Destinations
• Work Based Experience
• Travel Services
• Finance and Funding
• Marketing in Travel and Tourism
• Business Health Check
• French
• Information Technology

Year 2

• Sustainable Tourism Development
• Law and Ethics
• Research
• The Developing Manager
• Human Resource Management
• Heritage and Cultural Management
• Travel and Tourism Entrepreneurs
• Event Management
• French
• Information Technology
• Communications

Course content may be revised for educational or organisational reasons

Additional Certification

Successful students receive the following qualifications:

• Certificate in Airline Reservation Systems (Amadeus)
• Airport Ground Operations Course (ATRS)

Career Prospects

On completion of this course students gain employment in areas such as airlines, hotels, tour operators, tourist offices, heritage centres, travel agencies.

Many graduates avail of the opportunity to further their studies to degree level in Ireland, Scotland or the U.K. A significant number of universities offer advanced entry to students who hold the Higher National Diploma.

Nicola Mc Kinley graduated from Inchicore College with a Higher National Diploma in Travel & Tourism management in June 2009. She gained entry to the 3rd year of the BA Tourism Management Degree in Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Nicola graduated from Queen Margaret in August 2011 with a BA (hons) in Tourism Management.

She his currently working as a Tourism Services Advisor with "Visit Scotland" and hopes to progress to a strategic managerial role within that organisation.