LIT - Why study Travel and Tourism?

The Global and Local Travel and Tourism Industry

The global travel and tourism industry have significantly contributed to the world’s economy (Henderson, 2018). In 2020, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) (2020) stated that 1.5 billion tourist arrivals were recorded (an 4% increase in 2019).

It is against the backdrop of the Covid 19 pandemic that we reassess tourism education provision and recognise that tourism education is a more vital determinant of success than ever before. The mutual benefits of continuing to develop more co-operative relationships between education providers and industry especially as we prepare to rebuild our industry after the impact of Covid-19 is at the forefront of the design and delivery of Limerick Institute of Technology’s Travel and Tourism programme.

Why study Travel and Tourism?

The travel and tourism industry has grown significantly in recent decades, becoming one of the major creators of wealth and employment in the global economy (Scott, Hall, and Gössling, 2019).

Why student Travel and Tourism Management in Limerick Institute of Technology?

The BBs (Hons) in Business Studies with Travel and Tourism Management appeals to students who wish to pursue a management career within the national and/or global travel and tourism industry.  Students receive a broad introduction to travel and tourism management principles and practice while gaining a practical business know-how required for the sector through volunteering, placement and restaurant service opportunities offered in the programme. This programme also enables students to forge many professional links with organisations such as the Irish Hotels Federation, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Graduates will have a diverse range of career opportunities both in Ireland and abroad and they can expect to find employment in a variety of different areas such as tourism enterprises, community development organisations, national and regional tourism bodies and hospitality and travel organisations. This programme blends a wide range of specific tourism and travel modules with applied business subjects to equip students with the necessary skills to contribute effectively to the wider world of tourism and travel.

Travel and tourism is a dynamic global industry through which people experience the culture, heritage, and environment of other countries whether they are travelling for leisure, business, or adventure. This four-year programme emphasises practical business know-how grounded in the discipline of travel and tourism to prepare students for supervisory and management positions in all sectors of this exciting industry. Learning is based on a combination of class delivered lectures, tutorials, seminars, field trips, practical lab classes, guest speakers and both group and individual project work.

The nature of the BBs (Hons) in Business Studies with Travel and Tourism Management programme allows candidates to work in a wide ranging of both Irish and global Tourism settings. In addition, students are encouraged to avail of both paid and Erasmus work placement opportunities abroad through the placement module in Year 3 which ensures acquired learning is applied in a travel and tourism professional work environment.

Some pictures from our active learning excursions: