Travel & Tourism (BTEC)

Applications Open: Applications are now open!

How to Apply: We don't accept applications through KentChoices - Please apply via Admissions+ using the link below:

https://leighacademylongfield.org.uk/post16/applying-for-post-16/

Turn your passion for travel, culture, and adventure into a professional career with the Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate in Travel and Tourism. Designed for students who want a dynamic, real-world alternative to traditional classroom learning, this course takes you behind the scenes of one of the world's most exciting, fast-paced industries.

You’ll dive straight into how the global tourism sector actually operates - destinations, managing customer service, large-scale travel events, and understanding the business strategies that make airlines, resorts, and tour operators successful. Whether you dream of managing international events, working in aviation, coordinating global holiday experiences, or stepping straight into a professional career or apprenticeship, this course gives you the passport to success.

The qualification has been developed in consultation with higher education representatives and sector experts to ensure students have the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to progress to, and thrive, in higher education. The qualification has four mandatory units covering the following topics:

• Unit 1: The World of Travel and Tourism – This unit provides the foundation for learners to study other units in travel and tourism. They will explore the key components and scale of the industry, using data to analyse key trends and their impact.
• Unit 2: Global Destinations – Learners investigate and analyse information regarding the features and appeal of global destinations, travel planning, and the factors and trends affecting the changing popularity of global destinations.
• Unit 3: Principles of Marketing in Travel and Tourism – Learners investigate the use of marketing in travel and tourism organisations and how to meet customer expectations in order to inform a promotional campaign of their own design.
• Unit 9: Visitor Attractions – Learners develop analytical skills as they investigate the nature and role of both built and natural visitor attractions, their commercial success, appeal, response to diverse visitor needs and the importance of delivering a memorable visitor experience.

• Unit 1 and Unit 2 are assessed using written examinations. Both make up ~58% of the overall grade.
• Unit 3 and Unit 9 are assessed using controlled assessment. Both make up ~42% of the overall grade.

You must meet the overall requirements for Leigh Academy Longfield's Sixth Form, and the requirements for this subject specifically. These can be found on our academy website:

https://leighacademylongfield.org.uk/post16/sixth-form-subjects/

Where can this course take you?

🎓 University

Explore global destinations, customer behaviour, and the booming international leisure industry. Studying the BTEC National Extended Certificate in Travel and Tourism gives you a comprehensive understanding of worldwide destinations, customer service principles, and sustainable tourism management. Whether you want to study International Tourism Management, Hospitality, Event Management, or Business Enterprise, your applied project work and destination analysis will set you up for success at leading universities.

💼 Apprenticeships

Step straight into aviation, hotel management, and global tour operations. Higher and degree apprenticeships in hospitality, event management, aviation operations, and travel consultancy let you earn a salary while bypassing university debt. You’ll apply your customer experience strategies, operational planning, and destination marketing directly within major airlines, international hotel chains, tour operators, and corporate travel agencies - gaining hands-on professional experience alongside industry qualifications.

🚀 Careers

Manage global events, direct luxury resorts, and shape the future of international travel. Travel and tourism is one of the world's largest and most dynamic economic sectors, equipping you with essential commercial and interpersonal skills. Future careers range from Resort Manager, Travel Consultant, Event Coordinator, and Airline Operations Manager to Tourism Development Officer, Tour Operator, and Marketing Executive - giving you the practical expertise to thrive in a fast-paced global industry.