Travel & Tourism IGCSE Course

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a IGCSE in Travel & Tourism. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning IGCSE Travel & Tourism is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study. What's more, because the distance learning IGCSE Travel & Tourism course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

This IGCSE course is designed to help meet the needs of those who want an introduction to this challenging subject either with a view to further study at A Level or simply to supplement a portfolio of IGCSE/GCSE subjects.

Travel and Tourism is one of the most varied and important global industries.  It contributes significantly to the economies of many countries, and worldwide employs around 235 million people.

This completely new IGCSE course is designed to help meet the growing need for well qualified and knowledgeable people who want a career in the Travel and Tourism industry.  This qualification will provide you with a broad introduction to the key components of this exciting and challenging field.

The course will examine:

• The different structures and organisational roles within the industry, including governments, travel agents, tour operators, accommodation and transport providers
• The social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts of travel and tourism
• The patterns of demand for international tourism
• Features of worldwide destinations  and attractions
• Customer care and working practices
• Marketing and promotion of travel and tourism products and services

The aim of this course is to provide you with:

• Understanding of the travel and tourism industry
• Theoretical knowledge of the industry and related sectors, including knowledge of travel and tourism products and services, the infrastructure on which they depend and the transport system needed to operate them
• Practical ability in a range of skills and procedures related to working in the travel and tourism industry, including knowledge of the essential personal and professional skills required by individuals working in the service sector
• Critical awareness of the physical, social and economic environments in which travel and tourism takes place, including understanding of the global, regional and local perspectives of travel and tourism

The materials and accompanying exercises provided will help you to develop the necessary knowledge and confidence to successfully attempt the exams. These skills will also stand you in good stead for when we prepare for the examination questions. The key parts of the course which are important in every aspect are planning your studies and practice assessments.

How is the course structured?

The IGCSE Travel & Tourism course is designed to follow the structure of Cambridge specification 0471 and is divided in to five course module

Module 1: The travel and tourism industry

1.1 Understand and explain the structure of the international travel and tourism industry
1.2 Investigate the social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of travel and tourism
1.3 Identify the role of national governments in forming tourism policy and promotion
1.4 Investigate the patterns of demand for international travel and tourism
 
Module 2: Features of worldwide destinations

2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the main global features
2.2 Demonstrate awareness of different time zones and climate
2.3 Investigate travel and tourism destinations
2.4 Identify and describe the features which attract tourists to a particular destination

Module 3: Customer care and working procedures

3.1 Deal with customers and colleagues
3.2 Identify the essential personal skills required when working in the travel and tourism industry
3.3 Follow basic procedures when handling enquiries, making reservations and receiving money
3.4 Use reference sources to obtain information
3.5 Explore presentation and promotion of tourist facilities
 
Module 4: Travel and tourism products and services

4.1 Identify and describe tourism products
4.2 Explore the roles of tour operators and travel agents
4.3 Describe support facilities for travel and tourism
4.4 Explore the features of worldwide transport in relation to major international routes
4.5 Example exam question for units 1 - 4
 
Module 5: The Role and Function of Marketing and Promotion In Travel and Tourism

5.1 Role and Function of Marketing and Promotion
5.2 Market segmentation and targeting
5.3 Product as part of the marketing mix
5.4 Price as part of the marketing mix
5.5 Place as part of the marketing mix
5.6 Promotion as part of the marketing mix
5.7 Example exam question for unit 5

Home Study Tutor Support

Effective learning is encouraged through frequent activities and self-assessment questions, and there is guidance for the preparation of coursework.

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete your course of study. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact a Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

You have a lot of resources to help you in your studies; your course blue file, your textbook, internet resources and your tutor. You should make good use of your tutor to help you with any difficulties that you may have during the course especially at the start and there is extra material in the student support portal.

Course Assessments

Self-Assessment Tests
Every lesson is concluded with either a Self-Assessment Test or a Tutor Marked Assignment. Only tackle these when you feel that you have fully mastered the material in the lesson. If it is a Self-Assessment Test, first try to check your answers by referring back to the lesson, and then compare your answers with those given right at the end of the lesson.

Tutor-Marked Assignments
After every two lessons there is a Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA). These are in IGCSE examination style and will thoroughly check your understanding of the previous two lessons. You should send your answers to your tutor, who will return your marked script, together with a set of suggested answers.

Revision
Do not leave all your revision until the end of the course! You will need to revise thoroughly for your examination, but frequent revision throughout the course is essential. Plan your revision sensibly, and re-read as you feel necessary, if your knowledge is beginning to fade.

The last TMA in the course is a mock exam of two papers, following closely the format of the exam itself. You are recommended to study the online practice exam and mark scheme before attempting this TMA and sending it to your tutor. It is also a good idea to restrict yourself to the time specified for the exam, so you have practice writing under time pressure.

Examinations

The examination you will sit consists of two papers. There is no separate practical exam and no practical coursework component; testing of practical skills is built into both of the theory papers. You will be asked practical-based questions as part of your written exam.

Travel & Tourism Paper 1: 
This comprises four scenario-based questions which require candidates to provide short answers (60% of total marks).  This exam is largely based on Units 1-4 of the travel and tourism syllabus.

Travel & Tourism Paper 2: 
This comprises scenario-based questions requiring short answers and is primarily based on Unit 5 – Marketing and Promotion (40% of total marks).

In both papers there will be a range of compulsory shortanswer, structured questions, which gradually increase in difficulty to ensure accessibility for less-able students, as well as to stretch more-able students. Some of the question content may be unfamiliar to students; these questions are designed to assess data-handling skills and the ability to apply biological principles to unfamiliar information. Questions targeted at grades A* – B will include questions designed to test knowledge, understanding and skills at a higher level, including some questions requiring longer prose answers.

The IGCSE qualification will be graded and certificated on an eight-grade scale from A* to G. Students whose level of achievement is below the minimum standard for Grade G will receive an unclassified U. Where a candidate is unclassified, this will not be recorded on the IGCSE certificate.

What's Included? What do I get when I enrol?

Your course fee covers everything you will need to successfully complete the Travel & Tourism home study course and earn your IGCSE:

1. All textbooks, study folders, and/or online learning aids designed for distance learning
2. A full range of student services, including:

• Tutor marked assessments (TMAs)
• Access to the online student portal (Student Chat, Forums and Online Support Resources)
• NUS Extra Card (discounted membership)
• Comprehensive Study Guide & Study Plan
• Guide to Effective Study Techniques
• How to approach exams without fear

3. An accredited award upon successful course completion directly from the awarding body Cambridge
4. One year's educational support by e-mail, post, fax or phone
5. Free postage and packaging for UK mainland students

The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Travel & Tourism and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.