The GTTP Research and Award competition is held annually, and tasks participants with researching and developing a presentation offering possible solutions on a particular topic each year. This year’s topic under the spotlight is Adventure Tourism and Sustainability and our intrepid Travel and Tourism Level 3 Extended Diploma students will give details about the UK’s Adventure attractions, promoting them internationally at the same time.
Both Roberto and Richard, who are also members of the college’s successful Travel and Hospitality Career Ready Academy, worked together to create a one page proposal detailing what Adventure Tourism in the UK had to offer and how it is managed sustainably to protect the environment and natural habitats. Their proposal beat strong competition from other UK colleges and schools for the chance to represent the UK. Once in Nice, Roberto and Richard will have the chance to meet, greet and network with GTTP professionals and fellow student competitors, stay in paid accommodation and go sightseeing in Nice, capital of the French Riviera.
Roberto said: “I’m excited and nervous about this competition, being chosen from all the other UK competitors was a great feeling, but now the hard work begins. I’m looking forward to visiting Nice, and finding out about Adventure Tourism in other countries”. Roberto continued: “I love my course, I’ve made great friends and my teachers are first class, the course itself is varied and has given me great opportunities, such as a paid summer internship at City and Guilds in Central London, working in the marketing department”.
Richard said: “Being chosen to represent the UK on such a large global scale is great. Also on visiting Nice, it will be my first time on an airplane, which I’m both nervous and excited about.”
Richard continued: “I’m so happy that I got on to this course, a friend told me about the college and when I looked into it, I knew this was the right course for me. There are so many career paths you can take with a qualification in Travel and Tourism. I now have a part-time retail job after completing work experience with the company and over the summer, I completed a paid internship with the Marriot Hotel in Hambrey Manor, which also offered to take me on.”
CONEL Principal Andy Forbes said: “It’s great to see students from our local communities representing the UK on the world stage – we’re all really proud of them. It shows how far you can go if you’re ambitious and hardworking and also just how good our teaching is here at CONEL. I wish them every success in the competition and hope they do really well.”
Both Roberto and Richard are in the second year of Travel and Tourism Level 3 Extended Diploma course, and members of the Travel and Hospitality Career Ready Academy. As members of the Academy they are offered summer internships, specific industry work experience and Leadership Development by coaching and mentoringfrom top industry professionals. If you are interested in starting a Travel and Tourism course this year call 020 8442 3055 or come into our Enfield Centre as there may be some places left.
