Travel and Tourism Curriculum
Shaping future explorers of the global tourism industry
Why study Travel and Tourism?
What Travel and Tourism develops
Student voice
“Studying Travel and Tourism has opened my eyes to careers I didn’t even know existed.”Maya, Year 11
Key Stage 4 Cycle Overview
Cycle 1
Year 10 - Component 1 Internal Assessment
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of the UK travel and tourism industry.
- Explore popular visitor destinations.
Assessment
- Complete Component 1 Pearson set assignment.
Key Vocabulary
- Private limited company
- Public limited company
- Travel organisations
- Travel agent
- Tour operator
- Rail transport
- Air transport
- Routes
- E-commerce
Year 11 - Component 3 External Assessment
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Demonstrate knowledge of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Demonstrate an understanding of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Apply an understanding of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Make connections with concepts, issues, terms and processes in travel and tourism.
Assessment
- Formative assessment - lesson by lesson.
- Summative assessment - key task and homework assessments.
- October and February mock exam.
Key Vocabulary
- Political factors
- Economic factors
- Social factors
- Environmental factors
- Security factors
- Endemic
- Pandemic
- Natural disaster
- Repatriation
- Tax incentives
- Visa
- Disposable income
- Travel insurance
- Exchange rates
Cycle 2
Year 10 - Component 2 Internal Assessment
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of how organisations identify customer needs and travel and tourism trends.
- Recognise how the needs and preferences of travel and tourism customers are met.
Assessment
- Complete Component 1 Pearson set assignment
Key Vocabulary
- Market research
- Primary and secondary
- Travel itinerary
Year 11 - Component 3 External Assessment
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Demonstrate knowledge of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Demonstrate an understanding of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Apply an understanding of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Make connections with concepts, issues, terms and processes in travel and tourism.
Assessment
- Formative assessment - lesson by lesson.
- Summative assessment - key task and homework assessments.
- February and summer mock exam.
Key Vocabulary
- Economic impact
- Political impact
- Socio-cultural impact
- Sustainability
- Traffic congestion
- Infrastructure
- Environmental degradation
- Preservation and conservation
- Natural park
- Authentic experiences
- Shared ownership
- Public sector and private sector
Cycle 3
Year 10 - Component 2 Internal Assessment
Knowledge focus
- Learners will investigate how organisations use market research to identify travel and tourism trends and identify customer needs and preferences. They will apply their understanding by exploring how specific needs are met by organisations and how travel planning meets customer needs and preferences.
Key skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of how organisations identify customer needs and travel and tourism trends.
- Recognise how the needs and preferences of travel and tourism customers are met.
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Market research
- Primary and secondary
- Travel itinerary
Year 11 - Component 3 External Assessment
Knowledge focus
- Learners will examine the potential impacts of tourism at global destinations and how destinations can manage the impacts of tourism and control tourism development to achieve sustainable tourism.
Key skills
- Demonstrate knowledge of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Demonstrate an understanding of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Apply an understanding of facts, terms, processes and issues in relation to travel and tourism.
- Make connections with concepts, issues, terms and processes in travel and tourism.
Assessment
- Formative assessment - lesson by lesson.
- Summative assessment - key task and homework assessments.
- February and summer mock exam.
Key Vocabulary
- TALC
- Consolidation
- Rejuvenation
- Decline
- Involvement
- Overcrowding
- Local economy
- Foreign investment
Key Stage 5 Travel and Tourism
Cycle 1
Year 12
Knowledge focus
- Unit 1 – The World of Travel and Tourism (externally assessed). This unit provides the foundation for study of other units in travel and tourism. Students will explore the key components and scale of the industry, using data to analyse key trends and their impact.
Key skills
- Industry knowledge and understanding of key organisations
- The structure of the industry and the interrelationships between organisations
- Research and interpretation skills
- Analytical skills
- Application of concepts to real-life scenarios
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Travel and Tourism Industry
- Tour Operator
- Travel Agent
- Tourism Board / DMO (Destination Management Organisation)
- Transport Provider
- Visitor Attraction
- Accommodation Provider
- Ancillary Services (insurance, currency exchange, car hire)
- Interrelationships
Year 13
Knowledge focus
- Unit 2: Global Destinations (externally assessed).
- This unit will help students to develop an ability to understand, compare, evaluate and make recommendations about global destinations, their appeal, accessibility and suitability for different types of travellers. Students use real research to make justified decisions — this mirrors the work of travel agents, tour operators and destination management professionals.
Key skills
- Research and data interpretation of climate graphs, geographical scale and awareness
- Comparative skills; compare two global destinations based on popularity and appeal
- Report writing skills
- Planning travel and justifying itineraries
- Evaluative decision making
Assessment
- External assessment set by Pearson.
Key Vocabulary
- Accessibility
- Appeal
- Gateway
- Motivating and enabling factors
- Climate graphs
- Precipitation
- Geographical scale
- The equator
- The prime meridian
Cycle 2
Year 12
Knowledge focus
- Unit 3 – The Principles of Marketing in Travel and Tourism (internally assessed).
- To develop students’ understanding of key marketing concepts and how travel and tourism organisations use them to attract, satisfy and retain customers.
- The unit connects marketing theory with real-world practice across airlines, travel agents, visitor attractions, hotels, tour operators and transport providers.
Key skills
- Marketing analysis skills
- Research skills
- Creative thinking
- Campaign designing
Assessment
- Understanding of marketing concepts (Learning Aim A)
- Analysis of the marketing mix in travel organisations (Learning Aim B)
- A fully developed marketing campaign with rationale (Learning Aim C)
Key Vocabulary
- Market segmentation
- Primary and secondary research
- Promotional mix
Year 13
Knowledge focus
- Unit 9: Visitor Attractions (internally assessed).
- To help students understand how visitor attractions are developed, managed, marketed and maintained, and the role they play in UK and global tourism.
Key skills
- Research and investigative skills
- Analytical skills and market application
Assessment
- Students complete a coursework portfolio that covers all three learning aims (A, B and C). Evidence can be written, visual and/or digital.
Key Vocabulary
- Primary attraction
- Secondary spend
- Tour operator
- Conservation
- Visitor experience
- Visitor attractions
- The local and wider economy
Cycle 3
Year 12
Knowledge focus
- Unit 3 – The Principles of Marketing in Travel and Tourism (internally assessed).
- To develop students’ understanding of key marketing concepts and how travel and tourism organisations use them to attract, satisfy and retain customers.
- The unit connects marketing theory with real-world practice across airlines, travel agents, visitor attractions, hotels, tour operators and transport providers.
Key skills
- Marketing analysis skills
- Research skills
- Creative thinking
- Campaign designing
Assessment
- Understanding of marketing concepts (Learning Aim A)
- Analysis of the marketing mix in travel organisations (Learning Aim B)
- A fully developed marketing campaign with rationale (Learning Aim C)
Key Vocabulary
- Market segmentation
- Primary and secondary research
- Promotional mix
Year 13
Knowledge focus
- Unit 9: Visitor Attractions (internally assessed).
- To help students understand how visitor attractions are developed, managed, marketed and maintained, and the role they play in UK and global tourism.
Key skills
- Research and investigative skills
- Analytical skills
- Market application
Assessment
- Students complete a coursework portfolio that covers all three learning aims (A, B and C).
- Evidence can be written, visual and/or digital.
Key Vocabulary
- Primary attraction
- Secondary spend
- Tour operator
- Conservation
- Visitor experience
- Visitor attractions
- The local and wider economy
For Key Stage 5 Curriculum information please click here to our Sixth Form Curriculum