Travel and Tourism IGCSE

What is IGCSE?
IGCSEs are the same as GCSEs and are accepted in just the same way.

What is Travel and Tourism?
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.

Who is the awarding body?
The awarding body is University of Cambridge International Examinations.

What is the course title and code for this qualification?
Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism Syllabus code 0471.

How is the course structured?
We will begin by looking at what the examination board, the University of Cambridge, will require of you in the way of examinations.  You will be referred to what you need to do in terms of registration and arranging with an external centre for you to take the examinations.

Once the administration matters have been cleared up, we will look at the specification we will be following, namely the IGCSE Travel and Tourism (syllabus code 0471).

For the purposes of this distance learning programme we will be preparing you the exam only route.

As part of your course, you will be supplied with the Study Guide for IGCSE and A Levels. Do make use of this as it has been written to help you with your studies and to supplement the specific information and guidance given in the course material itself.

What does the course prepare me for?
The study pack is designed to closely match the curriculum content of the Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism syllabus and will provide you with the information and support you’ll need to take the exams with confidence.

As well as giving you a good understanding of the Travel and Tourism industry as a whole, 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.

What will the course cover?

Unit 1
Introductions

Unit 1
The travel and tourism industry
 
Unit 1
1.1 - Understand and explain the structure of the international travel and tourism industry
 
Unit 1
1.2 - Investigate the social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of travel and tourism
 
Unit 1
1.3 - Identify the role of national governments in forming tourism policy and promotion
 
Unit 1
1.4 - Investigate the patterns of demand for international travel and tourism
 
Unit 2
Features of worldwide destinations
 
Unit 2
2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the main global features
 
Unit 2
2.2 -  Demonstrate awareness of different time zones and climate
 
Unit 2
2.3 -  Investigate travel and tourism destinations
 
Unit 2
2.4 -  Identify and describe the features which attract tourists to a particular destination
 
Unit 3
Customer care and working procedures
 
Unit 3
3.1 – Deal with customers and colleagues
 
Unit 3
3.2 Identify the essential personal skills required when working in the travel and tourism industry
 
Unit 3
3.3 Follow basic procedures when handling enquiries, making reservations and receiving money
 
Unit 3
3.4 Use reference sources to obtain information
 
Unit 3
3.5 – Explore presentation and promotion of tourist facilities
 
Unit 4
Travel and tourism products and services
 
Unit 4
4.1 Identify and describe tourism products
 
Unit 4
4.2 Explore the roles of tour operators and travel agents
 
Unit 4
4.3 Describe support facilities for travel and tourism
 
Unit 4
4.4 Explore the features of worldwide transport in relation to major international routes
 
Unit 4
Example exam question for units 1 - 4
 
Unit 5
The Role and Function of Marketing and Promotion In Travel and Tourism
 
Unit 5
5.1 - Role and Function of Marketing and Promotion
 
Unit 5
5.2 – Market segmentation and targeting
 
Unit 5
5.3 – Product as part of the marketing mix
 
Unit 5
5.4 Price as part of the marketing mix
 
Unit 5
5.5 – Place as part of the marketing mix
 
Unit 5
5.6 – Promotion as part of the marketing mix
 
Unit 5
Example exam question for unit 5
 
We have deliberately designed the course to make it as interactive as possible with lots of self-assessment exercises for you to carry out. But we don’t leave it there for we give you a comprehensive answer book so that you can gauge how much you have learned. As well as that, we set you practice exams which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback.

What will be in the examinations?
If you have looked at the full specification on the Cambridge website, you will have noticed that there are various options including coursework.  As we said earlier, we will be preparing you only for the examinations options.  No coursework is required.

The papers have the following structure:
?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.
?Paper 2: This comprises scenario-based questions requiring short answers and is primarily based on Unit 5 – Marketing and Promotion (40% of total marks).

Where do I sit my examinations?
Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to find and register with a centre to take the examinations. Learning at Home cannot take any responsibility for this.

The following is a list provided by Cambridge on their website:
http://www.cie.org.uk/profiles/students/ukcandidates/#contacts

It is also worthwhile approaching local schools and colleges to see if they are willing to accept you as a Private Candidate. When consulting them, take with you details of the specification as they are far more willing to listen to your request if they can see immediately what will be involved on their part. Do stress that there is no coursework component involved, merely two exams of 2 hours each. Have the syllabus number to hand as well.

Is Learning at Home my centre for the examinations?
No. Your centre is the one you have to find to sit your examinations through.

When can I sit my examinations?
The examinations are available in June and November each year. However, you do need to ensure that your centre is able and willing to handle your entry. They are not obliged to accept you as a candidate so do not make any assumption that you will be able to do the exams when you wish.

A further consideration is whether you are allowing yourself time to complete the necessary preparation prior to taking the exams. You have twelve months’ support from so you will need to take this into account when making your plans. It may be possible to extend you tutorial time but this will be subject to an extra charge by your tutor.