Tourism students take part in national conference
Tourism Management students from the University of Chester have attended a national conference to learn more about current issues and future trends in the sector.
Eight International Tourism Management students from University of Chester Business School attended the Tourism Management Institute Annual Convention in Preston where they heard from senior destination professionals. The debate covered national policy, tourism taxes, regeneration, place branding, the ethics of visitor sites associated with death and much more.
Chester students can attend the conference as its tourism courses have been accredited by TMI, with many of its graduates going on to work in the sector in organisations including Visit Britain, Marketing Manchester and Marketing Cheshire.
Second year, Summer Ainscough, has been appointed as the university’s TMI Student Ambassador. She said: “The TMI Conference was a fantastic experience. It was inspiring to meet professionals from across the tourism industry, learn from their expertise, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges in tourism management. The event really reinforced my passion for the sector and left me excited for my future in the tourism industry.”
Third year, Connor Price, currently works in Chester’s Visitor Information Centre alongside his studies. He said: “I really enjoyed the conference, it was interesting to hear the different tourism presentations and it gave me a deeper learning in the subject. The tourism presentations like dark tourism, re-development in certain areas and the statistics were so intriguing to me.
“In my placement for the university, I was able to work in the Visitor Information Centre in Chester. I was lucky enough to be offered a junior manager role with the Centre and I have been with the team for the past few months. I really enjoy the course that I am studying and love working within the tourism sector.”
Course leader, Colin Potts, who organised the visit said: “TMI’s Annual Convention brings destination managers together to explore the big tourism issues of the day so it is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn from people they may be working with before long.”