SERC Tourism Students Visit Virtual Destination

Travel and Tourism students from South Eastern Regional College have been checking out popular destinations and holiday hot spots through virtual trips as part of their continued learning during the pandemic.

Course Coordinator, Rachel Suitor said, “Our Travel and Tourism students would normally visit a major tourism attraction as part of their courses but because of restrictions, due to Covid-19, this has proved impossible for this year.    However, 16 students from the HNC and Level 3 Travel and Tourism have been enjoying virtual tours to Australia, Japan, Italy and Iceland hosted by One Planet – The Ultimate School Trip.

She added, “The students were able to find out more about each of the destinations from guest speakers, ‘visit’ areas of special interest and even meet up with locals to ask questions about life in the different regions and hear first-hand about those all-important ‘must see’ sights during the sessions which have brought the course to life for the students.

BTEC Level 3 Travel and Tourism student, Sharon McCartney (28), from Lisburn said, “I have had an interest in Japanese culture so was delighted to visit it virtually as part of the course although a real trip to Japan would be a dream come true.  It was exciting to learn about Hinamatsuri, a celebration day on 3 March, when Japanese families decorate their homes with ornamental dolls to celebrate their daughters.

She added, “I also ‘visited’ Australia to hear how sustainability is part and parcel of tourism and how visitors need to be both environmentally and community aware when they experience the wildlife and natural habitats such as the Great Barrier Reef. I am keen to promote sustainable tourism as part of my career in the tourism industry.”

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Caption: Carbon Free Travel: BTEC Level 3 Travel and Tourism student, Sharon McCartney (28), from Lisburn has been taking virtual trips to Japan and Australia to learn about sustainable tourism.