BU backs Tourism Business Academy

Page published: 3 March 2011

Bournemouth University (BU) is backing an innovative new bid to create the UK’s first National Tourism Business Academy.

BU’s School of Tourism – a world-leader in tourism research – is part of a regional partnership that has applied for government funding to set up the academy, which aims to boost business across England’s tourism industry by offering learning resources to industry professionals.

With the hope of turning the region into a ‘centre of excellence’, the partnership has applied for a governmental Regional Growth Fund bid worth more than £4 million to fund the academy.

Partners of the project include Bournemouth and Poole Tourism Managements Boards, the New Forest Tourism Association, Bournemouth and Poole College, Brockenhurst College and the area’s local authorities. The academy would provide business support through a number of channels, including through the use of industry mentors, academic and practical courses at all levels, drop-in learning centres, online resources and more.

If successful, the University would be a leading player in the development and delivery of training programmes for the local industry, as well as extensive networking arrangements and specialised training in e-Tourism through BU’s evolving Digital Hub project.

BU tourism academics Professor Alan Fyall, Professor John Fletcher, Dr Philip Alford and Steve Calver are involved with the initiative.

Professor Fyall said: “This very innovative bid brings together a number of experienced partners committed to creating the UK’s first National Tourism Business Academy. Not only will this be a first for the UK but, if successful, the additional funding will help the region firmly establish itself as one of the leading integrated destination regions in the world where the commitment to the development and quality training of its staff will set it aside from competing destinations both in the UK and beyond”.

The decision on the bid will be delivered in May. To watch a short video about the National Tourism Business Academy please click here.