Educational Tourism Program in the UK

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Title: Educational Tourism Program in the UK
Subject: Management
Type of Paper: Proposal
Words: 634
The definition of educational tourism was originally proposed by Ritchie which has been widely
accepted by both tourism academics and practitioners. Ritchie defines as “ Educational tourism
is tourist activity undertaken by those who are undertaking an overnight vacation and those who
are undertaking an excursion for whom education and learning is a primary or secondary part
of their trip. This can include general education tourism and adult study tours, international and
domestic, university and school students’ travel, including language and schools, excursions and
exchange programmes. Educational tourism can be independently or formally organised and can
be undertaken in a variety of natural or human-made settings.”
Further, Kalinowski and Weiler (1992) explains that educational tourism goes beyond a
curiosity, interest or fascination for a particular topic. It involves a travel experience in which
there is organised learning, whether that is formal or experimental. Whereas, Kidd (1973) and
Smith(1982) believe that there is no precise definition of learning, because it can refer to a
product where the outcome is important, a process which occurs during learning and function the
actual steps to achieve learning. Cooper et al, (1997) states, individuals acquire new
understanding about life, culture, environment and self when they deal with changes in their
environment whereas little change occurs when are in situations of equilibrium. Holdnak and
Holland (1996) states, educational tourism can consist of many market segments and subsegments
including international and domestic university students, international and domestic
schools’ tourism, and adult education or extension programmes.
In the UK the growth of both a tourism and education as key industries over the past few decades
has led to growing recognition of these sectors from both an economic and social perspective.
Education increasingly enables or facilitates travel mobility and learning has become an
important part of the contemporary tourist experience.
The growth of both education and tourism as industries in recent decades has led to growing
recognition of these industries from both and an economic and social perspective (Ropollo,
1996). More specifically Ropollo forecasted the following cross-cultural experiences would
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become critical for all nations and other places wanting to complete successfully in the future,
more students would travel and study abroad boosting tourist industries across the world, the
tourism industry had to realise that students are a powerful long-term investment for destinations,
and not only will friends and family come to visit them while studying, but students are likely to
spread the news of their positive tourism experience to other travellers and return for future
visits.
In an article in the Times Higher in April 2009, James Pitman of Study Group UK, commented
on the added value aspects of incoming educational visitors which means overseas students also
add a cultural dimension to the immediate learning environment, as well as to the much wider
visitor economy. According to Tony Millins, chief executive of English UK, approximately one
million people come to the UK annually from overseas for the purpose of undertaking an
education course or training programmes. He examined the contribution of international students
to the UK economy and concluded that the total number of overseas students excluding those
enrolled in higher education institutions engaged in some form of study or training exceeded
750,000 and contributed in excess of £6 billion to the economy. In addition, the latests figures
provided by Study London, the official website for London’s 42 universities and higher
education institutions boasts that London remains the most popular destination in the world for
international students. Over 93,000 students from over 200 countries study in the UK’s capital
city contribute more than £1.5 billion to the economy.
Objectives
The researcher wishes to broaden own knowledge about Tourism
 To analyse their perceptions, and expectations towards where they are studying
 To analyse a value as well as benefits of studying in the UK