Tourism goes back to school

A new initiative which has seen VisitScotland working with partners and regional ambassadors to promote tourism as a career choice has been launched in Moray Speyside.

The Moray Speyside National 5 Travel & Tourism syllabus project was this week celebrated at Milne’s High School, Fochabers - the lead school for the project. The national tourism organisation has worked with Moray Speyside Tourism and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) to support the delivery of the Travel and Tourism qualification in Moray Speyside schools offering the subject.

As part of this project, six tourism ambassadors working locally, from a range of backgrounds, have been recruited and a series of films made focusing on different aspects of the industry. In addition, schools can now access up-to-date information about the tourism industry locally and further afield.

The ambassadors are Jennifer Kelly, Marketing and PR Manager at Gordon Castle, Fochabers; Stephanie Murray, Co-owner / Proprietor of The Dowans Hotel, Aberlour; Neil Slessor, General Manager at The Station Hotel, Rothes; Alison Rose, Centre Manager, Whale & Dolphin Society, Spey Bay; Esme Saville, Marketing and PR Manager, The Craigellachie Hotel; and David Ross, owner of Moray Firth Tours.

These ambassadors will also support the curriculum going forward, for example by attending events and presentations in their local schools.

Earlier this year, staff from VisitScotland and Moray Speyside Tourism worked in partnership with a group of S3 pupils at Milne’s High School, showing them the national tourism organisation’s adverts and inviting them to take part in a competition to create an advert for VisitScotland. This project helped highlight and promote tourism as a positive career choice.

Jo Robinson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “VisitScotland has been working closely with Moray Speyside Tourism to support the National 5 Travel & Tourism syllabus in Moray Speyside schools, and in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) to promote tourism as a career choice.

“2018 is Scotland’s Year of Young People and it is fantastic to see these youngsters engaging with us. It is important for us to work in partnership with schools and to not only help the younger generation but to inspire them to look at tourism as a great career option and to also to be hugely proud of the beautiful region in which they live.

“By encouraging pupils to use their interests to build a valuable, exciting career within tourism, we secure the industry’s growth and I am delighted that these six local ambassadors can show the next generation how rewarding and diverse a career in tourism can be.”

Laurie Piper, Tourism Operations Manager at Moray Speyside Tourism, said: "The launch of this project marks almost a year of collaboration with schools across Moray Speyside, with DYW Moray, VisitScotland and the tourism industry.

“The project isn't just about making sure that pupils studying tourism have accurate, up to date information to learn from, it's about showing young people that they can have a sustainable, rewarding and career in tourism in Moray Speyside. Hopefully, at least some of the young people will decide to live and work here in Moray, helping the industry to flourish."

Sarah Baxter, Manager of DYW Moray, added: “DYW Moray was delighted to be a part of such an exciting refresh of the National 5 Level Travel & Tourism delivery in Moray.

“From one very proactive teacher coming forward and asking for assistance to enhance the subject and great collaborative working, all schools who deliver the subject will now be able to better inform our young people on Travel and Tourism in Moray and Scotland.

“We hope that other employers see this as a great example of DYW work, and also want to get involved in developing our young peoples' skills, knowledge and attitude."

Jennifer Kelly, Marketing and PR Manager at Gordon Castle, said: “Generating billions for the Scottish economy each year, there has never been a better time to be involved in tourism.

“The ethos behind Scotland’s brand goes further than just promoting an individual area or showcasing one famous loch; it’s about selling an all-encompassing experiential package that visitors have when they come to Scotland.

“It’s about working collaboratively with other local businesses to ensure that from the minute tourists arrive to the moment they leave, it’s perfect. Following Rough Guide’s recent announcement that Scotland has been voted the most beautiful and the most welcoming, this is clearly working.

“I was delighted to become an ambassador for the Travel & Tourism National 5 project and hope I can give the pupils an insight into what opportunities the tourism industry holds across all employment sectors.”

Stuart Kennedy, Principal Teacher of Geography, Education and Social Care at Milne’s High School, said: “The support from VisitScotland, DYW Moray and Moray Speyside Tourism has been instrumental in supporting our learners discover not only what the current trends are but also in the possible career pathways that are open to them.

“We are delighted that this project has also facilitated what should develop into effective partnership working. As teachers without the direct experience of the travel and tourism sector, we have benefitted from the input of the people who know best, those working within the industry.

“Our learners have benefited through seeing, hearing and taking part in learning opportunities that directly relate to the world of work. We are very passionate about raising awareness of the wide variety of career options offered within the travel and tourism sector and this project has supported us in doing so.”