Abta has initiated a survey to gather feedback from its members and the travel industry on developing new Level 3 college courses for travel careers.
- Due to government plans to defund current travel and tourism courses by 2026, new qualifications are needed to replace them.
- The Tourism Industry Skills Working Group, formed by Abta, plays a crucial role in identifying and developing these new courses.
- Collecting industry input is essential for the approval and success of these proposed courses, which are set to start in September 2026.
- There is a call for participation from industry experts to ensure the courses meet the sector’s needs.
In an effort to shape the future of travel education, Abta has launched a survey targeting its members and the broader travel industry. The feedback collected will inform the development of new Level 3 college training courses for students aspiring to build careers in the travel sector. This initiative follows a government move to discontinue funding for existing travel and tourism courses by September 2026.
The new courses are part of an overarching strategy to replace all Level 3 qualifications in England. To address this challenge, Abta established the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group last year. This body has brought together various stakeholders from the travel industry, educational institutions, course leaders, and certification organisations to explore viable alternatives for future travel training.
Ensuring that the proposed courses align with industry needs is paramount. Abta, along with its working group, has devised a path to secure approval for these courses. An essential component of this process is the active involvement of industry experts. Their insights and expertise are deemed critical for crafting a curriculum that attracts young individuals to the industry and addresses the skillset requirements of the sector.
Consultations have included numerous meetings and workshops with industry players. The ambition is to have the courses ready to commence by September 2026, pending their approval anticipated in June. The comprehensive input from HR professionals, education, and training leaders will be instrumental in the final design of these courses.
Abta’s Director of Public Affairs, Luke Petherbridge, highlighted the collaborative effort, stating: “Abta has worked hard with industry partners and education specialists to find a practical solution to the defunding of travel and tourism courses in England from September 2026. Our creation of the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that the industry can continue to attract young people.”
Similarly, Claire Steiner, director at the Institute of Travel and Tourism, noted the industry’s unified response to the defunding decision, seeing it as a pivotal chance to guide the creation of relevant and effective educational offerings.
The success of these new travel courses hinges on the extensive engagement and contributions from the entire travel and tourism sector.
