Study International Tourism and Hospitality in the United KingdomInternational tourism and hospitality are fast growing dynamic industries which require exceptional managers who can satisfy sophisticated and increasingly demanding customers in a global context. The tourism and hospitality industries are important sectors of most economies throughout the world. Their diversity means that they offer a wide range of career opportunities for the 21st century. Intensifying worldwide competition has produced dynamic companies which require exceptionally high calibre managers to maintain complex organisations. In future, it will not be enough for managers to react to changes in the global environment, to be successful they will have to acquire skills which will enable them to shape it rather than simply being reactive. As Christiane Clech, Secretary General of the International Hotel Association said in 1994 "to be successful in the 1990s and into the twenty-first century will require managers who are able to anticipate and understand the global market implications on the hotel industry". Indeed, as globalisation of the tourism and hospitality industries continue, managers will need to increase their awareness of the multi-cultural perspectives affecting these industries and develop cross cultural capabilities in order to be effective. Courses then need to enable graduates to understand this global marketplace and the companies which operate within it. Programmes should encourage students to think strategically and to understand how multinational tourism and hospitality companies can best be managed. This is achieved by instilling an awareness and sensitivity to cultural diversity through the exploration of other cultures; the development of appropriate management and personal transferable skills through personal development modules; the opportunity to study languages and to satisfy the need for lifelong learning. This is the European year of lifelong learning and learning organisations and international institutions have funding to encourage the development of partnerships with educational institutions. Professional development programmes and distance learning courses offer educational and training opportunities for those people who have been denied the opportunity to acquire academic qualifications to support their career and their work organisation. It is also ideally sUNITEDfor those who wish, or who cannot, give up their job in order to study in the traditional way. In addition to flexible undergraduate provision and multi-mode study, institutions need to offer opportunities for further study for Masters by Research (MAl MSc), MPhil and Pill degrees in a wide range of topics. Students registering for any of these should receive a thorough grounding in research methods before undertaking their projects and ideally students will be supported though their studies by expert supervisors, who are themselves actively engaged in research. Some institutions may offer modular programmes which enable students to compose their own programmes of study, related to hospitality, tourism and services. Leeds has a population of over 700, 000 and is the major city of the region. It is the most important financial centre outside London and is home to many multinational companies. The city is located in Yorkshire, mid-way between London and Edinburgh. London is only two hours away by train and there are excellent road and rail links with the rest of the country. In addition, the local Leeds/Bradford airport provides regular direct flights to major cities in the United Kingdom and abroad. New students soon discover the friendly hospitality of local people and the excellent shopping facilities, ranging from national department stores to a bustling open air market. It is also a multi-cultural city, with places of worship for most religions. In your spare time there is plenty to see and do; There are cinemas, galleries, theatres and major venues for opera, classical and rock music. There are also some interesting museums, including the Royal Armouries which was recently moved to Leeds from the Tower of London. Sports fans will know that Leeds is home to both Leeds United Football Club and Headingley Cricket Ground. Most institutions also offer a wide variety of leisure and social clubs run by the Students' Union.
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Leeds Metropolitan University |