Students visit Cyprus

UCLan International Tourism Management students recently took part in a study visit to our Cyprus campus.

The trip is part of a module which includes a variety of tourism subjects, input from industry experts and lectures from Professor Richard Sharpley, a specialist in tourism development, particularly in Cyprus.

The trip provided students with an opportunity to get a flavour of life on the island, as during the second year of the programme they have the option of studying at UCLan Cyprus.

The visit began with students given an introductory tour around the campus and its accommodation. This was followed by a presentation by the Cyprus Agrotourism Company, focusing on the island's future and the plans to improve tourism there.

The next day students visited the ancient village of Fikardou in the Troodos Mountains to explore an agrotourism project. They viewed traditional houses and interesting Byzantine churches, before experiencing the beautiful nature in the mountains.

The group had lunch at the scenic Rodon Hotel in the picturesque village of Agros. It is located on a mountain peak dominating the area and offers a panoramic and unhindered view of the surrounding countryside.

Next port of call was Omodos Village, where students visited the local winery and famous monastery. This was followed by a trip to Nicosia featuring a tour along the United Nations buffer zone which divides the occupied areas and free zone. The group took some time to explore the Green Line themselves.

The final day was spent in the coastal resort of Larnaca, which is particularly known for its palm tree seafront, the Church of Saint Lazarus and its medieval fort.

Lecturer Dr Daniel Wright said: "The visit allowed students to put into practice their growing knowledge and understanding of destination management.

"This included key management tools and topics such as marketing, destination image, statistics and special interest events, cultural and heritage tourism, coastal tourism, and matters of social conflicts in destinations.

"Taking the students out on the study visit also presented individual challenges. It allowed for further cohort bonding, but importantly it provided them with an unforgettable experience."