Venice trip widens students' horizons

UCLan Tourism undergraduates were recently joined by colleagues from our Hospitality and Event Management programmes for a study visit to Venice.

The trip focused on a variety of key Destination Management themes and gave students the opportunity learn more about their chosen industries in a 'real-world' environment.

The group began their visit with a tour of the Five Star Westin Hotel Europa & Regina, before enjoying an amazing Hospitality and Grand Canal Experience.

Next port of call was the Colli Euganei area, with students investigating the Tourism industry in the region including the ancient village of Arquà Petrarca, an agrotourism project in Podere Villa Alessi and the walled town of Monselice.

Events & Tourism, Society, Culture and the Visitor Experience were the central topics on day three, as the students looked at hotel conventions, sales and services, event themes and planning at the Four Star Park Hotel Villa Fiorita and the Centro Congressi Luciani.

Marketing, networks and partnerships, planning and tourism host encounters were some of the final day subjects, as students took part in a guided tour of Venice.

Lecturer Dan Wright described the city as an excellent location for the group to explore and apply their knowledge of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management.

He commented: "Central to educational trips is gaining new perspectives on the world. By coming into direct contact with the Venetian environment, culture, heritage, language, attractions, students can better understand the opportunities and challenges presented as a tourist destination.

"The aim was to turn the trip into a mobile classroom, encouraging students to engage with the attractions visited, which varied from a local businessman's agritourismo, to large corporate hospitality and conference centres.

"The trip was a great success, offering students endless amounts of information, resources and experiences to which they can now apply to their work, and will forever be another remarkable and memorable experience."

Student Naheeda Ali added: "The study visit was a fantastic experience. Not only has it made it easier to write my blog for my module, but it's given me an opportunity to experience Italian culture.

"The best part of the trip was when we visited the Podere Villa Alessi, where the owner gave us an insight into his agro-tourism business which was very interesting to hear."