New travel students see sights thanks to City Explorer

Students from Hugh Baird College have begun their journey into the travel industry with their first trip of the new term last week.

The students were given the full tourist experience as they boarded the City Explorer bus for a sightseeing and fact-finding tour of Liverpool.

Hugh Baird College’s curriculum co-coordinator for travel and the visitor economy, Andrea Currie, said: “Many of the students have been residents of Liverpool all their lives and, as a local of any city, it’s often easy to overlook its attractions.

“Liverpool is a fantastic city with a growing visitor economy and so what better place for the students to begin learning about tourism, customer service and what makes the city a great place to visit than to see it through the eyes of a visitor.”

Student, Niecha Emsley who is studying towards the Level 2 Diploma in air cabin crew and Level 2 award for introduction to customer service, said: “I loved the tour and learned so much about the city that I didn’t know before. It has made me really think about what sells a city as a tourist destination and why Liverpool is attracting thousands of visitors every day. It’s also made me even more excited about choosing a career in the tourism industry.”

For the students, the free tour experience will be one of several invaluable opportunities offered by City Explorer Liverpool during the course of their time at Hugh Baird College. It will see them getting first-hand experience of the industry with work both on the bus tour and in their back office.

Ann Meek, Director of Maghull Coaches Limited, said: “We have been working closely with Career College and Hugh Baird College’s travel and the visitor economy team for several years and it is always great to see the enthusiasm from the students.

“They are the future of the industry so we feel it’s important for them to see what goes on behind the scenes of a travel company and the exacting standards of customer service expected.”