Future of the travel industry depends on good quality training courses

Future of the travel industry depends on good quality training courses

Last week I was asked to comment on your article about travel students facing a steep learning curve (Travel Weekly, October 9).

My comments were put into a separate story taking them out of context and suggesting I was critical of travel and tourism tutors. When speaking to Kirsten Bowling, I expressed concern that the commercial pressures facing colleges brings pressure to take on as many students as possible.

Under such circumstances I question whether young people are always being given the right careers advice. That doesn’t equate to an attack on tutors, or accusation that lecturers spend too long trying to increase their numbers instead of advising.

I believe the future of the travel industry depends on quality training.

I am happy to retain links with tutors and will be accepting Sally Butler’s invitation to spend a day at St Austell College. I’m sure it will be a valuable experience for us both.

Kevin Abbey, managing director, Bakers Dolphin