FAST FACTS - ABOUT US

Contents:

• Our Mission

• What We Do
  
  • Curriculum Development
  • Teacher Training
  • Collaborative Projects
  • Student Activities
  • Internships (work-study)
    
    
• How We Are Structured
  
  
• How to Become a Member
  
  
• GTTP Statistics
  
  
• What People Say
  

Mission:

The mission of the GTTP is to introduce secondary school students to the Travel & Tourism industry, to broaden their understanding of tourism's economic impact and cultural implications for their communities and the world, and to develop their appreciation of the industry's many career options at a time when they, their parents, and teachers are making decisions about their career choices.

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What We Do:

Curriculum Development

Each member country uses its own tourism education curriculum. In some countries, schools use a GTTP-developed curriculum as their official curriculum while other use it to supplement their own courses.

The GTTP curriculum is called PASSPORT TO THE WORLD: An Introduction to Travel & Tourism. It comes with three modules: a module for use by instructors; a module for use by students, which includes a guide to information resources; and a module with a comprehensive schedule of student activities. It is available in English, Russian, Magyar, Portugese and Spanish.

Click here to see the Introduction to the Instructor's Guide which includes an explanation of the PASSPORT curriculum and an outline of the syllabus.

PASSPORT was developed by GTTP country directors and teachers. The course provides students with a basic understanding of tourism as a global industry. The curriculum is "teacher friendly" and is designed in such a way that basic concepts and information are combined with activities that focus the students on their own community or region.

PASSPORT is part of the basic curriculum in Russia and Hungary and has been adopted by the federal government of Brazil as part of its drive to expand tourism education in state and municipal schools throughout Brazil. It is being used in adult education in Nicaragua, and will be introduced in Bulgaria in 2008.

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Teacher Training

GTTP teacher-training courses on the global curriculum, PASSPORT TO THE WORLD, and on student assessment methodologies have been delivered to teachers in Hungary, Jamaica, Russia, and South Africa.  These are in addition to regular teacher training provided by each country program.

The GTTP assessment approach utilizes portfolios prepared by the students, and provides teacher training in this method.

The country director of the Hungary Program has developed a fundamentals course on teaching Travel & Tourism which has been accepted by the European Union’s Directorate General for Education and Culture’s Comenius/Grundtvig Training Database of accredited courses. This means that teachers from EU countries may apply for grants at their respective national Socrates offices and be fully reimbursed for costs incurred to receive training.

If you are interested in attending a workshop in Hungary, please contact the director of the Hungary Program:

Attila Horvath
Director, Hungary TTP
c/o Foundation for School Development
Rippi Ronai u.40
H-1068 Budapest
Hungary
Phone: + 36-1-481-1384 or 1191
Fax:      + 36-1-481-1384
E-mail: [email protected]

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Collaborative Projects

The GTTP member countries work together in a number of ways, especially in the sharing ideas and experiences that can improve their own operations. Country directors conduct teacher training sessions in GTTP member countries. The development of the curriculum known as PASSPORT is an example of a collaborative project. The GTTP’s GUIDE TO LINKS sets out the steps you can take to link students in one country to students in another country. For a copy of the Guide, click here.

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Student Activities

GTTP Case Writing Competition:

The Travel & Tourism courses taught in GTTP member countries emphasizes student activities. Each year GTTP hosts an International Student/Teacher Conference attended by students and their teachers from GTTP member countries. The students previously have competed for the GTTP Case Writing Award in their home countries. The winning school teams in each country attend the conference. The conference is sponsored by the GTTP; its Global Partners.

Internships

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How We Are Structured

• Brazil
• Canada
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Russia
• South Africa
• United Kingdom

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How to become a member:

The GTTP welcomes new members. Countries that want to become a member must have:

• A curriculum that focuses on travel & tourism, the schools must offer PASSPORT TO THE WORLD as an introductory course if there is no existing curriculum.
• A committed group of local business representatives, tourism officials, and education officials who support the concept and who will serve on an advisory board
• A school system that is willing to test out the idea and to support teacher training and that will sponsor initial training by the GTTP in methodologies for teaching Travel & Tourism and for student assessment.
• A Director, full or part-time, who can oversee the development and implementation of the Travel & Tourism Program for the country.
• A plan for the development and implementation of the Travel & Tourism Program and a commitment from industry and government to provide the necessary funding.

In addition, the Director and the advisory board must agree to support the GTTP's mission, to provide annual reports and a strategic plan to the GTTP, to participate in the GTTP's programs and meetings, and to demonstrate a commitment to excellence.

The GTTP recognizes that each country has its own educational requirements and standards, so members' curricula vary. However, the GTTP does provide PASSPORT TO THE WORLD at no charge and teacher training for a modest cost depending on the circumstances.

Interested country representatives can contact:

Dr. Nancy Needham
Executive Director, GTTP
2111 Delancey Street
Philadelphia PA 19103-6511
USA
Tel: 215 546 1541
Email: click here

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GTTP STATISTICS

^* Data are estimates; enrollments are ongoing as teacher training is completed.
^** Data includes students who completed the original program as well as students in the revised program.
^*** 9 Provinces include multiple cities; school year starts in January

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What People Say

• From Hong Kong
  
  The curriculum suggested by the GTTP is socially relevant and academically challenging to students of all abilities. Its solid framework provides a broad overview of the industry, a clear picture of the diverse career opportunities available and industry-specific skills.
  
  Aaron Au, Department Head, Belilios Public School, Hong Kong

• From Russia
  
  Many thanks to those who organized this conference. The program was so interesting that there was almost no time to sleep. Despite the poor level of English language, our group at the end was communicating only in English. We met a lot of interesting people at the conference, which are also interested in the development of tourism in their countries. And I think that using common efforts we can attract our officials' attention to the future development and financing of our projects.
  
  A student

• From Brazil
  
  Taking part in the TTP Program was, for me, a unique and special opportunity in my personal and professional life.
  
  Personal - for the satisfaction of coming in contact with new experiences and meeting new people of diverse habits, customs, cultures and knowledge bases.
  
  Professional - for continually developing and expanding my knowledge in so many professional areas.
  
  Best of all was seeing how people's mental attitudes changed and then how their behavior changed.
  
  As a teacher in this program, you also see that your educational activities promote a higher quality of life for those who live with you, in our case the teachers, the students and the local and school communities - as they all tell me.
  99% of the former students from the 1st graduating class are already working, the great majority of these in the area of tourism. While working, some have secured placements in universities or other courses.
  
  Lúcia Cerqueira, Teacher

• From Canadian Business Partners
  
  From the business perspective, attracting and retaining skilled employees is a huge challenge for the Travel & Tourism Industry as the economy strengthens and the tourism industry grows. In today's corporate world, citizenship issues are pivotal here. Clearly, re-evaluation of how the bottom line can be impacted by relationships with mutiple-stakeholders not just shareholders and customers is long term. We acknowledge that engaging youth in travel and tourism related careers is a long term strategic investment to help maintain and expand Canada's positioning as a premier destination for Canadian and international travelers. People make the difference in the Tourism Industry, and the best way to ensure our success is to encourage the development of young high school students.
  
  David Barnes - American Express, Canada
  Rosanna Panetta - Air Canada

• From Hungary
  
  Even before I chose the TTP I had had an interest in tourism and it reassured me in my career choice. During the TTP I did my work experience at a travel agent. I liked it very much! I got familiar with electronic accommodation booking systems, I know more about hotels, acquainted with terms like "voucher" etc. In short, I can use what I have learnt in my recent studies."
  
  A university student

• From South Africa
  
  Having Travel & Tourism in our school has helped me develop a respect for my culture and heritage. I want to strive to keep everything perfect for future generations.
  The TTP made me realize how important tourism is to South Africa and our local communities.
  
  A student

• From the UK
  
  The Travel & Tourism Programme has supported me and my colleagues superbly over the past four years as we have developed new travel related courses at the college. The TTP teaching resources and industry-based training events give an up-to-date insight into the industry, and we are able to use this information to inspire our students into seeking jobs in travel and tourism
  
  Pat Palmer, Lewisham College, London
  
  The TTP is the UK's leading source of support, resources and training for teachers delivering travel and tourism related courses. As a teacher, and in my new role as adviser, I encourage schools in my region to look no further than the TTP and their industry partners.
  
  Frank Walton, Adviser
  Worcestershire Local Education Authority, UK
  
  The GTTP student/teacher conference in Germany was a memorable experience. I learnt from fellow students about the challenges that face them, and made lasting friendships
  
  Dean Putland (student)
  Ratton School, Eastbourne, UK

• From Canada
  
  The grade ten program that I enrolled in was the best thing that I could have done for myself. It opened a lot of doors that I was looking through but was scared to enter.
  
  A student

• From South Africa
  
  My students have changed their opinion about South Africa and have become more patriotic. I can honestly say that my learners have become lifelong ambassadors for South Africa.
  
  Nalini Thomas, Teacher, Natal

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