What should I focus on for AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism?

Use specific UNWTO terminology in definitions to demonstrate precise knowledge and align with industry standards.

What should I focus on for AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism? (2)

When explaining the structure, draw a simple diagram or mind map in your revision to show the links between sectors and distribution channels, then describe these links in the assessment.

What should I focus on for AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism? (3)

Support sector identification with real-world named examples (e.g., British Airways for transport, VisitBritain for destination marketing) to show application.

What should I focus on for AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism? (4)

In longer written responses, refer to the dynamic nature of the industry, such as the impact of technology on direct booking, to illustrate higher-level understanding.

What should I focus on for AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism? (5)

Integrate current statistical data (e.g., from UNWTO or national tourism boards) to strengthen your analysis of scale and importance.

What are common mistakes in AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism?

Conflating travel and tourism: students often use the terms interchangeably, missing the precise definition of a tourist as someone staying away from home for over 24 hours and not earning income locally.

What are common mistakes in AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism? (2)

Omitting key sectors: many learners focus only on the obvious sectors (transport and accommodation) while neglecting attractions, tour operators, or ancillary services.

What are common mistakes in AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism? (3)

Misunderstanding the public sector role: some assume all tourism provision is commercial, overlooking national tourism boards, local government planning, and regulatory bodies.

Travel & Tourism

AQA Education

Vocational

Specification: 100/4165/5

The AQA-EDUCATION Vocational Travel & Tourism specification covers 6 topics with 0 learning objectives (100/4165/5). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.

This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

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Qualification Units

6 units

Principles of Travel and Tourism

This subtopic introduces the foundational concepts of travel and tourism, distinguishing between the broad movement of people (travel) and the specific activities of visitors staying away from their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes (tourism). Learners explore the complex structure of the industry, including the roles of direct providers, support services, and developmental organisations, and they identify key sectors such as transport, accommodation, attractions, and tour operations, understanding how they interconnect to deliver the overall tourism experience.

The travel and tourism industry, The scale and importance of the travel and tourism industry, Factors affecting the travel and tourism industry

22 guidance points3 criteria

UK Travel and Tourism Destinations

This subtopic explores the multifaceted impacts of tourism on UK destinations, encompassing economic benefits and costs, social and cultural changes, and environmental pressures. Learners critically evaluate strategies for sustainable tourism management, including policy instruments and community engagement, and analyse the roles of key organisations such as VisitBritain and local destination management partnerships in balancing visitor needs with destination integrity.

The impact of tourism on UK destinations, Types of UK destinations, Factors influencing the popularity of UK destinations

21 guidance points3 criteria

Global Travel and Tourism Destinations

This element explores the multifaceted reasons why certain global destinations become popular with tourists, examining the interplay of natural advantages like climate, cultural appeal, and economic accessibility. Learners develop analytical skills to assess how destination popularity shifts due to external influences such as global events, marketing trends, and socio-political factors, preparing them for strategic roles in travel and tourism management.

Factors influencing the popularity of global destinations, The impact of tourism on global destinations, Types of global destinations

23 guidance points3 criteria

The Travel and Tourism Customer Experience

This subtopic explores the diverse range of customer types encountered in travel and tourism, from leisure tourists to business travellers, and how their distinct needs—such as accessibility, language, or speed—shape service delivery. It examines how expectations are formed through past experiences, word-of-mouth, and marketing, and analyses the critical factors that influence customer satisfaction, including service quality, value for money, and emotional engagement. Understanding these elements is essential for designing customer-centric experiences that ensure loyalty and competitive advantage.

Customer needs and expectations, Managing the customer experience, The customer journey

18 guidance points3 criteria

Sustainable Travel and Tourism

This subtopic introduces the core concepts underpinning sustainable tourism, focusing on defining sustainability in a travel context, exploring the environmental, social and economic pillars, and analysing how carrying capacity determines the limits of acceptable change.

Principles of sustainable tourism, Sustainable tourism initiatives, Challenges to sustainable tourism

23 guidance points3 criteria

Travel and Tourism Business Operations

This element explores how travel and tourism businesses set operational goals and formulate competitive strategies. It examines the alignment of objectives such as profitability, customer loyalty, and sustainability with actionable plans, and evaluates the transformative role of digital tools in reshaping service delivery and market positioning.

Business objectives and strategies, Types of travel and tourism businesses, Financial management in travel and tourism

19 guidance points3 criteria

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Travel & Tourism AQA Education A-Level Topics & Revision

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Exam Tips for AQA Education A-Level Travel & Tourism

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