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Activity Tourism Management

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Why Study Activity Tourism Management ?

The Activity Tourism Management course has been developed in recognition of the global growth in the adventurous and physical tourism sectors. In addition to the study of tourism, students will also cover managing outdoor pursuits, adventure tourism management and exercise physiology and health.  Relevant niche market skills and knowledge are incorporated into all four years in the form of practical skills acquisition, industry visits and study trips both within the UK and Europe.

The growth of physical activities as a tourism activity can be seen by the numerous collaborative events and outdoor activity/sporting festivals supported by local/national tourism agencies e.g. the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup, the Caledonia Etape cyclosportive, and Walking Festivals. These events have emerged as a major source of local tourism trade and the future looks likely to see further development of such activities.

In addition the recognition of health and wellbeing as an important social focus has and will continue to develop in collaboration with mainstream physical activity tourism.  Whilst this sector has traditionally attracted a younger age group, the focus on health and wellbeing is broadening the appeal of this niche area indicating a positive growth for the future.

A course leaflet can be downloaded from the right of this page.

 

About The Course

Students will study the underpinning area of activity tourism and focus on the specific niche area of activities.  Activity Tourism covers a range of spheres from “active” holidays involving canoeing, climbing, horse-riding and mountaineering, to the less physical, yet still activity-focused areas of nature watching, food trails, or local culture and heritage trails. Students will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to meet employer demands and industry challenges in the future. The courses are academic yet vocational, providing a balanced mix of practical experience and theoretical and managerial skills.

A balanced curriculum of academic and practical training develops knowledge, understanding, and skill competence. Teaching is not confined to the classroom. Visits throughout Scotland and further afield are integral to developing students’ learning experiences. Visits are made to activity centres, attractions and facilities throughout Scotland, reports are written, businesses studied, analysed and reported on. Study tours in past years have been made to Pitlochry, Aviemore, the Lake District, Cornwall, Norfolk and Finland.

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BA/BA (Hons) Activity Tourism Management

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 N832 Y BA/ATM

Length Of Course

The BA general degree takes 3 years full time. The BA Honours degree takes 4 years full time. Both can be studied part-time.

Validating University

This degree is awarded by the University of Glasgow.

Minimum Entry Requirements

3 Highers (BCC) or 2 A-levels (CC). English and Mathematics required at Standard Grade/ GCSE pass level or equivalent.

These courses are truly vocational with particular emphasis on physical activities. Certain modules involve a level of pre-skill and performance competence from students. Outdoor pursuits modules include practical sessions in hill walking, kayaking and climbing, which require a level of fitness, stamina and physical endurance. These modules are core for the Outdoor Pursuits and Activity Tourism courses. Please contact the College for further advice on your suitability.

Progression Routes

Those with a related HNC or HND are encouraged to apply for advanced entry into Year 2 or 3 of the course.

HND Activity Tourism

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 038N Y HND/ATM

Length Of Course

The HND takes 2 years full-time, or can be studied part-time.

Minimum Entry Requirements

2 Highers (CC) or 1 A level pass.

These courses are truly vocational with particular emphasis on physical activities. Certain modules involve a level of pre-skill and performance competence from students. Outdoor pursuits modules include practical sessions in hill walking, kayaking and climbing, which require a level of fitness, stamina and physical endurance. These modules are core for the Outdoor Pursuits and Activity Tourism courses. Please contact the College for further advice on your suitability.

Progression Routes

Applicants with an HNC in Activity Tourism are encouraged to apply for entry into year 2 of the HND Activity Tourism. Those who successfully complete the HND can progress seamlessly through to the BA/BA (Hons) Activity Tourism, BA/BA (Hons) Nature Tourism, and BA/BA (Hons) Food Tourism degree courses.

HNC Activity Tourism

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 338N Y HNC/ATM

Length Of Course

The HNC takes 1 year full-time, or can be studied part-time.

Minimum Entry Requirements

2 Highers (CC) or 1 A level pass.

These courses are truly vocational with particular emphasis on physical activities. Certain modules involve a level of pre-skill and performance competence from students. Outdoor pursuits modules include practical sessions in hill walking, kayaking and climbing, which require a level of fitness, stamina and physical endurance. These modules are core for the Outdoor Pursuits and Activity Tourism courses. Please contact the College for further advice on your suitability.

Progression Routes

Those who successfully complete the HNC can progress seamlessly through to the HND Activity Tourism or BA/BA (Hons) Activity Tourism, BA/BA (Hons) Nature Tourism, and BA/BA (Hons) Food Tourism degree courses.

Course Content

Further information is available in SAC's undergraduate prospectus, and in our course leaflet which can be downloaded from this page. Please contact us for further information.

In each year of the programme, you will study core modules from the key subject areas of tourism, activity tourism, management, and environmental issues plus you will develop your IT, identification, interpretation and business skills. Specialist areas later in the course allow you to build on these foundations, and understand the impacts and management of visitors, in order to balance the activity tourism experience and the natural resources. One of the final pieces of work will be your Honours project, based on a topic of your choice within the context of activity tourism management.

Year 1:

Year 1 (the HNC course) covers an introductory level of study including: activity tourism, the UK travel and tourism industry, environmental awareness, health and safety, IT applications and business management. Optional choices for this activity tourism route include the foundations of and managing and organising outdoor activities.

Year 2:

Building upon the first and  foundation year, year 2 (HND level) develops greater depth through further studies of tourism and niche markets, sustainable tourism, getting started in business, rural business diversification, web design, event management, work experience. Optional choices for this activity tourism route include skills and safe practice for outdoor activities, fitness testing, countryside visitor management, land use systems, interpretive principles, countryside sport and recreation.

Year 3:

The third year (General degree) includes modules in tourism and rural areas in UK, research skills, management skills and entrepreneurship and culture in rural development. Optional choices for this activity tourism route include modules in active tourism, management of outdoor pursuits, physiology, exercise and health and an experiential field trip.

Year 4:

In year 4 (Honours degree) the taught core subjects include contemporary issues in international rural tourism and advanced multi-media skills, plus an international field course. A key element of year 4 is the Honours Project where you research a relevant subject area of your choice. Optional choices for this activity tourism route include managing the adventure experience, performance enhancement and topical issues.

 

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include:

  • Activity Instructor
  • Tourism Development Officer
  • Local Authority Social Policy Officer
  • Visitor Services Officer
  • Project Officer
  • Tourist Information Officer
  • Events Manager
  • Business Manager for Activity Holidays company
  • Own business operation

 

Course Contacts

Ayr Course Contact

Mr David Grant
Lecturer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886187
Fax 01292 886199

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Ayr Campus General Contact

Mrs Jill Thomson
Student Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Ayr, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886196

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Student Experiences

This is a new course - student comments will be added shortly.