Degree in tourism offered at state-of-the-art campus

BUDDING students who want to learn in state-of-the-art surroundings and join one of Ireland’s most successful sectors are being enticed into a new three year degree programme at Waterford Institute of Technology.

The undergraduate course running from September onwards will equip graduates for careers in tourism marketing. With 6.7 million overseas visitors spending €4.3 billion in Ireland last year, tourism provides direct employment to 150,000.

Commenting on the new degree programme, John O’Donoghue TD, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism said that tourism is a hugely important industry for Ireland both economically and socially.

“It also has tremendous potential for helping achieve more balanced regional development. How we market our tourism product to domestic and overseas visitors is increasingly important as we compete with emerging destinations around the world and I am sure that the BA in Tourism Marketing at Waterford Institute of Technology will add to our skills base in this key area,” he said.

Richard Hayes, acting Head of the Department of Languages, Tourism and Hospitality, said: “The tremendous importance of tourism to Ireland can sometimes be lost sight of but it remains a vitally important sector offering social and economic gain.”

The BA in Tourism Marketing and a range of other courses at Waterford Institute of Technology will be boosted by development of a 7,700-sq m (82,882-sq ft) tourism and leisure building at the Institute’s Cork Road campus.

The state-of-the art facility will accommodate 50 staff and 1,050 students.

Applications for the new BA in Tourism Marketing at Waterford Institute of Technology can be made directly to www.wit.ie; 051-302000 by school-leavers and others with an interest in the three-year honours degree.