“Together Through Tourism” Erasmus Project

Project Title

“Together Through Tourism”

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

Starting in September 2014, this project entitled “Together Through Tourism,” investigated both the developing and current European tourist destinations in each participating country (UK, Belgium, Spain, Greece and Turkey). Our investigations considered 6 areas; culture, the environment, economy, sustainability, planning and development and finally alternative forms of tourism in the destinations. The main aims of the project, which were to promote not only our European partners’, but also our own destinations, language, and culture to students and gave them the opportunity to create and develop innovative ways of sharing their research, both in the real and virtual worlds, with 4 other partner schools. Project ideas and new friendships have been shared through both social networking sites, with project tasks ranging from making destination guide booklets, filming videos and creating magazines. We have included our 5 partner schools from all over Europe; north to south, east to west and have a diverse range of schools participating. Some schools bring vast experiences of multilateral partnerships whilst others are entirely new to the concept; allowing us to not only share best practice but provide an opportunity for innovation. The schools have brought a wealth of knowledge to the project that match our 6 key themes.

The project objectives have been identified as;
1) To enable a partnership of European schools to collaborate and develop tourism connections throughout various aspects of the curriculum;
2) To encourage and promote life-long learning skills, particularly those associated with tourism, employment and communication;
3) To encourage debate about the benefits of working with international partners both at home and abroad;
4) To promote foreign languages in general and not only those taught traditionally in school;
5) To provide international Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for teachers not involved in other international links, thus embedding further an international dimension across the school;
6) To show students the benefits and relative simplicity of EU travel and mobility in terms of study and employment;
7) To celebrate similarities and differences across the diverse cultures of Europe;
8) To enable students to better understand and appreciate the relationship between tourism and destinations around Europe

The activities designed have been embedded into our schools curriculum and have allowed students to gain knowledge and understand of the 6 key areas, in preparation for creating their destination guide booklets. Activities throughout the project include students presenting from a business point of view, creating marketing strategies and suggesting ideas for revenue. They have pitched their ideas to a panel in a “Dragon’s Den” style activity that has enabled them to develop the skills needed in the world of work. Students will also work in a planning committee to design a new tourist attraction and must take responsibility for budgeting, designing and promoting their attraction. They have also created a display on greenways tourist trails and humorous sketches between a travel agent and clients that have highlighted the various types of alternative tourism. The project also aimed to educate students on the importance of tourism directed towards natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.

The project was given an added dimension on foreign visits with countries further sharing national traditions and culture through activities such as an “international picnic” and the creation of a video on traditional items. To celebrate and commemorate the project, each country designed its own plimsole that encompasses the main themes of the project, here students will practice their teamworking skills. To measure the outcomes of the project we have pre-evaluate the knowledge students have in the matter, during the development the activity will be evaluated in terms of keeping of timetable, fulfilling of objectives and increasing of competence of students involved. This has been done through the use of academic performance indicators to measure if the students have improved their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. We have also conducted interviews and questionnaires with staff, students and parents. Other methods of evaluation include observations, written text, media evidence and the number of staff and student mobilities.

Some of our results have been intellectual through the work that the students have produced and improved not only their knowledge of European tourism destinations but also their knowledge of the 6 areas such as; the environment. They have also improved their skills in literacy and numeracy through these activities. Throughout this project, students have not only developed their skills and attributes (such as good communication, teamwork, effective time management, careful planning, self- confidence, independence.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 191069 Eur

Project Coordinator

The Ecclesbourne School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Ruzgarlibahce Secondary School
• 1st Gymnasium Amarousiou
• Miniemeninstituut
• Zespol Szkol Samorzadowych
• Maria Auxiliadora