Tourism NI supports Catalyst Schools learning journey

Fifteen teachers from the Catalyst Schools community, keen to learn more about the north’s tourism industry, took part in a `Get into Tourism’ day delivered by Belfast Metropolitan College.

The information and experience day for Catalyst Schools educators was a collaboration between Belfast Met, Tourism NI and Catalyst Schools.

The Catalyst Schools programme supports school leaders and teachers to implement innovation in their classrooms and schools through a unique professional learning programme and a suite of school-business collaborative initiatives.

The group taking part in the `Get into Tourism’ day began their visit at Belfast Met in the Titanic Quarter where they were given an overview of the Northern Ireland tourism sector.

Topics explored included Tourism Northern Ireland’s `Embrace the Giant Spirit’ brand and the `Being Big Hearted’ initiative.

The presentation also covered the types of tourists who visit the region, visitor attractions, and educational and employment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Later, the group took part in a sightseeing tour, visiting Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol, and McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Experience.

Carolyn Boyd, Industry Development Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “Tourism Northern Ireland is delighted to be working in partnership with Catalyst NI and Belfast Met by kickstarting the new year with an immersive session to inspire our educators’ who are delivering lessons in tourism and hospitality in schools across Northern Ireland.

“The day was all about updating teachers on fantastic future opportunities and career pathways to better equip school pupils to access good jobs in tourism and hospitality in the future.”