• England

Overview

London is a destination for tourists and travelers from around the globe. As such, London has cultivated a rich hospitality and tourism market, designed to keep visitors happy, entertained, and coming back for more. This tour will show you just why London is such an attraction as well how restaurant, hotel, and marketing industries keep London so popular.

Highlights

  • Tower of London Opening Ceremony – Get special access to witness the infamous Opening Ceremony at the Tower of London, a key attraction for London’s tourist industry.
  • Meet Food Industry Representatives – Explore London’s restaurant and food scene and hear why the food and drink industry is such a cornerstone of the hospitality market.
  • Visit with Hotel Management – Learn how hotels are evolving to stay relevant as travelers look for a wider range of budget options and amenities.
  • Tour of London – Learning about hospitality and tourism in London would seem trivial without seeing the sites that making London such a tourist destination.

Itinerary

Day 1: London

At the airport, your private coach will meet you to transfer you to your hotel. Next, head to the program headquarters for an orientation session on health, safety, public transport, as well as helpful travel tips for your stay.  Following orientation, a coach will be waiting to take you on a tour of London. Be sure to pack a camera; there will be plenty of photo ops. This evening, relax and rest up for the next day. 

Day 2: London

Today will be full of hospitality industry visits. After breakfast, your first stop will be at one of London’s major hotels for a property tour and meeting with the management team.  Then, meet with restaurateurs to learn more about industry trends, including the use of social media, pop up restaurants, and sustainability.  After lunch, you will visit a digital marketing firm to hear more about the critical role of digital media and marketing in the hospitality and travel sectors.  Even learn about some specific strategies for businesses of different sizes.

Day 3: London

Kick off the day with an early trip to Tower of London to catch the opening ceremony. This is a special event only available to select groups with access to the Tower.  After you and your military escort march to open the Tower, take some time to snap some pictures before attending the Ceremony of the Keys (no photos allowed at this ceremony). As one of London’s top tourist attractions, hear from one of the Tower’s Sales and Marketing about its operations and its role in the tourist industry. After the lecture, your group may choose to supplement your Tower adventure with a Beefeater tour, where you’ll learn more about the Tower’s history, torture, and its many secrets.
After free time for lunch, continue to one of the area restaurants to meet with a range of team members, from kitchen staff to front house and management. Enjoy a free evening.

Day 4: London

As one of the world’s most diverse cities, London offers a wide range of options for shopping, eating and cooking. Today’s foodie walking tour will introduce you to one of London’s many neighborhoods with a unique history and dining scene. Options include: Brick Lane and Whitechapel, Chinatown (Asian), Edgware Road (Middle Eastern), Spitalfields, the City (markets).  This afternoon meet with another London restaurant team. This will allow you to compare and contrast restaurant experiences within the London marketplace. This time, stay for a meal at the restaurant as you chat with staff. This evening take in some culture at one of the West End’s many theatres. 

Day 5: London

This morning, meet with some of the representatives from a local food market, a critical component of London’s hospitality industry. Marketplaces have been booming in London to meet a growing demand for local, fresh produce. Begin your appointment with a tour of the market, and learn about its development, as well as general strategies for vendors, distribution and social media marketing.  Take some time after the lecture to peruse the market before heading back to program headquarters for an afternoon meeting with a senior member of the British Tourism organization. Learn about how the association is run, its partnership with the government, and why hospitality marketing is such an important part of Britain’s tourism economy. 

Day 6: London

With young travelers looking for budget travel options, budget hotels and hostels are becoming an important part of the hospitality industry. As such, today will focus on better understanding cost-conscious traveling options, beginning with a meeting at the London Hostel group. Then, sit in on a presentation from the Youth Hosteling Association of England and Wales, a well-known charity created to be a sustainable steward of the countryside. Enjoy an evening at your leisure. 

Day 7: London

This morning you will be taken to the airport by private coach for your return flight home.