Unit 5: Investigating visitor attractions (LEVEL 2) Learning outcomes This unit aims to give candidates an overview of UK visitor attractions. Candidates will identify the range of visitor attractions and investigate in detail two different types of UK visitor attractions, one local and one national. These attractions will be explored and candidates will explain how they meet the needs of different visitor types. Candidates will produce evidence to meet the unit assessment objectives in order to show that they understand: the different types of visitor attractions in the UK the key features of two different types of visitor attractions how a chosen visitor attraction meets the needs of different visitor types the health and safety issues relating to a visitor attraction. Assessment objectives 1 Identify and give examples of the different types of visitor attractions both locally and nationally 2 Investigate and describe the key features of two different types of UK visitor attractions Knowledge, understanding and skills Local and national examples: national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, nature reserves, country parks, gardens historic buildings, eg castles, churches and cathedrals entertainment centres heritage centres, museums hills, mountains, caves shopping centres sports facilities theme parks wildlife centres, zoos Examples of key features: location and key transport routes annual opening schedule prices and pricing structure, eg variations according to times of year/week/day appeal of the attractions additional facilities, eg shops, restaurants, hotels, child care facilities number of visitors, eg day visitors, repeat visitors, staying visitors facilities for customers with special need importance of technology possible funding sources, eg central/local government, donations/gifts, entrance fees, membership fees, special events, sponsorship/corporate hospitality OCR Level 2 Nationals in Travel and Tourism 1
Assessment objectives 3 Explain how one visitor attraction meets the needs of different visitor types 4 Illustrate how one visitor attraction ensures the health and safety of its visitors Knowledge, understanding and skills Different visitor types: individuals groups, eg education, corporate, families people of different ages, eg teenagers, grey market overseas visitors people with specific needs Examples of how needs are met: opening hours facilities, eg crèche, washrooms, eating places pricing structure access audio guides in different languages signage information provision, eg internet, information points, rangers Examples of how to ensure health and safety: relevant laws and regulations, eg health and safety, food hygiene risk assessments codes of conduct/practice inspections staff training first aid provision, eg equipment, people Assessment This unit is centre assessed and externally moderated. In order to achieve this unit candidates must produce a portfolio of evidence showing that they have met all of the assessment objectives. Portfolios of work must be produced independently. They will need to be made available, together with witness statements and any other supporting documentation, to the OCR Visiting Moderator when required. Centres must confirm to OCR that the evidence produced by candidates is authentic. An OCR Centre Authentication Form is provided in the Centre Handbook and includes a declaration for assessors to sign. It is a requirement of the QCA Common Criteria for all Qualifications that proof of authentication is received. Guidance on assessment and evidence requirements The aim of this unit is to provide candidates with an overview of visitor attractions within the UK. They will also gain knowledge of local provision. Candidates should be encouraged to develop their own research skills through this unit. Sources of information include the internet, resource packs provided by many of the leading attractions, local tourist information centres, regional tourist boards and the many text and case studies that exist about the visitor attractions sector. This unit has links with Unit 1: Exploring travel and tourism, Unit 2: Dealing with customers in travel and tourism, Unit 11: The effects of travel and tourism on a community, and Unit 12: Exploring travel and tourism in a region of the UK. 2 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Travel and Tourism
It is strongly recommended that at least one national attraction and several local attractions are visited to provide underpinning knowledge for each assessment objective. This unit allows for the study of several different attractions. Candidates must investigate two attractions for Assessment Objective 2. Different attractions can be investigated for Assessment Objectives 3 and 4. Alternatively one or both of attractions investigated for Assessment Objective 2 can be used for the focus of Assessment Objective 3 and Assessment Objective 4. Through Assessment Objective 1, candidates will gain an understanding of the different types of visitor attractions. Candidates should be encouraged to draw upon their own knowledge of UK attractions, which may have been acquired through domestic holidays, day trips, visiting friends and relatives or living in a different part of the UK. Once a range of attractions are identified these could be categorized into different types. Further information about local attractions could be gained from the local Tourist Information Centre (TIC). This information could be gathered by a visit with a speaker. Alternatively, candidates could visit the TIC independently and collect information that is readily available to the general public, eg brochures and leaflets. Information about the leading UK tourist attractions (both charging and non-charging) is available on the VisitBritain website. Visits are recommended to provide the required knowledge and understanding for Assessment Objective 2. Two different types of attraction must be investigated. Ideally one will be national and one local. This is not, however, essential. Theme parks may be a popular choice with candidates. Where a visit is not possible, many of the leading theme parks provide extensive candidate material, some of which is available on the internet. The onset of shopping centres as tourist attractions has been a relatively recent phenomenon and these may also prove to be highly accessible to candidates. Tutors may wish to link visits arranged for Assessment Objective 2, to Assessment Objectives 3 and 4. It is recommended that candidates explore the full range of visitor types and facilities across a range of attractions, before investigating one attraction in detail. Health and safety is an important operational concern of attractions. Candidates should consider how the health and safety hazards vary with different types of attractions, eg rides at theme parks, animals at zoos, water at sports facilities. However, all attractions have a duty of care and many similar legal requirements. A speaker from an attraction will ideally provide the underpinning knowledge for Assessment Objective 4. Alternatively observation sheets could be provided for use on a visit. Attractions have health and safety policies, which will provide key information. Student packs from national attractions may also provide some further material. Candidates may provide portfolio evidence for all of the assessment objectives in this unit using a range of presentation techniques. This may include assessor testimony/witness statements logbooks, diaries, the use of video, audio and presentation software, posters/charts, written work. Where video and/or audio evidence is provided this must be supported by assessor testimony/witness statements. Where candidates demonstrate competence, centres should record skills demonstrated on appropriate recording documentation. OCR Level 2 Nationals in Travel and Tourism 3
Signposting to Key Skills The unit contains opportunities for developing the Key Skill, and possibly for generating portfolio evidence, if teaching and learning is focused on that aim. Key Skill Key Skill Key Skill reference reference reference C2.1 N2.1 ICT2.1 C2.2a N2.2a ICT2.2 C2.2b N2.2b ICT2.3 C2.3 N2.2c N2.2d N2.3 Mapping to National Occupational Standards Occupational Standards Unit number Title No relevant standards in Tourist Information Services and Travel Services sets Resources This section provides suggestions of suitable resources. The list is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive, and candidates should be encouraged to gather information from a variety of sources. Some suggested resources are intended for Tutor use. The resources in this section were current at the time of production. Books Blakeborough, R & Henderson, K. Tourist Attractions and Events of the World (2001) Columbus Travel Publishing Davidson, R (1996) Hayward, P. (2000) Rickerby, S. (2006) Riley D. & Greasby, E. (2005) Vranic, J. (2000) Yale, P. (1997) Tourism Pearson Education Intermediate GNVQ Leisure and Tourism Heinemann GCSE Leisure and Tourism Phillip Allan Updates Check Your English Vocabulary for Leisure, Travel and Tourism Second Edition Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Intermediate Leisure and Tourism Hodder and Stoughton Tourist Attractions to Heritage Tourism Elm CDRoms/DVDs/Videos/Television Programmes English Heritage produce educational videos see website below for details 4 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Travel and Tourism
Journals/Magazines/Newspapers Attractions Management Travel Trade Gazette Travel Weekly Websites British Association of leisure parks, piers and attractions (BALPPA). URL:http://www.balppa.org/ News about visitor attractions. Department for culture, media and sport. URL:http://www.lottery.culture.gov.uk/ Useful website giving information about lottery funding. English Heritage. URL:http://www.english-heritage.org.uk Information about English Heritage. Resource Gateway. URL:http://www.resourcegateway.org.uk/logon.asp?step=1 This website gives teachers and students the opportunity to access a resource database of information and materials that support a variety of leisure, travel and tourism courses for the 14-19 age group. The National Trust. URL:http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk The Trust acts as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside and buildings. Vocational Learning. (Leisure and Tourism) URL:http://www.vocationallearning.org.uk//teachers/subjectspecific/KS4/leisuretourism.asp Leisure and tourism teaching and learning resources for schools and colleges. OCR Level 2 Nationals in Travel and Tourism 5
Grading Assessment Objective AO1 Identify and give examples of the different types of visitor attractions both locally and nationally AO2 Investigate and describe the key features of two different types of UK visitor attractions AO3 Explain how one visitor attraction meets the needs of different visitor types AO4 Illustrate how one visitor attraction ensures the health and safety of its visitors Pass Merit Distinction Candidates identify some of the different types of visitor attractions both locally and nationally using obvious examples. Candidates use easily found sources to investigate two different types of UK visitor attractions. They provide a basic description of some of the key features. Candidates provide a simple explanation of how one visitor attraction meets the needs of different visitor types. Their explanation shows a limited understanding of different visitors needs. Candidates provide a basic description of how one visitor attraction ensures the health and safety of its visitors. Their description is supported with obvious examples of health and safety practices and shows a limited understanding. Candidates identify many of the different types of visitor attractions both locally and nationally using appropriate examples. Candidates use appropriate sources to investigate two different types of UK visitor attractions. They provide a detailed description of many of the key features, including limited information on sources of funding. Candidates provide a clear explanation of how one visitor attraction meets the needs of different visitor types. Their explanation shows some understanding of different visitors needs. Candidates provide a detailed description of how one visitor attraction ensures the health and safety of its visitors. Their description is supported with appropriate examples of health and safety practices and shows some understanding. Candidates identify most/all of the different types of visitor attractions both locally and nationally using a variety of well chosen examples. Candidates use a variety of sources to investigate two different types of UK visitor attractions. They select the relevant key features and describe these comprehensively, including clear information on sources of funding. Candidates provide a detailed explanation of how one visitor attraction meets the needs of different visitor types. Their explanation shows a thorough understanding of different visitors needs. Candidates provide a comprehensive description of how one visitor attraction ensures the health and safety of its visitors. Their description is supported with a variety of well chosen examples of health and safety practices and shows a thorough understanding. 6 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Travel and Tourism