| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-05-05 |
Program Overview
Are you looking for the ticket to developing a tourism offering for the North East of Scotland? If you are already working in the tourism industry in a micro business or SME this short course will help you develop new ideas, run and grow a successful business and go step-by-step through the tools, examples and support needed to develop your business.
From highland adventures and tours, to historical castles and cultural museums, Aberdeen is home to a stimulating visitor economy. Follow your passions and grow your business in the tourism industry – perhaps you’ve got an idea for a new visitor attraction or a unique tour service or a new accommodation offering or a cultural experience or travel tech – the ideas are endless. On this short course - we’re not going to focus on the theory – we’re going to keep it practical so that each session gives you the ticket for the next part of your journey as a tourism entrepreneur.
Program Outline
The itinerary for this trip to successful startup shall include a layover with some interactive online entrepreneurship workshops, a ride through self-paced business topics, a visit to some engaging tourism masterclasses, a suitcase full of business resources, a lobby bursting with inspiring guest speakers, and a cabin full of practical tasks. The course will cover two areas – being an entrepreneur and running a tourism business.
We will have a core set of workshops focusing on how to set up and run a business – no matter what sector it is in. This will cover understanding your market, designing new products, developing prototypes, evaluating competition, setting up operations, creating a brand, managing finances, and running a company. This will be a mix of both interactive live workshops and self-paced topics.
In addition to the general entrepreneurship workshops, you will also take part in tourism specific sessions focusing on topics including cultural awareness, marketing internationally, designing services for multiple cultures, travel regulations, working in international currencies, ethics and more.
All topics will be applied to your own business. The course is designed for those who are self-employed, running a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) or aspiring entrepreneurs – so you can focus on upskilling yourself to run your existing business, on developing a new product or service or creating a whole new business
Upskilling Courses
This short course is funded by the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council as part of the North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund (NEERSF). Our upskilling short courses have been developed in response to feedback from businesses regarding their people and skills needs and are therefore helpful for individuals considering their employment options as well as organisations looking to upskill their employees. Find out more:
Upskill with our online short courses
Disclaimer
The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our
course and module disclaimer
for more information.Learning Methods
The programme will be delivered over a period of eight weeks (not including the window for the assessment) and will be a mix of live and self-paced activities. The short course shall be taught alongside the Food and Drink Entrepreneurship short course with both groups attending the ‘Being an Entrepreneur’ sessions.
The course shall include:
The total teaching time will be around 45 hours with learning focused on, with sessions taking place in two week blocks followed by a week off to apply the learning to your business.
Teaching Schedule
The course will run in two week blocks with entrepreneurship sessions running on Mondays and food and drink sessions running on alternative Wednesdays followed by a week break to apply the learning to your business. The teaching schedule shall be:;
Independent Study
Throughout the course, you will be expected to apply the concepts learnt to your business by undertaking your own research, speaking to customers, developing your brand, evaluating competitors, doing wider reading and building your portfolio.
Staff Delivering on this Course
The Tourism Entrepreneurship journey shall be co-piloted by experienced professionals from both the School of Creative and Cultural Business (CCB) and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group (EIG). Academic staff from CCB will be our tour guide through the theories and models from the tourism sector and will be bringing along their industry connections having experience as part of influential industry bodies such as the VisitAberdeenshire Tourism Forum. Staff from EIG will be your concierge to the world of business startup, bringing their practical experience from being entrepreneurs themselves as well as sharing tools, models and guidance from supporting hundreds of startup teams through courses, training and their annual funded startup accelerator which has seen businesses go on to raise hundreds of thousands of investments, register patents and win national awards.
Assessment
The course shall include an assessment which will be a portfolio of documents and evidence of the development of your business throughout the course.
Academic Support
The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.
The Inclusion Centre
Study Skills Support
The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:
Study Skills Support
Robert Gordon University (RGU)
Overview:
Robert Gordon University (RGU) is a public university located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is known for its high student satisfaction rates and strong focus on employability. RGU offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines.
Services Offered:
The university provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Academic Support:
Library resources, IT helpdesk, and academic advising.Student Life:
Social and cultural activities, sports facilities, and student clubs.Career Services:
Career guidance, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.International Student Support:
Visa guidance, cultural integration programs, and dedicated support services.Student Life and Campus Experience:
RGU offers a vibrant campus experience with a diverse student community. Students can enjoy:
Beautiful Campus:
The university boasts a modern campus with green spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.Active Student Life:
A wide range of clubs, societies, and sports teams cater to various interests.Aberdeen City:
The city of Aberdeen provides a rich cultural and social environment with numerous attractions and opportunities.Key Reasons to Study There:
High Student Satisfaction:
RGU consistently ranks highly in student satisfaction surveys.Strong Employability:
The university has a strong track record of preparing graduates for successful careers.Industry Connections:
RGU maintains close ties with industry, providing students with valuable real-world experience.Quality Teaching:
The university is recognized for its high-quality teaching and learning environment.Academic Programs:
RGU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Undergraduate Courses:
A diverse selection of undergraduate degrees across various disciplines.Postgraduate Courses:
A range of postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, PhDs, and professional development courses.Online Learning:
Flexible online learning options for students who prefer remote study.Other:
Research:
RGU conducts world-class research across eleven academic schools, contributing to economic, societal, and environmental impact.Business & Innovation:
The university actively supports industry, government, and non-profit organizations in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.International Students:
RGU welcomes international students and provides dedicated support services to ensure a smooth transition.Alumni Network:
RGU graduates are part of a global alumni network of over 80,000 individuals.To qualify for a place on the course you must be living in north east Scotland.
