University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s life-changing industry experience for Travel & Tourism students

In May 2025, a group of International Travel & Tourism Management students embarked on a transformative international learning experience in Florida. Through strong industry partnerships and carefully planned academic integration, the project enabled students to engage directly with global leaders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, including Disney, Universal, Royal Caribbean, and Marriott.

What was the aim of your project?

The primary aim of the trip was to bring academic learning to life by immersing students in a ‘Living, Learning, Working’ experience, Disney-style. The project was designed to:

• Directly align with students’ academic modules in attraction and event management.
• Provide experiential learning that connects theory with real-world operations.
• Encourage personal development, confidence, and global citizenship.

The vision was simple yet powerful: to make the world their lecture theatre.

Tell us about some of the activities your participants took part in?

Our students undertake pre trip certificated travel trade training which really helps prepare them for the trip.  This was a new experience for students who had not travelled without their family before, and for one learner it was their first time leaving Wales and going abroad on an aeroplane.

Students lived together in a large, shared villa, encouraging group learning and collaboration.  The communal environment fostered peer support and independence, with students shopping, cooking, and holding daily pre- and post-visit academic debriefs.

Key learning activities included:

• Visiting all Disney and Universal theme parks to critically analyse guest services, attraction management, and operational strategies.
• Behind-the-scenes tours, hotel site visits, and an educational session at Disney’s student campus.
• A high-speed rail journey to Miami, including visits to multicultural districts and attending a traditional rodeo to explore cultural tourism.
• A hosted visit aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship, where students met the Senior Shore Excursions Manager and explored cruise operations in depth.

Students also created video diaries and cultural reflections, many of which were captured using 360-degree cameras to be shared in the university’s immersive teaching room.

The ripple effect of the project has extended beyond the immediate participants:

• Lecturers are now using the 360-degree content to support wider curriculum delivery.
• The immersive footage is integrated into induction weeks and seminars, benefiting other students by encouraging critical discussion and reflective learning.
• There has been a noticeable increase in student interest in international placements and field trips across the Tourism and Events programmes in the university.

One significant success was the ability to include a student with mobility issues in every aspect of the experience. With additional funding from Taith, a mobility scooter was hired, ensuring full access to all learning activities. This not only benefited the student directly but also created meaningful group discussions around accessibility, equality, and inclusion in the travel and events industry.

This international trip provided far more than academic enrichment; it developed confidence and inspiration, and opened doors to career opportunities. Students returned not just better equipped academically, but personally transformed and eager to engage in global opportunities.

What are your reflections on your Taith experience?

Would You Recommend Taith to Others?

Without a doubt. Our advice would be: plan thoroughly, link the trip clearly to learning outcomes, and prepare students in advance to get the most out of it. Pre-trip training and clear objectives are key.