Travel and Tourism students at Sunderland College are gaining practical career skills through a new partnership with a local travel agency. Launched on 12 May 2026, the collaboration with Seaside Travel allows students to work directly with industry professionals while pursuing their qualifications.
During a recent event at the college’s City Campus, students managed a pop-up travel agency where they handled customer enquiries, compared holiday prices, and researched destinations. The hands-on experience has already led to students making live travel bookings, with several individuals securing work placements at the agency.
Seaside Travel, an independent business founded by Nicola Park in 2003, has grown to include more than 10 locations across the North East, including a branch in Boldon Colliery. As part of this new agreement, staff and students at the college can also access exclusive holiday discount codes through the Boldon branch.
The college, which is part of the Education Partnership North East group, plans to bring similar agency pop-ups to Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Northumberland College in the future. This initiative is designed to bolster student employability by integrating professional workplace practices into their regular studies.
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