English Language Tourism

The English language sub-sector is a significant revenue contributor - Millns estimates that in 2008 there were 380,000 foreign students studying in 370 centres, worth £1.2 billion in export earnings. The destinations in which these English language centres and schools are located have historically been promoted as a ‘gateway to Britain, a showcase for Britain and a projection of Britain abroad’

The following brief examples highlight how destinations and attractions are innovatively capitalising on the worldwide demand for English language courses and the associated impacts. The City of Brighton and Hove’s 2008/2018 visitor economy strategy [12] explicitly states that one of its key tourism strengths is that the city ‘continues to be successful in attracting English language students and recently saw the opening of one of Europe’s largest and most modern English Language training facilities in the New England Quarter’.

Similarly, the 35,000 language school students studying English as a foreign language each year make an important contribution to the Hastings economy with some estimates suggesting that the students’ expenditure represents around 25% of the £75 million in total income derived from all tourism activity in Hastings. It is also useful to note that the local council is advocating an extension of the season during which language schools operate in Hastings to more evenly distribute the influx of students.

The Tower of London provides another interesting example of the way in which visitor attractions can innovatively package their offer to the overseas English language education market. Tower history for students from abroad is promoted through workshops. Designed within English as Foreign Language (EFL) guidelines, the workshops are led by costumed presenters and explore many of the stories that make the Tower a unique World Heritage Site.

http://www.insights.org.uk/articleitem.aspx?title=Educational%20Tourism:%20Understanding%20the%20Concept,%20Recognising%20the%20Value