Register for the Oman Desert Marathon 2014 here

The second Oman Desert Marathon, well be held from 07 – 14 November 2014 in the Bidaya Desert, Sultanate of Oman. An exceptional marathon adventure, one of the most extraordinary sporting events on sand, and an extreme challenge in the amazing and beautiful desert scenery.



The Oman desert with its immense dunes and lush palms, is fascinating. The dunes extend beyond the horizon and the

Assessing Dark Tourism Scholarship and Practice: Themes, Issues & Consequences

Experts from the field of Dark Tourism will gather at UCLan in September for a showpiece symposium event.

The Institute for Dark Tourism Research (iDTR), in conjunction with the University's Distinguished Visitor Programme, is hosting the symposium which will review the state of dark tourism scholarships as well as highlighting key themes and issues.

Commonly referred to as 'dark tourism', the act of travel to visitor sites, or museum exhibitions, that commercialise and/or commemorate acts of war, tragedy or atrocity and the seemingly macabre has received increasing media and academic attention.

CNN recently reported the iDTR had "given the genre new found respectability", while iDTR Executive Director Dr Philip Stone's research has been quoted in a number of publications, including the New York Times. Academic publishers Palgrave Macmillan have also commissioned a Handbook of Dark Tourism Studies to be released in 2016.

The University of Colorado's Dr Rudi Hartmann will deliver the Keynote Address, with Professor John Lennon from Glasgow Caledonian University also amongst the guest speakers.

The symposium takes place at Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston, on Tuesday, 23 September, 1-4.30 pm. Delegate admission is free, but there are limited places available, so to register please click here.

Nicole uses Foundation Degree as springboard to success

Nicole Dawe graduated with First Class Honours from our International Tourism Management programme, but that wasn't the end of her achievements on the course.

She is also one of two students awarded a Davina Chaplin Memorial Prize for the high standard of her academic work (Events student Rhiannon Parker was the other). Jane Shaw, Division Leader for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, presented the award.

We spoke with Nicole to see how she feels about her time on the course: "I made my decision to study at UCLan after deciding to continue to live at home and also after visiting the campus, I saw it as more of a community than a large university.

"After studying Tourism and Events Management as a Foundation Degree for two years at Runshaw Adult College, I was apprehensive of the change of environment. However, I was instantly welcomed by endless resources such as the library and also the Division's lecturers who shared my passion for tourism and were always on hand to offer their expertise and experience within the industry which I found invaluable.

"The course modules gave me a deeper insight into the Tourism and Events industry from a management perspective, giving me the confidence to attain a manager's position in the industry.

"Looking back on my year at UCLan it has really given me the drive and inspiration to welcome future challenges with confidence. After studying the wide range of modules I'm currently considering options to utilise the skills and experience I gained at UCLan.

"My hard work and also the support of the university community have given me the foundations to achieve my future goals and I know I wouldn’t have been able to attain them otherwise."

The Oman Ministry of Tourism is proud to have been voted by the travel trade as a finalist in the Star Middle East Tourist Office category of the Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2014!

The Awards are the only one of its kind in the UK, as candidates are purely
voted for by travel agents. No pre-selected shortlists, no judging panels, just
simple democracy channelled through the people that are most trusted to sell
destinations. Between the end of April and early June, every travel agent
across the UK is presented with an opportunity to vote for their favourite
supplier

Lake District Visitor Survey

The Institute of Transport and Tourism (ITT) is submitting a bid to conduct a survey of visitors to the Lake District in August. If successful they will need surveyors for four days.

Surveyors would be paid for their time (but not travel time) and given training before the survey. If you're reliable, with good social skills and able to work on your own, please email us with your contact details (email and phone). Please enter 'Lake District Visitor Survey' in the subject line.

The ITT will only contact you if they secure the bid and have confirmed dates for the surveys.

New Openings Restaurants In Oman

The Cave Muscat Restaurant



Much awaited the
Cave project was inaugurated in the summer. Located in Darsait, The Cave Muscat Restaurant comprises eight
international restaurants including Italian, Brazilian, Mexican and
Mediterranean restaurants offering recipes and cuisines from a variety of
countries and nations all over the world and 20 kitchens with Indian, Chinese,
Lebanese, Turkish and

Student tackles Nomadical internship

UCLan Tourism undergraduate Ben Chadwick is currently in New Zealand on the internship section of his course, conducting a 12 month placement with Nomads World, a well-known chain of backpacker's hostels across New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Thailand.

Ben has kindly provided us with feedback about his internship: "For my first six months, I'm working for Nomads Auckland, situated within the heart of the city. I'm responsible for sales and reservations within the hostel, in addition to promoting local events, managing service quality and representing the company to the best possible standard.

"As the season starts to improve in September, I'll be rotated into a travel sales role, managing the sales of tours and activities for backpackers across New Zealand. I'll be responsible for maximising sales of our high earning ancillary products, Kiwi Experience and Stray Travel, which both create a chunk of additional revenue for the organisation.

"During the second half of my placement I hope to be transferred to Queenstown in the South Island, which would enable me to have experienced the wonders of both the North and South Islands in New Zealand.

"Throughout my internship I'll be conducting a project which will enable me to complete the first assignment of my internship module, whilst generating research and ideas that will benefit Nomads World. I've discussed a topic with my general manager and begun research on how Nomads hostels can maximise occupancy rates and revenue throughout the Cricket World Cup 2015 which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

"I'm thoroughly enjoying my time in New Zealand and would like to thank Nomads World, New Zealand Internships and most of all UCLan for allowing me to undertake a placement in such a magnificent country as New Zealand."

Ace Tourism graduate claims top prize

UCLan Tourism graduate Adam Smith is celebrating after winning a prestigious prize for academic excellence.

In addition to securing a First Class Honours Degree, Adam has been awarded the Merlin Entertainments Prize 2014. This is given to the student who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance during their degree studies.

After receiving his prize from Iain Hawkins, Head of the Blackpool Cluster, Merlin Entertainments, we spoke to Adam to get his thoughts about the course.

"Whilst working as an actor in a UK tour of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe I decided I wanted another shot at university after an unsuccessful period at Salford. I'd never studied Tourism before and didn't take it as one of my A-levels, but I had experience working in the industry and a passion for travelling which led me to look into tourism courses at many universities. I chose UCLan because the course stood out as they provided the opportunity to do a 48-week international work placement, which really appealed to me.

"The course was everything I wanted it to be and more. I was impressed that it involved management sector modules as well as tourism ones, as this helped open doors for me in my career. The course also offered great international trips, which were heavily subsidised and helped me have some eye opening experiences.

"The overall UCLan atmosphere is friendly and I’ve made some amazing lifelong friends within the course and in other sports and societies as well. As the class sizes are smaller than other universities I felt like I wasn't just another number, but a person that all my tutors knew and I could go to them for help in any aspect of my university life which wouldn't have been the case at bigger institutions.

"As part of my degree I undertook a 48-week placement at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida. This enabled me to gain invaluable industry experience to complement the theoretical content of my course. I feel this experience was not only the greatest year of my life, but also significantly enhanced my performance in my final year as I was able to contribute real life experiences to my work.

"During my final year I also worked and volunteered for Merlin Entertainments in Blackpool. They have an amazing variety of quality attractions within the resort and I've valued working with such a dynamic company.

"Since leaving University I've managed to secure a graduate job with World Travel Holdings and partner group Cruise118. My degree was paramount in attaining this job, as it's provided me with tourism and management sector knowledge, employability skills and has also allowed me to gain invaluable work experience through various volunteer opportunities and my placement year at Disney.

"My advice to other students is to take full advantage of the opportunities available at UCLan, go on as many trips as you can and see the world. After my first year I did a Camp America experience and loved it! I would also advise on going on a work placement, abroad or closer to home, as it really does make a difference when looking for jobs in the future.

"Looking back it was a bit of a gamble to choose the International Tourism Management course at UCLan but I’m glad I did, as it's turned out to be the best decision I've ever made."

Visit The Oman Ministry Of Tourism Exhibition Pavillion At Cowes Week 2014

Running
this year from 2 – 10 August 2014, Cowes Week returns as one of the largest and
longest running sailing regattas of its kind in the world. With over 40 daily
races, approximately 1,000 boats, 8,500 competitors and a crowd of 100,000 to
cheer them on, it is a key event on the radar of both sailing and water-sport
enthusiasts. The Oman Exhibition pavillion will be open from 2 – 7

New Openings in Oman: Hotels

The
399-room Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa (www.rotana.com); Set 2,000 metres above sea
level in the Hajar Mountains, Alila
Jabal Akhdar Resort (www.alilahotels.com) opened its doors in May 2014.
Alongside 78 rooms, six suites and two royal villas, the resort offers its
guests a cliff-side restaurant, pool and luxury spa. The 110-room Khasab Hotel in Musandam, on a peninsula
created from

UCLan Tourism graduation messages

Top 5 New Openings in Oman: Places To Visit

In Muscat, Oman’s
first oceanarium and aquarium are currently under
development alongside the city’s cruise terminal. Permanent exhibitions will
showcase coral reefs, tropical fish native to the Arabian
Sea and sharks. Sections will also be dedicated to the amphibians,
reptiles and birds that populate the country’s tropical coastlines.



Muscat's
Natural History Museum is currently
undergoing

Institute welcomes partners for project update

Our Institute of Transport and Tourism (ITT) welcomed partners from the Citizens' Rail project to East Lancashire last week to update them on the progress of the scheme.

Citizens' Rail is an EU project to develop local and regional railways by involving the community. From station improvements, to more frequent services, to marketing campaigns, the project is enabling more people to use and be part of their local train services.

Visitors from Germany, France, the Netherlands, South West England and Lancashire were taken by Dr Jo Guiver to the new station in Burnley and they followed up with a trip to the Community Rail 'bunker' in Accrington. The 'eco-station' has a wildlife garden above the bunker along with incredible edible food planters.

ITT's Nick Davies reported on progress on the survey of residents in all five regions of the project (France, Netherlands, Germany and two in UK) which the Institute is managing.

For more information about the project please click here.

Placements boost student's career hopes

Our students are encouraged to gain as much work experience as they can to boost their future job prospects.

Asia Connor has taken this advice on board by adding an eight week internship with Miki Travel, London, to previous experience gained within the industry. She has kindly provided feedback about her latest role.

"Miki Travel is one of the largest and most experienced wholesale tour operators in Europe. Offering leisure groups and individual traveller's hotels, sightseeing tours, excursions and transfers across the world. The company has offices all over the world; the London office has about 200 employees with nationalities from across the globe.

"Throughout university I've always known it was important to gain relevant industry experience and I've been fortunate enough to work for a national chain hotel, MacDonald Hotels, as well as volunteer one day a week with a sustainable tourism organisation.

"I had mixed feelings before starting at Miki, including nerves, apprehension and excitement. On my first day everyone was really welcoming and friendly which made it easier. I knew my role would be as a travel consultant, but I didn't know much about what this would involve.

"I'm working in the Sales FIT (Foreign Individual Travellers) department. Miki don't communicate directly with customers at all; they deal with agents who are tour operators from countries all over the world. The department deals with queries regarding hotels including bookings, cancellations, room requirements and visas.

"In my first week I've learnt how to use the internal systems and I can input visa support details, hotel requests and chase bookings. Most of the work is via email and occasionally on the phone and requires a lot of communication with the Hotel FIT department who are responsible for corresponding with the hotels.

"The office is located right on the River Thames. I'm staying with my grandparents and it takes me about 40 minutes to commute to and from their house, so it's a long day. Having regularly visited them throughout my life I'm reasonably familiar with the city and the tube system. I only work Monday-Friday which means I can explore the city at the weekend. I have a lot of family and friends coming to visit me which also makes for nice company.

"Ultimately I hope the different types of experience I've gained will compliment my tourism degree and put me in good stead to find a graduate job in the industry."

New Openings in Oman

Here’s a breakdown of new openings and events throughout the country, occurring from later this year through 2016.



And with plans
for completion by 2016, the new Oman
Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC, www.omanconvention.com) is set to
become a true architectural landmark for Oman. The eco-friendly complex will
be one of the first constructions in the world to be certified by LEED, an

5 Fast Facts About Oman - O to V

Omanisation: The Omanisation program has been in operation since 1988,
training Omani personnel to replace skilled expatriates. There is a fixed
Omanisation ratio in various areas of the private sector as stipulated by the
Ministry: transport, storage and communications 60% Omanisation; finance,
insurance and real estate 45%; industry 35%; hotels and restaurants 30%;
wholesale or retail trading

OMAN EXHIBITS AT THE MEETINGS SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME

THE
SULTANATE OF OMAN EXHIBITS AT THE MEETINGS SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME (STAND K15)



The
Oman Ministry of Tourism is exhibiting at the Meetings Show, 8-10 July 2014 Olympia,
London, for the first time this year and will be joined by Oman’s newest 5*
luxury Rotana Salalah Resort and national carrier Oman Air.



The
new Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, due for completion in 2016, is