EDITION 2 STUDYLINK STUDENT GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE · together throughout the journey. And with up to 4...

S T U D Y L I N K

STUDENT GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE

RISKMANAGEMENTADVICE for your student group travel

EMBEDDINGSUSTAINABILITYin student group travel

WIDENING PARTICIPATIONthrough short-term mobility

for university case studies

See inside...

E D I T I O N 2

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WELCOME!I’m delighted to welcome you to the new issue of

StudyLink’s Student Group Travel Guide.

With outward student mobility

high on most universities’

priority lists, we’ve created this

magazine to give you an insight

into student group travel with

helpful tips, current trends and

advice for anyone working in the

procurement of travel services.

As the UK’s leading student travel

company for the higher education

sector – and number one on the

SUPC framework for student

travel management services - we wanted to bring

our years of experience to those involved with the

procurement of educational travel. We’ve been

working in this sector for over 50 years; and as part

of HB Education, we’re able to offer an unrivalled

choice of travel options at preferential rates, all with

flexible booking conditions.

As the Business Manager for StudyLink, I personally

have over 17 years’ experience in group travel,

giving me an in-depth understanding of both your

travel requirements and procurement needs.

With short-term study trips an increasing area

of focus for outward student mobility, we’ve

featured articles on how your university and

students can benefit from short-term mobility

programmes. From helping to widen participation

in international experiences, to offering a realistic

option for students suffering with a mental

health condition, short-term mobility can play

a crucial role in supporting your university’s

internationalisation strategy.

In addition to this, we recognise that most

universities are committed to the United Nations

Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, we’re

dedicated to embedding sustainability in the

procurement of student group travel services and

minimising the environmental impact of our tours.

Turn to page 26, to find out more about our

sustainability initiatives and how we can work with

your establishment to achieve your own SDGs.

I hope you enjoy reading this magazine and that it

gives you an insight into the benefits of short-term

mobility experiences for your students and your

university.

James Lester

Business Manager,

StudyLink Tours

T E S T I M O N I A L S

“Very supportive staff at StudyLink. A big thank you to Louisa and Nadine for all the support and advice. Particularly Nadine was super supportive when we had to re-arrange extra flights for two of our students.”

Coventry University

“It has all been excellent. The trip was everything we hoped for and thank you for your patience with passenger number changes. Everything ran smoothly and it was a great adventure. It was amazing - thank you.”

West Suffolk College

“I have been delighted with the whole experience. It’s quite daunting to plan a trip for a group of 18-20 year olds but everything has been easy & stress free. Rio was very helpful whenever I barraged her with questions & the planner was very useful.”

West Thames College

“They were genuinely amazing. We really struggled to get our trip off the ground due to a lot of different factors and they were fantastically supportive throughout the process. Really appreciated their patience with our very complicated/ ever changing requirements. Very pleased and already booking future trips.” University of the West of England

“All of it was fantastic. The organisation was brilliant, our driver and tour guide were fab (and it was so nice having the same people each time), and the trips were amazing. The whole trip was absolutely seamless, thank you so much. The staff I liaised with were also really lovely and helpful.”

University of Derby

Best Customer Service Finalist at the

British Youth Travel Awards 2018

4

S T U DY L I N K S T U D E N T G R O U P T R AV E L G U I D E 5

Our Account Managers work face to face with your university’s travel bookers, group leaders and lecturers on their student group travel plans.

They will provide your university with bespoke management information delivered quarterly and annually to highlight your cost and time savings achieved.

Sunny has over 8 years’ experience in the travel industry, having

worked for British Airways and running a DMC in Portugal for the last

four years. Sunny is our Customer Account Manager for colleges and

universities in Southern England.MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

Undertaking a night climb to the top

of Mount Fuji in Japan to see the sunrise,

with no training and the wrong attire.

MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

An avid follower of American sports, his favourite

travel experience was watching his beloved

Pittsburgh Steelers play in the Super Bowl.

David

HICKINBOTTOM

Sunny HIRANI

Studying Sport Science (BSc) and Sociology (MSc) at

University of Chester, Sarah has over 8 years’ experience

in travel and education, working for key brands within

the sector. Sarah works with our universities and

colleges in central England and Wales.

Sarah

WILSON GAVIN

MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

Staying on a banana farm in Bukoba, rural

Tanzania.

David has over 5 years’ experience in helping educational establishments

implement technology to improve interactivity and engagement within

the learning environment. David is our Customer Account Manager for

establishments in the North of England and Scotland.

Meet ourACCOUNTMANAGERS

6

Recent studies by Universities UK have highlighted the benefits of outward student mobility; with students who have gained international experiences during their university course outperforming their peers both academically and professionally.

In fact, Universities UK’s recent study of the

2016-17 graduating cohort, has shown that:

• Mobile graduates were more likely to obtain first-

class honours or an upper second-class degree

(91.6%) than non-mobile graduates (80%).

• Mobile students were less likely to be

unemployed six months after graduating, than

their non-mobile peers (only 3.1% compared to

4.2% of non-mobile graduates).

• Mobile graduates who were working in full-time,

paid employment had an average salary 5.5%

higher than their non-mobile peers, six months

after graduating.

• Plus, graduates who participated in short-

term mobility programmes are more likely to

be in employment after graduating, compared

to students who didn’t participate in study

abroad experiences during their course.

EXPANDINGOPPORTUNITIES

THROUGH STUDENT MOBILITY

Source: Universities UK International – Gone International: Rising Aspirations

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MILANO GARIBALDI

MILANO LAMBRATE

With an increasingly international cohort of students in UK higher education, it’s more important than ever to create global graduates who are not only engaged in international communities, but are experienced and prepared for employment in the real world. Recent studies by Universities UK has indicated

that students who have gained international

experiences during their university course

outperform their non-mobile peers, both

academically and professionally. Interestingly,

students from disadvantaged backgrounds have

been shown to benefit the most from outward

student mobility; with research showing that they

get better degree results and more opportunities

to progress into graduate-level employment.

Wideningparticipation

throughshort-term

mobility


It is for this reason that universities should

adopt a policy that encourages increased

participation in student mobility. One way to do

this is through short-term educational experiences,

usually of four weeks or less. A short-term study

trip allows students to gain the critical skills and

global outlook needed to enhance their studies,

whilst being an affordable and realistic option for

those students from low income families.

Short-term mobility provides students with the

opportunity to come into contact with their

international peers, global industry leaders and

experts in the field, providing inspiration for their

future career and allowing them to apply real-life

context to their studies.

Furthermore, embedding short-term mobility into

modules and courses, enables students to gain a

deeper understanding of the subject and allows them

to explore contrasts between the UK and their host

country’s approach to a specialised subject area.

An experienced tour management company, such

as StudyLink Tours, can work with your university’s

lecturers and travel bookers to create a bespoke

travel package that’s designed to meet the

learning outcomes of the course.

With an increasing need

for universities to widen

participation in international

experiences, short-term

mobility not only provides

the same benefits as its

long-term counterparts,

it also ensures that

these invaluable learning

experiences are accessible

and affordable for students

from diverse social

backgrounds.

Working on widening student participation within

your university can further improve your global

ranking through the improved degree results of

graduating students and their future employability.

U N I V E R S I T I E S U K I N T E R N AT I O N A L F I N D I N G S :

Students from low participation backgrounds are shown to be less likely to be mobile: 9.5% of students from more-advantaged backgrounds participated in international mobility compared with only 5.6% of disadvantaged students.The findings also demonstrated that mobile

graduates were consistently more likely to be in

graduate level jobs six months after completing

their studies than non-mobile students.

Mobile graduates from disadvantaged

backgrounds also reported higher average salaries

than their non-mobile counterparts.

Source: Universities UK International –

Gone International: Rising Aspirations

When arranging your travel with StudyLink, you are reassured by their price promise and multiple quote policy, ensuring that you

get the best value option for your student group travel.

10

WIDENING PARTICIPATION CASE STUDY: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

With widening participation high on the agenda for both the government and higher education establishments, some leading universities are proactively offering student mobility programmes to groups currently under-represented in higher education.The University of Southampton is one such

university taking steps to ensure the opportunity

and benefits of international experiences are open

to students from low participation backgrounds;

including those from low socio-economic

backgrounds, those with a known disability and

those from a BME background.


U N I V E R S I T Y ’S A D VA N C E P R O G R A M M ET O U R T O N E W YO R K

Created for the Univers i ty of SouthamptonGroup travel services provided by StudyLink:

•ReturnflightsfromHeathrowInternationalAirport

•ReturnairporttransfersinNewYork

•6nights’accommodationatthecentrally-locatedYMCA

•Pre-bookedbreakfastsandeveningmeals,fromeveningmealonday1throughtobreakfastonday7

•Pre-bookedmetrocardsforuseonNewYork’spublictransportationsystemthroughoutthetrip

•Pre-bookedculturalvisitsduringthetour,including:theMidtownManhattanwalkingtour,NewYorkYankee’sbaseballmatch,full-daystudyprogrammeattheBusinessandFinancialSchoolofNewYork,BroadwayperformanceofKingKong,WallStreetwalkingtour,andaself-guidedtouroftheEmpireStateBuilding

•ServicesofourrepresentativesinNewYorktoprovide24hrassistance

•Bespokefree-placeratio

•24/7on-callservice

•ServicesofadedicatedAccountExecutive

•Bespokeitineraryplanningservice

•Onlinetriporganiser&travelapp

•Riskmanagementservicesincludinglivetriptracking

Custom-made 8-day itinerary to New YorkDay 1 Arrive in New York

Day 2 Free time available for the group to explore the local area, visit New York’s famous shops and discover the city’s famous attractions

Day 3 Guided Midtwon Manhattan walking tour of key historical sites & New York Yankee baseball match

Day 4 Full day of lectures at the Business and Finance School of New York & watching the evening performance of King Kong on Broadway

Day 5 Guided tour of New York’s Financial district on our Wall Street Walking Tour

Day 6 Pre-booked visit to the iconic Empire State Building

Day 7 Return flight from New York

Day 8 Arrive back at London Heathrow Airport

To allow students to increase their global

awareness, connect with an alumni-network and

gain a deeper insight into business and industry,

students on the university’s Advance Programme

had the opportunity to visit New York in 2019.

At StudyLink, we were delighted to work with the

University of Southampton to create a bespoke

8-day itinerary that would allow their students to

gain cultural competences that would improve

their future employability prospects.

B E N E F I T S of booking through a

F R A M E W O R K S U P P L I E R

North Western

Universities Purchasing

Consortium (NWUPC)

Higher Education

Purchasing Consortium,

Wales (HEPCW)

Advanced Procurement

for Universities &

Colleges (APUC)

Southern Universities

Purchasing Consortium

(SUPC)

London Universities

Purchasing Consortium

(LUPC)

North Eastern

Universities Purchasing

Consortium (NEUPC)

W E 'R E T H E T R U S T E D T R AV E L PA R T N E R F O R:

12

W E 'R E T H E T R U S T E D T R AV E L PA R T N E R F O R:

At StudyLink, we’re proud to be number one on the SUPC framework for student travel management services. For your university and travel bookers, there’s a host of benefits of booking their student group travel services through a company that’s on the framework.

4 B U I L D L O N G T E R M R E L AT I O N S H I P SWorking with a framework supplier will allow your university to build

long-term and beneficial relationships, thereby allowing for continuous

improvement in planning and managing student group travel.

With StudyLink’s account management approach, our field based Account

Managers will work face to face with your establishment to develop an

in-depth understanding of your group travel requirements. This includes:

• Overview of student group travel: bookings, travel dates, destination

breakdown, travelling passengers and spend

• Analysis of booking patterns including time between booking and travel,

time between enquiry and booking and cancellations

• Contract compliance

• Travel recommendations

• Carbon emission reporting

4 S E R V I C E L E V E L A G R E E M E N T SOur approach to the management of your university’s student group travel

requirements is measured through an approved service level agreement,

which include aspects such as:

• Response times

• Pre-travel support

• On tour support including out of office hours support

• Payment and cancellations

• Customer feedback and complaint resolution

• Account management

4 D E L I V E R I N G F I N A N C I A L B E N E F I T SUsing a travel management company that’s on the framework can deliver

huge financial benefits through tailored cost-saving initiatives for your

university.

With an effective account management service, it can support your

establishment in generating cost savings through:

• Consolidation of passenger numbers

• Greater utilisation of preferential travel rates from our travel partners

• Reduction in cancellation charges by taking advantage of flexible booking

conditions

Through a monthly expenditure report, your travel bookers will have

access to increased visibility of their student travel spend and see where

further savings can be made.

4 R E D U C E D T R A N S A C T I O N C O S T SWhen using a framework supplier, this can help to minimise transaction

costs for your university by consolidating your travel spend to just one

travel management company.


14

AT STUDYLINK, WE HAVE A THOROUGH APPROACH TO RISK MANAGEMENT,TO HELP TO PROTECT YOUR TRAVELLERS AND MANAGE YOUR DUTY OF CARE.

STUDYLINK’S SAFETY MANAGER, NEIL HAS A WEALTH OF

EXPERIENCE IN SAFETY MANAGEMENT, HAVING BEEN WITH

THE BUSINESS FOR NEARLY TWENTY YEARS.

SO, WE’VE PUT OUR QUESTIONS TO NEIL TO FIND OUT

MORE ABOUT HIS JOB AND INTERESTS, AS WELL AS FINDING

OUT WHAT OUR RESIDENT HEALTH & SAFETY EXPERT

WOULD TAKE IF HE WAS STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND!

READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE…


Q How did you get into your current role?

During my early years with the business, my role

was focussed on outdoor activity and ICT delivery.

I started as an outdoor activity and ICT instructor

with StudyLink’s affiliate company NST Travel

Group. Since then I’ve held numerous positions

within the business, from ICT Co-ordinator and

ICT Department Head, to Activities and Training

Co-Ordinator.

In 2004, I moved to the head office in Blackpool,

as the Activities and Training Co-Ordinator. My

career changed into a health & safety-focussed

role, first for outdoor activities and then on-tour

safety, when I became the Safety Team Leader.

Since then I’ve been promoted to Safety Manager,

which is my current role for the business.

Q What do you love most about your job?

The uniqueness, variety and diversity of work my

role covers. One day I could be assessing the risk

of excursions in Costa Rica, the next carrying out

DSE risk assessments with employees or reviewing

risk assessments for passenger lifts.

Q What’s been your best travel experience so far?

I’d have to say cross country skiing in Pertisau,

Austria over Christmas.

Q Where’s next on your list of places to travel to?

Marrakech.

Q What three things would you take with you, if

you were to be stranded on a desert island?With my safety hat on I’d have to say: 1. An endless

supply of drinking water, 2. A magnifying glass

to start a fire or to signal passing ships, and 3. A

pocket tool to build a shelter. All of this will help me

to survive.

Without my safety hat on I would just need one

thing to take with me… a boat!!!!

Q Who would be on your celebrity dinner-

party guestlist?Michael Palin; I bet he has a tale or two to tell

about travel.

Q What does your role involve?

My role is diverse and involves implementing,

monitoring, reviewing and updating the safety

management system for StudyLink Tours.

I ensure our third party provision is monitored,

which includes the provision of accommodation,

transport options and visits; and their risks are

appraised in line with our externally verified safety

management system.

In addition to these duties, I also manage the

occupational health and safety for employees

within the office, providing training for new

and existing employees, as and when required.

Furthermore, I oversee the facilities management

and statutory compliance checks of the office to

ensure they comply with all current health and

safety standards. To assist the wider team,

I provide technical advice on safety related topics.

With an increasingly global community being

involved in higher and further education, it’s more

important than ever to create global graduates

who are not only engaged in their international

communities, but are experienced and prepared

for employment in the real world. Increasingly, HE

establishments are participating in international

experiences with their students to help them

develop a pragmatic understanding of the world

of work, international relationships and global and

cultural competence.

With the aim of developing prepared, global

graduates, it is important to ensure that these

experiences are true reflections of the world the

students are to enter. Employers require their

personnel to use a global outlook to consider

opportunities for development and growth,

whilst working readily and with confidence across

international borders. Therefore, when engaging

in international experiences, it is vital that

educational establishments develop risk-aware

students who are able to cope and flourish in real-

life situations, mitigating and managing risk rather

than avoiding it.

With increased media coverage and unfiltered

social media reports of international situations,

there is a perception of higher ‘risk’ in travel

now more than ever before. But should this ‘risk’

jeopardise the opportunities available to students

through international educational experiences?

Though it may deter some and seem a daunting

task, managing the risks for a group of students in

a multitude of exposed environments is certainly

possible.

TOP 5 TIPS FOR MITIGATING RISK

PLAN AHEADUse regulated, legitimate and trusted suppliers – this helps avoid

unnecessary risks. Identify potential areas on the tour that are

high risk and plan how to manage these situations. Ask your tour

management company to host a pre-departure briefing with students

covering:

• Tour itinerary (schedule)

• Contact details for on tour support and key contacts

• Cultural information

• Health & Safety on tour

• Information on local embassy’s in destination (including any for

international students)

• Emergency procedures

• Destination specific advice and documentation

• Medical advice

• Tips on keeping important documents safe throughout tour

• Vaccinations

STAY INFORMEDAsk your tour management company for their risk management policy.

Sign up to FCO updates and ask your tour management company for

an update on the current risk status of your destination including:

• Planned political events

• Forecast weather disruptions

• Cultural information

• Transport/Airline strikes that may affect the group

• Planned large scale events

• Any current health outbreaks/epidemics i.e. Zika virus etc.

• Current political climate of country

USE YOUR SUPPORT NETWORKFind out the following information from your tour management

company:

• Emergency procedures

• Support offered pre-departure, during your trip and post-travel

• Safety Management Systems

• Emergency support in destination

USE YOUR STRONGEST RESOURCE - YOUR STUDENTSFurther develop your students’ skills by using them in the risk

management process, including:

• Identifying high risk situations in your travel itinerary

• Identifying different types of risk your group are subject to

• Developing plans to implement in high/medium situations to

manage the risk

• Gathering information on risk status’ of destinations

TRACK YOUR TRAVELLERSThe group leader needs to remain in contact with your tour

management company and university throughout the tour by using

traveller tracking, helping to:

• Monitor the progress of groups whilst in transit

• Quickly identify risk and redirect group away from developing

situations

• Allow for clear, open communication between your tour management

company, your university and the group in emergencies

Internationaleducationalexperiencesareextremelybeneficialforstudents,particularlywhenpreparingforgraduateemployment.Whileinternationaltraveldoesposesomerisks,mitigatingandmanagingtheserisksusingthesefivekeystrategiesenableHEestablishmentstodeliveropportunitiesfortheirstudentstodevelopintowellrounded,globalgraduates.

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2

3

4

5

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With the aforementioned risks involved with international student travel,

one of the most important components of mitigating risk is to have a tour

management company that offers a thorough approach to risk management.

At StudyLink, we have a rigorous risk management approach to help

to protect your travellers, manage your university’s duty of care and

reputational risk. This expertise comes from arranging group travel in the

educational sector for over 50 years.

We offer:Audited travel components including transport, accommodation & visits All transport, accommodation, visits and excursions are audited before your

trip as part of our externally verified Safety Management System (SMS). Our

SMS is independently audited annually by Argent Health & Safety who are

experts in the field of health and safety and risk management.

Ability to track groups with Locate My TripLocate My Trip is StudyLink’s exclusive advanced travel tracking system. Using

GPS technology, Locate My Trip is the easy, convenient way for your university

to follow a group’s location in real time, providing reassurance to travel

bookers, group leaders and educational establishments. If a group’s schedule

needs to change, plans can be put in place to keep the tour on track.

24/7 on-call service for help & assistance Should the unforeseen happen whilst one of your groups are on tour, we can:

• Make arrangements for alternative travel services

• Arrange additional accommodation & ground services

• Make payment on behalf of your university’s group

• Arrange local assistance from our City Representatives & agents

Risk management services


Destination advice before you travel & whilst you’re awayFor StudyLink, the safety of your groups are paramount and we follow the

advice provided by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). If there is

anything your university or group leader needs to know about your destination

pre-departure, we’ll advise them. Furthermore, if we need to provide an update

whilst your groups are away, our dedicated Account Executives will contact the

group leader in person and via our travel app and trip tracking service.

Detailed emergency procedure At StudyLink, we have a detailed emergency procedure in place should the

unforeseen happen. Further details of this procedure are available to your

university on request.

Group leader preview visitsTo allow your university lecturer to choose the right tour to achieve their

learning outcomes, we offer a two-night complimentary stay for two people

in their chosen destination. This allows them to:

• Conduct valuable risk assessments

• Try out their chosen accommodation & visit other accommodation options

• Familiarise themselves with their destination, including public transport if

required

• Assess different study trip opportunities

• Check out local attractions & excursion options

• Check out suitable places to eat with their group

Safety Management ServicesAt StudyLink we have a detailed emergency procedure in place, in addition to

our Safety Management Policy. We can provide your university with full details

of this, on request.

THE EFFECT OF LEARNING ABROADON STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH


In general the benefits of working, studying or learning abroad are far-reaching; helping students to build confidence, improving their future employability and leading to a better quality degree.

However, recent studies have indicated that for

students suffering with a mental health condition,

a long-term period abroad can be detrimental to

their mental health and wellbeing.

Adapting to new circumstances and social

pressures of their host country, such as different

laws, regulations, language, diets, cultural norms

and expectations, can act as a trigger to the

student’s mental health condition.

It is for this reason that many students preparing

for long-term study or work placement abroad

may start to feel anxious over the prospect of

uprooting themselves and being without their

usual support network. Additionally, whilst

on their international placement, they can be

more susceptible to feelings of loneliness and

homesickness, thereby exacerbating their mental

health condition.

So, is a short-term mobility experience the answer?A short-term educational experience can give your

students the critical skills and global outlook to

enhance their studies and future career prospects,

but without the upheaval caused by a long-term

placement.

For most people, the opportunity of a study abroad

experience of anything from 3-4 days up to a couple

of weeks is an achievable goal and one that will

leave them with a lasting and positive impact.

For an educational field trip of this duration, the

student will get the opportunity to:

• Challenge themselves, thereby increasing their

confidence and resilience

• Gain valuable new experiences

• Build an international network of peers

A short-term mobility programme can also leave

the student better prepared for study abroad

experiences and leave them with the confidence to

take part in future mobility opportunities.

Source: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/International/go-international/

stand-out/Pages/Going-international-and-supporting-mental-health-needs.aspx

MSC INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CASE STUDY: UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD

Embedding short-term mobility into modules and courses, enables students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject and allows them to explore contrasts between the UK and their host country’s approach to a specialised subject area. The University of Salford adopted this approach

for their MSC International Business course.

Their students undertook an 8-day study tour to

Barcelona, to achieve the International Business in

Practice module of their course.

At StudyLink, we created a comprehensive study

tour package including visits to companies in

different industry sectors; allowing students to

speak to business leaders about the running of

their organisations and how they internationalise

their operations for a global business outlook.

Photos by Hatice Cemre


M S C I N T E R N AT I O N A L B U S I N E S S C O U R S ET O U R T O B A R C E L O N A

Created for the Univers i ty of Sa lfordGroup travel services provided by StudyLink:

•ReturnflightsfromManchesterInternationalAirport

•AirporttransfersonarrivalinBarcelona

•ServicesofourrepresentativesinBarcelonatoprovide24hrassistance

•7nights’B&Baccommodationatthe4-starHotelRegina

•Q&AsessionwiththeGeneralManageratthehistoricHotelRegina

•Coachtransportationthroughoutthetourtosupportvisitprogramme

•Pre-bookedticketsforculturalvisitstotheMuseuPicasso,GaudiParcGuell,LaSagradaFamilia,Hop-onHop-offbustour,MaritimeMuseumandMontserratMuseum

•TourofCavaCordoniufollowedbypresentationwiththemarketingdepartment

•Danonefactorytour

•SEATfactorytour&30minutepresentationfromthetalentacquisitionteam

•EstrellaDammBrewerytour&talk

•Visit&talkbyCEOofNaturalMachines

•BoattourtothePortofBarcelona&businesstalk

•Extensivegrouptravelinsurance

•Bespokefree-placeratio

•24/7on-callservice

•ServicesofadedicatedAccountExecutive

•Bespokeitineraryplanningservice

•Onlinetriporganiser&travelapp

•Riskmanagementservicesincludinglivetriptracking

Custom-made 8-day itinerary to BarcelonaDay 1 Flight to Barcelona

Day 2 Museu Picasso & Gaudi Parc Guell

Day 3 Cava Cordoniu & Danone Factory

Day 4 SEAT factory tour & Montserrat visit

Day 5 La Sagrada Familia & Maritime Museum

Day 6 Estrella Damm Brewery & TV3 Television

Day 7 Natural Machines & Port of Barcelona

Day 8 Return to Manchester

24

USE OFTECHNOLOGYIN TRAVELIn today’s digital age, it’s perhaps no surprise that the internet and mobile technology are influencing how people plan, book and experience their trips. According to TripAdvisor, 45% of people use their smartphone for everything to do with their trips away, but this trend isn’t just limited to personal travel. With lecturers busier than ever, technology in student group travel has become increasingly important. Student group travel companies that have embraced technological advances are using it to make the process as easy and convenient as possible for group leaders and travel bookers.

B O O KONLINE QUOTE AND PROVISIONAL BOOKING• Your StudyLink Account Executive will create

your personalised online quote

• A secure link will be sent through to the group

leader on the tour

• Information about future travel plans are held in

one location, instantly accessible online and via

any device

• Amend travel requirements, ask questions and

make a no-obligation provisional booking

P R E PA R EMY TOUR MANAGERKeep on track with your travel admin with our

award-winning online organiser - My Tour

Manager. You’ll be able to:

• Access your trip paperwork online & in one place

• Use our personalised tour checklist detailing

what you need to do & by when

• Add & submit passenger information and any

other trip requirements

• Receive fortnightly email reminders to keep you

on track

SEAMLESS TRIP ORGANISATION THROUGHSTUDYLINK’S MARKET-LEADING TECHNOLOGY

StudyLink’s state of the art technology works in tandem with support from our expert team, to make the process more efficient, personalised and hassle-free for your university’s travel bookers and group leaders.


S TAYSTUDYLINK TRAVEL APP & LOCATE MY TRIPYour group leader will have the following at their

fingertips in an instant with the StudyLink travel app:

• A daily itinerary – complete with all your timings

• Local information – a map of the area with your

accommodation & visits pinpointed for you

• Travel documents & contact numbers

Using GPS technology, Locate My Trip is the easy

and convenient way to trace a group’s location in

real-time. How it works:

• We’ll provide you with a handset ahead of your

tour

• An approved staff member can login to Locate

My Trip to locate a group’s current whereabouts

• Locate My Trip enables you and StudyLink to

react quickly to travel issues & other events

R E T U R NONLINE FEEDBACKOn your return, we will send you through a link

where you can share your feedback with us.

By sharing your feedback with us, we can:

• Continuously improve our service and product

offering

• Provide feedback to our team and network of

travel partners

• Ensure that you and your students get the best

possible experience on their next tour

PREPARE

STAY

BOOK RETURN

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Whilst cost-savings are crucial in the procurement process, so too is ensuring a responsible and ethical supply chain. Whilst every universities’ procurement targets and sustainability strategy may vary, ensuring that you have suppliers whose sustainable development goals closely match your own is vital when procuring travel management services. Whilst there are undoubtedly environmental

impacts to consider with international travel,

sustainable travel means finding a way that

tourism can be maintained in the long-term

without harming the natural environment. It’s also

important to maximise the positive benefits that

tourism can bring, in supporting local businesses

and bringing a wider understanding of global and

cultural issues.

Embedding sustainability

into student group travel


Corporate Social ResponsibilityAs a travel management services supplier, we

recognise the social and environmental impact

arising from increased travel and fully accept the

responsibilities we have to the communities in

which we operate.

We’re also committed to offsetting the carbon

emissions from our tours through our partnership

with Carbon Footprint.

Tree Planting InitiativeFor every trip booked with us, a Maya nut tree

will be planted in Peru supporting reforestation,

providing benefits to local communities and

supporting forest biodiversity.

The Maya Nut Tree is seen as a key species for

reforesting the Amazon, as it is resistant to climate

change and is seen to be very important for local

food supply in the future. This tree species has

multiple benefits thanks to its wide variety of uses;

the seeds can be eaten as food, the leaves can

be fed to livestock, and the sap is known to have

medicinal properties.

Carbon OffsettingWe are also pledging to offset an additional

tonne of CO² through the Portel-Para reducing

deforestation project in the Brazilian Amazon.

The Amazon is home to 10% of all species,

including some endangered species. This project

is expected to avoid over 22 million tonnes

of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas

emissions over the next 40 years.

Carbon Reporting Service We’ll provide you with carbon consumption data

for the transport you use. Our award winning,

independently validated carbon footprint

calculator uses the latest methodologies and

DEFRA/BEIS carbon metrics.

Ongoing Environmental InitiativesWe’re committed to our environmental policy and

work alongside our customers, teams and travel

partners to improve environmental practice, by:

• Minimising our consumption of single-use

plastics within the office. In 2019, the company

has moved away from plastic milk bottles within

the office, to more eco-friendly, reusable glass

bottles.

• Introducing LED lights throughout our offices

for a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional

lighting. LED lights use less energy than

traditional office lighting, thereby reducing the

demand from power plants and decreasing

greenhouse gas emissions.

• Providing our customers with environmental

information & promoting the use of greener

travel options & third-party environmental

schemes.

• Working alongside our key travel partners

to support the increased use and practice of

environmentally friendly products & initiatives.

Maximise the positive benefits that tourism can bring, in supporting local businesses and bringing a

wider understanding of global and cultural issues.

O F F S E T T I N G C A R B O N E M I S S I O N S , R E D U C I N G D E F O R E S TAT I O N A N D P R O V I D I N G W I L D L I F E H A B I TAT S With a commitment to sustainability and environmentally-responsible

student group travel, we’re delighted to be partnering with Carbon

Footprint to offset carbon emissions, reduce deforestation and provide

wildlife habitats.

To guarantee carbon emission

reductions, we’ve pledged to

offset an additional tonne of

CO2 through the Portel-Para

reducing deforestation project

in the Brazilian Amazon.

We’re also part of the NET positive Supplier Engagement Tool, which is designed to support and develop the supply chain and embedding sustainability in the procurement process.

For every trip booked with us,

a Maya nut tree will be

planted in Peru supporting

reforestation, providing

benefits to local communities

and support forest biodiversity.

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DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & BUILT ENVIRONMENT - UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM:CRECHE DESIGN & BUILD PROJECT

As part of our commitment to our customers and university groups, we’re proud to support initiatives that give back to global communities. For this reason, we were delighted to be able to support University of Nottingham’s Architecture and Design Build Studio students, with their impressive work in South Africa.


Now in its ninth year, the university’s Department

of Architecture and Built Environment have

worked on numerous projects in South Africa,

designing and building creches for some of the

country’s most deprived communities.

During the 18/19 academic year, the students

designed classrooms, play structures, a kitchen, an

office and storage facilities in the Mortusi village,

outside Tzaneen. The project is funded by the

students and their fundraising initiatives, with the

project helping to improve the lives and education

of the staff who work there; and importantly the

79 children who are currently part of the creche.

At StudyLink we were delighted to be able to

support them with their travel arrangements and

with a donation to this worthwhile project.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT AT:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering/departments/abe/design-and-build-studio/projects.aspx

The UK’s strategy for outward student mobility is to double the number of students who benefit from international experiences; resulting in the creation of a new generation of global graduates, and a culture where international experiences are an aspiration for all students.

With this increased focus on the benefits of student travel, we’re expecting to support higher education staff with a greater number of study trips and a larger number of students travelling to places across the globe.

30

• WIDENING OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION THROUGH SHORT-TERM STUDY PROGRAMMES

• ESTABLISHMENTS MOVING AWAY FROM BOOKING TRAVEL COMPONENTS SEPARATELY DUE TO THE FINANCIAL AND LEGAL RISK IMPLICATIONS

• PROVISION OF STUDENT GROUP TRAVEL SERVICES FROM SUPPLIERS ON THE SUPC FRAMEWORK FOR QUALITY ASSURANCES

• EMBEDDING COURSE MODULES INTO SHORT-TERM MOBILITY

TOP TRENDS IN TRAVEL FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Our top trends in arranging student travel for the year ahead are:• As a tour management company, we are primarily

involved with co-ordinating the travel components

for the trip, however we are now involved

establishing connections with visits that really deliver

on the educational outcomes of the trip. In a time of

£9000 per year tuition fees (plus the additional costs

for self-funded trips), there’s a greater expectation

from students that their international experiences

benefit them in a meaningful way and help to

improve their employability prospects in the future.

At StudyLink, we can create a bespoke university

itinerary that really delivers your lecturers’ desired

learning outcomes.

• For the year ahead, we anticipate an increase in

university lecturers and travel bookers arranging

their students’ flights, accommodation and visits

through a travel management services framework

supplier. With the DfE publishing new guidance for

health & safety on educational trips, we see this

trend continuing across establishments at all levels.

• Co-ordinating travel for large groups of students

can be complex and time-consuming for university

employees, and it also leaves the university at risk

both financially and from a safety perspective.

Booking with a travel management company can

help to alleviate these risks. By choosing to travel

with StudyLink you’re covered by the Package Travel

Directive, meaning that your university has financial

protection from start to finish. Plus, with StudyLink

you’ll have peace of mind from the moment you

book because we’re fully bonded through ABTA and

ATOL, and are licensed by IATA too.

• As covered in our article on responsible

procurement, there’s an increased awareness

of sustainability issues, resulting in an increased

demand for sustainable travel and carbon reporting.

We support the AITO’s (Association of Independent

Tour Operators) policy on responsible tourism and

can provide our customers with a carbon reporting

service to inform them of the carbon emissions

involved in their coach, air and rail travel. We’re

also part of the NET positive Supplier Engagement

Tool, which is designed to support and develop the

supply chain and embedding sustainability in the

procurement process.

OUR TOP DESTINATIONS 3

Barcelona is an exuberant city settled by the sea and nestled between

the towering mountains of Montserrat. This Mediterranean marvel is

steeped in colour, quirks and charm to create a vibrant paradise of

construction, including Gaudi’s ongoing design, the Sagrada Família -

Barcelona’s emblem of history, art and design.

1. Barcelona

A perfect mix of old and new, Peru’s capital city of Lima, is a

sophisticated and sprawling metropolis with a historic centre, which is

recognised as a world heritage site. The city is home to museums and

art galleries, archaeological sites, beaches, valleys and natural reserves;

giving Lima an authentic personality and ensuring that visitors to the

capital will have a unique experience.

3. Lima

Spanning across five individual boroughs, New York offers a plethora

of monumental architecture, such as the illustrious Empire State

Building, historical gentrification through the streets of Harlem,

recycled greenways with fields of inspiration for blank canvases, and a

kaleidoscope of illumination in the centre of Times Square.

2. New York

• WIDENING OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION THROUGH SHORT-TERM STUDY PROGRAMMES

• ESTABLISHMENTS MOVING AWAY FROM BOOKING TRAVEL COMPONENTS SEPARATELY DUE TO THE FINANCIAL AND LEGAL RISK IMPLICATIONS

• PROVISION OF STUDENT GROUP TRAVEL SERVICES FROM SUPPLIERS ON THE SUPC FRAMEWORK FOR QUALITY ASSURANCES

• EMBEDDING COURSE MODULES INTO SHORT-TERM MOBILITY

32

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT CASE STUDY: COVENTRY UNIVERSITY

Coventry University has an ambitious international strategy with the aim of sending 10,000 students each year on an international experience by 2020. Gaining international experience can help to boost employability and personal development for their students, whilst preparing them for the global world of work.

As Coventry University’s trusted sole group travel partner, here at StudyLink we have worked closely with them to facilitate all their student travel needs, with a huge increase in both tours and passengers since the start of the agreement four years ago.

We aim to improve Group Leader Questionnaire return rates and scores by maintaining a quick and efficient service.

BACKGROUND GROUP LEADER QUESTIONNAIRE SCORES

We’re committed to simplifying student group travel and providing the very best group travel solutions to support our partner’s internationalisation and employability strategy. With this in mind, we are committed to continually monitoring and improving our practices, service levels and importantly group prices.

AIMS

16%INCREASEIN NUMBER OF

STUDY TRIPS OVER THE LAST YEAR

2.7%INCREASE

IN NUMBER OF STUDENTS TRAVELLING

IN THE LAST YEAR

27.5%INCREASE

IN NUMBER OF PASSENGERS

IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS

18/19 ACADEMIC YEAR


Throughout the 17/18 academic year, StudyLink have developed various cost saving initiatives to help Coventry University make efficient use of their group travel budgets. By spending more efficiently on the core travel arrangements, this allows them to use their remaining budget effectively, by enhancing the students’ learning experience. These initiatives have included:

• ACCOMMODATION Coventry University have access to StudyLink’s allocation of 1.7 million beds worldwide, at preferential rates.

• FLIGHTS StudyLink have negotiated special airline booking terms. We have direct access to hundreds of airlines on routes across the globe and guaranteed preferential rates with our key airline partners. Plus, Coventry University can also take advantage of our exclusive booking terms with airlines (Easyjet, Ryanair) to allow bookings to be made earlier.

• GROUND TRANSPORT StudyLink have obtained exclusive contracted rates for coach travel for Coventry University tours.

• OTHER COST SAVING INITIATIVES include reducing the number of cancellations and consolidating passenger numbers to reduce the average tour price, where possible.

COST SAVING INITIATIVES

RESULTSCoventry University is ranked one of the leading universities in the UK, currently sitting at 13th in the Guardian University Guide 2019.

Through their close partnership with StudyLink, Coventry University has once again topped the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s International Mobility ranking. They have established themselves as a leading university with a strong emphasis on improving their students’ employability and progression opportunities through global educational travel.

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Short-term mobility offers a fantastic low-cost alternative to longer term work placements and study abroad opportunities.

Whether your study trips are fully funded by the university or by the students themselves, there are new ways in which

you can help to raise funds for short-term mobility trips.

WORK WITH PARTNER UNIVERSITIESTake advantage of your strategic partnerships with universities internationally. Couple your international study trips with a visit to a partnered university; this will allow your students to develop international relationships with their peers and to learn from an institution with a complementary outlook and different culture.

FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES IN COLLABORATION

WITH YOUR STUDENTSFundraising efforts can be implemented as an additional learning

element of your students’ course. Involve your student services team or your university’s student union, to increase student engagement and get

them involved in fundraising initiatives.

WORK WITH LOCAL BUSINESSESSourcing sponsorship from external employers can be beneficial to your university, students and to the businesses that participate. Projects promoting international student mobility may meet the Corporate Social Responsibility agenda of local and national businesses, for an agreement that benefits all parties involved.

FUNDING IDEASFOR SHORT-TERM

MOBILITY TRIPS

BEST

PRICES

4 GUARANTEED FLIGHT PRICES & FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS 4 WE’LL BEAT ANY LIKE-FOR-LIKE QUOTE

4 STUDENT-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION AT PREFERENTIAL GROUP RATES4 IN-DESTINATION SUPPORT AVAILABLE

andDISCOVER EXPLORE

NEW YORK

BEST

PRICES

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