First-year LSBU tourism student secures prestigious internship
A first year LSBU tourism student has beat applicants from around the country to secure an internship with the UK’s largest travel association, ABTAFirst-year tourism student Lee McGavin will undertake an internship with the UK’s largest travel association ABTA this summer, after demonstrating his skill in an intensive workshop.
Following an essay competition, ABTA shortlisted five finalists to take part in a training day at its London office, where Lee impressed the recruitment panel with his in-depth industry knowledge.
The 25-year-old, who grew up in Bristol, worked in various roles in London and Paris to fund his world travel, before deciding he wanted to turn tourism into a career, beginning with a Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Management degree at LSBU.
“After a stint at the London Dungeon, I realised working with tourists and visitors was the job I loved the most so this is the industry I should be in,” Lee said.
“The ABTA training day was extremely insightful as we got to learn about the organisation’s work and I am looking forward to the skills I will learn during my month interning.”
Previous interns have secured roles within the sector following their internship, and Lee hopes to follow in their footsteps.
LSBU Tourism Lecturer Neville Kendall said securing the internship was an amazing achievement for Lee.
“There was only one position available and Lee was up against final year and Masters students from other universities around the UK, so we are very proud of Lee’s achievement,” he said.
“We are lucky to have such strong links with industry bodies like ABTA at LSBU and to be able to assist our students by alerting them to opportunities like this internship to get experience outside the classroom.”
Learn more about studying tourism at LSBU.