University College Birmingham is excited to announce it will host the annual convention of the Tourism Management Institute (TMI) later this month.

This year’s event, entitled 'Destination Rejuvenation', will focus on the opportunities emergent of digital innovation and income generation, marketing and tourism trends and data, and sustainable tourism strategies for the sector. Also in the spotlight will be the national debate around the tourism levy.

It will also present a unique opportunity for University College Birmingham's Tourism students to showcase some of their exciting work to an audience of industry professionals and leading academics. The project centred on the creation of a tourism strategy for the village of Church Stretton, following on from Shropshire's inclusion in ABTA's 'Must Visit' list for 2023 - the first time a UK destination has featured.

After a request by the Mayor of Church Stretton, the group of students set to work on designing a strategy that would widen participation, and increase the potential of digital and adventure tourism in the village. On the day of the Convention, the students will discuss the details of their work, as well as how University College Birmingham's leading role in the field allows them to undertake such projects, to the benefit of their future careers.

Tourism lecturer Simon Faulkner led students Nafsika Kasapi, Ahmed Jabir Jidan, and Sarthak Kant Sedhain in their research, and is thrilled that they will have the chance to showcase both the University and their hard work on such a prestigious stage: "University College Birmingham will be a fantastic host! We understand the significance of this event and the impact the TMI has on the tourism industry in the UK. We have a rich history of delivering exceptional Tourism programmes and have a cohort of students that are truly international, who are excited to share their ideas and thoughts on the day", he said.

"The TMI is incredibly important as it is an opportunity for stakeholders across the industry to brainstorm, identify touristic trends, discuss strategic decisions related to disruptive events that impact on tourism and to share ideas and expertise."

Whether students or established practitioners, the TMI supports destination management professionals throughout their careers, and has a wide-ranging membership drawn from local government, national tourist organisations, visitor attractions, consultancies and the higher education sector. The Convention is supported by The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), who spoke at the University's recent Inspire Conference, and are backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

The company consists of seven metropolitan authorities and five of the region's universities, and brings together the strength of the public, private, and academic sectors to attract investment, businesses, and visitors to the West Midlands in order to foster sustainable, inclusive economic growth, create jobs, and deliver a better quality of life for those living in the region.

Becky Frall, Head of Tourism at WMGC, said: “The visitor economy was worth £16.3bn to the West Midlands in 2023. It supports 144,000 jobs and is a critical element of the region's success. The TMI annual convention enables destination professionals to disseminate evidence, understand real life examples and share best practice to elevate delivery in every destination.

“This year WMGC is working closely with the TMI and our host venue, the sustainable, well-connected University College Birmingham, which will also share its own academic expertise in the visitor economy. We encourage all destination managers, tourism officers, BID practitioners and tourism academics to attend – it’s great for professional development and brings time for new learning, reflection and fun – so often missing in the a busy everyday environment.”

The wider convention will feature a number of networking events open to members, non-members, and University students. With an amazing programme of almost 30 speakers, including representatives of the TMI, a whole host of industry leaders, and academic experts in the field, discussions will cover all aspects of tourism and destination management, from the latest digital marketing initiatives, to regenerative tourism, consumer insights and policy updates.

Graham Haynes, Executive Board Member of the TMI and manager at Tourism South East is convening this year's event, and is full of enthusiasm about the programme: "TMI are absolutely thrilled to be visiting University College Birmingham for this year's annual convention. We’ve been delighted to have built a strong partnership with the University this year after they successfully secured TMI Recognition for the undergraduate BA (Hons) International Tourism Management degree," he said.