Partnership with Brighton University
The first tailored degree in business travel and meetings management in the UK is being planned by the Institute of Travel Management (ITM).
The Institute has formed a partnership with Brighton University to launch create the degrees, with the first courses possibly starting in 2012.
The agreement also means that the ITM will endorse the existing International Travel Management BA, in which students study business travel modules, do work experience and a write dissertation on the travel and meetings sector.
The Institute, which is shortly to change its name to the Institute of Travel and Meetings, said the partnership was approach to "professionalise the industry through its project, ITM Academy."
Caroline Strachan, ITM's chairman, announced the degree to about 500 delegates at the start of the Institute's annual conference in Liverpool today (March 25).
She said: "This is such an exciting moment for us, to see the first steps taken in what will ultimately bring more talent into the industry when we will need it most.
"The University of Brighton was definitely the right choice of partner for us.
"They understand what we want to do and they understand the space we live in and they know that we can help each other to achieve our goals."
www.itm.org.uk