Popular attraction is given some tourism tips by University of Northampton students

University of Northampton students have advised a charity on how it can improve the visitor experience at the historic East Midlands tourist attraction it runs.

A group of Tourism undergraduates carried out an audit of facilities at Foxton Locks, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire, as part of the University’s Volunteering Week.

They suggested a number of improvements, including better welcome signs at the entrance, plus the introduction of wifi, more toilets and litter bins. The students also felt a conference room for businesses to use would help boost the site’s use during the off-season.

Shweta Asnani, a first year HND Travel and Tourism Management student, said: “The visit has really helped me as it allowed me to apply the theoretical knowledge we have been learning in seminars and lectures to the real world.

“The visit to Foxton Locks will also help me in my future career as I learned how to be more critical about a venue’s facilities, and I was also able to brush up on my communication skills.

“This course is great as it has allowed me to go on several trips to some amazing tourist attractions, including Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London and Harry Potter World at Warner Bros Studios.”

Anna Borley-Russell, Senior Lecturer in Leisure Management, added: “Those who study Tourism Management with us have numerous opportunities to visit attractions in the UK and overseas, which allows them to apply the theory they are learning to the real world.

“We actively encourage our students to undertake volunteer work to enhance their employability prospects, form links with key players in the industry and develop new skills.

“This trip not only benefited our students, but also the charity that runs Foxton Locks, as we were able to provide it with an audit of its facilities on a voluntary basis. Hopefully our findings and recommendations will help this wonderful attraction to continue to attract more and more visitors.”