Paul Bamber

Department of Hospitality and Tourism

Senior Lecturer

Academic qualifications

MSc Tourism Management, Postgraduate Diploma, Learning and Teaching in Vocational Subjects

Email

p.bamber@ucb.ac.uk

“My professional background is rooted in destination management and tourism marketing, with 15 years of hands-on experience in cities such as Bristol, Leeds, and Manchester.”

I’ve spent 15 years working in the Tourism Industry, specialising in Marketing and Destination Management for cities such as Bristol and Leeds. My most recent role in industry was Marketing Campaigns Manager at Marketing Manchester. This real-world experience directly shapes my teaching here at UCB, where I cover courses such as Tourism Marketing and Destination Management, BA Aviation and Airport Management, BA International Hospitality and Tourism and any Research Projects related to marketing or destination management. I’m a member of the Tourism Management Institute, and I organised their Annual Convention at UCB in 2024, in partnership with the West Midlands Growth Company, which allowed me to connect students with leading professionals and give them a front-row seat to the latest industry trends.

My approach to teaching is practical and student-centred. I encourage students to get organised and seize every opportunity open to them, whether it’s through coursework, industry events, or field trips. I take pride in helping students grow, whether it’s guiding them through their first overseas trip or supporting them as they discover new perspectives and opportunities in tourism. As a result, I’ve been lucky enough to receive two Spotlight on Great Teaching Awards, including ‘Inspirational Teacher’ in 2023. These awards mean a lot to me because they were voted by students, who say that they enjoy my passion for the industry and the knowledge I bring to each session.

One myth I’d like to break down for students is that tourism marketing is all about travel and glamour. In fact, it’s about understanding markets, being creative, and making informed decisions. Through my teaching, I aim to hone these skills so that my students emerge fully ready for the realities of the sector. Of course, there is some travel involved, and this is a definite perk of the job for me, as I enjoy visiting new places. I’m also motivated by the power of marketing to make a difference, as well as the challenges of finding ways to communicate with different audiences.

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening and keeping up with the latest thrillers such as Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. I enjoy reading novels, and I really recommend Butter by Asako Yuzuki.