A GROUP set up to support Bournemouth’s international schools and colleges invited the hospitality industry to a special seminar.

The International Education Forum’s Executive Business Network held the event to look at opportunities for the two sectors to create business and jointly promote Bournemouth.

The network was formed last year to support the town’s International Education Forum (IEF).

Its seminar at the Hallmark West Cliff Hotel welcomed a high turnout of IEF members and representatives from Bournemouth Accommodation and Hoteliers Association (BAHA).

Speakers included including IEF chairman Guido Schillig, who is MD of Anglo-Continental School of English; Andy Woodland, BAHA chairman and general manager of the Sandbanks Hotel ; Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns; Peter Eales of OI Solutions, founder of the IEF Executive Business Network; and Robin Watson from Lacey’s Solicitors.

BAHA chairman Andy Woodland told how the association, which represents 70 per cent of the 11,000 bed spaces in Bournemouth, had been instrumental in securing a change in date for Bournemouth Air Festival so it does not take place on the August bank holiday.

Guido Schillig talked about the unique requirements that some students have and how BAHA regularly assists in meeting them. He also talked about how a positive experience studying in Bournemouth would lead to students becoming ambassadors for the town across the world.

Mr Burns said: “I have long recognised the value of the international education sector to Bournemouth and Poole – my maiden speech in the House of Commons was on the subject and I am acutely aware of the problems and issues that the sector faces and how competitive it is. The international education sector brings much vibrancy, culture and internationalism to Bournemouth and Poole and is certainly something for us to be very proud of.”

Accommodation providers and IEF members then brainstormed ideas and opportunities to work together, producing a long list of ideas to pursue.

Andy Woodland said: “It has been really interesting to chat and learn about the accommodation issues of IEF members – some that BAHA can potentially assist in solving.

“We would ask educational institutions to obtain as much information as possible before contacting us to see if BAHA can help with solutions.”

He urged the seminar delegates to find out budgets and meal plans and understand students’ day-time requirements and not to be afraid to make a pitch to BAHA members, particularly for an out of season period or for a block booking for a whole hotel.

Heidi Cooper-Hind, head of student services at Arts University Bournemouth, said: “From now on we will be inviting BAHA members to attend our annual accommodation event, which will be a perfect opportunity to introduce prospective students and their families to the hoteliers.”