Travel Agency Business Simulation | Case study

Case study: How Thomas More University uses Revas Travel Agency business simulation in tourism education

Country

Belgium

University

Thomas More University

Programme / Course

International Tourism and Leisure (Bachelor)

Simulation

Travel agency

Group size

11 – 30

Client

Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Flanders, Belgium, with campuses across the region including Antwerp and Mechelen. The university is known for its practice-oriented approach, preparing students for professional careers through applied learning, real-life projects and international study opportunities.

Revas Travel Agency Business Simulation is used by Inge Van Dooren, Lecturer at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, as part of the Leisure Travel Exploration course within the International Tourism and Leisure Bachelor programme.

Want to see the Travel Agency simulation from a student’s perspective? Try a round yourself!

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Challenge

Teaching tourism business management isn’t only about explaining concepts like seasonality, product offer, marketing, pricing or competition – students also need to understand how these elements work together in practice. As Inge van Dooren describes it, in class students learn about all the important aspects of running a tourism business, but it’s only when they apply this knowledge in a live simulation that they start to really understand it.

Inge needed a format that let students apply theory in a realistic, industry-specific environment: make decisions, see the results, and adjust their strategy in the next round – without real-world risk.

Results

Based on Inge’s feedback after running the course:

Student engagement compared to traditional teaching was rated much higher
Revas’ impact on active participation in class: 5 out of 5
Likelihood of recommending Revas to other educators: 5 out of 5
Students showed more detailed reflection on business choices and a higher understanding of the impact of their decisions
The competitive element between teams kept engagement high throughout the simulation

As Inge put it:

“The whole time there is high engagement and especially also the competition between teams.”

And on the shift in how students approach decisions:

“More detailed reflection on business choices and higher understanding of the impact of their decisions.”

Students have to pass both parts – so the simulation isn’t just played, it’s examined and reflected on.

Summary

At Thomas More, Revas Business Simulation Games bring tourism business education closer to practice. By running virtual travel agencies, students learn how business decisions affect company results – they apply theory, compete with other teams, analyse outcomes, and reflect on their decisions in a final report.

Testimonial

“Student engagement remains very high throughout, further motivated by the competition between teams.”
“More detailed analysis of the business decisions made, and a better understanding of how their own actions affect company results.”
— Inge Van Dooren, Lecturer, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences