About BETA

The British Educational Travel Association (BETA) was established in 2003 as a not for profit membership association and now represents some of the biggest and best-known businesses in the youth, student and educational travel industry.

Since then we have pro-actively created a platform and network for businesses engaged within the sector, to meet, network and trade. BETA’s role is to represent and co-ordinate the interests of this fast growing and dynamic industry.

Our two long-term strategic aims are:

to highlight the enormous value of youth, student and educational travel to, from and within the UK
to create commercial opportunities between buyers and sellers of youth related products

The association currently represents over 120 organisations across the following sectors:

	Youth and student tour operators and travel retailers
	School travel organisers
	Youth accommodation providers (homestay, hostels, student accommodation)
	Activity holiday and summer school/camp providers
	Language schools, education providers and educational institutions
	official student and tourism bodies

	Study abroad, work exchange, au pair and internship programme organisers
	Gap year, volunteering and adventure travel organisations
	Destinations, tourist boards, RDAs, LGOs
	Transport and sightseeing operators
	Attractions, restaurants and venues
	Plus many others

BETA purpose statement

The association that represents the community of British youth, student and educational travel organisations.

Networking

To nurture our growing network of member organisations, continuing to provide a place to exchange ideas and information through creating innovative networking events such as seminars, conferences and trade exchange workshops.

Representation

To Identify areas of common interest and be “the” strong, unified and independent voice for our members to maintain and improve our recognised status with government, associated agencies and industry influencers worldwide.

Legislation

To ensure members are kept abreast of impactful global travel conditions, trends and issues whilst providing assistance and advice on UK specific legislation that will impact student and youth travel.

Promotion

To quantify and publicise the benefits of youth and educational travel to the wider industry and government alike in order to promote the value and importance of this sector.

Aims & objectives

to raise the profile of education and/or education travel to, from and within the United Kingdom
to establish and maintain a recognised status by informing industry influencers world-wide along with government and other associated agencies
to create and maintain a network of member organisations, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information
to create commercial opportunities between buyers and sellers
to express a strong, independent and unified voice on matters of common interest
to assist Members with the development and dissemination of information so as to provide young people from all countries; the opportunity to engage in travel to, from and with the United Kingdom
to secure mutual understanding and co-operation among all Members of the Association in any way which may be found practicable including conferences, seminars, training, exchange of literature and information
to establish guidelines for the conduct of business among Members of the Association and for the treatment and protection of participants in education and or youth and educational travel and tourism programes
to take such action as may be possible to assist in the development of education and or youth and educational travel and tourism programmes in countries where they do not exist and to encourage government and official bodies to facilitate travel to and from their countries with a reasonable set of effective regulations
to continue to improve the quality of services provided by Members and to encourage the maintenance of a high standard of facilities
to increase public awareness of the professionalism of the Members of the Association and the benefits of education and or youth and educational travel and tourism in general

BETA constitution

BETA is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association filed at Companies House.

This Constitution serves as an explanitory document setting out the procedures and practices in relation to the operation of BETA. Copies of the articles can be obtained in writing via the Secretariat.

All BETA Members agree to abide by the constitution upon applying for membership.

Amendments to the constitution may only be made at the AGM or at an EGM called for that purpose.

Notice of any proposed amendments to the Constitution by Full Members must be submitted in writing at least 12 weeks prior to the next AGM.

Read the full BETA constitution.

Who’s Who

Our board of directors are made up from a voluntary group of association members and play a vital role in the setting of policy and strategic direction.

Executive Director

Emma English

BETA Executive Director

Emma is responsible for the day to day operation of BETA. Working in collaboration with the board of directors, Emma creates and implements the direction of the association.

Board Members

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Michele da Silva

Britannia Student Services

Michele is MD of Britannia Student Services, a leading accommodation provider in London & Brighton, catering to international agents, language schools, colleges & universities. A qualified marketing professional, Michele has previously held senior management roles in travel & related services for over 20 years.

Murray Roberts

St Christophers Inns (Vice Chairman)

Murray Roberts sits on the board of Beds and Bars Ltd as Managing Director. He is a qualified design engineer and has been in the hospitality sector since 1983. He held senior sales and marketing positions within Grand Metropolitan, Scottish and Newcastle, and Courage.

Vicki Cunningham

BUNAC

With nearly 20 years of youth and student sector experience, Vicki has worked across several marketing and general management roles. She has spent the last 12 years managing BUNAC, a global work and travel company.

Steve Lowy

Anglo Educational Services (Chairman)

Steve Lowy is a successful hotelier and entrepreneur. Steve founded the Umi Hotel brand in 2007 at the age of 26 and went on to Co-Found Umi Digital in 2010. He now spreads his time between the Umi Brands and being Managing Director of Academic Services at Anglo Educational Services.

James Herbertson

Bayswater Education

James is the co-founder of Bayswater Education, the first social enterprise in study abroad. For every week of tuition that a student studies Bayswater Education gives a week of education under privileged people.

Sam Willan

StudentUniverse

As GM of StudentUniverse’s International Markets, I oversee our UK, Australian and newly launched Canadian businesses – keeping the markets aligned to our global strategy, whilst taking advantage of localised opportunities for growth.

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Honorary Members

Dick Porter

BETA Honorary President

Dick has a global background in business and travel within SMEs with a technology emphasis. He is co-founder of STA Travel of which he was CEO until 2007 and a Director until 2011.

Jack Coronna

BETA Founding Chairman

Best described as a ‘serial entrepreneur’, Jack’s interest in the youth, student and educational travel sector led him, with the support of others, to found BETA.

The British Educational Travel Association (BETA) was established in 2003 as a not for profit membership association and now represents some of the biggest and best-known businesses in the youth, student and educational travel industry.

The association currently represents over 120 organisations across the following sectors: