BOURNEMOUTH will claim a world first when it unveils its planned new teaching hotel to the City on Tuesday evening.
The new £30 million Hotel School would be tourism's equivalent of a teaching hospital - a four-star establishment with 200 bedrooms but staffed by students and training experts.
It is the brainchild of the South West Regional Development Agency, Bournemouth University and Bournemouth & Poole College, with support from the Savoy Educational Trust.
Other countries have "played at the idea" with small establishments with a few bedrooms. This would be the first time it has ever been attempted on this scale, said Bournemouth University Professor Nigel Hemmington.
"It would be unique. There are other hotel schools in the world but they are not run on a commercial basis.
"It would not be a mock-up hotel but a real hotel with real guests, real operating systems and real commercial demands."
Plans will be outlined this evening to up to 100 industry experts at the Worshipful Company of Innholders.
It is proposed to build the new hotel next to the BIC. Planning permission is still needed, as are investors and an operator. The scheme was first conceived in January 1999.
Common questions about Bournemouth Hotel School - the "world's first" fully commercial teaching hotel:
Q: Who would get the profits?
A: The hotel operating company and investors.
Q: How many students would benefit?
A: Around 60 per year, most from the South West but some non-UK. There would also be 140 employed staff.
Q: Would it trade as the Bournemouth Hotel School or under another brand?
A: It would trade under the operator's name. The teaching aspect "would not be a major part of the marketing message".
Q: Would it undergo AA inspections? Could it gain or lose stars like any other hotel?
A: Yes, if it chose to join that rating scheme.
Q: What about broadband facilities for guests? Would it be a technology leader?
A: Yes, it would be a "leading hotel and educational facility with leading technology".
Q: When would it open?
A: September 2007.
First published: February 8
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