UWTSD student achieves first class honours BA in Tourism Management after being inspired to return to education by her daughter

A University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) mature student has graduated with first class honours in Tourism Management after being inspired by her daughter to return to education. Becky Lloyd from St Davids, Pembrokeshire, juggled a job and raising a family while studying for her degree. 

“I came back after 26 years to top up my HND part time to a degree,” she explains. “I supported my daughter to go to university and watched her journey and this inspired me to pursue a degree myself. My youngest had just started full time school at age five and I wanted to use my brain again after being home with a little one and working in a part time waitressing job.”

Having previously studied at UWTSD, Becky felt confident returning to the university – especially as some of her former lecturers were still there. 

“Jacqui Jones, Programme Manager for the Tourism and Events Portfolio, was so supportive and encouraged me to come back by believing in me and believing I could do it,” she says. “For me living in West Wales, studying in Swansea was perfect and I travelled up on the train for lectures, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved working in the library as it allowed me to focus away from homelife and distractions. It meant I could really focus.”

Living in a tourist hotspot, Becky has always had a passion for sustainable tourism practices, so she made this a key focus of her studies.

“After studying the impacts of over tourism, I wrote my dissertation on the perceptions of residents on the St Davids Peninsula of the socio-economic impacts of this and how it affected their quality of life,” she says. “I have discovered regenerative tourism practices and have been inspired to work within this field.”

Becky is now the Marketing Manager for a self-catering holiday rental business and is also very involved with community arts and sustainable projects on St Davids Peninsula.

“I wish to work to promote regenerative tourism practices for the good of my community and the destination as a whole and its visitors,” she says. “I would absolutely recommend the course to others like me. It's never too late to return to studying and second time round. You know what you want and can focus better.”

Jacqui Jones, Programme Manager for the Tourism and Events Portfolio at UWTSD adds:

“It’s been very special welcoming Becky back to university after such a long break and watching her achieve academic success and further her career. Not only has Becky worked incredibly hard to achieve a first in all her subjects and develop a passion for sustainable and responsible tourism, but during the Covid pandemic she has been inspirational working on arts and cultural campaigns, volunteering with beach cleans across Pembrokeshire and leading an initiative for encourage local communities to make bunting to brighten up towns and villages across West Wales.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Becky’s success from starting out as a young student enjoying university life, placements and field trips in Europe, to working part time in the tourism industry whilst supporting her young family, to now graduating with a first and developing an exciting new career. We wish Becky all the very best for the future.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk