A guide to hotel, food and tourism courses

What Is the Study of Tourism, Hospitality, and Hotel Management?

The study of Tourism, Hospitality, and Hotel Management focuses on the dynamic global industries that revolve around travel, customer service, leisure, and event planning. This multidisciplinary field combines elements of business, cultural understanding, operations management, marketing, and service excellence.

• Tourism Studies explores the management and development of travel services, destinations, and tourism experiences.
• Hospitality Management focuses on customer service, operations, and leadership across sectors like hotels, restaurants, resorts, and events.
• Hotel Management is a specialised branch of hospitality that deals specifically with hotel operations, including front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, and guest services.

If you enjoy meeting and helping people, travelling and experiencing different cultures, then a hotel, food or tourism course could lead you to work you really enjoy. And then it won’t feel like work at all!

Main subject specialisations in this field

Universities offer a variety of specialisations to reflect the diversity within the tourism and hospitality sector. These may include:

• Hotel Management
• Tourism Management
• International Tourism Management
• Event Management
• Hospitality
• Sustainable Tourism Development
• Luxury Hospitality
• Culinary Arts and Food Service Management
• Cruise Management
• International Tourism and Global Travel
• Spa and Wellness Management

These specialisations allow students to focus their studies on areas that match their career goals and personal interests.

Why choose to study a university degree in these fields?

A degree in tourism, hospitality, or hotel management offers a variety of personal and professional benefits:

• Global career opportunities – The travel and hospitality industries are worldwide, offering international job prospects.
• People-focused work – Ideal for those who enjoy working with others and creating memorable experiences.
• Diverse career paths – From hotel management and tour operations to marketing, event planning, and destination management.
• Creativity and innovation – Especially in areas like guest experience design, culinary innovation, and travel product development.
• Growing industries – Tourism is one of the world’s largest economic sectors, supporting millions of jobs globally.

This field is perfect for those who thrive in dynamic, multicultural, and service-oriented environments.

Practical learning and research opportunities

Education in tourism and hospitality is highly experiential, offering many hands-on and real-world learning experiences:

• Internships and work placements – Often part of the curriculum, with roles in hotels, travel agencies, resorts, cruise lines, or event companies.
• Simulated hotel environments or training kitchens – Common in university facilities.
• Study abroad opportunities – Especially in programs with global tourism partners.
• Field trips and site visits – To local and international tourism destinations.
• Capstone projects and research – On topics like sustainable tourism, digital travel platforms, or customer service innovation.
• Guest lectures and industry panels – Regular involvement from professionals in the field.

These opportunities build both technical and interpersonal skills essential to the industry.

Courses available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

Undergraduate Courses:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Tourism or Hospitality Management
• Bachelor of Business (Hospitality/Tourism)
• BA in Hotel and Resort Management
• BA in Event Management

Duration: Usually 3–4 years full-time, depending on the country.

Postgraduate Courses:

• Master of Tourism Management (MTM)
• Master of Hospitality Management (MHM)
• MBA in Hospitality or Tourism
• MSc in International Hotel Management
• Postgraduate Diplomas or Certificates – Shorter programs (6–12 months) for specialisation or upskilling.

Duration: 1–2 years full-time for most master’s degrees.

Academic entry requirements

Requirements vary by institution and country, but typical entry criteria include:

Undergraduate Programs:

• High school diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum GPA or academic standard in relevant subjects.
• English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) for international students.
• Some programs may ask for a personal statement or interview.

Postgraduate Programs:

• A bachelor’s degree in hospitality, tourism, business, or a related field.
• Relevant work experience may be required for some MBA programs.
• English language proficiency if applicable.
• Letters of recommendation and a personal statement are often part of the application process.

Tuition fees for university degrees in this field

Tuition costs vary depending on the country, institution, and course level. Approximate fees:

UK:

• Undergraduate (home students): ~£9,250/year.
• International students: £14,000–£22,000/year.
• Postgraduate: £12,000–£25,000/year.

USA:

• Public universities: ~$10,000–$25,000/year (in-state) or $25,000–$40,000/year (out-of-state).
• Private universities: $30,000–$50,000/year.

Canada:

• Undergraduate: CAD 15,000–30,000/year.
• Postgraduate: CAD 18,000–35,000/year.

Australia:

• Undergraduate: AUD 20,000–40,000/year.
• Postgraduate: AUD 25,000–45,000/year.

Some programs offer paid internships, industry scholarships, or work-study opportunities, which can help offset costs and provide valuable experience.

In conclusion

Tourism, hospitality, and hotel management degrees offer an exciting path for students passionate about travel, culture, service and business.

With a strong emphasis on practical learning, global mobility, and career versatility, this field opens doors to opportunities across continents and industries.

Whether managing a luxury resort, planning international events, or shaping sustainable tourism policies, graduates can make a lasting impact in one of the world’s most dynamic sectors.