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What is Tourism and Travel Services Management?

Tourism and travel services management is a field of study in business focused on a range of consumer and business travel support.  A college degree in travel and tourism prepares students for a future in travel services, travel guide, tourism manager, transportation coordinator, corporate travel, sales consultants, travel management, tourism mangers, travel agents, and a variety of hospitality vocations.

Students will learn the vital nuances of geography, airline travel, railway travel, hotel accommodations, restaurant operations, tourism, vacation services, history of travel, economic trends, tourism marketing, international business, risk mitigation in travel, and destination management services.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$47,530

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

21.70%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

103,597

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Tourism and Travel Services Management Degree

New York University (New York, NY) is a private research university. It is the largest higher educational institution in the United States. NYU has 16 schools and colleges managing a wide range of academic programs. Students can gain a more global perspective because of opportunities NYU can offer through its study abroad facilities located around the globe. NYU offers a BS in Hotel and Tourism Management degree that fosters a liberal arts curriculum and provides students with relevant instructions and hands-on experience. The program offers five concentrations: Event Management, Hotel Development, Marketing and Revenue Management, Organizations and Operations, and Tourism Development. NYU has a new graduate program in Travel and Tourism Management. The program leads to a master’s degree. 

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

George Washington University (Washington, D.C.) is located near the White House. The proximity provides several opportunities for projects alongside government leaders, science and law professionals, and individuals from other disciplines. GW offers both on-campus and off-campus modes of learning allowing flexibility for students. GW University has hundreds of programs for both undergraduate and graduate levels. The university offers a wide range of tourism management programs including master’s and certification programs. An online Graduate Certificate in Tourism Management is offered to professionals who want to specialize in tourism development and management. The program provides a  wide range of courses essential for career advancement. 

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Texas A & M University (College Station, TX)  is a public research university that offers a long list of undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs. B.S. in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences prepares students to assume entry-level positions across the related industries. The university also awards certificates in Hospitality Management and Tourism Management. These certification programs allow students to take on management roles in the tourism and hospitality industry.  It also holds the second largest student population in the United States. Texas A & M also manages campuses in Galveston and Qatar. A & M is also highly recognized for being highly active in research. 

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) is a large public university that provides world-class education. The university also has an active research program. TU is the largest higher education institution that provides professional education in the state. The School of Sports, Tourism, and Hospitality Management offers undergraduate and graduate programs that focus on providing transformational education. Tourism & Hospitality Management awards bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. There are also several graduate certificates for interested professionals. 

Acceptance Rate

60.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

University of South Carolina at Columbia (Columbia, SC) offers higher education that has a long list of academic programs. The university is also listed as one of the best research institutions in the country. It is also open for professional degree students with programs in business, engineering, law, medicine, pharmacy, and social work. The top rated Tourism Management degree is an undergraduate major that leads to a BS degree. Students are provided with liberal arts instructions combined with business and management courses. Students are required to undergo internship programs before completing this undergraduate degree. 

Acceptance Rate

68.65

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Florida International University (Miami, FL) is the only public university in Miami. The university has regional campuses as well as international education centers located in China and UAE. The university has more than 200 degree programs across all schools and colleges. The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management manages a wide range of academic programs and certificate programs. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs including Ph.D. in Hospitality Management. It is also the second largest hospitality school across the United States. The School’s online hospitality program has been consistently ranked as #1. FIU also manages an American hospitality and tourism school in Tianjin, China.

Acceptance Rate

57.51

Student to Faculty Ratio

26:1

Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) is a private research university that offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs including doctoral and professional degrees. RIT also manages global campuses located in China, Croatia and United Arab Emirates. The Saunders College of Business manages the Hospitality and Tourism Management program. It grants bachelor's and master’s degrees. The program is an intersection of business and technology. Undergraduates are allowed to customize their learning path based on their career goals. The graduate program offers additional courses that train students to be leaders in the field. RIT's Hospitality and Tourism Management program is recognized by Forbes, Travel Weekly, Nation’s Restaurant News, and Corporate Travel magazines.

Acceptance Rate

70.73

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu, HI) is a public university that offers academic programs and practices a high research activity. UH M?noa is organized into 17 schools and colleges. The university houses a long list of undergraduate and graduate programs including professional degrees, and certification programs. Travel Industry Management is offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students are awarded with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Undergraduates can choose between Hotel and Resort Management or Tourism and Transportation Management for their area of concentration. A Certificate in Travel Industry Management is also offered to those who do not aim to earn a degree. 

Acceptance Rate

58.47

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Widener University - Main Campus (Chester, PA) is a private university that manages two campuses in PA and one located in DE. It has a wide range of undergraduate majors and a long list of graduate programs in business, education, engineering, nursing, social work, physical therapy, and clinical psychology. The degree in Tourism and hospitality management is an undergraduate major that trains students with invaluable skills in hotel or restaurant management, travel and tourism, and other related industries. An accelerated program is also offered to interested students who aim to earn a bachelor’s degree and an MBA focused on tourism and hospitality within five years. 

Acceptance Rate

71.9

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) is a public research university that was established as an agricultural college. The university offers over 100 programs across eight colleges. Some of the popular programs are biomedical sciences, engineering, environmental science, agriculture, and human health and nutrition. The Warner College of Natural Resources offers a wide range of academic programs that allows students to learn through real-world experiences. The college awards a Master of Tourism Management degree. Students are trained to be future leaders of the expanding global tourism industry. Interested students can take Natural Resource Tourism as an undergraduate program. 

Acceptance Rate

81.35

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) is a public research university that offers nationally recognized academic programs. Some of the popular disciplines at the university are natural and social sciences, education, arts, business, health and wellness, humanities and applied technologies. BGSU awards undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight colleges. Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management Program is offered at the undergraduate level. The program provides a student-centered educational experience preparing students for a variety of roles across the industry. Undergraduates also have opportunities for international field trips and study abroad programs. 

Acceptance Rate

71.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Ohio University (Athens, OH) is a public university that offers a range of academic programs and fosters a high research activity. According to the U.S. News and World Report, OU is among the top 60 public universities in the country. Hotel Management, and Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism are just two of the undergraduate majors offered in the university. Hospitality Management is delivered online and leads to a Bachelor of Applied Human and Consumer Sciences degree. The program fosters a real-world curriculum allowing students to develop relevant skills. 

Acceptance Rate

82.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Stevens Institute of Business & Arts (St. Louis, MO) is a private for profit college that offers education and training programs. The institute awards short-term certificates and diplomas. It also has several programs leading to an associates degree or bachelor’s degree. The institute offers programs in business administration, graphic design, interior design, retail and fashion merchandising, and paralegal studies. Students may enjoy the small class size, flexible schedules, and lifetime job assistance. 

Acceptance Rate

100

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) is a public research university that manages four campuses across VA and another campus in South Korea. Some of the popular programs in the university are public policy, information technology and engineering, economics, visual and performing arts, conflict resolution, healthcare, biotechnology and life sciences. Tourism and Events Management is an undergraduate major that leads to a BS degree. Students are trained to develop essential skills and gain professional knowledge. A minor program is also offered and can be taken online. 

Acceptance Rate

86.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Niagara University (Lewiston, NY) is a private Catholic university that offers a range of academic programs. The Roman Catholic affiliation plays a vital role in the university’s vision. The university is known to provide liberal arts education but it also offers technical and pre-professional education. The College of Tourism & Hospitality Management offers undergraduate programs in Hotel & Restaurant Management and Tourism & Events Management. The curriculum of the Tourism & Events Management degree is based on business management courses couples with high-touch customer service skills. It focuses on developing students’ technological, managerial, and leadership skills. Students can also choose a concentration allowing a more in-depth understanding of the discipline. 

Acceptance Rate

89.21

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Youngstown State University (Youngstown, OH) is a public university that offers a long list of undergraduate majors and graduate programs. Hospitality Management is an undergraduate major. Students are prepared for careers in hotel management or event coordination, or human resources, travel, facility and customer management, and many more. An associate degree program in Hospitality Management is also offered. The two-year program offers three tracks: Event Management, Hotel and Lodging Management, or Restaurant & Food Service Management. 

Acceptance Rate

67.39

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN) is a public university. It is a core campus of Indiana University that offers degrees from Purdue University. Due to the merge, IUPUI offers a long list of academic programs. The School Health & Human Sciences offers an undergraduate major in Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management. Classroom instructions and hands-on experience will be provided to students who take this program. The university also offers several certificate and minor programs in Tourism, Event, & Sport Management

Acceptance Rate

80.73

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA) is a public university offering a wide range of academic programs for students to choose from. The university extends its academic excellence to several campuses across the state. CWU offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, tourism and event management. The program is preparing students to assume managerial and supervisory hospitality roles by developing relevant skills. Undergraduates will have to choose a specialization: Hospitality Management, Tourism Management or Event Management. The Tourism Management specialization has courses on management, marketing, sustainability, strategic planning and policy development. 

Acceptance Rate

84.92

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Johnson & Wales University (Providence, RI) is a private university popular for its programs in culinary arts, business, and hospitality. JWU awards academic degrees in both undergraduate and graduate levels. The Tourism & Hospitality Management degree is an undergraduate program that leads to a BS degree. The program offers courses on the fundamentals of the discipline. Undergraduates can turn classroom theories into practice through long-term internship opportunities. Study abroad opportunities are also offered to interested students. 

Acceptance Rate

92.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, TX) is a public research university that offers a wide range of academic programs. UTSA offers undergraduate and graduate programs as well as certificate programs. The university has a mixture of academic and career-focused courses. Pre-professional studies are also offered for students who aim for careers in law and medicine. UTSA is one of the highly recognized public research universities in the United States. 

Acceptance Rate

76.59

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Plymouth State University (Plymouth, NH) is a public university that awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Business and education are some of the popular majors at the university. Plymouth offers a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management and Policy. The program is designed to educate students with a variety of areas of study. The discussion of the role of the travel and tourism industry in society is just one of these areas. 

Acceptance Rate

84.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) is a public research university that awards bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Students can also earn a degree through online programs. The W. A. Franke College of Business manages the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The school's undergraduate program in HRM is among the Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the world according to the CEOWorld Magazine. The School also offers several undergraduate certificates that enhance student’s education and skills in a specific area of the hospitality and restaurant industries. Students can also opt for the online Hotel and Restaurant undergraduate major. 

Acceptance Rate

84.89

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Salem State College (Salem, MA) is a public university that offers bachelor’s and master’s programs as well as several post master’s certificates. The college also allows professionals to take  continuing education courses for credit and non-credit. Travel and Tourism is a minor program. This has been certified by the United Nations - World Tourism Organization. The program discusses the trends in travel and tourism. 

Acceptance Rate

85.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

University of Southern Maine (South Portland, ME) is a public university that offers baccalaureate and master's degree programs and several doctoral programs. Tourism and Hospitality degree is an undergraduate program that leads to a BA degree. The curriculum is a combination of courses that provides industry theories and development of practical skills with a strong community engagement. Undergraduates must select a concentration that will provide students a more in-depth understanding of a particular element of tourism and hospitality. 

Acceptance Rate

80.9

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Johnson & Wales University-Florida Campus (Miami, FL) is a private university popular for its programs in culinary arts, business, and hospitality. JWU awards academic degrees in both undergraduate and graduate levels. The degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management is an undergraduate program that leads to a BS degree. The program offers courses on the fundamentals of the discipline. Undergraduates can turn classroom theories into practice through long-term internship opportunities. Study abroad opportunities are also offered to interested students.

Acceptance Rate

87.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Top Tourism Degrees

Degree programs for students seeking to enter the field of travel management and tourism will typically be found as an indirect degree. In other words, colleges and universities will provide the core skills and technical know-how by way of a more general degree path.

Schools will offer a variety of business administration degree programs that may emphasize travel, tourism, hospitality, commerce, management, ecommerce, logistics, and operations management. Few degree programs exist specifically in college travel and tourism but a limited number of designated programs are offered. These programs are known as direct degrees that prepare students specifically for a career in travel management and tourism. Travel and tourism degrees can be found by searching schools below.

Travel Management Education Requirements

The educational requirements for a hospitality and tourism degree will vary from program to program. For example, the a tourism management degree will have substantially more business management focus than a travel and tourism degree. Likewise, hospitality and tourism management will infuse more face-to-face customer service interactions given the high-touch industry of hospitality. Examples of common programs found in most travel and tourism courses include:

How to Become a Travel Agent?

Travel agents are required to hold a high school diploma with additional training, certifications, and college degree highly recommended by employers.  Most tourism managers will require a college degree in hospitality and tourism or equivalent.  Travel planning and tourism management courses can be found at community colleges, career colleges, and vocational schools.

In addition to degree requirements and tourism training, travel agents will have substantial on-the-job training.  Computer applications, paper flow, telephone systems, and internal processes are typical on-the-job training components as these will vary from agency to agency.

Certifications are a strong indicator to prospective employers that you are serious about a career as a travel agent.  Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) offers cruise line certifications from Certified to Elite to assess competency.  Alternatively, the Travel Institute offers competency tests for students interested in becoming a travel agent.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Information & Tourism Specializations

Travel managers and tourism specialty jobs can be found in a number of specialty sectors. With travel and tourism account for roughly 8% of our national GDP. Given the massive size of this industry, specializations are available in a variety of services. Employment options and niche careers can include: sales manager, travel agents, event planner, tourism mangers, public speaker, lodging mangers, customer service specialist, marketing analyst, and advertising specialist.

Travel and Tourism Careers

Job titles in the travel industry will vary by geographic location and by company. While the job requirements may be very similar from company to company, the job titles may vary slightly. Examples of job titles of professionals in the travel industry include:

  • Travel Manager
  • Auto Travel Counselor
  • Travel Agent
  • International Travel Consultant
  • Tour Coordinator
  • Travel Consultant
  • Beach Expert
  • Corporate Travel Consultant
  • Destination Specialist
  • Tour Manager
  • Tour Counselor
  • Travel Counselor

Travel Management & Tourism Resources

Additional resources for students seeking information outside academia can be obtained by connecting with various associations. National and regional associations provide access to information and member benefits not found outside such organizations. Examples of travel and tourism resources include:

  • Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)
  • Adventure Travel and Trade Association (ATTA)
  • National Tour Association (NTA)
  • Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA)
  • American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
  • Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)

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