Tourism hospitality management

Tourism hospitality management

The "Tourism and Hospitality Management" (THM) major is designed to prepare undergraduate students for management careers in the tourism and hospitality industries. Students will study the core courses required of all students pursuing a Bachelors of Business Administration degree. This core will provide a foundation of business skills critical for all business students in the College of Business and Leadership. Building on this core business foundation, THM students will take 21 required hours in coursework specific to THM including a required internship. Complementing these required courses will be 12 hours of electives taken from upper-division courses in Management and Marketing. Graduates from this major will be well prepared to assume managerial roles in these industries.

The purpose of the THM program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, values, and strategic perspectives essential to obtaining leadership roles in the hospitality service professions in western Kansas, the region, the domestic market, and throughout the world. Additionally, the THM program would foster research and scholarship that will translate to student excellence in the management of hospitality properties. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, graduates would be able to pursue career paths in most segments of the THM industry, including:

Hotel Operations
Property Management
Marketing for Food and Beverage Operations
Accounting and Finance for Public Relations
Human Resources Food Services in Institutions
Healthcare
Travel and Tourism Research
State Tourism Offices
Convention Centers
The THM industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that between 1997 and 2006 there was a 19.28% growth of jobs in this industry. Currently, over 13 million are employed in the THM industry. The BLS estimates that this industry will grow to employ over 15 million workers by 2014, an increase of 17.7%. Approximately 18% to 20% of this workforce is in managerial, professional, or marketing jobs. Internationally, THM provides approximately 10% of the total world employment. And in many countries, it is the number one industry. The World Tourism Organization estimates that global tourism visitation will grow from 770 million in 2006 to 1,561 million by 2020. China alone is expected to create 100 million international tourists by 2020 from less than 15 million currently. This rapid growth and future projection indicates a strong demand for educated and qualified managers in this industry.

This program will meet the needs of both international students as well as domestic students within the state of Kansas. International students desiring an education in THM will have an opportunity to gain an American business degree with this major including practical work experience in an internship. The THM industry has a major presence along the I-70 corridor between the cities of Kansas City and Denver. This major will provide the needed managers in Kansas for this growing industry. The I-70 Association, a trade association of tourism and hospitality management from the I-70 corridor, upon hearing of our proposal has expressed interest in sponsoring a scholarship in support of the major. The THM industry employees a significant number of minority workers. This creates a special opportunity and need for minority managers in the THM industry. This need will align with the goal for FHSU to attract Hispanic students from southwest Kansas.

Tourism ranks among the top three industries in all 50 states, including Kansas. According to the U.S. Travel Data Center in Washington, D.C., tourism generates over $2 billion every year for the state of Kansas. Additionally, the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration states that tourism greatly surpasses all other industries in generating foreign spending in the U.S; estimations are that this field generates over $50 billion in foreign money annually.

Hospitality Management Schools - Your Key to a New Career?

Looking for a new career? Hospitality Management Schools prepare students for careers in the restaurant industry as well as luxury hotels, motels, resorts, spas, hospitals and more.

Food and beverage, catering, marketing, and sales may be included in hospitality management classes. Four-year Hospitality Management Schools offer Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM), Master of Science in Hospitality Management (MSHM), and Executive Master of Science in Hospitality Management Degree (MSEHM) Programs, as well as Certificate Programs for specializations in various Hotel, Restaurant, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism.

Business colleges and universities often offer hospitality management and tourism programs with the same core courses as other business degrees. Program in hospitality management provide specific courses and have explicit work experience requirements.

Some bachelor degree programs in hospitality management are designed for students who looking for opportunities to advance their careers in hospitality fields. Degrees allow for specialization in upper levels of the hospitality industry in areas of food and beverage services, marketing, business management, human resources, and others.

Master level hospitality management may include areas of entrepreneurship, marketing management, information systems, operations management, and investment. Courses provide skills and knowledge for upper-level positions in areas of the industry that individual students find most appropriate to their career interests. Hospitality management employees may realize opportunities for discounts in lodging and restaurants, which attracts some to this industry.

Hospitality management positions may be found in large and small hotels, motels, and restaurants. Establishments may be commercial, resort, or residential. Hotels and motels of larger sizes will often have banquet rooms and ballrooms to accommodate business meetings, conventions, wedding receptions, and various other gatherings.

If you are interested in learning more about Hospitality Management Schools and positions in this industry, please search our site for additional information and resources.

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Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find more on aHospitality Management Education or look for Online Hospitality Management Programs at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.