Program Highlights

Build on your existing diploma or degree credentials to launch a career in the growing international tourism and hospitality management industry. Gain a solid understanding of hospitality and tourism operations through a global lens, combining practical hands-on experience in hotel, restaurant and event management with core business skills in accounting and marketing.

In your first year, you’ll develop your management skills through a combination of theory-based and applied courses. Principles of accounting and marketing are quickly put into practice as you hone your skills in the Third Course Bistro and through the creation of special events.

In year two, you will specialize in either hospitality or sustainable tourism and complete a mandatory four-month internship, either locally or internationally depending on your career goals. You have the option to study a foreign language or to pursue a dual specialty in both sustainable tourism and hospitality. These options well-prepare you for transfer into a number of tourism, hospitality or business degree programs across Canada. Either way, you'll gain skills in human resources, strategic and international business management.

Hospitality Option: Study international hospitality management and develop the skills needed to understand the complexities of managing international hotel and restaurant operations, identify global ownership and management models and learn how different values, attitudes and beliefs affect employees, clients and cultures. Courses in food and beverage service and general business management will enhance your skills and understanding of this dynamic sector.

Sustainable Tourism Option: Get an overview of the challenges facing tourism managers and operators in today's environmentally sensitive market and an understanding of cultural sustainability within the field. Explore the relationship between tourism, recreation, and resort management in conjunction with the natural resources they use while hearing directly from industry, stakeholder, and government speakers. Courses in entrepreneurship, special events management and law provide a broader perspective of the industry and an international field trip gives you a chance to see it all in action.

Career Opportunities:

As a graduate, you will qualify for leadership and management opportunities in luxurious hotels and resorts across the tourism and hospitality industry, including hotel and restaurant management, human resources management, sales and marketing management and hotel revenue/ financial management.

Some graduates have chosen to operate their own tourism business, while others choose to work in small or large tourism organizations on Vancouver Island, Whistler, Vancouver and around the world.