They must be sure of costs and deadlines when booking reservations or accommodations. Professionals in the tourism industry must have organizational skills since they work with numerous clients. They must be able to keep their itineraries, client information, travel documents, and receipts in order. Professionals in the tourism industry should also have a passion for travelling and exploring new destinations. This would greatly benefit their career since they would be able to tell their clients about different areas of the world through personal experience.

Tourism Education Levels Available

Associate’s Degree in Tourism

Obtaining an associate’s degree in tourism will provide students with the knowledge and training needed to acquire entry-level positions in the tourism field. The associate’s degree program in tourism is generally a two-year program and students will take courses in areas such as geography, consumer behaviour, economics, business law, event management, destination marketing, and tourism. Upon graduation, students may obtain professional employment as a resort manager, convention center manager, or visitor information specialist.

 

Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism

A bachelor’s degree in tourism takes approximately four years to complete and upon graduation, students have acquired a solid groundwork of knowledge, sufficient for professional employment in the tourism field. Marketing, business, restaurant management, group tour operations, hospitality management, and economics are just a few of the subject areas covered within these four years. Occupations available to those upon graduation include travel agent, group tour operator, event planner, or hotel manager.

 

Admission Requirements

For most colleges and universities, the admission requirements for an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program in tourism include a high school diploma or its academic equivalent (i.e., GED), a transcript from the high school the student graduated from, SAT or ACT test scores, and an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend along with the application fee. Volunteer and/or work experience in the tourism field should be noted on the application form since this would benefit students during their application process.

 

Tuition and Accreditation

There are numerous factors which affect college and university tuition fees such as public versus private institutions, distance education, government funding, etc. However, below are the average ranges of tuition fees for the two degrees. An associate’s degree in tourism may vary from $ 8,085 to $ 23,871 in tuition fees. A bachelor’s degree in tourism may vary from $ 15,918 to $ 32,617 in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)

 

It is extremely important for students to attend an accredited institution. This tells employers that the applicant graduated from a college or university which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Students who obtain an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in tourism should enroll in a college or university accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

 

Average Annual Salary Ranges for Different Occupations in the Tourism Field

Below are a few average annual salary ranges for different occupations in the tourism field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, keep in mind that there are various aspects which determine an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. Therefore, salaries for the same profession may vary from person to person.

• tour guide $ 17,440 to $ 37,440
• travel agent $ 26,790 to $ 46,970
• event planner $ 39,830 to $ 59,830
• resort desk clerk $ 11,960 to $ 31,960

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