Read about the courses you could take in an online bachelor's degree program in travel and tourism management, and find out how online programs work. Get info on the work environment for travel and tourism professionals, such as travel agents, and check your job prospects in the field.
What Does an Online Bachelor's Degree in Travel and Tourism Management Involve?
You'll find an online bachelor's degree in travel and tourism management covers topics such as the airline operations, hotel and restaurant management, convention and event management and international travel. Other program topics cover marketing, computer reservation systems, hospitality management, food and beverage management, lodging and accounting.
With an online bachelor's degree, you'll enhance your current skills and increase opportunities for employment in the hospitality and travel industry. An online program gives you the flexibility in your schedule to work while studying for your degree.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Benefits of Online Program</b></td><td>Students will be able to continue gaining work experience while working towards their degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td>Restaurant management, hospitality marketing, destinations and cultures, geography, software applications</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Possible Careers</b></td><td>Travel agent, property manager, cruise or airline employee</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$56,670 <i>(Lodging Managers)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td>12% decline <i>(Lodging Managers)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesWillITake">What Courses Will I Take?</h3><p>The courses in these online programs cover various aspects of the hotel, airline, restaurant and tourism industries. You'll also learn techniques to improve your communication and management skills. Program courses may include:
</p><ul><li>Food service
</li><li>Restaurant management
</li><li>Hospitality marketing
</li><li>Destinations and cultures
</li><li>Hospitality property management
</li><li>Geography
</li><li>Sales and marketing
</li><li>Software applications
</li><li>Booking procedures
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhereCanIWork">Where Can I Work?</h3><p>Upon graduation, you may seek employment in various travel and tourism fields. If you want to work as a travel agent, you must be capable of creating entire travel packages, including booking travel tickets, reserving lodging and planning events for your customers. For tourism property managers, you'll need skills in food service, marketing, sales and hospitality management. You may also seek direct employment with cruise companies or airlines as well.
</p><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job applicants with the most training and education will have better job prospects in the travel and tourism industry (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The BLS noted this is especially true for travel agents because evolving technology now allows many people to book their own trips. While the BLS expects an overall decline in employment for travel agents, those who specialize in certain locations or in specific types of customers (e.g., business travelers) will likely have the best job opportunities.</p>
