Is Hospitality and Tourism a Good Major?

By Alice Nichols

If you are considering a major in hospitality and tourism, you might be wondering if it is a good choice. The short answer is yes! Hospitality and tourism are thriving industries that offer many opportunities for graduates.

What is Hospitality and Tourism?

Hospitality and tourism involve the provision of services to people who are away from home, either for business or leisure. This can include everything from hotels and restaurants to theme parks and cruise ships.

Why Choose a Major in Hospitality and Tourism?

There are many reasons why hospitality and tourism make great majors. Here are just a few:

  • Job Growth: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the hospitality industry is expected to grow by 10% between 2016-2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
  • Diverse Career Opportunities: With a degree in hospitality and tourism, you can work in a variety of settings, including hotels, restaurants, theme parks, cruise ships, event planning companies, travel agencies, and more.
  • International Opportunities: Hospitality and tourism are global industries that offer opportunities to work abroad or with international clients.
  • Creative Freedom: If you enjoy working in an environment where creativity is highly valued, then hospitality and tourism might be the perfect fit for you. Whether you’re designing menus or planning events, there is plenty of room for creativity.

Courses You Can Expect to Take

If you decide to major in hospitality and tourism, here are some courses that you can expect to take:

Introduction to Hospitality Management

This course provides an overview of the hospitality industry and covers topics such as hotel management, food service management, event management, and tourism.

Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism

In this course, you will learn how to market hospitality and tourism services to consumers. You will study consumer behavior, advertising, public relations, and social media marketing.

Food and Beverage Management

This course will teach you the fundamentals of food service management. You will learn about menu planning, food safety, inventory management, and cost control.

Skills You Will Develop

A degree in hospitality and tourism will help you develop a range of skills that are highly valued by employers. Some of these skills include:

  • Customer Service: You will learn how to provide excellent customer service to guests.
  • Communication: Working in hospitality and tourism requires excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
  • Leadership: Many roles in hospitality require leadership skills to manage teams effectively.
  • Creativity: As mentioned earlier, creativity is highly valued in the hospitality industry.
  • Critical Thinking: You will learn how to think critically when solving problems related to guest satisfaction or event planning.

The Bottom Line

All in all, a major in hospitality and tourism can be an excellent choice for those looking for a challenging yet rewarding career path. With diverse career opportunities, job growth potential, international opportunities, creative freedom, as well as the chance to develop important skills that equip one for any job or entrepreneurship venture; it is no wonder why so many students choose this major.