What Major Is Hospitality and Tourism?

By Anna Duncan

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry, you may be wondering what major you should choose to prepare yourself for this field. Hospitality and tourism is a diverse industry that encompasses everything from hotels and restaurants to theme parks and cruise lines. As such, there are several different majors that can help prepare you for a career in this exciting field.

One popular major for those interested in hospitality and tourism is hospitality management. This major focuses on the business side of the industry, teaching students about management principles, customer service, marketing, and finance. Students may also learn about specific areas of the industry, such as hotel management or event planning.

Another option is tourism management. This major focuses more specifically on the travel and tourism aspect of the industry, teaching students about destination marketing, tour operations, sustainable tourism practices, and cultural tourism.

If you’re interested in culinary arts or food service management, a degree in culinary arts or hospitality with a focus on food service management could be a good fit. These majors teach students about food preparation techniques, menu planning, kitchen operations, and restaurant management.

In addition to these majors, there are several other areas of study that can help prepare you for a career in hospitality and tourism. For example:

– Event planning: If you’re interested in organizing conferences, weddings, or other special events within the hospitality industry, a degree in event planning could be a good fit.
– Travel writing: If you have strong writing skills and are passionate about travel, a degree in travel writing could help prepare you for careers like travel journalism or travel blogging.
– Cultural studies: If you’re interested in working with tourists from around the world or promoting cultural exchange through tourism initiatives, an area of study like anthropology or cultural studies could be a good fit.

No matter which major you choose to pursue within the field of hospitality and tourism, there are several skills that will be important to develop. Strong communication skills, customer service skills, and problem-solving abilities are crucial in this industry. Additionally, experience in the industry through internships or part-time jobs can be invaluable when it comes to landing a full-time job after graduation.

Overall, the hospitality and tourism industry is a diverse and exciting field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you’re interested in management, food service, event planning, travel writing, or cultural exchange initiatives, there is likely a major that can help prepare you for success in this dynamic industry.