Online Degrees in Hospitality and Travel
Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online degrees or certificates in Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism and a detailed list of the programs that are offered.
Expect Growth in Hospitality and Travel
The hospitality and tourism industry may have slowed down during the recession, but it is expected to grow slowly over the next five years. Depending on the degree program you choose, you could find work as a travel agent or in a management position at a hotel or resort.
An Associate's degree in Hospitality and Travel will prepare you for a career as a travel agent. Not only can you get your qualifications relatively quickly (two years or less), you also get discounts on the cost of your own trips. Each day on the job will be unique, since no two clients will have the same travel needs and preferences, and a certain level of patience is needed to ensure that all of them receive an exemplary level of service.
A Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Travel provides a graduate with the skills necessary for entry-level management positions. Some graduates of the program find work as tour operators, while others use their organizational skills to become successful meeting and convention planners.
The Long and the Short of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
A hotel manager is responsible for supervising the business and people part of the running an establishment. Not only is he or she responsible for ensuring that the property remains profitable, but making sure that guest services are provided to the standard that they expect. The manager is responsible for dealing with complaints from guests and resolving disputes between staff members, which means that he or she must have good people skills to be successful in this role.
A person working in this type of job can expect to put in long hours. Since hotels and resorts operate on a 24/7 basis, some evening, weekend and holiday work will be expected as well, and this is a stressful, demanding job.
Jobs for Hospitality and Travel Graduates
Where can someone with a Hospitality and Travel degree find work? Here are some examples of the types of employers a graduate can target in his or her job search:
- Casino
- Conference center
- Cruise line
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Restaurants
- State travel office
- Tour company
- Travel agency
- Visitors bureau
Professional organizations offer resources to students enrolled in degree programs, as well as networking and continuing education opportunities and support. The American Society of Travel Agents web site provides quality information about this career choice, as well as details about scholarships available to students and industry professionals. The American Hotel & Lodging Association also has resources for students and job seekers looking for opportunities in this industry, including information about several available scholarships.
Career Outlook for Jobs in Hospitality and Travel
Travel agents account for just over 105,000 workers in the U.S. in 2008. However, there is a growing popularity for travelers to make vacation plans online. This means that agents with the best chance for success in this industry are able to adapt their travel consultations and services to the web. Other opportunities will open up for those specializing in serving niche markets, such as working with corporate clients or group bookings. Exotic and luxury travel is another area that is growing in popularity and this type of clientele is likely to seek out the expert assistance of a travel agent.
Approximately 59,800 people were employed as lodging managers in 2008. The demand for workers is expected to increase by five percent to the year 2018. This is slower than average for all types of occupations. Employment opportunities will come from existing employees retiring or changing careers. The job market will be more favorable to applicants who do not limit their search to one geographic region or type of accommodation.
Hospitality and Travel Salary Forecast
An entry-level travel agent can expect to be paid between $22,000-$38,000 per year (salary and commission). At the five-year mark, the pay range increases to $29,000-$40,000 per annum. A senior travel agent with 20 years or more of experience will be making $32,000-$45,000 annually.
Salaries for hotel managers vary, depending on the size of the property and the individual's level of experience. A new grad may be hired as a management trainee earning $24,000 per year. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for hotel managers was just over 45K per year.
However, Salary isn't the only thing to look at when considering a career as a lodging manager. Along with base salary, a number of employers in this industry pay a commission based on sales. This figure can increase the basic compensation by up to 25%. Other perks associated with this job may include profit sharing, paid meals and accommodation. Managers working at first-class hotels and resorts can earn six-figure incomes.
Hospitality and Travel Education Requirements
An Associate's degree in Hospitality and Travel will help to prepare a student for work as a travel agent. People who want to work with visitors after they reach their destination should be looking at pursuing a Bachelor's degree program. A four-year program opens up more career options to graduates.
Associate's Degree Curriculum:
- Hospitality and Travel A person enrolled in a two-year educational program will take courses similar to the following: •
- Introduction to Hospitality
- Hospitality Law
- Hospitality Marketing
- Tourism Practices
Travel Selling Bachelor's Degree Curriculum:
Hospitality and Travel A four-year degree program will include Students who choose to enroll in a Bachelor's degree program will take a certain number of general studies courses as well as ones which are directly connected to their area of study. Here are some examples:
- Customer/Guest Service Management
- Destination Geography
- Destination Management Organization
- Dynamics of Tourism
- Essentials of International Food and Beverage
- Food Safety and Sanitation Management
- The Hospitality Field
- Hospitality Financial Management
- Hospitality Law
- Hospitality Sales and Meeting Management
- Hospitality Strategic Marketing
- International Policies of Tourism
- Negotiations and Agreements
- Technology in the Tourism/Hospitality Management Industry
Accredited Colleges and Universities
Online Schools with Hospitality And Travel programs
University of Phoenix
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AA - Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism
This concentration helps students build a foundation of knowledge in an array of food service, lodging management and tourism settings. Courses emphasize the development of leadership competencies and management practices that are valued in today's hospitality industry. Successful completion of this associate degree will help prepare students for further study in related programs at the bachelor's degree level at University of Phoenix.
Ashford University
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BA/Service Management - Hospitality Enterprise
Learn how to manage an enterprise focused on service when you earn your Bachelor of Arts in Service Management from Ashford University. Prepare for a variety of potential careers as a manager, whether in a non-profit organization or in the hospitality, restaurant, or retail industries.
The service sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the US economy. This growth has fueled demand for skilled and effective managers. You will discover how to deliver services in organizations devoted to customer care. Learn to assess logistics in a variety of environments. Your online courses include accounting, human resources, and marketing. Design service metrics and develop human capital strategies. Create exceptional customer experiences with your Bachelor of Arts in Service Management from Ashford University.
Specialization —Hospitality Enterprise
Explore different ways in which hotels and resorts attract and retain customers when you choose to add the Hospitality Enterprise specialization to your Bachelor of Arts in Service Management degree. You will expand your experience with event planning, conferences, and food and beverage control.
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BA/Service Management - Restaurant Enterprise Management
Learn how to manage an enterprise focused on service when you earn your Bachelor of Arts in Service Management from Ashford University. Prepare for a variety of potential careers as a manager, whether in a non-profit organization or in the hospitality, restaurant, or retail industries.
The service sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the US economy. This growth has fueled demand for skilled and effective managers. You will discover how to deliver services in organizations devoted to customer care. Learn to assess logistics in a variety of environments. Your online courses include accounting, human resources, and marketing. Design service metrics and develop human capital strategies. Create exceptional customer experiences with your Bachelor of Arts in Service Management from Ashford University.
Specialization — Restaurant Enterprise Management
Discover how to achieve business success in one of the most artistic of enterprises when you add this specialization to your Bachelor of Arts in Service Management degree. You'll be prepared to succeed in restaurant settings where management skills are essential.
Strayer University
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Bachelor of Business Administration: Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) prepares graduates for a wide range of managerial positions in business, government, and non-profit organizations. Business administration students acquire fundamental as well as practical and professional skills in all phases of business, including decision-making and problem-solving.
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Master of Business Administration: Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration
The MBA program offers a broad set of business management tools while also allowing students a choice of concentration in order to tailor their degrees to fit their careers and learning goals. The program curriculum prepares working professionals to become effective decision makers and managers in a world increasingly affected by globalization, technology, and ethical challenges. It is designed for working professionals from a wide range of backgrounds who wish to advance or enhance their business careers.
Ashworth College
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Career Diploma - Hotel/Restaurant Management
Earning a diploma in Hotel/Restaurant Management can prepare students with the skills and knowledge that it takes to organize and run these customer service oriented fields. Courses for the hotel portion include how to manage the front and back office, the industry structure today, and how to coordinate guest arrivals and departures based on the reservation forecasts. The courses for the restaurant portion contain lessons in services styles, managing the dining room, staffing requirements, and sanitation and safety concerns. The final lessons focus on managing techniques that are useful in both industries to hire and train staff based on foreseeable projections and trends.
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Career Diploma - Travel Agent
Students who earn a Travel Agent Career Diploma can be trained for an exciting, adventurous career as they assist clients create an itinerary for national or worldwide vacations, corporate, or incentive travel. Lessons will cover making reservations for air, cruise, lodgings, and accommodations. Lessons also cover ticketing procedures, visa and passport requirements, and group tour packages. Graduates should also gain an in depth understanding of the hospitality industry and the various means of traveling the globe.
Fortis College Online
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Hospitality Management
The program in Hospitality Management is meant to help the focused student study prepare for this people and service-oriented field. Interested individuals will be those enthusiastic learners who want to work in hotels, restaurants, resorts, for food service or special event companies or caterers. This may be a particularly helpful program for those already employed in the hospitality industry to help the diligent learner work to improve skills required for this career path.
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