Studying tourism management abroad
What is tourism management?
Tourism management is the study of planning, organising, and promoting travel and tourism activities. It focuses on how to manage tourism businesses, destinations, and services efficiently while ensuring a positive experience for visitors. The field covers topics such as sustainable tourism, travel trends, hospitality services, marketing, and cultural exchange.
This subject draws from business, marketing, geography, and social sciences. As a tourism management student, you will explore how destinations attract tourists, how tourism impacts local communities, and how to create memorable travel experiences. Your learning may take you from classrooms to tourist sites, resorts, and cultural landmarks.
Why study tourism management abroad?
Studying tourism management in another country allows you to observe how tourism works in different regions. You could visit famous landmarks, work with local tour operators, or learn from resorts that attract international guests. These experiences give you practical insights that are difficult to gain from textbooks alone.
By studying in different countries, you gain a global perspective on tourism challenges and trends. You also develop skills in cross-cultural communication and build international networks with tourism professionals, businesses, and policymakers.
What you will study
Tourism management programs often combine classroom learning with real-world experience. Key areas of study may include:
- Destination Management – planning and developing tourist locations
- Tourism Marketing – promoting travel services and destinations
- Event and Conference Management – organising large-scale events for visitors
- Sustainable Tourism – implementing responsible tourism practices
- Business and Finance – budgeting, accounting, and managing tourism businesses
- Hospitality Operations – coordinating hotels, resorts, and transport services
- Research and Data Analysis – collecting and interpreting information on travel trends
Many courses also include internships, field trips, or placements with travel agencies, hotels, or tourism boards.
Related subjects you might also like:
- Hospitality Management
- Travel and Transport Management
- Cultural Studies
- Event Management
- Leisure and Recreation Studies
Accreditation
At undergraduate level, you may graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Tourism Management or a related field such as Hospitality and Tourism. Some programs also combine tourism studies with business, marketing, or cultural studies.
At postgraduate level, options include a Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Tourism Management, Hospitality, or International Tourism. Specialisations may focus on eco-tourism, luxury tourism, or destination marketing. Advanced research or academic careers may require a PhD.
Professional accreditation may also be available through recognised tourism or hospitality associations, giving graduates credentials that are recognised internationally.
Careers
A degree in tourism management can lead to careers in travel agencies, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, cultural centres, and tourism boards. Graduates may work as tourism managers, travel consultants, tour operators, event coordinators, or marketing specialists.
Others take roles in sustainable tourism, destination planning, or tourism research. Some graduates become entrepreneurs, opening travel agencies or guided tour businesses, while others work in government or international organisations shaping tourism policies.
The skills you develop are highly valued globally, giving you the opportunity to work in exciting locations, meet people from different cultures, and contribute to creating positive experiences for travelers around the world.