Colleges offer courses designed to prepare students for various tourism careers. Basic curricula vary, but generally follow two types. Degree-oriented curricula offer courses that lead to a bachelor's or master's degree in tourism. While they may include practical courses such as event management and work-study opportunities, students also study academic disciplines that prepare students for travel and tourism management. The second type focuses on specific travel and tourism careers. These may include courses specific to tour operations, travel agents or airlines. Some colleges and training institutes offer certificates that authenticate successful course completion.
Courses leading to a degree teach students the basic disciplines that underlie all business management. Tourism planning courses explore the impact of tourism on the community and environment, such as the construction of a casino, amusement park or expansion of an existing facility. Travel financial classes focus on budgets and money management as it relates to entities such as hotels, airlines and not-for-profit tourist offices. Some courses focus on global tourism and ecotourism, and how international efforts can grow the industry responsibly. Students often elect to concentrate in certain tourism sectors, and take courses that specialize in industries like tour, hotel or car rental management. Others may specialize in destination-oriented courses like convention and tourism bureau management.
Colleges and similar educational institutions offer courses designed to prepare students for a specific tourism job. Travel agents often seek certification from industry professional organizations, and college courses in tourism help fulfill these requirements. Courses focus on ticketing, industry computer reservation systems and geography. Some schools offer tourism certificates, indicating the student completed one or more courses in a specialized field. Popular study areas include airlines, tour operations and hotels. Courses discuss the different marketing approaches for business and leisure customers, and how to meet their special needs.
Many private and state colleges offer curricula leading to a degree. Some colleges only offer a tourism degree at the master's degree level. Junior colleges often provide courses in tourism, from practical job-training-type classes to higher-level management courses. Another option is online education. Online courses provide students with the opportunity to take tourism courses when no local institution exists. These courses may lead to a degree in tourism. Costs are generally less expensive than courses in a college classroom.