According to Academic Info, pursuing a hospitality and tourism degree online will involve many of the same aspects as would be found in a traditional classroom. Instead of being presented in a classroom, the courses may be delivered via virtual classrooms, chat rooms or by video presentations. Additional courses may be required by students in general education and to learn how to use a particular school’s online program or to improve or develop basic computer skills. Depending on the student’s intended specialization, the courses needed and taken will vary, but generally fall into the management, tourism, hospitality, business and technology categories.
Management Courses
Specific management courses related to hospitality and tourism will be required for those hoping to pursue a managerial position. Management courses may focus on specific areas of management relative to hospitality and tourism. Course titles may include Museum Management, Club Management, Facilities Management, Quality Management, Hotel and Catering Management, Hospitality Management and Tourism Management. Each of these courses would strive to prepare the students for higher levels or senior positions in the hospitality and tourism industry. According to the Online Appalachian Program , for example, a Museum Management Course may focus on archives, conservation and preservation of collections or an overview of managing collections and exhibits. Additional courses may focus on the use of automated information systems and technological applications. These programs online make use of training kits, video education and photo documentations.
Tourism Courses
The tourism aspect of a degree program in hospitality and tourism will have courses covering the cultural, planning and marketing aspects of tourism. In addition courses may cover heritage management and sustainable tourism. In an online tourism course, students might study global markets, market trends, popular destinations, booking and flight systems, making travel arrangements. However, students may be expected to travel to specific destinations for experience. An ACS Distance Education Special Interest Tourism course covers the types of tourism, events and festivals, health and adventure tourism, tour packages, accommodation types and sectors of the tourism industry.
Customer Relations and Hospitality Courses
Students seeking a hospitality and tourism degree should expect to take core hospitality courses focusing on the hospitality industry, nutrition, customer service, food service industry, safety and sanitation. Additional courses may deal with industry specific education, such as, Bed and Breakfast Management, Front Desk Operations, Bar Service, Catering, Global Distribution, Event Management, Destination Marketing or Travel Destination Geography. An Online Introduction to the Hospitality Industry at Isenberg School of Management course covers the components, development, and future of the hospitality industry. The course also specializes in the areas of food service, lodging, travel management and operations.
Technology Courses
Technology courses will also be necessary for hospitality and tourism students. In order to take online class basic computer knowledge and skills will be necessary. In the hospitality and tourism industry students will also need to have a thorough understanding of technology and information systems. The hospitality industry computer systems course for a home study course through HTM provides an example of a thorough computer course. This course covers all of the industry basics including reservations, sales management, general accounting, and food and beverage sales and essential aspects of a computer system. The student should strive for efficiency.
Business Courses
Business courses may overlap with management courses but should cover basic accounting courses. Additional courses may include Hospitality Purchasing Management, Food and Beverage Cost Controls and Financial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry. Students studying for an online bachelor’s degree from Strayer University in Hospitality and Tourism Management are required to study the laws and practices that apply to hotels, tourist attractions and restaurants.
References
Online MBA Degree in Hospitality & Tourism MBA , Academic Info
Historical Information Management Program, Appalachia Program
Hospitality Industry Computer Systems, HTM
Tourism II-BTR 204 Special Interest Tourism, ACS Distance Education
BBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Strayer University, Online Education Database Strayer University
Hospitality and Tourism Management, San Francisco State University
Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Isenberg
