Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Administration - Program Information and Career Prospects

The hospitality and tourism industry is diverse and spans across various sectors including, but not limited to:
  • Office management
  • Hotel and restaurant management
  • Food and beverage management
  • Housekeeping management
  • Travel operations
  • Conference management
  • Tour organization – both domestic and international
  • Human resource management
  • Event planning and management
  • Cultural and heritage tourism
  • Facilities management
  • Customer relationship Management
  • Meeting and convention management

The industry offers diverse career choices, but it is fiercely competitive. Those who haven't obtained formal education and training have fewer chances of getting a decent-paying job in this field. A post-secondary diploma program in hospitality and tourism administration opens doors to numerous career opportunities. 

With a formal diploma program, individuals can assume responsibilities related to planning, coordinating, organizing and customer service. In addition to this,

Career Prospects

Tourism and hospitality sector in Canada boasts of generating revenues in excess of $61 billion, employing over 1.6 million Canadians. However, employers are keen on hiring professionals who have undergone a formal training and have hands-on-experience.

Graduate in tourism and hospitality administration can find employment with hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise companies, foodservice companies, travel and tour operators, resorts, vacation planners, casinos, event management firms and public sector companies in Canada.

The professionals can work as tour planners and coordinators, sales and marketing professionals, event coordinators, lodging managers, facilities coordinators and managers, front desk staff, meeting and convention planners, financial accountants, gaming supervisors, activity coordinators, tour guides, camp counselors, administrative assistants, customer service representatives and recreation managers.

A large part of their job comprises of customer service, planning and coordination; however, specific roles and responsibilities may differ depending upon the job title, company they are employed with and work experience.

Hospitality and Tourism Administration Program

Centennial College's three-year diploma in hospitality and tourism administration provides students a comprehensive understanding of tourism industry in Canada, covering a full range of business practices in areas of human resources, marketing, finance and industry operations.

First Year

The program covers a wide range of subjects including dimensions of tourism, hospitality and tourism marketing, beverage knowledge and bartending, sanitation, safety and hygiene and theory of food in the first semester. During the second semester, students learn about cultural and heritage tourism, kitchen and dining room practices, hospitality accounting and business communication and presentation.

Second Year

The third semester is designed to provide students an understanding of Ontario culture and heritage tourism, customer relationship management, professional communication, front office operations, principles of hospitality management and wholesale tour operations. In the fourth semester, students develop an understanding of hotel sales and marketing, housekeeping and facilities management, meeting and convention management and principles of food, beverage and labour cost controls.

Third Year

Students study marketing strategies, responsible tourism, hospitality and tourism law and security and hospitality and tourism entrepreneurship in the fifth semester. The sixth semester is dedicated to provide students hands-on-experience through field placement.

The program combines classroom learning, lab practice and field placement. Graduates of this program can either pursue a career in the field of hospitality and tourism or choose to study further by enrolling in a degree program.

Enrolling in a Post-Secondary Hospitality and Tourism Program

To apply for this program, you need:
  • Secondary school diploma or equivalent
  • English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent

Students currently in high school are also eligible to apply for this program.

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