Monday, February 17, 2014

Create a cultural spectacle within the tourism industry with this program

Tourism helps Toronto’s economic development thrive, with enhancement of structures and systems, boosting economic activity from tourists and community dwellers alike. With such a diverse city, cultural displays and events engulf a big part of the tourism sector. A city’s culture is always a part of a city’s tourist attraction.

It takes several months and years to plan large scale exhibitions and events that will attract a massive crowd. A good understanding of festival management, managing cultural and heritage facilities, and tourism principles &practices are sought-after traits for professionals working in the Tourism industry. Professionals dealing with cultural pieces and tourism can be found working in museums, arts organizations, heritage buildings, the government, and organizations and events devoted to promoting culture and tourism. They are the Event Coordinators, Marketing Coordinators, Art Directors, Volunteer Coordinators, and other positions that may be involved in managing festivals and events.

Although planning the special event may take year of completion, tourism management programs only take a few semesters to help students join this exciting industry. A four-semester program is offered by Toronto’s very own Centennial College to help interested individuals undertake a role in the tourism sector. The Tourism Management – Cultural and Heritage Tourism (1809) program is designed to introduce students to the dimensions of tourism, while giving them valuable practical skills, including a hands-on experience, that are south-after by many employers.

“It focuses primarily on the understanding and appreciation of world cultures (and) world heritage as it relates to tourism,” describes Sonia, one of the faculty members and research associates for the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culture.

This program provides more than a college diploma, but a potential career in various organizations that curates artifacts, promotes culture, and gives back to the community. Its tourism management courses ranges from classes that teach the management of cultural and heritage sites, to classes designed for practical work through business management courses. Students have different channels in applying the knowledge learned in lecture through group projects, case studies, and research assignments. Furthermore, the knowledge and skills from these classes come together to prepare students for a hands-on training in the tourism industry. This field placement takes place in the last semester, where students gain experience working with professionals, real clients, and current issues affecting their field.

Cultural and Heritage Tourism student, Natalie Buckley, was interviewed and she says that her favourite course thus far is the Cross-Cultural Behaviour in Tourism. It involves a great study of cultures around the globe and how they interact with one another. She is also quite excited to put her knowledge to the test with the field placement: “There is an internship aspect to this program. I’m hoping to get into a performance arts venue, because down the road, I’d like to get real event management.”

Centennial’s Tourism Management – Cultural and Heritage Tourism program is the place to start when you want to be involved in managing events and exhibits in the tourism sector’s cultural hub. Students get the best of both worlds: relevant academic training and field experience. The extent of their knowledge is passed on to the Canadian tourism industry as they implement effective strategies to promote and market tourism products and services.

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