Is tertiary education in tourism and hospitality valuable in the corporate world?
- Christabel Loganathan
- Mar 15, 2017
- 5 min read
The tourism industry has grown enormously over the years and it is currently booming all over the world. The growth of the industry has certainly opened up a range of new job opportunities and interesting fields of study. The tourism industry demands talented individuals who can take responsibility and contribute towards the success of the industry. In recent years there has been a considerable growth in the number of undergraduate and graduate tourism and hospitality management courses and the amount of graduates also have increased vastly.
If you wish to embark on a career in tourism, it is imperative to know what industry accepted educational qualifications will assist you in your career and thereby pursue them. Whether it is a bachelor's degree, master's degree or a professional diploma can be decided based on your job role and time and money constraints. Careers in tourism and hospitality are dynamic and you need to develop a broader understanding of the industry by acquiring a reputed qualification that grants you the required knowledge and skills.
Why have a tertiary qualification in tourism and hospitality?
'Tourism industry doesn't require qualifications, experience is enough', 'Experience is more valuable than qualifications'. If you have been subjected to these phrases in your day to day lives, they are incorrect. It is important to have a recognised qualification in the tourism industry if you are hoping to build a career and advance into managerial positions. Experience is certainly an advantage but it's not solely enough to take you to the top. You need to prove yourself by aiming to develop yourself by achieving a worthy qualification that will enhance your skills and knowledge.
Having a tertiary qualification in tourism and hospitality gives you a range of key benefits. Some of them are as follows;
Fast Employability and a wide range of career opportunities
There is a high chance of employability into the industry as there is a high demand for graduates in this field. Having a degree in tourism and hospitality can certainly open doors for you. According to recent research in tourism and employability, 91.4% of graduates were employed within three months of graduation in managerial, supervisory or general employee level job positions depending on their degree and experience. Moreover, having a degree in tourism enables you to work in a wide range of fields including hotels and resorts, restaurants and commercial food service, meeting and event planning, tourism destinations, leisure, recreation and sports management, airlines, cruises and many more!
The following images reinforce the above facts and proves that graduates of this field have a wide chance of employability and many career opportunities.
Gives a competitive edge that leads to career progression
Hospitality and tourism industry in the past has traditionally been an industry that emphasised on hands-on experience however, the competitive nature of the industry now requires a combination of experience and tertiary qualifications to build a successful management career. It is vital for professionals in the field to build a strong business foundation in order to deliver strong performance in the industry. It is more likely that you may be granted a promotion if you prove yourself by acquiring attractive qualifications in the field that shows your initiative for self development.
Combination of industry knowledge and industry specific skills
Employers are constantly looking for individuals who possess degrees in tourism and hospitality as they have the necessary knowledge and skills to handle responsibilities in the sector. Completing a degree in tourism and hospitality provides a comprehensive knowledge with industry focus skills that will be invaluable to your career. The degree experience will prepare you to groom yourself better for the competitive nature of the industry.
The following images show that a degree in tourism and hospitality is considered an essential educational requirement in most of the tourism and hospitality fields.
Higher salaries resulting from qualifications and experience
The highest salaries are given to those with both experience and qualifications. Those who prove themselves by depicting an initiative to learn and gain experience are rewarded the most. A professional with a bachelor's degree and three to four years' experience in the industry is likely to be paid around £2400 monthly. So if you're already working and haven't acquired a degree, pursue a degree programme in tourism and hospitality. If you haven't started working and you are currently studying , then it would be best to squeeze in some experience.
Looking for a convenient way to work and study?
Learning methods are no longer traditional. Completing a degree doesn't necessarily involve spending three to four years and completing an MBA does not involve studying for two years. Professional bridging qualifications and top up degrees/ MBAs offer a whole new learning experience that is no longer time consuming.
One of the smartest ways to achieve your bachelor's degree in tourism and hospitality from one of the leading universities is by completing a professional bridging qualification/s through the reputed awarding body, Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH) and completing a top up degree through any one of the range of universities including Bournemouth, Wolverhampton, William Angliss Institute, University College of Birmingham, Hotel School of Sydney, London South Bank University, University of Central Lancashire, Griffith University, University of Sunderland, St. Mary's University, University of West London, Coventry College and many more!
This method enables you to have professional qualifications from the world renowned CTH and complete your degree within a shorter duration for a lesser price. This will enable you to work and study as it enables flexibility. You could also progress into completing your MBA in this manner within a lesser duration for a lesser price!
Tourism and Hospitality Education via Online Learning
Catalyst for Academics (CfA) offers you a more convenient option of completing your professional qualification from CTH and directs you to the degree of your choice through the university of your choice via online learning. This enables working and studying at the same time a possible and achievable goal.
The following diagram shows the pathways to complete the required CTH bridging qualification through CfA in order to complete a top up Bachelor's degree, Master's degree or MBA. Based on your current qualifications you could receive exemptions and progress into the latter stages of the CTH diplomas. Contact CfA to receive exemptions.
For more information on courses, entry requirements and university pathways please click here. Seize your opportunity of having a better career in tourism and hospitality by enrolling now!
Contact CfA for more information that will help you choose the course that is best for you!
References
The Degree 360. (2014). What can I do with a degree in hospitality management. Infographic [Online] Available from: http://www.onlinedegrees.com/degree360/visuals/degree-hospitality-management.html. [Accessed: 20th March 2015]
GLION Official Website. (2013). Why Choose Hospitality? Inforgraphic [Online] Available from: http://blog.glion.edu/industry/infographic-why-choose-hospitality-and-glion/ [Accessed: 21st March 2015]
The Job Crowd. (2015). Top Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Companies to work for. Inforgraphic [Online] Available from: http://www.thejobcrowd.com/top-companies-to-work-forq/top-hospitality-leisure-tourism-companies-work [Accessed: 20th March 2015]
British Hospitality Association. (2015). Hospitality Workforce. Infographic [Online] Available from: http://www.bha.org.uk/ [Accessed: 22nd March 2015]
