What Can You Do With a Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree? Top Career Paths

In 2024, the travel and tourism industry in the U.S. was worth approximately $2.4 trillion.¹ This large industry employs professionals in a wide range of capacities and different career fields — from entertainment to dining and beyond. A hospitality and tourism degree can allow you to examine the skills that you might put to use in a variety of careers in hospitality and tourism management.

In This Article:

• What Is Hospitality and Tourism Management?
• Examples of Careers in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Enroll in GCU’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree Program

What Is Hospitality and Tourism Management?

The hospitality and tourism management career field encompasses all functions pertaining to the operation of hotels, resorts, attractions, destinations and similar businesses. Imagine that you’re planning a vacation. You might book a tour with a tour company, research restaurants in the area, check rates at local hotels or bed and breakfasts and create an itinerary of attractions to visit. Every business associated with that hypothetical vacation is part of the hospitality and tourism management field.

If you decide to earn a hospitality and tourism management degree, you’ll examine various aspects of running these types of businesses. You might examine a broad range of relevant topics, such as:

• Business finance and economic fundamentals
• Organizational science and management
• Marketing and advertising for hospitality businesses
• Management and operations of food and beverage services
• Management of revenue and human resources
• Management and operations of hotels and other types of lodgings

Examples of Careers in Hospitality and Tourism Management

With numerous career opportunities in hospitality and tourism management available, you’re sure to find a path that aligns with your interests and strengths. Consider options in management and operations, sales and marketing and many more.

Careers in Management and Operations

If you like the idea of managing and overseeing the daily operations of a business, consider career options such as the following:

Lodging, Resort or Hotel Manager

One of the most common hospitality management jobs you can pursue is becoming a hotel manager. In this role, you will be responsible for the daily management of a hotel and its staff. You will oversee budgeting and financial management, planning and organization. In addition, you will direct all hotel services, such as reservations, food and beverage operations, and housekeeping.

As a hotel manager, you will set an example for the staff members and ensure every hotel employee delivers quality and consistent service to guests. Quality guest service and smooth daily operations go hand-in-hand when working toward achieving business goals.

Food Service Manager

Another hospitality management job to consider is a food service manager. Food service managers are responsible for the operation of restaurants and other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages.

If you enjoy working in a lively, fast-paced environment, this may be the career for you. In addition to ensuring the establishment you work for is making a profit, you will also be responsible for creating a positive reputation for the company.

Strong customer service is crucial in this role, as happy customers are key to keeping the business afloat. Therefore, it is important to keep your customers at the center of everything you do. Other important skills include:²

• Interpersonal communication
• Teamwork
• Organization
• Multitasking
• Problem-solving skills

Revenue Manager

If you enjoy working with numbers, perhaps a career as a revenue manager could be a good fit for you. The revenue manager’s goal is to optimize and continually improve the financial performance of a hotel or other tourism or hospitality business.

Revenue managers work with technological tools, such as databases, and perform data analytics to examine the business’ current financial performance. They then look for opportunities to improve that performance. Revenue managers may also provide their findings and recommendations about pricing and services to executives so they can make informed decisions for the future of the business.

Touring, Entertainment or Recreation Manager

If you enjoy sightseeing, consider a career as a tour, entertainment or recreation manager. Tour managers have detailed knowledge about a particular area, allowing them to guide others and inform them about the location through their tours. For example, you may share your knowledge of the history of a location, as well as the culture of those who live there.

When giving tours, it is important to create a memorable experience for guests. You will also need to ensure that everything runs according to plan — from welcoming guests and guiding them through the tour to sending them off to their next destination.

Sales and Marketing Careers

Every type of business can benefit from proactive marketing management, and the travel and tourism industry is no exception. Consider careers relevant to sales and marketing, such as:

Sales and Marketing Manager

In order for a tourism and hospitality business to be successful, it needs to attract plenty of customers. Sales and marketing managers play a key role in increasing brand awareness, promoting special offers and designing marketing campaigns to drive traffic.

During the course of their work, a sales and marketing manager may:

• Identify and analyze target customers
• Develop the brand’s ideal voice and image and ensure all marketing and sales material aligns with them
• Oversee the sales and marketing team
• Manage the sales and marketing budget

Event and Convention Planning

People often travel to attend specific events, such as industry conventions or weddings. Some examples of careers in the event and convention planning field include:

Event Planner/Personal Service Manager

Event organizers are needed to plan conferences, fundraisers, product launches, weddings and social events of all kinds. Fashion shows, film festivals, book festivals and career fairs are other types of events these professionals might manage.

When planning an event, an event planner or personal service manager may do any of the following:

• Developing and maintaining a budget for the event
• Researching locations and venues and choosing the one that will work best
• Developing the agenda and booking service vendors
• Hiring and training event staff
• Marketing the event
• Overseeing the operations during the event and overseeing the cleanup afterward

Catering Director

A catering director oversees all functions of a catering business. They are generally responsible for hiring and managing a team of caterers, coordinating with suppliers and vendors and creating the menus. The catering director must also:

• Ensure that all staff members adhere to food safety and health guidelines
• Keep the menu and all services within budget
• Ensure the food presentation is up to standards
• Oversee the cleanup following the catering service

Catering directors juggle a variety of tasks, requiring excellent multitasking abilities.

Customer Service and Guest Experience

Those who enjoy working closely with people might gravitate toward a role in customer service and guest experience. Consider the following career opportunities in hospitality and tourism management that focus on guest services:

Receptionist

Receptionists work with clients directly in making reservations and assisting with general customer needs. Receptionists are usually the first person a customer meets during their visit, so it is important to make a good impression. Receptionists are also responsible for checking guests out when their stay is over.

In addition, receptionists may be called upon to troubleshoot any issues guests may be having. They ensure that all phone calls to the establishment get answered in a timely manner and that guests receive the right answers to their questions.

Guest Services Coordinator

The guest services coordinator and the receptionist may be the same type of job at some hotels and other lodgings. In other establishments, there may be separate receptionists and guest services coordinators who handle similar and sometimes overlapping, yet often different tasks.

For example, the guest services coordinator typically focuses on building cordial relationships with the guests so they develop a positive impression of the business. The coordinator may also:

• Coordinate and attend meetings with other customer service professionals to discuss services, programs and establishment policies
• Interact frequently with guests, answering their questions and ensuring their expectations are exceeded
• Handle administrative and managerial tasks
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping

Enroll in GCU’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree Program

The Colangelo College of Business is guided by servant leadership, ethics and entrepreneurism. Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management at GCU will benefit from both didactic classes and hands-on experiences at the university’s hotel and restaurant, providing a first-hand look at the industry. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about your degree options at GCU.