Travel and Tourism Management Associate's Degree
Do you want to help people see the world? Would you like to know the hot spots in exotic locations? If you've always had a desire to work in the travel or tourism industry, you may want to consider pursuing an associate's degree in travel and tourism management. As a travel agent, you assist individuals in making travel arrangements. Schools offering Travel & Tourism degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Do I Really Need a Travel and Tourism Management Associate's Degree?
While on-the-job training is required to learn about a company's operations and making travel arrangements, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that you stand a better chance of being hired in a managerial position in travel and tourism if you have received formal training in an associate's degree program (www.bls.gov).
In an associate's degree program, you develop the computer and communication skills necessary to work in the field. Even though the travel and tourism industry has become more computerized, it still relies heavily on professional contacts and personal knowledge.
What Are Some Program Specifics?
Typical courses you might find in a travel and tourism management associate's degree program include marketing and sales for tourism, cruise and resort operations, customer service, microcomputer applications, communication, composition, applied psychology and destinations. Many programs require you to participate in an externship at a school-approved business.
You may be able to find schools that offer partially online programs. Although you're able to complete didactic courses entirely online, internships require in-person participation. In addition, some courses may be blended, which means some courses are delivered online and others on campus.
You can also find individual online courses offered by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), which is one of the world's largest associations for travel professionals. You can find courses for professional development, continuing education in the field or specializations within the industry.
What's the Occupational Outlook?
In 2010, the BLS projected that there would be little or no change in employment for travel agents from 2008-2018. This may increase the importance of earning a degree, because competition for opening jobs will be high. The latest salary statistics are also from 2010. At that time, the BLS determined that the mean annual wage for travel agents was $33,950.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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