Studying Tourism in Canada

The tourism industry is one of the most important sectors of Canada's economy and many other countries worldwide. Building a career primarily in small or medium-sized businesses, workers in the tourism industry are often versatile, dynamic, hospitable, and resourceful.

Whether it's events, the hotel business and customer service, or travel management, graduates will have all the opportunities to find an exciting career, and qualified workers in the tourism sector are in demand in all provinces of Canada and other countries.

A career in tourism will provide graduates with diverse, valuable, and enriching experiences. Thanks to courses specifically designed to prepare students for the job market, educational programs provide the tools needed to succeed in the industry. This includes mandatory internships in companies, practical experience, excursions, and more.

A flexible schedule, opportunities for rapid career growth, and the joy of working with travelers, explorers, and enthusiasts are just some of the benefits of working in the tourism industry.

Nearly 1.8 million Canadians work in this sector, 31% of whom are young people aged 18 to 35. However, the demand for qualified specialists remains high.

More than a hundred universities in Canada offer various degrees in tourism. Prospective students can choose from:

• One-year programs leading to a certificate
• Two to three-year programs leading to a diploma
• Bachelor's degrees
• Master's degrees

Degrees can be either general or specialized, such as in mountain tourism, hotel management, gastronomic tourism, etc.

In the academic year 2023–2024, some of the top bachelor's programs in tourism in Canada include:

• Humber College - Hospitality and Tourism Management
• SAIT - Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management
• University of Alberta - Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Seneca College - Tourism - Services Management - Travel Services Specialization
• Thompson Rivers University - Tourism Management
• Fanshawe College - Tourism – Travel
• and many more.

"Tourism" is a popular major among international students, offering a wide range of courses of varying durations and levels of preparation. The following programs are particularly popular:

The diploma program in Tourism - Services Management - Travel Services Specialization at Seneca College spans two years of study. It provides everything needed for a successful career in travel, leisure, and corporate tourism.

Throughout the program, students study the tourism industry as a business, with a significant focus on exploring tourist destinations and geography at both local and international levels.

In the second semester, students can continue their studies in "Tourism Services" or switch to "Global Tourism Business." Graduates with a high GPA from this program may enroll in the "Business Management" (BBM) program.

Career Opportunities:

Graduates can find employment in:

• Tourism development and marketing organizations;
• Tourist information centers, national parks, and campsites;
• Resorts, hotels, cruise lines, and aviation companies;
• Roles such as ticket booking specialist, cashier, online merchant;
• Front desk administrator;
• Travel consultant, and more.

The Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program at SAIT is a 2-year program that provides an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in this field.

The School of Hospitality and Tourism at this university has been recognized as one of the top 50 hospitality management schools in the world by CEOWORLD magazine.

Students expand their knowledge in various areas, including:

• Leadership and project management
• Intercultural communication
• Global tourism
• Sales and marketing
• Sustainable development in the tourism industry, and more.

The program includes a series of mandatory and several optional courses. Mandatory courses include:

• Intercultural Communication
• Financial Management in Hospitality and Tourism
• Hotel Business Design and Development
• Project Management
• Global Tourism
• Tourism Policy and Planning, among others.

Career Prospects:

Graduates can find employment as:

• Restaurant and catering services manager
• Accommodation services manager
• Conference and events organizer
• Manager of lodging, travel, tourism, and related services
• Hotel manager and host/hostess
• Hotel front desk clerk, and more.

The Tourism - Travel diploma program at Fanshawe College provides knowledge and practical experience for a career in the tourism industry, including travel businesses, travel agencies, tourism companies, airlines, and more.

This program consists of four academic levels and one paid Co-op semester. Through a wide range of professional courses and industry experience, students are prepared to tackle the limitless challenges of the dynamic tourism/travel industry.

This dynamic program focuses on travel consulting, sales and customer service, flights and fares, group tour management, tourism business operations, package tours, and hotel operations. Tourism courses also cover world geography, the latest computer technologies used in the industry, as well as marketing, customer relations, promotion, and social media skills.

The Co-op semester involves 420 hours of paid work. Students can enjoy an international study trip with a seven-day cruise in the Caribbean, as well as local excursions and regular guest lectures from industry professionals.

In the final semester, students prepare a major project for an international group tour, developing a business plan, marketing plan, and presentation to launch the tour for classmates, colleagues, and industry partners. Students also have the opportunity to participate in student mentoring as part of the Baxter Student Ambassador program.