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Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Gain essential skills in executive management, leadership and analytics -- all while staying current on hospitality and tourism industry trends. Learn from leading instructors, tackle real-world challenges, and join a top-ranked program to become a customer experience expert and distinguish yourself in the competitive field of hospitality management.

Ready to Become a Boilermaker?

Leverage innovations to become an effective engineer while delivering customer service excellence..

Elevate your career with Purdue’s online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management program. Offered by the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality, Purdue’s innovative program is designed for managers in tourism, events, hotels or restaurants. Gain essential skills in executive management, leadership and analytics — all while staying current on industry trends.

Learn from leading researchers, tackle real-world challenges and join a #1-ranked program to become a customer experience expert (UniversityHQ, 2023). Become an experience engineer and stand out in the dynamic field of hospitality and tourism management.

Program Specifics

Learn more about the master of science in hospitality and tourism management.

Learn from Purdue’s acclaimed hospitality and tourism faculty – experts in hotel and restaurant management, customer service innovation and more. Tailor your leadership skills for the unique challenges of the hospitality field, acquire global perspectives for managing diverse organizations, and refine your communication and critical-thinking skills.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

• Leading People in Service Industries (HTM 50600)
• Integrated Marketing Communications for Service Industries (HTM 50700)
• Cultivating a Service Excellence Mindset (HTM 50800)
• Service Experience Design (HTM 50900)
• Strategic Revenue Management in Service Industries (HTM 51000)
• Strategy in Service Industries (HTM 51300)
• Business Analytics for Service Industries (HTM 51400)
• Consumer Behavior (HTM 50400)
• Hotel Asset Management and Investment (HTM 50500)  
• Cultivating a Service Mindset for Healthcare Professionals (HTM 55300)
• Designing the Patient Experience for Contemporary Healthcare Systems (HTM 55400)
• Investing in Healthcare Human Capital (HTM 55500)
• Other Electives – Students will have the opportunity to choose curated electives to support specific career goals. Please speak to your enrollment counselor for details.

Tuition and Fees

$766.30 per credit hour (In-State Residents) $843.80 per credit hour (Out-of-State Residents)

30 total credit hours.

Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid:

• US federal financial aid
• US veterans financial aid

Career Outcomes

Top Job Titles

• General Managers
• Guest Service Representatives
• Food and Beverage Managers
• Night Auditors
• Receptionists

Top Industries

• Hotels and Motels
• Limited- and Full-Service Restaurants
• Event Management

Source: LightcastTM (2023). Unique job postings for July 2022-2023. Projected growth for years 2023-2033.

News & Events

Featured story.

INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE SPARKS COLLABORATION ACROSS FOUR PURDUE COLLEGES TO EXPLORE AI AND WELL-BEING

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 1:59pm

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Ranked No. 1, Purdue’s 100% online hospitality and tourism management master’s is a hot commodity

May 2, 2023 1:49pm

PURDUE HTM RESEARCHERS: AUTHENTIC INDIGENOUS TOURISM A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, IF DONE RIGHT

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 2:09pm

Are you ready to join the Purdue  innovators  and  changemakers  always striving to make giant leaps forward in our industries and fields? Start your application today!

You are not alone in taking your next giant leap. Get your questions answered, receive application help, or plan your degree journey by speaking with an enrollment counselor. Request more information today. 

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• MS in Travel and Tourism Management

Master's in Travel and Tourism Management

100% online, on-site, and hybrid study options.

One of the largest industries in the world, travel and tourism management has rapidly expanded in recent years. Post-pandemic travel will create a whole new range of opportunities and will require nuanced skill sets to meet pent-up consumer demand and changing industry standards. Beginning in Fall 2021, the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality will offer the NEW MS in Travel and Tourism Management , designed to provide students with a deep understanding of this fast-growing industry, while equipping them to adapt to emerging trends including sustainable tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and bleisure travel. This innovative degree will afford the benefits and resources of studying at NYU , while immersing you in New York City—the world’s premier destination for international travel.

Degree Advantage

• 36-credit program of study
• Prepares you for a range of travel and tourism jobs
• Core curriculum and electives focus on trends in travel and tourism, tourism planning, digital marketing, visitor management, travel technology, and destination branding 
• Internships at leading hotels, resorts, media companies, and travel agencies
• Study abroad opportunities and industry site visits
• Full- or part-time study options
• 100% online, on-site, and hybrid degree options available
• New Hospitality Innovation Hub for students, start ups, and industry partners
• Tisch Center Scholarships

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Authoritative curriculum information can be found exclusively in the  University Bulletin . All other content, including this web-page, is for informational purpose only.  You can find the curriculum for this program on  this page  of the Bulletin.

Explore Graduate Opportunities at NYU SPS

Join an upcoming online session to learn more about our graduate degree programs including the MS in Travel and Tourism Management. As an attendee of an Explore Graduate Opportunities at NYU SPS session, you will meet members of our team and have the opportunity to ask questions about the program and application process.

6:00 PM until 7:30 PM EDT  

Who Should Earn the MS in Travel and Tourism Management?

Whether you just earned your undergraduate degree, are working in another field and are thinking about career change or are already working in the travel and tourism industry, earning this degree will challenge you to discover new ways of thinking about destinations and how technology can support them. It will equip you with the skills needed to attract and retain visitor markets and manage tourism effectively and sustainably.

ALUMNI SUCCESS STORY

Maria tuttocuore ‘02.

Maria Tuttocuore was already working in the travel industry when she decided to pursue a master's degree. She sensed that earning a degree in the field of travel and tourism would better position her for success by providing her with hands-on experience in the field and the opportunity to network. During her time at the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, she completed two internships—one at Leading Hotels of the World and the other at the New York State Division of Tourism . She credits these two experiences with opening the doors to a job at the Monaco Government Tourist Office , where she was promoted to a senior executive sales & marketing position. Her experience in luxury travel and extensive knowledge in destination marketing and leisure trade led her into launching her own travel destination marketing and management company UNICA Journeys LLC based in New York City. Today she represents and consults a varied portfolio of international luxury travel companies.

Learn From Travel and Tourism Faculty Experts

Faculty members are respected experts in areas such as cultural tourism, sustainable tourism, corporate travel management, among other specialities. From working at tourist bureaus, to developing destination marketing campaigns, to managing attractions, their expertise is invaluable in providing insights into the latest travel and tourism trends. Their support and deep dedication is what makes earning a degree from the Tisch Center transformational.

Expand Your Horizons Through Study Abroad

A major advantage of the MS in Travel and Tourism is the opportunity to participate in Global Field Intensives (GFIs). These travel experiences provide international business perspective and attune students to changes in the industry, including the rise of sustainable tourism, which focuses on developing stellar travel and tourism experiences, while monitoring impacts on the environment and local residents. Recent GFIs include trips to: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Prague, and Berlin.

Connect Through Invaluable Networking Opportunities

The MS in Travel and Tourism Management provides unsurpassed networking opportunities through the annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference ; the Grossinger-Bergman Distinguished Lecturer Series, fireside chats with the likes of Roger Dow , president and CEO of the US Travel Association; and industry site visits. These enlightening opportunities make earning a Tisch Center degree a game-changing education and professional experience.

Internships and Job Opportunities

Through the Tisch Center of Hospitality and the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS , MS in Travel and Tourism Management students have the opportunity to complete internships that provide the hands-on experience needed to accelerate their careers. Many of these internships evolve into permanent jobs. Our graduates go on to careers at tourism bureaus, destination marketing firms, online travel agencies, and attractions, as well as other travel and tourism organizations including the following:

• Arena Destination Marketing • Dubai Tourism Authority • Myriad Travel Marketing • NYC & Company

• Skylark • Tourico Holidays • Visit Britain

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is travel and tourism management.

Travel and tourism management involves the coordination, planning, marketing, and delivery of travel services. Examples of travel and tourism organizations and entities include destinations, attractions, airlines, cruise lines, museums, cultural institutions, and travel and tourism related booking services. The tourism sector includes both leisure travel and business travel.

How does this degree differ from other travel and tourism degrees?

The MS in Travel and Tourism Management differs from other travel and tourism degrees due to its focus on business, technology, and entrepreneurship. The degree’s curriculum is delivered by academic scholars and business professionals. You will be able to immediately apply what you learn in the field of travel and tourism in New York City, the world’s top travel and tourism destination.

What can you do with a travel and tourism degree?

Earning a travel and tourism degree will allow you to begin or advance your career in the global tourism industry. It will prepare you for travel and tourism jobs and leadership roles in the public, private, and voluntary sector, including those with destination management organizations, online travel agents, tour operators, attractions, and transportation companies.

What types of travel and tourism jobs are available?

There are a multitude of travel and tourism jobs and career opportunities available, because the sector is so large and varied. Examples of travel and tourism employers include national and regional tourist offices, travel intermediaries, airlines, cruise lines, theme parks, travel technology companies, and nature tourism providers.

What are the advantages of earning a master's of travel and tourism management in NYC?

The advantage of earning your master’s degree in travel and tourism management in New York City is that you will be studying in one of the world’s leading travel and tourism destinations. New York City is a transportation hub, and is home to world-famous tourist attractions including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the 911 Memorial & Museum, the High Line, and Broadway, among so many others. The City becomes your professional base for establishing your career in a destination that attracts millions of tourists each year.

2024 Best Colleges with Hospitality and Tourism Management Degrees in America

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Best programs

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• Most diverse
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Social scene

• Best greek life
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• Best locations
• Safest campuses
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• Best for student athletes

1-25 of 693 results

Cornell University

• Ithaca, NY ·
• · Rating 3.79 out of 5   2,088 reviews
• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 7%
• Net price $26,060
• SAT range 1470-1570

#22 Best Colleges in America .

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ITHACA, NY ,

2088 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

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Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $26,060 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1570 ,

Boston University

• Boston, MA ·
• · Rating 3.69 out of 5   3,649 reviews
• Acceptance rate 14%
• Net price $27,829
• SAT range 1350-1500

#38 Best Colleges in America .

BOSTON, MA ,

3649 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

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Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $27,829 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1500 ,

New York University

• New York, NY ·
• · Rating 3.76 out of 5   5,754 reviews
• Acceptance rate 12%
• Net price $29,499

#45 Best Colleges in America .

NEW YORK, NY ,

5754 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

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Acceptance Rate : 12% ,

Net Price : $29,499 ,

Troy University

• · Rating 3.74 out of 5   1,975

Western Kentucky University

• BOWLING GREEN, KY
• · Rating 3.74 out of 5   2,287

San Francisco State University

• SAN FRANCISCO, CA
• · Rating 3.53 out of 5   3,726

University of Georgia

• Athens, GA ·
• · Rating 3.99 out of 5   5,790 reviews
• Acceptance rate 43%
• Net price $17,180
• SAT range 1220-1420

#49 Best Colleges in America .

ATHENS, GA ,

5790 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

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Read 5790 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 43% ,

Net Price : $17,180 ,

SAT Range : 1220-1420 ,

Florida State University

• Tallahassee, FL ·
• · Rating 3.88 out of 5   7,670 reviews
• Acceptance rate 25%
• Net price $14,003
• SAT range 1210-1370

#53 Best Colleges in America .

TALLAHASSEE, FL ,

7670 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

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Acceptance Rate : 25% ,

Net Price : $14,003 ,

SAT Range : 1210-1370 ,

Virginia Tech

• Blacksburg, VA ·
• · Rating 3.99 out of 5   4,170 reviews
• Acceptance rate 57%
• Net price $19,301
• SAT range 1240-1430

#55 Best Colleges in America .

BLACKSBURG, VA ,

4170 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Personally, I was afraid of coming to VT at first. I come from a very diverse city area, so going to a PWI in the middle of no where was very scary for me. Overall, I learned that VT is way more... .

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Acceptance Rate : 57% ,

Net Price : $19,301 ,

SAT Range : 1240-1430 ,

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Texas A&M University

• College Station, TX ·
• · Rating 4.06 out of 5   7,885 reviews
• Acceptance rate 63%
• Net price $20,375
• SAT range 1150-1390

#61 Best Colleges in America .

COLLEGE STATION, TX ,

7885 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says This was a great school to attend! There were so many traditions to participate in and the people that you met were so friendly. Academics were great too, the professors are easy to work with and... .

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Acceptance Rate : 63% ,

Net Price : $20,375 ,

SAT Range : 1150-1390 ,

University of South Florida

• Tampa, FL ·
• · Rating 3.82 out of 5   7,575 reviews
• Acceptance rate 44%
• Net price $11,004
• SAT range 1140-1330

#67 Best Colleges in America .

TAMPA, FL ,

7575 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Academic Excellence: USF offers a wide range of programs and is known for its research opportunities. Many students appreciate the strong emphasis on academics and the support for undergraduate... Diverse Community: USF has a diverse student body, which enriches the campus culture. Students from various backgrounds contribute to a vibrant and inclusive community. Location: Situated in Tampa, Florida, USF provides students with access to a bustling city environment. The proximity to beaches and year-round warm weather is a big plus for many students. Student Life: With numerous student organizations, clubs, and events, USF offers a dynamic student life. Sports, especially football, and the associated school spirit are significant aspects of the... Support Services: USF provides robust support services, including academic advising, career services, and mental health resources. These services are designed to help students succeed both... .

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Acceptance Rate : 44% ,

Net Price : $11,004 ,

SAT Range : 1140-1330 ,

The Ohio State University

• Columbus, OH ·
• · Rating 3.92 out of 5   5,913 reviews
• Acceptance rate 53%
• Net price $19,582
• SAT range 1310-1480

#68 Best Colleges in America .

COLUMBUS, OH ,

5913 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

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Read 5913 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 53% ,

Net Price : $19,582 ,

SAT Range : 1310-1480 ,

University of Central Florida

• Orlando, FL ·
• · Rating 3.83 out of 5   22,404 reviews
• grade  A Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 41%
• Net price $13,108
• SAT range 1200-1360

#76 Best Colleges in America .

ORLANDO, FL ,

22404 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says The University of Central Florida provide students with a broad variety of programs of study, resources, and extra-curricular opportunities. Campus is huge and extremely lively. The school make it... .

Read 22404 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 41% ,

Net Price : $13,108 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1360 ,

Purdue University

• West Lafayette, IN ·
• · Rating 3.83 out of 5   5,166 reviews
• Net price $12,576
• SAT range 1200-1470

#79 Best Colleges in America .

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN ,

5166 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Purdue is a fantastic institution that offers more opportunities in every single category once could consider a career in. I have several topics of interest, ranging from business intelligence to... Although Purdue and the city of West Lafayette is strict with "Party Life", it is a point that holds their underlying ivy-league status. It is a bipartisan institution that is provides for their... .

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Net Price : $12,576 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1470 ,

Michigan State University

• East Lansing, MI ·
• · Rating 3.91 out of 5   6,326 reviews
• Acceptance rate 88%
• Net price $22,803
• SAT range 1160-1360

#86 Best Colleges in America .

EAST LANSING, MI ,

6326 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Michigan State University is a fantastic place to be! The campus is expansive, with lots of academic buildings and recreational spots. Professors here are generally supportive, although some courses... .

Read 6326 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 88% ,

Net Price : $22,803 ,

SAT Range : 1160-1360 ,

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Florida International University

• Miami, FL ·
• · Rating 3.78 out of 5   7,560 reviews
• Acceptance rate 64%
• Net price $9,881
• SAT range 1060-1250

#87 Best Colleges in America .

MIAMI, FL ,

7560 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Other says Florida International University is a fantastic setting for growth and education. FIU provides a really engaging experience, from its energetic campus culture to its committed teachers and diverse... .

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Acceptance Rate : 64% ,

Net Price : $9,881 ,

SAT Range : 1060-1250 ,

George Washington University

• Washington, DC ·
• · Rating 3.66 out of 5   2,250 reviews
• Acceptance rate 49%
• Net price $42,723
• SAT range 1330-1490

#96 Best Colleges in America .

WASHINGTON, DC ,

2250 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I thoroughly enjoyed my overall experience at GWU! Although guidance pertaining to my studies/next steps following my education was sometimes difficult to seek (I graduated with a BA in Psychological... .

Read 2250 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 49% ,

Net Price : $42,723 ,

SAT Range : 1330-1490 ,

Oklahoma State University

• Stillwater, OK ·
• · Rating 3.95 out of 5   3,758 reviews
• Acceptance rate 71%
• Net price $16,718
• SAT range 1010-1250

#97 Best Colleges in America .

STILLWATER, OK ,

3758 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Oklahoma State University is an amazing place. After touring many campuses before choosing OSU, I realized that OSU was the only one that truly felt like home. The people there are very friendly and... .

Read 3758 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 71% ,

Net Price : $16,718 ,

SAT Range : 1010-1250 ,

Auburn University

• Auburn, AL ·
• · Rating 4.01 out of 5   2,615 reviews
• Net price $25,271
• SAT range 1220-1380

#103 Best Colleges in America .

AUBURN, AL ,

2615 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I absolutely loved both my undergraduate and current graduate experiences at Auburn. The town is small but progressive. There is literally a place for everyone here. You can be as involved as you want to be, all you have to do Is look around to find a group. Greek life is active but not necessary to enjoy your time here. Academics are rigorous, but professors are... The sports are great and so much fun. The whole town loves everything Auburn. It’s so much more than football. Our soccer and gymnastics are sold out every week! We love Auburn and everything it... As a major R1 institution, we value research and are actively engaged in world changing work. There is literally something for everyone here. .

Read 2615 reviews.

Net Price : $25,271 ,

SAT Range : 1220-1380 ,

• University Park, PA ·
• · Rating 3.9 out of 5   7,617 reviews
• Acceptance rate 55%
• Net price $26,747
• SAT range 1210-1390

#104 Best Colleges in America .

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA ,

7617 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I love every aspect of Penn State. I started at PSU during the freshman summer session and it was an amazing opportunity to get acclimated to the school. Almost every professor I have had, I have... .

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Acceptance Rate : 55% ,

Net Price : $26,747 ,

SAT Range : 1210-1390 ,

Arizona State University

• Tempe, AZ ·
• · Rating 3.81 out of 5   11,892 reviews
• Acceptance rate 90%
• Net price $14,808
• SAT range 1100-1320

#106 Best Colleges in America .

TEMPE, AZ ,

11892 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says The campus location Arizona state is the best! Tempe has many great food options likes cafes, bakeries and restaurants. There's many shopping opportunities like farmers market, flea markets along... .

Read 11892 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 90% ,

Net Price : $14,808 ,

SAT Range : 1100-1320 ,

University of Massachusetts Amherst

• Amherst, MA ·
• · Rating 3.97 out of 5   5,542 reviews
• Net price $22,291
• SAT range 1260-1480

#107 Best Colleges in America .

AMHERST, MA ,

5542 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says I think the University of Massachusetts-Amherst is, overall, a very lovely school to attend. It's in a gorgeous part of Amherst with scenic views.The professors at this university have all been great... .

Read 5542 reviews.

Net Price : $22,291 ,

SAT Range : 1260-1480 ,

University of Mississippi

• University , MS ·
• · Rating 3.91 out of 5   2,282 reviews
• Acceptance rate 97%
• Net price $14,289
• SAT range 1030-1220

#115 Best Colleges in America .

UNIVERSITY , MS ,

2282 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My overall experience with the university of Mississippi has been great. As a black African-American woman attending the university of Mississippi, Id say I have a lot of opportunities at the... .

Read 2282 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 97% ,

Net Price : $14,289 ,

SAT Range : 1030-1220 ,

University of South Carolina

• Columbia, SC ·
• · Rating 3.87 out of 5   4,660 reviews
• Net price $22,427
• SAT range 1180-1380

#116 Best Colleges in America .

COLUMBIA, SC ,

4660 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My experience at University of South Carolina as a transfer student has been exceptional. Compared to my previous University, there are a plethora of dining options in many different locations.... .

Read 4660 reviews.

Net Price : $22,427 ,

SAT Range : 1180-1380 ,

University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee

• Sarasota, FL ·
• · Rating 3.94 out of 5   100 reviews
• Acceptance rate 24%
• Net price $2,734
• SAT range 1160-1290

#117 Best Colleges in America .

SARASOTA, FL ,

100 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I absolute love this school. Im an introvert so it helps that its smaller and more compact when compared to other campuses. .

Read 100 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 24% ,

Net Price : $2,734 ,

SAT Range : 1160-1290 ,

Iowa State University

• · Rating 3.86 out of 5   4,018 reviews
• Net price $15,310
• SAT range 1090-1350

#121 Best Colleges in America .

4018 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Hi, I am currently enrolled in Iowa State University as a freshman. When I participated in my orientation, I was super nervous. Most of the tour aides and faculty I met were extremely welcoming and... My overall experience with Iowa State University has been great so far! .

Read 4018 reviews.

Net Price : $15,310 ,

SAT Range : 1090-1350 ,

The University of Alabama

• Tuscaloosa, AL ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   4,826 reviews
• Acceptance rate 80%
• Net price $20,592
• SAT range 1130-1410

#123 Best Colleges in America .

TUSCALOOSA, AL ,

4826 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says I have been to multiple colleges before attending the Univesity of Alabama, including other universities as well as community colleges. I have never enjoyed my college experience as much as I did at... .

Read 4826 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 80% ,

Net Price : $20,592 ,

SAT Range : 1130-1410 ,

Texas Tech University

• Lubbock, TX ·
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What is hospitality?

Hospitality means extending a welcome to guests or offering a home away from home, and the word is derived from the Latin word “hospes” meaning host, visitor or stranger. The hospitality and tourism industry is a vast sector that includes all the economic activities that directly or indirectly contribute to, or depend upon, travel, tourism and hospitality.

This industry sector includes:

• Hotels & Resorts
• Restaurants & Catering
• Night Clubs & Bars
• Travel & Transportation
• Spas & Wellness
• Cruise Liners & Bus tours
• Cultural & Sports
• Business Administration (events, communication, customer experience, and many more )

Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management

Discover the EHL Bachelor's program meticulously crafted by our Hospitality Management School to meet the evolving needs of the hospitality and tourism industry.

Our curriculum strikes a balance between hands-on experience, academic excellence, and business acumen. It also provides a unique opportunity for students to study in two premier locations: Switzerland and Singapore.

Immerse yourself in practical courses, workshops and two six-month internships, providing real-world insights aligned with industry demands.

The History of Hospitality & Tourism 

Hospitality is one of the oldest businesses, going way back to the innkeepers and taverns of biblical times. Tourism, on the other hand, is a more recent invention which began in Europe, with Switzerland being one of the first countries to develop special accommodation and services for travelers. 

In the late 1800’s, the concept of leisure tourism and hospitality spread across Europe, bringing flocks of wealthy travelers to Switzerland. It began with visitors seeking cultural and natural exposure on guided tours in the Swiss Alps, train rides and wellness tourism. Palace-style hotels, thermal baths and ski resorts became icons of luxury tourism in Switzerland.

This new generation of wealthy guests had higher expectations for comfortable accommodations, convenient services and fine dining. The leisure travel phenomenon gave birth to hospitality management schools: EHL was founded as the first hotel management school in 1893 in Lausanne, and it has pioneered in hospitality management education since then.

Hospitality is one of the most resilient, adaptable and dynamic industries on the planet. It is an industry of constant change, where technology and innovation are being integrated to improve the guest experience.

What is Tourism and Hospitality Management?

Careers in hospitality management.

Hospitality management is a broad career field that provides many opportunities for international career progression. In the core of the hospitality industry alone (hotels, events, restaurants, etc.) graduates with a hospitality degree can become managers in a variety of departments and sectors, or choose to specialize in one area.

The career paths are as diverse as the industry, and with so many new hospitality concepts and innovation changing the industry, the career paths will continue to grow and evolve with technology and trends of the 21st.

Hospitality education at EHL teaches students to love learning because it takes a scientific approach that sparks curiosity and involves the five senses. 

What are Hospitality Management Skills?

Studying at ehl, the world's 1st hospitality management school.

In the field of hospitality management, customer satisfaction is key, and the primary goal is to ensure the best customer experience possible. Therefore, hospitality management courses teach both professionally-focused hard skills (room pricing, cost-control, accounting, scheduling, etc. ) and soft skills which are related to how one acts, and interacts in a professional environment.

Training for soft-skills is critical to succeed in the 21st century: critical thinking, agility and adaptability, effective communication, imagination and curiosity: these are all skills students develop at EHL in our hospitality management courses and degrees.

#hospitality-industry

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Economic Impact Research

• In 2023, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 9.1% to the global GDP; an increase of 23.2% from 2022 and only 4.1% below the 2019 level.
• In 2023, there were 27 million new jobs, representing a 9.1% increase compared to 2022, and only 1.4% below the 2019 level.
• Domestic visitor spending rose by 18.1% in 2023, surpassing the 2019 level.
• International visitor spending registered a 33.1% jump in 2023 but remained 14.4% below the 2019 total.

Click here for links to the different economy/country and regional reports

Why conduct research?

From the outset, our Members realised that hard economic facts were needed to help governments and policymakers truly understand the potential of Travel & Tourism. Measuring the size and growth of Travel & Tourism and its contribution to society, therefore, plays a vital part in underpinning WTTC’s work.

What research does WTTC carry out?

Each year, WTTC and Oxford Economics produce reports covering the economic contribution of our sector in 185 countries, for 26 economic and geographic regions, and for more than 70 cities. We also benchmark Travel & Tourism against other economic sectors and analyse the impact of government policies affecting the sector such as jobs and visa facilitation.

Visit our Research Hub via the button below to find all our Economic Impact Reports, as well as other reports on Travel and Tourism. 

The future of tourism: Bridging the labor gap, enhancing customer experience

As travel resumes and builds momentum, it’s becoming clear that tourism is resilient—there is an enduring desire to travel. Against all odds, international tourism rebounded in 2022: visitor numbers to Europe and the Middle East climbed to around 80 percent of 2019 levels, and the Americas recovered about 65 percent of prepandemic visitors 1 “Tourism set to return to pre-pandemic levels in some regions in 2023,” United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), January 17, 2023. —a number made more significant because it was reached without travelers from China, which had the world’s largest outbound travel market before the pandemic. 2 “ Outlook for China tourism 2023: Light at the end of the tunnel ,” McKinsey, May 9, 2023.

Recovery and growth are likely to continue. According to estimates from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 2023, international tourist arrivals could reach 80 to 95 percent of prepandemic levels depending on the extent of the economic slowdown, travel recovery in Asia–Pacific, and geopolitical tensions, among other factors. 3 “Tourism set to return to pre-pandemic levels in some regions in 2023,” United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), January 17, 2023. Similarly, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that by the end of 2023, nearly half of the 185 countries in which the organization conducts research will have either recovered to prepandemic levels or be within 95 percent of full recovery. 4 “Global travel and tourism catapults into 2023 says WTTC,” World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), April 26, 2023.

Longer-term forecasts also point to optimism for the decade ahead. Travel and tourism GDP is predicted to grow, on average, at 5.8 percent a year between 2022 and 2032, outpacing the growth of the overall economy at an expected 2.7 percent a year. 5 Travel & Tourism economic impact 2022 , WTTC, August 2022.

So, is it all systems go for travel and tourism? Not really. The industry continues to face a prolonged and widespread labor shortage. After losing 62 million travel and tourism jobs in 2020, labor supply and demand remain out of balance. 6 “WTTC research reveals Travel & Tourism’s slow recovery is hitting jobs and growth worldwide,” World Travel & Tourism Council, October 6, 2021. Today, in the European Union, 11 percent of tourism jobs are likely to go unfilled; in the United States, that figure is 7 percent. 7 Travel & Tourism economic impact 2022 : Staff shortages, WTTC, August 2022.

There has been an exodus of tourism staff, particularly from customer-facing roles, to other sectors, and there is no sign that the industry will be able to bring all these people back. 8 Travel & Tourism economic impact 2022 : Staff shortages, WTTC, August 2022. Hotels, restaurants, cruises, airports, and airlines face staff shortages that can translate into operational, reputational, and financial difficulties. If unaddressed, these shortages may constrain the industry’s growth trajectory.

The current labor shortage may have its roots in factors related to the nature of work in the industry. Chronic workplace challenges, coupled with the effects of COVID-19, have culminated in an industry struggling to rebuild its workforce. Generally, tourism-related jobs are largely informal, partly due to high seasonality and weak regulation. And conditions such as excessively long working hours, low wages, a high turnover rate, and a lack of social protection tend to be most pronounced in an informal economy. Additionally, shift work, night work, and temporary or part-time employment are common in tourism.

The industry may need to revisit some fundamentals to build a far more sustainable future: either make the industry more attractive to talent (and put conditions in place to retain staff for longer periods) or improve products, services, and processes so that they complement existing staffing needs or solve existing pain points.

One solution could be to build a workforce with the mix of digital and interpersonal skills needed to keep up with travelers’ fast-changing requirements. The industry could make the most of available technology to provide customers with a digitally enhanced experience, resolve staff shortages, and improve working conditions.

Would you like to learn more about our Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice ?

Complementing concierges with chatbots.

The pace of technological change has redefined customer expectations. Technology-driven services are often at customers’ fingertips, with no queues or waiting times. By contrast, the airport and airline disruption widely reported in the press over the summer of 2022 points to customers not receiving this same level of digital innovation when traveling.

Imagine the following travel experience: it’s 2035 and you start your long-awaited honeymoon to a tropical island. A virtual tour operator and a destination travel specialist booked your trip for you; you connected via videoconference to make your plans. Your itinerary was chosen with the support of generative AI , which analyzed your preferences, recommended personalized travel packages, and made real-time adjustments based on your feedback.

Before leaving home, you check in online and QR code your luggage. You travel to the airport by self-driving cab. After dropping off your luggage at the self-service counter, you pass through security and the biometric check. You access the premier lounge with the QR code on the airline’s loyalty card and help yourself to a glass of wine and a sandwich. After your flight, a prebooked, self-driving cab takes you to the resort. No need to check in—that was completed online ahead of time (including picking your room and making sure that the hotel’s virtual concierge arranged for red roses and a bottle of champagne to be delivered).

While your luggage is brought to the room by a baggage robot, your personal digital concierge presents the honeymoon itinerary with all the requested bookings. For the romantic dinner on the first night, you order your food via the restaurant app on the table and settle the bill likewise. So far, you’ve had very little human interaction. But at dinner, the sommelier chats with you in person about the wine. The next day, your sightseeing is made easier by the hotel app and digital guide—and you don’t get lost! With the aid of holographic technology, the virtual tour guide brings historical figures to life and takes your sightseeing experience to a whole new level. Then, as arranged, a local citizen meets you and takes you to their home to enjoy a local family dinner. The trip is seamless, there are no holdups or snags.

This scenario features less human interaction than a traditional trip—but it flows smoothly due to the underlying technology. The human interactions that do take place are authentic, meaningful, and add a special touch to the experience. This may be a far-fetched example, but the essence of the scenario is clear: use technology to ease typical travel pain points such as queues, misunderstandings, or misinformation, and elevate the quality of human interaction.

Travel with less human interaction may be considered a disruptive idea, as many travelers rely on and enjoy the human connection, the “service with a smile.” This will always be the case, but perhaps the time is right to think about bringing a digital experience into the mix. The industry may not need to depend exclusively on human beings to serve its customers. Perhaps the future of travel is physical, but digitally enhanced (and with a smile!).

Digital solutions are on the rise and can help bridge the labor gap

Digital innovation is improving customer experience across multiple industries. Car-sharing apps have overcome service-counter waiting times and endless paperwork that travelers traditionally had to cope with when renting a car. The same applies to time-consuming hotel check-in, check-out, and payment processes that can annoy weary customers. These pain points can be removed. For instance, in China, the Huazhu Hotels Group installed self-check-in kiosks that enable guests to check in or out in under 30 seconds. 9 “Huazhu Group targets lifestyle market opportunities,” ChinaTravelNews, May 27, 2021.

Technology meets hospitality

In 2019, Alibaba opened its FlyZoo Hotel in Huangzhou, described as a “290-room ultra-modern boutique, where technology meets hospitality.” 1 “Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has a hotel run almost entirely by robots that can serve food and fetch toiletries—take a look inside,” Business Insider, October 21, 2019; “FlyZoo Hotel: The hotel of the future or just more technology hype?,” Hotel Technology News, March 2019. The hotel was the first of its kind that instead of relying on traditional check-in and key card processes, allowed guests to manage reservations and make payments entirely from a mobile app, to check-in using self-service kiosks, and enter their rooms using facial-recognition technology.

The hotel is run almost entirely by robots that serve food and fetch toiletries and other sundries as needed. Each guest room has a voice-activated smart assistant to help guests with a variety of tasks, from adjusting the temperature, lights, curtains, and the TV to playing music and answering simple questions about the hotel and surroundings.

The hotel was developed by the company’s online travel platform, Fliggy, in tandem with Alibaba’s AI Labs and Alibaba Cloud technology with the goal of “leveraging cutting-edge tech to help transform the hospitality industry, one that keeps the sector current with the digital era we’re living in,” according to the company.

Adoption of some digitally enhanced services was accelerated during the pandemic in the quest for safer, contactless solutions. During the Winter Olympics in Beijing, a restaurant designed to keep physical contact to a minimum used a track system on the ceiling to deliver meals directly from the kitchen to the table. 10 “This Beijing Winter Games restaurant uses ceiling-based tracks,” Trendhunter, January 26, 2022. Customers around the world have become familiar with restaurants using apps to display menus, take orders, and accept payment, as well as hotels using robots to deliver luggage and room service (see sidebar “Technology meets hospitality”). Similarly, theme parks, cinemas, stadiums, and concert halls are deploying digital solutions such as facial recognition to optimize entrance control. Shanghai Disneyland, for example, offers annual pass holders the option to choose facial recognition to facilitate park entry. 11 “Facial recognition park entry,” Shanghai Disney Resort website.

Automation and digitization can also free up staff from attending to repetitive functions that could be handled more efficiently via an app and instead reserve the human touch for roles where staff can add the most value. For instance, technology can help customer-facing staff to provide a more personalized service. By accessing data analytics, frontline staff can have guests’ details and preferences at their fingertips. A trainee can become an experienced concierge in a short time, with the help of technology.

Apps and in-room tech: Unused market potential

According to Skift Research calculations, total revenue generated by guest apps and in-room technology in 2019 was approximately $293 million, including proprietary apps by hotel brands as well as third-party vendors. 1 “Hotel tech benchmark: Guest-facing technology 2022,” Skift Research, November 2022. The relatively low market penetration rate of this kind of tech points to around $2.4 billion in untapped revenue potential (exhibit).

Even though guest-facing technology is available—the kind that can facilitate contactless interactions and offer travelers convenience and personalized service—the industry is only beginning to explore its potential. A report by Skift Research shows that the hotel industry, in particular, has not tapped into tech’s potential. Only 11 percent of hotels and 25 percent of hotel rooms worldwide are supported by a hotel app or use in-room technology, and only 3 percent of hotels offer keyless entry. 12 “Hotel tech benchmark: Guest-facing technology 2022,” Skift Research, November 2022. Of the five types of technology examined (guest apps and in-room tech; virtual concierge; guest messaging and chatbots; digital check-in and kiosks; and keyless entry), all have relatively low market-penetration rates (see sidebar “Apps and in-room tech: Unused market potential”).

While apps, digitization, and new technology may be the answer to offering better customer experience, there is also the possibility that tourism may face competition from technological advances, particularly virtual experiences. Museums, attractions, and historical sites can be made interactive and, in some cases, more lifelike, through AR/VR technology that can enhance the physical travel experience by reconstructing historical places or events.

Up until now, tourism, arguably, was one of a few sectors that could not easily be replaced by tech. It was not possible to replicate the physical experience of traveling to another place. With the emerging metaverse , this might change. Travelers could potentially enjoy an event or experience from their sofa without any logistical snags, and without the commitment to traveling to another country for any length of time. For example, Google offers virtual tours of the Pyramids of Meroë in Sudan via an immersive online experience available in a range of languages. 13 Mariam Khaled Dabboussi, “Step into the Meroë pyramids with Google,” Google, May 17, 2022. And a crypto banking group, The BCB Group, has created a metaverse city that includes representations of some of the most visited destinations in the world, such as the Great Wall of China and the Statue of Liberty. According to BCB, the total cost of flights, transfers, and entry for all these landmarks would come to $7,600—while a virtual trip would cost just over $2. 14 “What impact can the Metaverse have on the travel industry?,” Middle East Economy, July 29, 2022.

The metaverse holds potential for business travel, too—the meeting, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector in particular. Participants could take part in activities in the same immersive space while connecting from anywhere, dramatically reducing travel, venue, catering, and other costs. 15 “ Tourism in the metaverse: Can travel go virtual? ,” McKinsey, May 4, 2023.

The allure and convenience of such digital experiences make offering seamless, customer-centric travel and tourism in the real world all the more pressing.

Three innovations to solve hotel staffing shortages

Is the future contactless.

Given the advances in technology, and the many digital innovations and applications that already exist, there is potential for businesses across the travel and tourism spectrum to cope with labor shortages while improving customer experience. Process automation and digitization can also add to process efficiency. Taken together, a combination of outsourcing, remote work, and digital solutions can help to retain existing staff and reduce dependency on roles that employers are struggling to fill (exhibit).

Depending on the customer service approach and direct contact need, we estimate that the travel and tourism industry would be able to cope with a structural labor shortage of around 10 to 15 percent in the long run by operating more flexibly and increasing digital and automated efficiency—while offering the remaining staff an improved total work package.

Outsourcing and remote work could also help resolve the labor shortage

While COVID-19 pushed organizations in a wide variety of sectors to embrace remote work, there are many hospitality roles that rely on direct physical services that cannot be performed remotely, such as laundry, cleaning, maintenance, and facility management. If faced with staff shortages, these roles could be outsourced to third-party professional service providers, and existing staff could be reskilled to take up new positions.

In McKinsey’s experience, the total service cost of this type of work in a typical hotel can make up 10 percent of total operating costs. Most often, these roles are not guest facing. A professional and digital-based solution might become an integrated part of a third-party service for hotels looking to outsource this type of work.

One of the lessons learned in the aftermath of COVID-19 is that many tourism employees moved to similar positions in other sectors because they were disillusioned by working conditions in the industry . Specialist multisector companies have been able to shuffle their staff away from tourism to other sectors that offer steady employment or more regular working hours compared with the long hours and seasonal nature of work in tourism.

The remaining travel and tourism staff may be looking for more flexibility or the option to work from home. This can be an effective solution for retaining employees. For example, a travel agent with specific destination expertise could work from home or be consulted on an needs basis.

In instances where remote work or outsourcing is not viable, there are other solutions that the hospitality industry can explore to improve operational effectiveness as well as employee satisfaction. A more agile staffing model  can better match available labor with peaks and troughs in daily, or even hourly, demand. This could involve combining similar roles or cross-training staff so that they can switch roles. Redesigned roles could potentially improve employee satisfaction by empowering staff to explore new career paths within the hotel’s operations. Combined roles build skills across disciplines—for example, supporting a housekeeper to train and become proficient in other maintenance areas, or a front-desk associate to build managerial skills.

Where management or ownership is shared across properties, roles could be staffed to cover a network of sites, rather than individual hotels. By applying a combination of these approaches, hotels could reduce the number of staff hours needed to keep operations running at the same standard. 16 “ Three innovations to solve hotel staffing shortages ,” McKinsey, April 3, 2023.

Taken together, operational adjustments combined with greater use of technology could provide the tourism industry with a way of overcoming staffing challenges and giving customers the seamless digitally enhanced experiences they expect in other aspects of daily life.

In an industry facing a labor shortage, there are opportunities for tech innovations that can help travel and tourism businesses do more with less, while ensuring that remaining staff are engaged and motivated to stay in the industry. For travelers, this could mean fewer friendly faces, but more meaningful experiences and interactions.

Urs Binggeli is a senior expert in McKinsey’s Zurich office, Zi Chen is a capabilities and insights specialist in the Shanghai office, Steffen Köpke is a capabilities and insights expert in the Düsseldorf office, and Jackey Yu is a partner in the Hong Kong office.

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Chapter 1. History and Overview

1.1 What is Tourism?

Before engaging in a study of tourism , let’s have a closer look at what this term means.

Definition of Tourism

There are a number of ways tourism can be defined, and for this reason, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) embarked on a project from 2005 to 2007 to create a common glossary of terms for tourism. It defines tourism as follows:

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes. These people are called visitors (which may be either tourists or excursionists; residents or non-residents) and tourism has to do with their activities, some of which imply tourism expenditure (United Nations World Tourism Organization, 2008).

Using this definition, we can see that tourism is not just the movement of people for a number of purposes (whether business or pleasure), but the overall agglomeration of activities, services, and involved sectors that make up the unique tourist experience.

Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality: What are the Differences?

It is common to confuse the terms tourism , travel , and hospitality or to define them as the same thing. While tourism is the all-encompassing umbrella term for the activities and industry that create the tourist experience, the UNWTO (2020) defines travel as the activity of moving between different locations often for any purpose but more so for leisure and recreation (Hall & Page, 2006). On the other hand, hospitality can be defined as “the business of helping people to feel welcome and relaxed and to enjoy themselves” (Discover Hospitality, 2015, p. 3). Simply put, the hospitality industry is the combination of the accommodation and food and beverage groupings, collectively making up the largest segment of the industry (Go2HR, 2020). You’ll learn more about accommodations and F & B in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 , respectively.

Definition of Tourist and Excursionist

Building on the definition of tourism, a commonly accepted description of a tourist is “someone who travels at least 80 km from his or her home for at least 24 hours, for business or leisure or other reasons” (LinkBC, 2008, p.8). The United Nations World Tourism Organization (1995) helps us break down this definition further by stating tourists can be:

• Domestic (residents of a given country travelling only within that country)
• Inbound (non-residents travelling in a given country)
• Outbound (residents of one country travelling in another country)

Excursionists  on the other hand are considered same-day visitors (UNWTO, 2020). Sometimes referred to as “day trippers.” Understandably, not every visitor stays in a destination overnight. It is common for travellers to spend a few hours or less to do sightseeing, visit attractions, dine at a local restaurant, then leave at the end of the day.

The scope of tourism, therefore, is broad and encompasses a number of activities and sectors.

Spotlight On: United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible “for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism” (UNWTO, 2014b). Its membership includes 159 countries and over 500 affiliates such as private companies, research and educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations. It promotes tourism as a way of developing communities while encouraging ethical behaviour to mitigate negative impacts. For more information, visit the UNWTO website .

NAICS: The North American Industry Classification System

Given the sheer size of the tourism industry, it can be helpful to break it down into broad industry groups using a common classification system. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was jointly created by the Canadian, US, and Mexican governments to ensure common analysis across all three countries (British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, 2013a). The tourism-related groupings created using NAICS are (in alphabetical order):

• Accommodation
• Food and beverage services (commonly known as “F & B”)
• Recreation and entertainment
• Transportation
• Travel services

These industry groups (also commonly known as sectors) are based on the similarity of the “labour processes and inputs” used for each (Government of Canada, 2013). For instance, the types of employees and resources required to run an accommodation business whether it be a hotel, motel, or even a campground are quite similar. All these businesses need staff to check in guests, provide housekeeping, employ maintenance workers, and provide a place for people to sleep. As such, they can be grouped together under the heading of accommodation. The same is true of the other four groupings, and the rest of this text explores these industry groups, and other aspects of tourism, in more detail.

It is typical for the entire tourist experience to involve more than one sector. The combination of sectors that supply and distribute the needed tourism products, services, and activities within the tourism system is called the Tourism Supply Chain. Often, these chains of sectors and activities are dependent upon each other’s delivery of products and services. Let’s look at a simple example below that describes the involved and sometimes overlapping sectoral chains in the tourism experience:

Before we seek to understand the five tourism sectors in more detail, it’s important to have an overview of the history and impacts of tourism to date.

Long Descriptions

Figure 1.2 long description: Diagram showing the tourism supply chain. This includes the phases of travel and the sectors and activities involved during each phase.

There are three travel phases: pre-departure, during travel, and post-departure.

Pre-departure, tourists use the travel services and transportation sectors.

During travel, tourists use the travel services, accommodations, food and beverage, recreation and entertainment, and transportation sectors.

Post-departure, tourists use the transportation sector.

[Return to Figure 1.2]

Media Attributions

• Front Desk by Staying LEVEL is licensed under a CC BY-NC 4.0 Licence .

Tourism according the the UNWTO is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes.

UN agency responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism worldwide.

Moving between different locations for leisure and recreation.

The accommodations and food and beverage industry groupings.

someone who travels at least 80 km from his or her home for at least 24 hours, for business or leisure or other reasons

A same-day visitor to a destination. Their trip typically ends on the same day when they leave the destination.

A way to group tourism activities based on similarities in business practices, primarily used for statistical analysis.

Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality in BC - 2nd Edition Copyright © 2015, 2020, 2021 by Morgan Westcott and Wendy Anderson, Eds is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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FIU’s online undergraduate degree in Travel & Tourism Management will prepare you to excel and lead in the world’s biggest industry. Our fully online B.S. in Travel & Tourism Management program is part of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, which is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitality management schools in the United States and has won international recognition.

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With your online degree from FIU, you’ll gain fast-track career advantages in the international hotel, foodservice and tourism industries. Our online curriculum is flexible, current and provides students with a solid foundation in business management, finance, logistics, accounting and operations.

At FIU Online, you’ll learn from faculty members with strong academic credentials, excellent teaching skills and extensive executive-level industry experience. We’ve designed our online undergraduate degree programs with all the support you need to thrive as a student. With 24/7 access to interactive technology, real-time feedback from faculty and the one-on-one guidance of a dedication success coach, we’re with you every step of the way.

The curriculum for this fully online program blends academic instruction with hands-on experience, including at the prestigious South Beach Wine and Food Festival, which benefits FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. For graduation, each student must have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours in the industry and completed an advanced internship of an additional 300 hours.

The program offers a comprehensive set of core requirements and practical experiences that provide a solid foundation in business management, finance, logistics, accounting, operations and more, preparing you to excel and lead in the biggest industry in the world.

Partnerships  

The Chaplin School, in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, supports the annual production of the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capitol One (SOBEWFF®). The event, which is the largest of its kind in the U.S., generates experiential learning opportunities for as many as 1,200 FIU students each year. Additionally, the Chaplin School has developed many other long-standing relationships with major global hospitality and tourism corporations such as Sandals Resorts, Carnival Corporation & PLC (funder of the Carnival Gold Scholars and the Carnival Student Center on our BBC campus) and Marriott International (namesake for the school’s Marriott Tianjin China Program). The school also has partnerships with some well-known names like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach which hosts the world renowned nightclub, LIV® and food and beverage producers such as Bacardi USA, and Badia Spices.

A total of 120 credits are required for the degree, including 60 program credits and 60 credits to meet University Core Curriculum and lower division requirements. Within the program, the 60 credits include 36 Hospitality Core credits, 12 Concentration Credits and 12 Elective credits. 

Hospitality Pre-Core Courses

The following lower divisional, pre-core courses are to be taken before starting hospitality core courses. Some courses can also be used to meet UCC (University Core Curriculum) requirements:

Microeconomics ECO 2023   This course provides an introduction to the theory and practices of contemporary microeconomics. The course will begin with a discussion on how agents deal with the fundamental problem of scarcity. The discussion will then turn to the basic concepts and tools used in microeconomic analysis.

Macroeconomics   ECO 2013 Introduction to economic analysis of the overall economy: national income accounting, unemployment, inflation, monetary and fiscal policies, budget deficits and debt, long-run growth.  

Public Speaking  SPC 2608 This course will take an academic approach to speech communication. The course will examine the basic elements of research, construction and delivery of original public presentation. By understanding what components go into a good speech, an individual will look more confident in their presentation. Pathways to Success I   HFT 1070 Designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of academic policies, procedures and requirements for matriculation and graduation from the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Must be taken first semester.

Pathways to Success II   HFT 3072 This course exposes students to all career services offered by CSHTM. Students will review career/education goals in line with strengths, skills and values and will leverage all career services. Must be taken after 60 earned credits.

Intro to Hospitality and Tourism Management  HFT 1000 A survey course providing an overview of the industry, its history, problems, and general operating procedures. Operating executives from the fields of hotel, restaurant, foodservice, travel, and tourism will be featured periodically. 

Human Resource Management for the Hospitality Industry  HFT 2220 An in-depth study of human resources management in hospitality industry designed to improve and advance student’s skills through understanding of both hourly and management human resource policies, practices and procedures. 

Accounting for the Hospitality Industry  HFT 2401 Introduction to the principles of accounting as they apply to the hospitality industry. Required for students who have not satisfactorily completed introductory accounting courses.

Hospitality Information Technology  HFT 2441 Covers computer applications in the hospitality industry including information technology specific to hotel and restaurant accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Course includes hands-on laboratory assignments with a Hotel Property Management System and a Restaurant POS/back-office.

Hospitality Core Requirements

Introductory Commercial Food Production   FSS 3230C Study of basic and intermediate commercial food production management skills required in menu design. The knowledge will be applied in the production of appetizers, salads, main course items and desserts.   Advanced Food Production Management   FSS 4234C A course in advanced food production and service techniques to provide the student with realistic productions, services and managerial experience. Staffing, merchandising and cost control procedures are integral parts of the course. Pre-requisite: FSS 3230C *Alternative course option available with Academic Advisor Approval Dining Services Management   HFT 3263 Analysis of principal operating problems facing managers in the restaurant industry. Various control systems necessary for profitability and quality are examined. Lodging Operations Control   HFT 3453 Focuses on controlling expenses and revenues of a full-service lodging operation using qualitative and quantitative techniques. Based on using the uniform system of accounts for the lodging industry.   Hospitality Marketing Strategy   HFT 3503 Examines marketing principles, theories and concepts and the use of management principles and techniques of analysis, planning, implementation and control to maximize marketing effectiveness in hospitality organizations. Stresses marketing of services. This is a Global Learning Course. Hospitality Industry Law   HFT 3603   Introduction to hotel, motel, and restaurant law emphasizing risk management and security. Students learn about the fundamental laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the hospitality industry through a case study approach. This is a Global Learning Course. Hospitality Facilities Environmental Systems   HFT 4323 A comprehensive survey of engineering, maintenance, and efficiency controls in hotels, restaurants, and institutions. Emphasizes the importance of Operations Facilities Engineering Management and the environment. This is a Global Learning Course. Hospitality Analytics and Revenue Management   HFT 4413 Detailed study of methods used in serving and tracking guest history and yield management in the hospitality industry. Demonstrates state-of-the-art technology and concepts.   Financial Analysis in the Hospitality Industry   HFT 4464 Facilitates understanding and use of financial analysis in the hospitality industry. Topics include decision-making based on ratio analysis, leverage, financing sources and other financial issues.   Prerequisite: HFT 2401. Management Accounting for the Hospitality Industry   HFT 4474 Advanced study of the decision-making process involved in the hospitality industry. Emphasis on budgeting, pricing decisions, cost-volume-profit analysis and capital budgeting.   Prerequisite: HFT2401 Advanced Internship for Hospitality and Tourism   HFT 4945 Hospitality/tourism work experience to provide exposure to management and training functions, job rotation tasks and/or projects not previously performed. Minimum 300 hours/ten weeks field experience.   Pre-requisites: Documented completion of 500 hospitality related work hours of which must be completed while enrolled at FIU. Permission of an advisor. Senior Seminar in Hospitality Management   HFT 4294 Student groups identify and research a major problem of a hospitality enterprise. Discussions will focus on problems and solutions. Final report required.   Can only be taken the semester you graduate.

Additional Requirements

Hospitality Electives - 24 Credits  

Electives can be chosen from any 3000/4000 level HFT or FSS course. If desired, students may choose courses in any concentration to meet 12 of the 24 required elective credits.

Travel & Tourism Management Concentration Courses

International Travel and Tourism  HFT 3713 An introduction to the international scope of travel and tourism. A brief analysis of regional framework and specific regions of the world, the interrelationship between human society and the physical environment.

Sustainable Tourism Practices  HFT 3701 In-depth study of contemporary issues pertaining to tourism based on the natural environment. Explores management strategies suitable for controlling a growing industry.

Destination & Cultures HFT 3735 A geographical analysis of worldwide tourist destination regions and their major attractions. The course emphasizes how geographic and cultural factors are critical to the attractiveness of a tourist destination.

Tourism Destination Marketing  HFT 4509 Comprehensive study of strategies and advanced techniques used in marketing tourism destinations and products. Marketing plan developed.

Requirements

To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our enrollment advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.


FIU Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted for Spring, Fall and Summer terms.

Steps to Apply

First year students.

Please submit the following:

• Online application
• $30 application fee.
• Official SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores.
• Official high school transcripts.

Transfer Students

• Official college transcripts.
• If you have less than 60 transferable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts and SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores in addition to any transcripts from postsecondary schools to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Returning Students

Returning students must meet the current university and degree-specific requirements to be admitted. FIU has policies for students who left FIU, please click here for more details.

   Please submit the following:

• $30 application fee
• Updated official transcripts

International Students

In addition to the above requirements, international applicants should submit:

• Official English Language Proficiency exam scores (TOEFL or IELTS).
• Official translations of any transcripts, if not in English.
• If you have less than 60 transferrable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts with translation.

Program Admission Requirements

A total of 120 credit hours are required for the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.

Applicants to the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management must submit an Undergraduate Application for admission to the University and must follow the regular University admissions procedures described in the FIU Undergraduate Admissions website (click "How to Apply"). Applicants must be eligible for admission to the University before being accepted to the School.

Any student who has completed two years of college (60 transferable semester hours) may apply for admission as a transfer student to the upper division program.  A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for transfer students. Students with a GPA lower than 2.0 may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Admissions will review your official transcripts for transfer credits upon submission of your application. Domestic students may enroll on either a full-time or a part-time basis; International students must enroll full-time (at least 12 credits per semester). Students with less than 60 transfer credits are subject to freshman admission criteria.

All students are required to meet the University’s core curriculum requirements prior to graduation. It is not necessary to have been previously enrolled in a hotel, restaurant or tourism program. The curriculum will provide the specialized professional education to equip the student for a career in hospitality and tourism management. Students with training in liberal arts, business, education, or technology, for example, are qualified to enroll in the program.

A maximum of 60 lower division undergraduate semester credits may be transferred from a junior or community college program. More credits may be transferred from a related upper-division program at a four-year institution.

Undergraduate applicants are advised to respect the Admissions Deadlines of the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Admission Documents

To complete the online undergraduate programs admissions form, select your program from the application form . You may complete the online application and submit it, even before taking any entrance exams. All supporting admission documents may be sent to:


Florida International University 
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
 P.O. Box 659003
 Miami, FL 33265-9003
 USA

 FIU also accepts transcripts electronically via:

Faster (All FL public institutions)

Naviance (Typically used by private high schools)

SMART/Joint Service Transcript – Military records

*Meeting the university minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.

Top Faculty

John D. Buschman

Dr. John Buschman teaches global hospitality, tourism, and events management courses at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and is a co-director of the GST program.  His three decades of professional experience in the global hospitality and tourism industry included working in everything from an island eco-lodge in Brazil, to major resort hotels in Mexico, the Caribbean and California, to global tourism companies throughout Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean.  Dr. Buschman has served on the industry advisory boards of Maritz Travel and Networld, Inc. and on the boards of directors of the Florida Food Policy Council, the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence and the Sustainable Events Network, Florida and Caribbean.  Since coming to FIU, Dr. Buschman’s work has centered on food waste reduction and recovery from hospitality, tourism and events operations, and the redistribution of food to people in need.  Students in his course Social Responsibility for the Hospitality Industry have recovered more than 250,000 meals from events like the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the NFL Super Bowl, served more than 50,000 meals to the homeless and redirected over 1 million pounds of food toward food-insecure populations.  Drawing from his global industry experience, Dr. Buschman created the new course Destination Marketing and Management for Cultural & Heritage Tourism specifically for the GST degree.

Dale Gomez is the Director, Information Technology at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Mr. Gomez has also taken the role of Online Learning Administrator, Adjunct Instructor and Global Technology Liaison for the University.  Mr. Gomez's Information Technology experience spans over 18 years. His primary responsibilities include providing technical leadership and support in the implementation of desktop administrative computing, networking management, media services and enterprise systems for the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Mr. Gomez is Vice-Chairman of the FIU’s Information Technology Administrators Committee whose focus is the development of the computing initiatives that support University-wide technological advancements. In 2014 Mr. Gomez was named top 10 Heads of Higher Education by Tech Decisions and was awarded the 2014 BEST Integrators award for the School’s Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Lab. Mr. Gomez is a graduate of Florida International University's College of Business. Mr. Gomez earned his Master of Science in Management Information Systems in August 2006, and his Bachelor of Business Administration in August 2002.

Carolin Lusby

Dr. Carolin Lusby is an Assistant Professor at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate level courses in tourism, research methods and leadership. She received her doctoral degree in Tourism Recreation and Sport Management from the University of Florida in 2007. Furthermore, Dr. Lusby holds a master’s degree in Tourism and the Environments from the World Leisure Center of Excellence at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Prior to beginning her career in academia, Dr. Lusby worked in the tourism industry where she found her passion for approaching touring and using tourism as a tool for personal transformation. Among others, Dr. Lusby was a youth travel guide for Europe’s biggest teen travel company, worked for a teen adventure travel company and developed skills and training in adventure and experience based learning. Ultimately, she became a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and a Ropes Course Facilitator. In her first academic teaching endeavor at California State University Long Beach, Dr. Lusby assumed the role of head of the tourism program. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Lusby became interested in the topic of sustainability and became a Green Globe certified auditor. Seeing tourism’s potential for negative impacts on people, culture and the environment, Dr. Lusby focused on sustainable development of tourism and incorporated community based tourism in her study tours. Dr. Lusby speaks German and French and firmly believes in the value of meaningful study abroad experiences to foster the development of global citizens.

Current Rankings List

• Undergraduate Student Application Deadlines

120 Credits Required

235 .57 per credit hour (in-state) + fees, 648 .87 per credit hour (out-of-state) + fees.

* Total tuition and fees are subject to change.

• Fully Online Degree
• Every online student is paired with a success coach
• Program starts: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Become part of an exceptional community and make the most of your education. Join the  Honors College .
• This program grants you access to   Career Engage   and associated scholarships.
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's Degree for Hospitality Management, BestColleges.com, 2019-2020
• #9 Best Hospitality Management Degrees Online, GuidetoOnlineSchools.com, 2020
• #1 Best Programs for Online Hotel Management Degrees, AffordableCollegesOnline.org, 2020
• #1 Best Colleges for Hospitality Management in Florida, CollegeFactual.com, 2020
• Chaplin School ranked in top 50 worldwide, QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2019
• #1 Hospitality Management Bachelor’s Degree Online Programs, BestHospitalityDegrees.com, 2018
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's Programs, CollegeChoice.net, 2017

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SelectUSA Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Industry

Industry overview.

According to the National Travel and Tourism Office , the U.S. travel and tourism industry generated almost $1.9 trillion in economic output in 2019, supporting 9.2 million U.S. jobs. Travel and tourism exports accounted for 9 percent of all U.S. exports and 27 percent of all U.S. services exports. That same year, U.S. travel and tourism output represented 2.9 percent of gross domestic product. Expenditures by international visitors in the United States were $233.5 billion in 2019, with almost two-thirds of spending going towards personal expenditures such as health ($1.2 billion) and education ($44.0 billion). 

In 2019, almost $14.1 billion of FDI was invested into the accommodations industry from around the world. The year before, foreign-owned businesses employed 44,000 workers in the accommodations industry of a total 2.05 million employees in December 2018. According to the latest figures for U.S. employment, there were 1.4 million employees in the accommodations industry in December 2020. There were also 68,375 establishments in the accommodations industry across the United States in 2017.

The most common occupations in the industry are maids and housekeeping cleaners and hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks. There were 473,010 mads and housekeeping cleaners employed in the accommodations industry in 2019, and their average annual wage was $26,540. For hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, there were 251,050 people employed in the industry earning an average annual wage of $25,850.

Almost $44.7 billion was invested from around the world in the U.S. food services and drinking places industry in 2019, and foreign-owned businesses employed 614,400 people of a total employment of 12.0 million employees in this industry in 2018. According to the latest employment figures, there were 9.0 million people employed in the food services and drinking places industry in December 2020. In 2017, there were 657,792 establishments in the hospitality industry, which includes food services and drinking places.

The most common occupations in the food services and drinking places industry are cooks and food preparation workers, as well as food and beverage serving workers. In 2019, there were over 2.4 million cooks and food preparation workers, with over 1.9 million cooks and almost 500,000 food preparation workers. Cooks earned an average annual wage of $26,990, and food preparation workers earned an average annual wage of $24,930. For food and beverage serving workers, there were over 6.1 million people employed in 2019, of which 2.2 million were waiters and waitresses. All food and beverage serving workers in the industry earned an average annual wage of $24,610, and waiters and waitresses earned an average annual wage of $26,530.

There was $158 million in foreign direct investment into the U.S. air transportation industry in 2019, and foreign-owned businesses in the air transportation industry employed between 5,000 and 9,999 workers in 2018 out of a total employment of 497,800 in the industry. According to the latest employment figures, there were 391,700 employees in the air transportation industry in December 2020. As of 2017, there were 4,441 establishments in the air transportation industry.

The most common occupations in the air transportation industry are airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers; reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks; and aircraft mechanics and service technicians. In 2019, 74,310 people were employed as airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the air transportation industry, and these workers earned an average annual wage of $178,120. There were also 63,670 people employed as reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks in the industry in 2019, earning an average annual wage of $50,140. Finally, there were 38,690 aircraft mechanics and service technicians in the air transportation industry in 2019, and these workers earned an average annual wage of $81,630.  

Explore the impact of foreign direct investment on U.S. jobs, exports, and innovation in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry.

The Investor Guide is a high-level view of everything from taxes to immigration and workforce to business structures.

SelectUSA has created several dashboards to help analyze key FDI data from a variety of sources.

• Hospitality Industry

Hospitality Industry statistics to have on your radar 2024

November 01, 2023 •

11 min reading

The hospitality industry is a vast sector with many different categories that include recreation, lodging, entertainment, food and beverage which are constantly evolving. Due to the overwhelming amount of data available today, it has become increasingly challenging for industry players to gather all the necessary hospitality statistics to keep up with the latest trends. As a result, staying informed and up-to-date has become an impossible task.

Despite being an exhilarating career path with many avenues which demand a diverse skill-set , the hospitality industry is currently struggling to fill open positions. This is partly due to the changing nature of jobs and employee expectations. Customer needs and expectations have also evolved in recent times, largely off the back of the global pandemic of 2020 and 2021 which spurred a seismic shift in industry trends .

In the absence of access to data which tells a story, industry players are finding it increasingly challenging to optimize their social and digital strategies. This is especially problematic for hoteliers and destination marketers who are already overwhelmed with their day-to-day responsibilities.

In this comprehensive article, we have gathered a wealth of hospitality statistics and data that will equip you with the insights you need. Our goal is to empower you to harness the power of analytics in the hospitality industry to drive innovation, exceed customer expectations, and achieve remarkable value.

Numbers to take your business to the next level

Trends in the hospitality industry have always been in a state of flux because client demands are always shifting.

Understanding hospitality industry statistics allows you to properly equip yourself to handle your changed client needs for your business to grow rapidly in this new environment. They will help you know what you need to do to succeed and come up with strategies to take your business to the next level.

Current state of the Hospitality Industry

By examining general statistics, you can gain insights into the present condition of the hospitality industry and gain a glimpse into its future.

• The travel industry is poised for a robust comeback
• in 2024, bringing a ray of hope for hoteliers who have been eagerly awaiting positive signs. Room demand is set to reach an all-time high in 2024. STR, via (CoStar).
• Hotel occupancy will increase 2.5% globally next year.
• Hotel average daily rate (ADR) is projected to grow by 4.9% in the next 12 months. ( Siteminder).

The industry anticipates a steady growth rate

Industries such as hospitality, which were affected by COVID-19 safety measures, are seeing some impressive growth rates now that the restrictions are being relaxed worldwide. The statistics below indicate just how impressive the current and future growth rates are.

• The hospitality industry experienced a remarkable growth from $4,390.59 billion in 2022 to $4,699.57 billion in 2023, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%. This significant expansion is a testament to the industry's resilience and ability to bounce back from the challenges posed over recent years. ( Hospitality Global Market Report 2023)
• The projected growth of the global hospitality market is set to soar to a staggering $5,816.66 billion by 2027, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. ( Hospitality Global market report 2022 )

Growth trends in specific sub-sectors

Due to changes in consumer expectations, preferences and the rapid advancement of technology (among other factors), some areas in the hospitality industry are seeing a bigger growth rate than others. The statistics below shed light on these areas.

• The Online Food Delivery Market, which includes both Grocery Delivery and Meal Delivery services, experienced significant growth during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This market is projected to continue its upward trajectory with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 11.47%. As a result, the market volume is expected to reach a staggering US$1.79tn by 2028. (Statista).
• The bleisure market continues to rise —business trips which are extended for leisure purposed. The bleisure tourism market was estimated to be valued at nearly US$ 594.51 billion in 2023, and is predicted to continue to grow to $731.4 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 8.9% from 2023 to 2032. ( Future Market Insights).
• The global health and wellness market is estimated to reach almost seven trillion U.S. dollars by 2025. (Statista).

Key stakeholders' market share and consumer influence

Similar to the different growth rates in different areas in the same hospitality industry, not all players in the industry saw the same changes or are seeing the same growth rate. This is due to size, services, products and way of doing business. The statistics below highlight these differences.

• Airbnb's market value reached $92.11 billion in U.S. dollars in 2023, representing a significant increase from $54.13 billion the previous year. However, it has experienced a decline from its peak valuation in 2021, surpassing a staggering $100 billion. (Statista).
• Airbnb holds a commanding market share of over 20% in the vacation rental industry but it seems to be declining due to rising rental pricing and overwhelming choice of properties. ( HelpLama).
• Booking.com is the most valuable travel and tourism brand in the world, with a market capitlization of $9B. ( Companies Market Cap).
• As of 2023 Hilton is the most valuable hotel brand in the world, with a brand value of $11.7B in 2023, although the Wyndam group has the most properties. ( Brand Directory) .
• It is estimated that a further 2,707 hotels will open their doors globally in 2024. ( Statista )

Jobs & employment in Hospitality & Leisure

It goes without saying that as travel died down during the pandemic, so did jobs in the hospitality industry. Whilst travel restrictions are firmly a thing of the past, the hospitality jobs market has been slow to bounce back and is still recovering now. Many of those laid off workers in 2020 found more reliable jobs with better perks and more sociable hours elsewhere. When should we expect a full recovery? The statistics answer these questions best.

• The Travel and Tourism sector is expected to employ approximately 320 million individuals in 2023, showcasing a steady growth trend after experiencing a decline in numbers in 2020. This decline saw employment figures drop from 334 million in 2019 to 271 million. However, the industry is now on the path to recovery, with employment opportunities steadily increasing once again. ( Unilever ).
• Discover the types of jobs available in this exciting growth sector.
• Hotels will struggle with staffing shortages until 2025 when the industry is expected to make a true adjusted recovery. ( STR and Tourism Economics )
• Only 28% of hospitality workers are on full-time hours. ( Labour Market Insights) .

Travel & Tourism

If 2022 was the year travel returned following the pandemic, 2023 was all about making up for lost time and ticking off bucket list items. In short, there's a healthy outlook to the travel and tourism sector in 2024 and beyond. To better understand the current changes and future of travel and tourism, we have compiled the statistics below.

General Travel & Tourism industry statistics

The general travel and tourism statistics below show the current and future state of the travel and tourism sector as a whole.

• The projected market volume is set to reach an impressive US$1,063.00 billion by 2028, with revenue expected to display a steady annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 4.42%. ( Statista ).
• By 2028, online sales are projected to account for a staggering 76% of total revenue in the Travel & Tourism market. (Statista).

Growth trends in specific areas

The growth of the travel and tourism sector has been influenced by several factors including ease of access to information, an increase in the amount of paid leave, and rapid urbanization among others. Despite the pandemic slump, the industry is now doing well and is projected to do even better over the next few years, as indicated by the following statistics.

• Global tourism expenditure is projected to reach USD2 trillion, surpassing previous records driven by the strong demand for leisure travel. ( Euromonitor International ).
• As employees strive for a better work/life balance, the resurgence of business travel becomes a more intricate affair. In line with this shift, bleisure travel is poised to make a significant impact, with predictions indicating that it will soar to an impressive USD300 billion by 2024. This trend highlights the growing desire among professionals to combine work and leisure, creating a unique and enriching travel experience. ( Euromonitor International ).
• These 5 countries will be the fastest growing tourism destinations in 2024: Tunisia, Mexico, Morocco, Dominican Republic, and Sri Lanka. (Travel Off Path) .

Domestic vs. international travel

The statistics below help to better understand the "new traveler" whos is most likely planning 2 domestic trips and 2 international trips in 2024.

• International travel has rebounded post pandemic however going forward into 2024 it's clear that whilst consumer sentiment is very much in favor of international travel, domestic travel is much more budget friendly. ( Travel + Leisure ).
• Global business travel will fully recover by 2024. It is forecast to increase by 14% in 2022, with the US and China seeing the largest growth (30% each). ( Leslie Josephs )

Air, cruise & ground transport

The widespread adoption of the internet as a source of information, the ease of mobility and increased awareness of new destinations have brought significant changes to how consumers travel. The statistics below show how much travel has changed and what to expect.

• Global flight numbers were still below pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2023. According to the International Air Transport Association, global airlines anticipate that approximately 4.35 billion individuals took flights in 2023, a slight decrease from the 4.54 billion flyers in 2019.
• In the global airline industry, it was anticipated that 2023 brought in net profits of $9.8 billion, although these profits will come with a razor-thin net profit margin of 1.2%. ( Mint )
• Rail transport is set to experience exponential growth in 2024, emerging as the fastest-growing travel category worldwide with an impressive growth rate of 35.6% over the course of 2023-2024. ( Euromonitor International ).
• According to some travel experts, fly-to-the-meeting and fly-back-from-the-meeting day trips will stop being popular as more people prefer multi-day bleisure trips. ( SAP Concur Study of Global Business Traveler )

Jobs & employment in Travel & Tourism

As it was with all other sectors and industries, the travel and tourism sector experienced a labor shortage in 2023, but will it continue?

• Jobs in travel and tourism were still below pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2023 at a projected 320 million jobs. But with the growing demand for travel, jobs in this sector are set to rise to 430 million by 2033. ( Statista ).
• Candidates for these open positions have different expectations and priorities compared to those before the pandemic. They expect flexible working arrangements, skills training, and diversity and inclusion. Hotels will have to adapt to fill open positions. ( AHLA )
• New positions are opening up that are centred around digitalization, technology and sustainability .

Demographic statistics: Who's travelling in 2024?

Different segments play different roles in the travel and tourism industry. To fine-tune your digital strategy, you have to know your target market well and understand what they expect when they travel. Here are a few stats that show some key domgraphics that may be relevant to your business.

• In the modern era, travel has become increasingly digitalized, with 67% of consumers projected to make their travel bookings online in the year 2024.
• An interesting trend among post-pandemic travelers is the shift towards a younger demographic, with millennials (aged 30-44) comprising the largest portion of Wellness Worshippers, Leisure Seekers, Luxury Seekers, and Digital Travelers, as revealed by Euromonitor's Voice of the Consumer: Travel Survey. This highlights the changing preferences and behaviors of travelers in the modern era.
• Luxury Seekers are most commonly found in countries across the Middle East and Asia Pacific, while Eco-Adventurers tend to be prevalent in both Asia Pacific and Europe. On the other hand, Cultural Explorers are predominantly found in various countries throughout Europe.
• There is expected to be a 15% growth in sales of sports tourism packages sold through travel intermediaries from 2023 to 2024. ( Euromonitor International ).

Hospitality & Travel is evolving at speed

In 2024, the hospitality and travel sectors will be evolving at a rate of knots. Vacant positions and shifting consumer preferences define the landscape. Seamless online booking is now a necessity, just the beginning of a guest-centric approach. Elevating the experience means personalized on-site services, setting leaders apart.

Yet, beyond technology lies a deeper need—embracing diversity and inclusion as fundamental values. To cater to the evolving traveler, a blend of high-tech solutions and high-touch experiences aligning with their beliefs is vital. Statistics serve as signposts in this transformative journey. Adaptability is the key to survival, while a comprehensive guest journey and commitment to diversity steer success.

Amidst change, strategies demand recalibration. Embrace adaptability, shape a holistic guest experience, and embed diversity and inclusion into your brand. These principles navigate the industry toward leadership in the evolving hospitality and travel landscape of 2024.

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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism in the U.S. - statistics & facts

What are the most popular travel destinations in the u.s., u.s. travel trends, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Tourism contribution to GDP in the U.S. 2019-2022

Total travel expenditures in the U.S. 2019-2026

Number of domestic leisure and business trips in the U.S. 2019-2026

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Current statistics on this topic.

International travel spending in the U.S. 2019-2026

Leading city destinations in the U.S. 2019, by number of international arrivals

Related topics

Recommended.

• National park tourism in the U.S.
• Millennial travel behavior in the U.S.
• Tourism worldwide
• Hotel industry worldwide
• Sustainable tourism worldwide

Recommended statistics

Industry overview.

• Basic Statistic Tourism contribution to GDP in the U.S. 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Total travel expenditures in the U.S. 2019-2026
• Premium Statistic Direct travel spending in the U.S. 2019-2022, by traveler type
• Basic Statistic Countries that visited the U.S. the most 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Leading outbound travel markets in the U.S. 2019-2022, country
• Basic Statistic Contribution of travel and tourism to employment in the U.S. 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Most visited states in the U.S. 2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to the gross domestic product (GDP) in the United States in 2019 and 2022 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Total travel spending in the United States from 2019 to 2022, with a forecast until 2026 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Direct travel spending in the U.S. 2019-2022, by traveler type

Total direct travel spending in the United States from 2019 to 2022, by type of traveler (in billion U.S. dollars)

Countries that visited the U.S. the most 2019-2022

Distribution of international tourist arrivals in the United States in 2019 and 2022, by country

Leading outbound travel markets in the U.S. 2019-2022, country

Distribution of outbound tourist departures in the United States in 2019 and 2022, by country

Contribution of travel and tourism to employment in the U.S. 2019-2022

Contribution of travel and tourism to employment in the United States in 2019 and 2022 (in millions)

Most visited states in the U.S. 2022

Most visited states by adults in the United States as of September 2022

Key players

• Premium Statistic Leading holiday travel provider websites in the U.S. Q2 2023, by share of voice
• Premium Statistic Number of aggregated downloads of leading travel apps in the U.S. 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps in the U.S. 2023
• Basic Statistic American Customer Satisfaction Index for internet travel companies U.S. 2002-2024
• Premium Statistic American Customer Satisfaction Index for U.S. lodging companies 2008-2024, by company

Leading holiday travel provider websites in the U.S. Q2 2023, by share of voice

Leading travel brands in the United States in 2nd quarter 2023, by share of voice

Number of aggregated downloads of leading travel apps in the U.S. 2023

Number of aggregated downloads of selected leading travel apps in the United States in 2023 (in millions)

Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps in the U.S. 2023

Number of aggregated downloads of selected leading online travel agency apps in the United States in 2023 (in millions)

American Customer Satisfaction Index for internet travel companies U.S. 2002-2024

American Customer Satisfaction Index Scores for internet travel companies in the United States from 2002 to 2024

American Customer Satisfaction Index for U.S. lodging companies 2008-2024, by company

American Customer Satisfaction Index scores for lodging companies in the United States from 2008 to 2024, by company

• Premium Statistic U.S. hotel and motel industry market size 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of hotel jobs in the U.S. 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic ADR of hotels in the U.S. 2001-2022
• Premium Statistic Occupancy rate of the U.S. hotel industry 2001-2022
• Premium Statistic Revenue per available room of the U.S. hotel industry 2001-2022
• Premium Statistic Change in monthly number of hotel bookings in the U.S. 2020-2023
• Premium Statistic YoY monthly change in number of online hotel searches in the U.S. 2020-2023

U.S. hotel and motel industry market size 2012-2022

Market size of the hotel and motel sector in the United States from 2012 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of hotel jobs in the U.S. 2019-2022

Number of hotel jobs in the United States from 2019 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 (in millions)

ADR of hotels in the U.S. 2001-2022

Average daily rate of hotels in the United States from 2001 to 2022 (in U.S. dollars)

Occupancy rate of the U.S. hotel industry 2001-2022

Occupancy rate of the hotel industry in the United States from 2001 to 2022

Revenue per available room of the U.S. hotel industry 2001-2022

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) of hotel industry in the United States from 2001 to 2022 (in U.S. dollars)

Change in monthly number of hotel bookings in the U.S. 2020-2023

Year-over-year monthly change in number of hotel bookings in the United States from 2020 to 2023

YoY monthly change in number of online hotel searches in the U.S. 2020-2023

Year-over-year monthly change in number of online hotel searches in the United States from 2020 to 2023

Attractions

• Premium Statistic Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic U.S. amusement park industry market size 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Landmarks most recommended visitors in the U.S. 2022

Leading museums by highest attendance worldwide 2019-2022

Most visited museums worldwide from 2019 to 2022 (in millions)

Most visited amusement and theme parks worldwide 2019-2022

Leading amusement and theme parks worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by attendance (in millions)

U.S. amusement park industry market size 2011-2022

Market size of the amusement park sector in the United States from 2011 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Landmarks most recommended visitors in the U.S. 2022

Most recommended landmarks by visitors in the United States as of September 2022

City tourism

• Basic Statistic City destinations with the highest direct travel and tourism GDP worldwide 2022
• Premium Statistic World's highest-priced business travel destinations Q4 2022
• Basic Statistic Selected cities with the highest hotel rates in the U.S. as of September 2023
• Basic Statistic Most affordable cities for backpacking in the U.S. 2024, by daily price
• Premium Statistic Average price per night of Airbnb listings in selected U.S. cities 2024
• Premium Statistic Number of Airbnb listings in selected U.S. cities 2024

City destinations with the highest direct travel and tourism GDP worldwide 2022

Leading city tourism destinations worldwide in 2022, ranked by direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (in billion U.S. dollars)

World's highest-priced business travel destinations Q4 2022

Most expensive cities for business tourism worldwide in 4th quarter 2022, by average daily costs (in U.S. dollars)

Selected cities with the highest hotel rates in the U.S. as of September 2023

Selected cities with the most expensive hotel rates in the United States as of September 2023 (in U.S. dollars)

Most affordable cities for backpacking in the U.S. 2024, by daily price

Most affordable cities for backpacking in the United States as of January 2024, by daily price (in U.S. dollars)

Average price per night of Airbnb listings in selected U.S. cities 2024

Average price per night of Airbnb listings in selected cities in the United States as of February 2024 (in U.S. dollars)

Number of Airbnb listings in selected U.S. cities 2024

Number of Airbnb listings in selected cities in the United States as of February 2024

Sustainable tourism

• Premium Statistic Travelers who find sustainable travel important in the U.S. 2022
• Premium Statistic Share of travelers that plan to make sustainable travel choices in the U.S. 2022
• Premium Statistic How much more travelers would pay to make a trip more sustainable in the U.S. 2022
• Premium Statistic U.S. consumers who have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years 2022
• Premium Statistic U.S. consumers willing to pay extra for a sustainable travel provider 2022
• Premium Statistic Share of U.S. travelers that feel guilty over non-eco-friendly past travel 2022
• Premium Statistic Reasons travelers were against staying in sustainable hotels in the U.S. 2022

Travelers who find sustainable travel important in the U.S. 2022

Share of travelers that think sustainable travel is important in the United States as of February 2022

Share of travelers that plan to make sustainable travel choices in the U.S. 2022

Share of travelers that intend to make more sustainable travel decisions in the United States as of March 2022

How much more travelers would pay to make a trip more sustainable in the U.S. 2022

Extra cost travelers would be willing to pay to make a trip more carbon friendly in the United States as of March 2022

U.S. consumers who have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years 2022

Share of consumers that have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years in the United States as of February 2022

U.S. consumers willing to pay extra for a sustainable travel provider 2022

Share of consumers willing to pay extra for a sustainable travel provider in the United States as of February 2022

Share of U.S. travelers that feel guilty over non-eco-friendly past travel 2022

Share of travelers that experience guilt over past trips not being sustainable in the United States as of August 2022

Reasons travelers were against staying in sustainable hotels in the U.S. 2022

Reasons travelers were against staying in a hotel with sustainable practices in the United States as of August 2022

• Premium Statistic Priorities when choosing a leisure travel destination in the U.S. 2023, by generation
• Premium Statistic Leading destinations travelers intend to visit in the next 12 months in the U.S. 2023
• Premium Statistic Trust in travel and hospitality brands in the U.S. 2023, by brand type
• Premium Statistic American Customer Satisfaction Index: travel and tourism industries in the U.S. 2024

Priorities when choosing a leisure travel destination in the U.S. 2023, by generation

Main factors for choosing a leisure travel destination among adults in the United States as of May 2023, by generation

Leading destinations travelers intend to visit in the next 12 months in the U.S. 2023

Leading leisure travel destinations travelers intend to go to in the next 12 months in the United States as of September 2023

Trust in travel and hospitality brands in the U.S. 2023, by brand type

Level of trust in travel and hospitality brands in the United States as of September 2023, by brand type

American Customer Satisfaction Index: travel and tourism industries in the U.S. 2024

American Customer Satisfaction Index for the travel and tourism sector in the United States in 2024, by industry

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EKU’s Global Hospitality and Tourism Degree Prepares Students for a Booming Travel Industry

Published on June 21, 2024

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As CEO of two of the world’s swankiest hotel chains, Accor ’s Raffles and Fairmont , Omer Acar is used to having his every wish met when he travels. Nevertheless, what often impresses him is what he is denied. For example, his favorite breakfast, avocado toast.

“I’m super impressed with a hotel when they say, ‘Sorry, we don’t have avocado, because it’s not the season,’” Acar says. It’s preferable to have local and seasonally available options — which offer guests a sense of destination and culture — as opposed to having everything available everywhere, with no regard for the damage to the climate that effort can cause.

“I’m more impressed with that attitude, which has sophistication,” he says. “The answer is that you don’t have to offer everything to everybody, but you have to have a good alternative to everything.”

That’s an important concept for the hospitality industry. Tourism is a vital economic engine for many regions, but it also carries climate costs. Recently, Acar chatted with Mastercard Chief Sustainability Officer Ellen Jackowski at the Global Inclusive Growth Summit in Washington, D.C., about how demand for sustainable tourism is growing, why it makes business sense and how it can benefit local communities.

This is an edited and condensed version of their conversation.

Jackowski: When you think about luxury , rewind the clock a couple of years, five years ago maybe, did you think about sustainability? I don’t think you did. Luxury and sustainability were kind of opposing forces. But something has changed. What’s changed? Now these words are merging, I think, of course, for the better. What was the trigger?

Acar: If you asked me this question five years ago, sustainability was something that nobody wanted to hear in the luxury hospitality world. The idea was always ‘We have to say yes to everything.’ The focus was only pleasing the guest and sometimes not using the most sustainable solution.

We at Accor were a little bit ahead of the game. We didn’t wait for legislation to come. You don’t want to be chasing; you want to be leading. We have many sustainability activations in our hotels. At Fairmont Toronto, we renovated the hotel with the objective of dropping our CO 2 emissions to 80%. That comes with a result of removing 1,566 cars annually from traffic. In Raffles and Fairmont in Manila, we eliminated buying water. We invested a little bit of money and we eliminated 368,000 plastic bottles a year.

Maybe guests don’t choose the hotel because it has a sustainability certification. But I can tell you, they will not come back to that hotel if they are ignoring it.

Jackowski: When you think about some of the trade-offs, some of those investments you need to make, how do you think about sustainability adding value to your brand? And in terms of the business model, how is that evolving?

Acar: What is beautiful and great about sustainability is that the numbers are there. So it’s not a hard argument. If you install a double-glazed window for cooling and heating, you burn less fuel to maintain certain temperatures. It’s automatically giving them a return on investment. The business case is made already. We did a little study within the ownership structures, and 64% of owners are very ready to make sustainable investments because they believe that the financial returns are high.

When we talk about food wastage, should we eliminate buffets? Hoteliers tend to say, “We have so many guests in the hotel, they are all coming to the restaurant for breakfast, so we cannot afford not to have them.” Guests want to eat quickly. But the answer is, the money that you save from eliminating food wastage can actually create more jobs for those who serve.

Jackowski: You operate in 35 countries, 100 different properties. That’s a lot of different cultures, a lot of different types of foods. How are you thinking from an inclusive point of view about the communities you’re serving and the way that shows up to your guests?

Acar: I believe that food and beverage is going through a transformation. Chefs 20 years ago were focusing most on creating recipes. But today they have all become great procurement talents, because what they want to do is find the best tomato, they want to find a wild-caught fish. They want to get the freshest ingredients, seasonal ingredients. Again, it’s my avocado question: Do you have to have it 12 months a year? Do you have to eat cherries in February? No, you don't. But here are other beautiful delicacies. And it’s better for your health if you follow that seasonality.

As far as the environment and focusing on local farming, it’s very important. We operate big hotels, and we just want to make sure that the local culture and local communities also participate and benefit from this, that they are part of the solution instead of one-solution-fits-all. What you do in New York and London doesn’t mean it works in Jakarta.

Jackowski: This tension that we started with, of luxury fighting sustainability, the transition is happening quite fast considering where we started from a couple of years ago. What’s next? Where are you innovating in this space?

Acar: Water consumption. We just said no to a hotel in Mykonos. Mykonos is quite dry. Sometimes your growth is based on how many hotels you open, but you’ve got to have a certain integrity and there are times that you’re going to say no, and we as Accor are proud to say that we said no to this project. You may choose a hotel for your vacation, but when you see that the hotel is totally ignoring sustainability efforts, you may not go back to that hotel. It’s no longer sustainable to stay in the business by ignoring sustainability efforts.

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More From Forbes

The rise of holistic health in travel.

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Travelers are increasingly using vacations to explore their well-being.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has seen a significant shift in priorities, with holistic health and mindfulness emerging as central themes in many aspects of life, particularly in travel. The pandemic served as a stark reminder of the fragility of health, leading many to seek out ways to enhance both physical and mental well-being. This has spurred a growing trend in the travel industry, where a focus on holistic health and mindfulness practices has become increasingly popular.

Holistic health emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit, promoting a comprehensive approach to well-being. Mindfulness, a key component of holistic health, involves being fully present and engaged in the moment, fostering a sense of calm and awareness that can mitigate stress and improve mental clarity.

Practices such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork have been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and enhance overall mental health. These practices encourage individuals to slow down, tune into their bodies, and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and their surroundings. As people have become more aware of the benefits of these practices, there has been a notable increase in their integration into daily life and travel experiences.

The pandemic disrupted travel on an unprecedented scale, forcing many to reconsider how and why they travel. As restrictions eased and the world began to open up, travelers emerged with a renewed focus on health and well-being. This shift has been reflected in the increasing popularity of wellness tourism, which emphasizes holistic health and mindfulness practices.

Finding a Holistic Retreat

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies

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One such holistic center that has seen increased interest in its retreats and programs is the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies , based in Rhinebeck, New York. Since its inception in 1977, Omega has been offering a wide array of workshops, retreats, and training sessions across various disciplines. These programs are structured to cater to a holistic approach to well-being, encompassing physical health, emotional balance, spiritual development, and intellectual stimulation. Their offerings can be broken down into six main areas:

· Body, Mind, Spirit

· Health & Healing

· Creative Expression

· Relationships & Family

· Leadership & Work

· Sustainable Living

Yoga and Wellness

The yoga programs are designed for practitioners of all levels.

Omega's yoga and wellness programs are among its most popular offerings. Renowned instructors from around the globe conduct sessions in various styles of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. These programs are designed for practitioners of all levels, from beginners seeking to learn the basics to advanced practitioners aiming to deepen their practice. Workshops on topics like Ayurveda, nutrition, and holistic health provide participants with comprehensive tools to enhance their well-being.

Arts and Creativity

People connect both in workshop classes and during breaks and downtime.

The institute places a strong emphasis on the creative arts as a means of self-expression and healing. Workshops in painting, writing, music, dance, and other creative pursuits encourage participants to explore their artistic potential. These programs often attract artists, writers, and performers looking to ignite their creativity or overcome blocks in their work.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Mindfulness and meditation are popular programs at the center.

Omega is known for its meditation and mindfulness programs. These sessions cover a wide range of traditions and practices. Renowned spiritual leaders and teachers guide people through workshops aimed at deepening their mindfullness understanding and practice.

Personal Growth and Development

Often people will sign up for a program when they are going through a big life transition.

Personal growth workshops at Omega are designed to help individuals navigate life’s challenges and transitions. Topics such as relationships, leadership, stress management, and resilience are explored in depth. These programs attract individuals looking to improve their emotional intelligence, gain new perspectives, and foster personal transformation.

Sustainability and Environmental Awareness

The campus has nature trails and meditation gardens.

Omega’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its programs focused on environmental awareness and sustainable living. Workshops on permaculture, eco-friendly building, and renewable energy aim to educate participants on living harmoniously with the earth. Omega’s own campus, with its sustainable design and eco-friendly practices, serves as a living example of these principles.

The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL)

Omega Institute is the Omega Center for Sustainable Living

A standout feature of the Omega Institute is the Omega Center for Sustainable Living. The OCSL is a state-of-the-art environmental education center and natural water reclamation facility. It serves as a model for sustainable design, incorporating green building techniques, renewable energy, and ecological wastewater treatment. The center offers workshops and tours that educate visitors on sustainable living practices.

The Omega Women’s Leadership Center (OWLC)

The leadership programs for women have attracted participants from all over the country.

The OWLC is dedicated to supporting and empowering women leaders. It offers programs focused on leadership development, social change, and personal empowerment. The center aims to foster a new generation of women leaders who are compassionate, inclusive, and effective.

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South Korean Travel & Tourism Sector Set to Reach New Heights in 2024

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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) predicts a remarkable year for Travel & Tourism in South Korea, with significant growth in its economic contribution, employment, and visitor spending. According to the latest data, the sector's contribution to the national economy is expected to reach a record ₩96.2TN this year, representing a 13.6% year-on-year increase. This contribution underscores the sector's crucial role, accounting for 4.3% of the nation's economy. Employment within Travel & Tourism is also forecasted to surpass previous records, with total job of numbers anticipated to surpass to 1.4MN in 2024, highlighting the sector's vital role in job creation and economic stability. Visitor spending is also projected to witness substantial growth this year, with international visitor spend expected to reach 2019 levels to nearly ₩31.9TN, up 31.2% from last year.  Domestic visitor spending is also set to rise, achieving nearly ₩35.5TN, reflecting a 7.2% increase from 2019 levels and a 3% growth compared to 2023. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The impressive growth of South Korea's Travel & Tourism sector underscores the government's outstanding commitment to prioritising tourism as a key driver of economic development. “This dedication not only boosts economic growth but also enhances South Korea's profile as a premier destination for travellers worldwide.” Looking back on 2023 Last year, South Korea's Travel & Tourism sector experienced a resurgence, growing 18.2% to reach ₩84.71TN, representing 3.8% of the country's total economic output.  This growth was a significant rebound, although it remained 6.3% below 2019 levels.  The sector also contributed to the creation of 76.6k new jobs, bringing total employment to 1.34MN, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 6.1%. International and domestic spending also saw notable increases, with international visitor spending reaching ₩24.3TN and domestic spending climbing to ₩34.45TN. Outlook for the next decade Looking ahead, the WTTC forecasts that by 2034, South Korea's Travel & Tourism sector will significantly boost its annual GDP contribution to ₩130.9TN, accounting for nearly 5% of the national economy.  Employment in the sector is expected to exceed 1.8MN jobs, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the national workforce and supporting 6.8% of all jobs in the country. Across Northeast Asia

Travel & Tourism in Northeast Asia is expected to grow by more than 29% this year to reach a record-breaking USD 2.3TN, whilst jobs could reach more than 89.5MN, just behind 2019 levels.  International spending is expected to reach more than USD 250BN this year, while domestic visitor spending is set to reach an all-time high of USD 1.2TN, surpassing the pre-pandemic level by almost 10%. See all the data in the South Korea Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Report  on the WTTC Research Hub.

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Philippines Travel Industry Soars to Unprecedented P5.4 Trillion High

The Philippines has always been a tropical paradise, captivating tourists with its pristine beaches, vibrant festivals, and warm hospitality. However, the travel industry has recently reached new heights, soaring to an unprecedented P5.4 trillion high. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the country’s tourism sector and highlights its growing popularity on the global stage.

Growth Drivers of the Tourism Industry

Several factors have contributed to this remarkable growth:

• Government Initiatives: Strategic government policies and initiatives have played a crucial role in promoting the Philippines as a top tourist destination. Efforts such as the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign have effectively marketed the country to international travelers.
• Improved Infrastructure: Investments in infrastructure, including upgraded airports and better road networks, have enhanced accessibility to remote and lesser-known destinations.
• Diverse Attractions: From the stunning Powdery White Sands of Boracay to the historic Intramuros in Manila, the Philippines offers a range of attractions catering to different interests.
• Ecotourism and Sustainability: Initiatives focusing on ecotourism and sustainable travel have drawn environmentally conscious tourists, eager to explore the Philippines’ natural wonders while minimizing their environmental impact.

These factors have collectively propelled the travel industry to new heights, resulting in a significant economic boost and job creation across various sectors.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The surge in tourism has had far-reaching economic implications:

Revenue Generation

The P5.4 trillion milestone signifies a substantial increase in revenue, benefitting both the public and private sectors. Enhanced tourist spending has stimulated local economies, leading to the growth of businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

Employment Opportunities

The tourism boom has created numerous job opportunities, particularly in regions heavily reliant on tourism. From tour guides to hospitality workers, the industry’s expansion has provided livelihoods for countless Filipinos, reducing unemployment rates and improving living standards.

Investment Stimulus

The influx of tourists has prompted both local and foreign investors to pour capital into the tourism sector. This investment has led to the development of new resorts, attractions, and facilities, further enhancing the Philippines’ appeal as a travel destination.

Top Tourist Destinations

The Philippines boasts an array of breathtaking destinations attracting millions of visitors each year:

Boracay Island

Known for its powdery white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, Boracay continues to be a top choice for honeymooners, beach lovers, and adventure seekers. Recent rehabilitation efforts have restored its beauty, making it more appealing than ever.

Often dubbed as the “Last Frontier,” Palawan’s pristine landscapes, including the picturesque El Nido and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, draw nature enthusiasts from around the globe.

Cebu offers a blend of historical landmarks, vibrant festivals, and stunning dive sites. Whether it’s the Sinulog Festival or diving with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu promises a diverse and enriching travel experience.

Future Prospects and Challenges

While the Philippines celebrates its tourism triumphs, the industry also faces certain challenges and opportunities:

Sustainable Tourism

Maintaining the delicate balance between tourism growth and environmental conservation is crucial. Emphasis on sustainable practices can ensure that the country’s natural beauty is preserved for future generations.

Infrastructure Development

Continued investment in infrastructure is essential to accommodate the growing number of tourists. This includes expanding airports, improving public transportation, and developing alternative transportation solutions.

Marketing Strategies

The Philippines must continue to innovate in its marketing efforts to attract a diverse range of tourists. Leveraging digital platforms and social media can help reach a broader audience and showcase the unique experiences the country has to offer.

The Philippines’ travel industry reaching an unprecedented P5.4 trillion high is a testament to the country’s allure and the effectiveness of its tourism strategies. The economic gains, job creation, and investment opportunities underscore the significance of this achievement. As the industry continues to flourish, a focus on sustainability and infrastructure development will be key to sustaining this remarkable growth. With its myriad attractions and warm hospitality, the Philippines is set to remain a top destination for travelers worldwide.