Many people who want to go into the travel and tourism industry have never had the benefits of academic travel and tourism curriculum explained to them, so they do not understand why it is so important to get an education in order to excel in this industry. Although becoming a travel agent or working for an airline doesn’t necessarily require a degree, many employers in these and other industries prefer educated applicants, and some jobs require it. If you are passionate about this industry and have the education to prove how qualified you are, you will be more likely to get the travel and tourism jobs you’ve dreamed of.

Travel and tourism curriculum varies depending on the school you’re attending, the degree or certificate you’re going after and the specialization you are studying. You will most likely take courses in business and management as well as classes about travel consulting, accounting, restaurant and hospitality operations, communications, international travel and more. If you earn a bachelor’s degree from a traditional four-year university you will also need to take general courses in subjects like math, science, English and history to graduate.

Although this type of degree or training program is not required for many of the available travel and tourism jobs, it will prepare you for a more lucrative career and make you a more attractive applicant when you begin looking for employment. The curriculum will vary depending on whether you are looking for basic credentials or a certificate or degree, but in any case you will learn valuable lessons about the industry. You will also have opportunities to complete internship programs that provide hands-on experience in the travel and tourism industry. For this reason you may want to consider attending school in an area where travel and tourism are popular.

There are travel and tourism curriculum programs at online universities, vocational schools, community colleges and traditional four-year colleges and universities. It would be wise to explore all your options and choose the best path for your particular career goals. With the right training, a rewarding career in the travel and tourism industry awaits.

Institutions offering quality Travel and Tourism Management Programs include Strayer University, Heald College, Schiller International University, Sullivan University, National College, and The University of Phoenix.

Find the perfect Travel and Tourism School or Travel and Tourism College today and start your path to a rewarding career.

A hospitality management degree can prepare you for a rewarding career in the hotel, restaurant, cruise ship, spa, resort or other entertainment and leisure industries. These industries are extremely lucrative, and there is a great deal of work all over the world in management positions. If you earn a hospitality management degree, you will be well on your way to a career that can really take you places.        

The curriculum involved in a hospitality management degree will vary depending on the school you attend, the specialization you choose and the specific degree you are going after (associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s). A typical Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality management will require courses such as Mathematical Analysis for Business, Economic Analysis, and English/Written Composition courses. Then you can begin the core curriculum for the hospitality management degree, which may include the following courses:

• Introduction to Hotel Management
• Introduction to Restaurant & Institutional Food Service
• Introduction to Commercial Recreation & Resort Management
• Principles of Financial Accounting
• Principles of Managerial Accounting
• Hospitality Management Law
• Business Statistics
• Event Planning Management
• Business Finance
• Foods, Production & Service
• Foodservice Systems Management
• Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior
• Marketing
• Hospitality Human Resource Management
• Hotel Operations

There will also probably be an internship and seminar course required for completion of a hospitality management degree, which is an important component of the curriculum. This will provide an opportunity to get hands on experience in the field, to network and to meet potential future employers. Then you will be more prepared to enter the hospitality management career of your choice.

Once you’re working in the field you will have great opportunities set out before you. While entry level hospitality managers fresh out of college may only earn $25,000 annually, it will not take long to gain experience and move into more lucrative positions making $80,000 or more annually. The job outlook is also good, as the hospitality industry in the United States is currently searching for approximately 200,000 new executives in hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas and wineries.

Institutions offering quality Hospitality Management Programs include The International Culinary Institute at the Art Institutes, Le Cordon Blue Schools, Strayer University, Everest University, and The University of Phoenix.

Find the perfect Culinary School or Hospitality Management College today and start your path to a rewarding career.

With a travel and tourism degree, there are many different career paths you can take. Each travel and tourism course you take will help in your goal of becoming a travel agent, hotel manager, cruise ship event director, tour planner or other hospitality-related specialist. The following are considered to be the top 10 travel and tourism programs at colleges and universities in the United States:

1. Johnson and Wales University: You can complete one of many four-year travel and tourism programs at campuses in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina or Rhode Island.
2. University of Central Florida: Complete a certificate, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in hospitality management, and while you’re at it complete an internship at one of the many local theme parks, resorts or hotels.
3. University of Hawaii at Manoa: This island university offers a well-respected travel and tourism degree in four specializations. You will also be able to network and make connections with leaders in the travel and hospitality industry.
4. Brigham Young University, Hawaii: BYU’s Hawaii campus ranks #4 in U.S. News’ list of comprehensive colleges for bachelor’s degrees, and it’s in the perfect location for internships and networking.
5. University of New Hampshire: With a rich history, prime east coast location, small student body size and high educational standards, you’ll be able to start your career path straight out of college.
6. San Diego State University: This CSU campus with a freshmen retention rate of 81 percent is located in a popular U.S. travel destination with many hotels, resorts, travel agencies and cruise ship companies.
7. University of Phoenix: This is one of the top online universities in the nation with numerous degree options including a BS in Business/Hospitality.
8. Penn Foster Career School: If you’re looking to start working as a travel and tourism specialist or hotel/restaurant manager, a career diploma from this school will put you on the right path.
9. Walden University: This online university offers a BS in Business Admin-Management, MS in Leadership-General Management and Ph.D. in Mgmt that are ideal for the travel and tourism industry.
10. American InterContinental University: With a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management or MBA from this career-focused university, you’ll be well on your way to the job of your dreams.

Find the perfect Travel and Tourism College today and start your path to a rewarding career.

Are you really passionate about beer, wine or any other types of beverages? Or do you actually carry a dream or planning to become the kind of expert who can pair beverages and food for the most discerning customer? Well, if so then making a career in this wine and beverages management can play a vital role in realizing your dream. In fact, this could be an ideal field where you can make your career.

Today there are many culinary schools in the United States that are offering specialized programs in wine and beverages management. The key feature that makes this program unique and different from others is it is designed and supported by leading wine and beverage experts from some of the industry’s finest restaurants and hotels. The program educates you about all the key skills that you generally required to pursue a rewarding career in wine and beverage management. And, best of all, this program is it provides a platform where you can expand your knowledge of:
• Viticulture and Viniculture
• Tasting techniques
• Management of beverages for special menus

Graduating from this program can open all kinds of doors for you. In fact, once you complete your program you can begin a rewarding career as resident wine expert in different work settings like clubs, catering companies, restaurants, beverage agencies, cruise lines, and resorts or may even work in the beverage and wine supply industry. Apart from this, there are many other options where you can make your career as-

Wine / Beverage Sommelier: Working as a wine or beverage sommelier, your responsibilities may revolve around serving in a restaurant, including storage, and wine cellar rotation. He may even require to work along with the executive chef to find wines that complement a specific menu. However, if you are working in any restaurant then at times you may require preparing the wine lists or even provide training to other staff about the wines and wine service. If we talk in terms of salary then as a beginner, you could easily earn a decent salary as $28,000, but as you gain experience and certification, you may make between $80,000 and $160,000. Though to be a Master Sommelier, you need to pass a series of exams from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Restaurant or Hotel Beverage Manager: This is another specialized field that combines the creativity of the kitchen along with the business of running wine and beverage operations. Now, working as a restaurant or hotel beverage manager, your skills may go beyond managing day to day beverage operations. A good wine & beverage manager is a good leader and manager of diverse staff, and so your day to day work responsibilities may include:
• Recruiting and providing training to staff
• Monitoring the staff performance and further provide the feedback
• Monitoring revenues and expenses
• Negotiating supplier arrangements for wine and beverage products

Casino Wine and Beverage Manager: No other job prospects have gained as popularity in the past ten years as the casino line jobs. In fact, the demand for casino wine and beverage manager in the last four years has doubled. Performing the role of casino wine and beverage manager, your responsibilities may revolve around managing different activities of the beverage function. Besides this, at times you may even require to identify or evaluate strategies in order to increase your revenue and guest satisfaction with the department’s services. In addition to this, you may also require monitoring the equipment and inventory levels and take appropriate action if required.

Cruise Line Beverage Manager or Director: Playing the role of a cruise line beverage manager, your responsibilities may generally include:
• Directing, supervising and evaluating the performance of all direct reports.
• Watching the overall operation of all wine and beverage outlets and the galley area.
• Managing the general wine, spirit and beverage budget by reviewing financial transactions and monitoring the budget to ensure an efficient operation.
• Administer the wine and beverage inventory and further ensure that the appropriate inventory controls are in proper place while managing carrying costs effectively.

Adding to this, working as a cruise line beverage manager you would be answerable for all of the Beverage Department’s financial matters. Apart from all these profiles and positions, today you may even enjoy your career as a Wine, Beer and Spirits Distributor/Sales/Owner. However, it doesn’t matter what role you play, you could be the very important professional working in one of the emerging industry.

Over the last few years, the wines and spirits sector firms are looking for experts who cannot just work with the marketing tools, but can also understand the different facets of sales and its techniques. To understand and master the sales technique, it is very important to have a good education. Attending an accredited culinary school is unavoidable if you are really looking to learn the tricks of this industry. Proper training can surely help in sharpening the skills required if you are deciding a make a career in this industry.

The culinary industry is a large industry that supports numerous jobs through out the world. In fact, the demand for jobs is continuously high in this segment and competition can get intense several times. Qualifications and experience make a difference in the jobs that students land in culinary management. From that perspective, those who possess formal education gain an edge over others who don’t have formal credentials.

A Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Management spans 3 years and differentiates you from others competing for similar jobs. It is flexible and is offered through campus and online modes. Moreover, it provides you exposure in areas like food and beverages management along side hotels and lodging industries. It covers topics such as marketing, accounting, human resources management, hospitality law, purchasing and event management.

Career outlook is bright for this industry. Job prospects are even rosier with attractive employment opportunities and lucrative salaries for those who possess formal academic qualifications coupled with practical experience. You could start of as food services or lodging manager. Other areas of opportunities are food research & development and food inspection & culinary instruction. Several professionals also choose to start off their own catering businesses or restaurants. Median annual salaries for food service managers and lodging managers stood at $39,610 and $37,660 respectively.

International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes and Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America are famous world over for their culinary credentials. Following them are Le Cordon Bleu International and The French Culinary Institute that are equally well reputed as their peers. They offer programs in line with the times equipped with world class faculty providing and maintain highest standards of excellence at all times. The Culinary Institute of America joins the select group and is well known for setting the standard of excellence in professional culinary education.

The hallmark of a good baker or pastry chef is creativity marked by domain expertise in the field of baking and pastry arts. They can stir the taste buds through their creations and encourage appetite in all of us through their elegant and tasty work. Moreover, for those who love food and enjoy cooking even more, this profession is a natural choice. The baking and pastry arts discipline is part and parcel of the broader field of culinary arts.

There are several programs that are offered in baking and pastry arts spanning Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Diploma programs spanning 1 year to 15 months are also available. These diplomas are traditionally shorter in duration as compared to Bachelor’s degrees and offer good scope for those who want to start off early into the profession. They are available through flexible learning i.e., campus and online modes. As part of the course work, students learn preparation of various breads, cakes, cookies, fillings, confections, frozen desserts and service pastries. Diplomas focus on theoretical and practical aspects including techniques, quickness and working together. Diplomas may also include internship. Additionally, credits can be applied later to Associate degrees.

Career outlook is bright in this discipline with growth projected as faster than average of all occupations by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students completing a diploma usually secure entry-level employment opportunities in bakeries and restaurants. The average annual salary for pastry chefs in USA was between $37,000 and $60,000 in March 2007 as per Salary.com. Executive pastry chefs can average anywhere between $55,207 and $144,804 a year.

Top institutions offering quality programs are International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America and Le Cordon Bleu International followed by The French Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America that are equally well reputed and provide “best in class” education.

The key ingredients of a career in baking and pastry arts are creativity, love for food and cooking skills. Trained culinary artists can stir passions in clients through elegantly decorated dishes and ever-tasty creations. For all of us inclined towards food and love cooking in kitchens, a career in baking and pastry is a natural choice.

Institutions offer several certificate programs in baking and pastry arts. Certificate programs are usually of shorter duration spanning 6–9 months. These programs are tailored for students and working staff alike and provide flexible education through campus and online modes.

As part of the course work, students learn preparation of chocolate, baking artisan breads and creating imaginative pastries. Other aspects includes making of cakes, cookies, fillings, confections, frozen desserts and service pastries. Certificate programs usually include internships. Credits acquired in these programs can be applied to associate degrees. Completion of this program opens up several opportunities as bakers, pastry cooks, assistant pastry chefs, research assistants, test kitchen professionals and pastry chefs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that employment opportunities are bright in the culinary industry which includes baking and pastry arts. Consequently, career outlook is positive with growth projected at faster than average of all occupations. A certificate program usually secures entry-level employment opportunities in bakeries and restaurants. A pastry chef in the USA drew average annual earnings of $37,000 to $60,000 in March 2007 as per Salary.com. Executive pastry chefs earn more than that between $55,207 and $144,804 a year.

International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America and Le Cordon Bleu International are the top institutions offering quality programs. They are followed by The French Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America that are world famous and provide “best in class” education.

Millions and millions travel to different locations across the world every year for business or leisure. Consequently, travel and tourism industry has become big business. Importantly, certain elements determine the magnetic appeal of locations in drawing crowds such as facilities, ambience, good food, hospitality, history of place, pricing, recreation and amusement. The challenge is to successfully manage these elements while drawing larger clientele and ensuring that business is profitable and sustainable.

From this perspective, certificate programs in travel and tourism management come in handy. These are short duration programs that usually span a year or less and are available either through campus mode or online channels. The latter is especially convenient to working staff since it allows them to simultaneously study and work. Moreover, these certificate programs incorporate elements of travel and tourism and business management to ensure that business is being run in a scientific and profitable manner. Additionally, they provide formal education which is now becoming necessary for seeking out employment opportunities. They may also provide internship opportunities thus creating field exposure. Course work may include topics such as travel destinations, professionalism in tourism, practices and procedures in airline industry, travel products and administration, tour operations; and automation in travel industry.

Career outlook is strongly positive for this industry despite stiff competition in some types of jobs as per US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those possessing formal education gain over others invariably. Employment opportunities open up in travel agencies, tour companies, airlines, cruise lines, hotels and many other related companies.

Certificate programs may be offered by world class institutions like International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America and Le Cordon Bleu International well known for their quality of education. Equally reputed are The French Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America.

Change has invariably caught up with hospitality industry and consequently, this discipline is now being run in a more structured manner befitting any business where hospitality needs to gel with profitability. It primarily covers hotels, restaurants, travel and tourism and also includes theme parks, amusement parks, casinos, resorts and cruises under its umbrella.

An MBA in Hospitality Management is ideal for students and staff who wish to work their careers up into the top echelons of management in the hospitality management industry. An MBA degree is available through campus and online modes and is especially convenient for those intending to balance study and work commitments. Interestingly, the curriculum of MBA program is mixed with elements of hospitality management and business administration. Course work may involve regular components of MBA programs such as managerial accounting and finance, business management, economics and operations management, strategic planning and implementation. The hospitality courses span food and beverage control, international travel and tourism, tourism planning and marketing, people management, hotel and restaurant accounting information systems coupled with case studies and field exposure.

Career outlook is bright for this industry with Bureau of Labor Statistics projected strong growth in this industry. There is also keen competition for jobs and those completing an MBA program stand to gain immensely. Typical employment opportunities include hospitality manager, hospitality franchisee, hospitality finance director and hospitality management consultant to name a few. Salaries are lucrative and as per US Bureau of Labor Statistics, hospitality managers earned about $38,000 annually as of 2004.

Several top institutions offer Master’s program in Business Administration focusing on Hospitality Management with International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America and Le Cordon Bleu International leading the group. The French Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America also provide “best in class” education.

Hotels, restaurants, theme parks, amusement parks, casinos, resorts and cruises all belong to the hospitality industry. As the nature of businesses change and they become more structured, employers now expect potential employees to possess degrees in hospitality management over and above established exposure to the field.

Without doubt, students who possess formal education by way of Bachelor’s degrees have an edge over others who don’t. Moreover, employment opportunities are higher in number and they are also better equipped to work in this industry since this program not only introduces them into the nuances of hospitality management but also hones their skills. The program is particularly flexible for working staff who wish to enhance their credentials since it is available through campus and online modes. Alternatively, a combination of campus and online courses may also be offered.

It is comprehensive and stretches over 4 years with field experience included. Course work may include math, English, sciences and humanities. Additionally, it can also span information technology, food and beverage management, business administration, hotel/resort management, accounting and financial management, marketing and sales management and human resources management.

Career outlook is extremely bright in the hospitality management industry with projections emanating from Bureau of Labor Statistics that growth is expected at 17% in the coming decade. Employment opportunities begin in entry level executive management positions. Opportunities may crop up as hotel managers, conference services managers and general managers with salaries of $37,660, $39,620 and $77,420 respectively. Variables such as experience, location and employer determine earnings.

International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America and Le Cordon Bleu International lead the premier group of institutions offering this program followed by The French Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America with established track records of excellence.