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Build on your existing diploma or degree credentials to launch a career in the growing international tourism and hospitality management industry. Gain a solid understanding of hospitality and tourism operations through a global lens, combining practical hands-on experience in hotel, restaurant and event management with core business skills in accounting and marketing.
In your first year, you’ll develop your management skills through a combination of theory-based and applied courses. Principles of accounting and marketing are quickly put into practice as you hone your skills in the Third Course Bistro and through the creation of special events.
In year two, you will specialize in either hospitality or sustainable tourism and complete a mandatory four-month internship, either locally or internationally depending on your career goals. You have the option to study a foreign language or to pursue a dual specialty in both sustainable tourism and hospitality. These options well-prepare you for transfer into a number of tourism, hospitality or business degree programs across Canada. Either way, you’ll gain skills in human resources, strategic and international business management.
Hospitality Option Study international hospitality management and develop the skills needed to understand the complexities of managing international hotel and restaurant operations, identify global ownership and management models and learn how different values, attitudes and beliefs affect employees, clients and cultures. Courses in food and beverage service and general business management will enhance your skills and understanding of this dynamic sector.
Sustainable Tourism Option Get an overview of the challenges facing tourism managers and operators in today’s environmentally sensitive market and an understanding of cultural sustainability within the field. Explore the relationship between tourism, recreation, and resort management in conjunction with the natural resources they use while hearing directly from industry, stakeholder, and government speakers. Courses in entrepreneurship, special events management and law provide a broader perspective of the industry and an international field trip gives you a chance to see it all in action.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate, you will qualify for leadership and management opportunities in luxurious hotels and resorts across the tourism and hospitality industry, including hotel and restaurant management, human resources management, sales and marketing management and hotel revenue/ financial management.
Some graduates have chosen to operate their own tourism business, while others choose to work in small or large tourism organizations on Vancouver Island, Whistler, Vancouver and around the world.
About the Tourism Industry
Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industries offering a wide variety of career possibilities. It employs over 200,000 people in BC and, according to Statistics Canada, 354,000 job openings are predicted nationwide in the next 10 years. Over 65,000 of those openings are anticipated to be for supervisors and managers. So, whether you are just starting out, looking to advance your current situation, transferring yours skills from another industry or dream of running your own businesses, NIC can put you on the path to a successful career.
Internship
A mandatory component of the advanced diploma program is a four-month internship, either locally or in an international business setting. Internships are either paid or unpaid work terms that integrate academic study and program-related work experience. Hands-on experience will build your confidence, develop your network of contacts, and provide a solid foundation for future employment success. If you are an international student, you may be eligible to apply for a three year work visa on completion of the program.
Internship opportunities are available to choose from, not only on Vancouver Island, but elsewhere in Canada and internationally. Internship staff and program instructors work closely with you to determine how the work terms can best fit your individual interests and career goal
Transfer Credit & Credit For Prior Learning
The NIC Tourism and Hospitality program accepts transfer credit from a wide range of post-secondary institutions and professional organizations. Detailed course transfer information for BC institutions may be found by accessing the BC Transfer Guide. Students possessing other applicable prior learning may request prerequisite waivers for selected courses.
To Be Successful
- Applicants are encouraged to gain as much tourism industry experience as possible before the program starts, either through work experience or volunteering. The more service industry experience you bring to the program, the more relevant your learning will be.
- Serving it Right (TFB-011) and FoodSafe Level 1 (TFS-010) should be completed before classes begin. Separate fees are required for registration in these courses.
- You will be required to a use variety of Microsoft Office software immediately upon entering the program. Refreshing or developing your computer skills before entering the program is encouraged.
- If you wish to apply your diploma toward a university degree, you should book a planning meeting with an educational advisor as early as possible.
- It is strongly recommended that you take ENG 160 in your first semester of studies. This course focuses on the theories and principles of effective business communication and provides foundational skills for students in the tourism and hospitality program.
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