Tourism and hospitality are rapidly growing industries offering career paths in areas such as tourism development, event and festival organisation and hotel resort management.

Employers in this field need staff who enjoy travelling, meeting new people and sharing their experiences with others.

In this major you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to become an effective manager in the tourism and hospitality sectors in Australia and overseas.

You will learn about contemporary issues in international tourism, such as event and tourism sustainability, the impact of tourism and events on the local and global economy, destination management, hospitality management and marketing.

This major sits within the Bachelor of Commerce degree. To apply for this major, you will apply for the Bachelor of Commerce.

Recommended double majors:

• Event Management
• Management
• Marketing
• Public Relations

Why study

• Undertake internships and gain industry experience. In the past, students have interned at companies including Busselton Jetty and Margaret River Wine Association.
• Network with industry professionals at organisations such as Alex Hotel, food and beverage company Fervor, consultancy Executive Compass and Indigenous hospitality business Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery, through industry projects, and guest lectures.
• Gain hands-on experience at tourism hotspots through regular study tours and field trips. Previous students have travelled to Italy to work with the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation to manage the Dolomites World Heritage Site, and to Cambodia to work with the Apsara Authority to protect the Angkor Archaeological Park. Students have also undertaken local visits to the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA), Monkey Mia, Perth Zoo and the Swan Valley.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia has partnered with Curtin to offer internships to students who have completed 200 credits or more of their commerce degree. These internships will give you credit towards your degree, increase your industry experience and put you in direct contact with leading professionals.

Careers

• Corporate travel consultant
• Hotel or motel manager
• Resort manager
• Restaurant and catering manager
• Tourism information officer
• Tourism manager
• Travel consultant

Industries

• Destination management
• Events
• Government
• Hospitality
• Tourism