International Tourism and Hospitality Management

Select your course options:

Summary:

Where Are You Applying From?

How Would You Like To Study?

When Do You Want To Start Your Studies?

Which Campus Would You Like To Study At?

Which Options Would You Like With Your Course?

Why choose the Graduate School of Business

Find out more

Our business and management courses rank 3rd overall in their subject field in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024, with top 3 rankings for teaching, engagement, learning community and course organisation.

We are a member of the Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE), demonstrating our high standing, esteem and commitment to supporting the subject field.

Over 95% of our full-time UK business and management graduates are in employment or further study, 15 months after graduating (source: HESA Graduate Outcomes for 2020/21, pub 2023).

About the course

The MSc in International Tourism and Hospitality Management offers career-powered education providing students with critical understanding of the interconnectedness of international tourism and hospitality sectors. This course focuses on global management issues, with an emphasis on how these industries affect various contexts, including economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and technological aspects. You will gain knowledge of strategic management and planning, equipping you with the skills necessary to address tourism and hospitality challenges.

For further course information, contact Sanaz Vatankhah at sanaz.vatankhah@beds.ac.uk

Facilities and specialist equipment

State-of-the-art business suite with industry-standard hardware and software
Access to Opera Hotel software, the industry-standard property management system, as well as other simulation software
Access to international learning resources from Harvard Business Publishing
Business pods, boardroom areas and IT suites designed to simulate a professional office environment

Your student experience

Peer-informed academic learning model with an emphasis on active collaboration and employability tailored for the modern workplace: develop critical thinking, analytical research, leadership, and self-management skills through structured peer discourse and academic guidance, all while gaining specialised knowledge.
Delivered in six-week Blocks with 24/7 access to learning resources and opportunities.
Live projects are integrated into the curriculum. Our strong industry links and collaborations offer students real-world experience. Engage with real firms in your classroom, solve real issues, build your competencies, confidence and networks.
Ranked 3rd overall in the HEA Postgraduate Student Experience Survey (PTES 2024), the University of Bedfordshire ensures an exceptional experience for postgraduate students. Ranked 1st in Engagement, 1st place in Community, 2nd in Teaching and Learning, 2nd in Organisation and Management, and 3rd in Assessment and Feedback from 107 UK Universities.
Over 95% of our full-time UK business and management graduates are in employment or further study, 15 months after graduating (source: HESA Graduate Outcomes for 2020/21, pub 2023).
Take advantage of industry speakers, industry events and career-development opportunities studying close to London.
Choose to specialise further by undertaking your dissertation in an area that sparks your interest, applying your learning to solve complex problems.
Learn from academic experts with strong industry experience and links. Benefit from high-levels of study support from careers, study skills and student support experts.
Aligned with the Principles of Responsible Management Education’s (PRME) sustainable development goals (SDG).

Course Leader - Dr Sanaz Vatankhah

I am a Senior Lecturer in Business Management and Strategy, focusing on the service industries within the Graduate School of Business (GSB). I lead the Tourism, International Business, and Marketing Research (TIBAM) centre, highlighting my role in academic leadership and research excellence. I have published extensively in respected journals on topics spanning tourism, service marketing, and sustainable business practices. My work also emphasises the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and innovative business models in driving sustainable development. With my expertise, I contribute significantly to shaping the strategic direction of business education and research, particularly in the evolving service industries field.

Find out more about Dr Sanaz Vatankhah

What will you study?

Studying our International Tourism and Hospitality Management MSc course will equip you with the knowledge and skills in the combined areas of international tourism, business, and strategic management. You will explore current trends and issues in the constantly changing nature of tourism in our Sociocultural Dimensions of Tourism unit to understand how this impacts the relationship between tourism, culture, and society. This will allow you to apply tourism theories and current trends to analyse tourism policies, as well as the role of tourism in representing public culture, heritage, and the nature of places in a postmodern era.

Furthermore, Approaches in Sustainable Travel and Tourism will allow you to develop insights into socio-economic and environmental challenges in travel and tourism industries. You will explore planning frameworks for sustainable tourism development that can be used to integrate economic equality, environmental conservation, and community participation while using tourism as a medium for poverty reduction and alleviation. In areas of business, Marketing in the Digital Era will allow you to explore elements of devising digital marketing strategies, conducting online market research, and preparing a digital marketing plan. You will gain a critical awareness of the role of digital marketing in business success while learning to apply digital marketing techniques with a focus on digital platforms, new business models, and social interaction.

To further enhance your industry skills, we offer complimentary access to Opera software – a leading tool in hospitality management, providing hands-on experience for students to excel in the global hospitality industry. Additionally, you will develop a critical and informed understanding of business environments and the business opportunities within them in our Strategy unit. Here, you will be introduced to a range of tools and concepts for strategic analysis and business modelling that will allow you to assess the strategic position of business organisations, formulate strategies, evaluate options, and implement strategic decisions. Finally, you will complete our Capstone unit, which will allow you to bring theory and practice together and research a topic of your interest relevant to your field of study. To help you with this, you will be introduced to the processes and techniques of research methods while working with a research supervisor to develop your ideas.

How will you be assessed?

Your assessments prepare you for career tasks and activities, developing your employability skills and industry-specific knowledge. Your assessments build your competencies and confidence with a strong emphasis on authentic assessment, including a mix-of:

Live projects, working on real-world industry projects
Group and individual assessments
Presentations
Industry reports
Reflexive work

There are no exams in this course. The capstone of your course is a dissertation, developing an individual independent piece of work under supervision. This challenging, enjoyable and rewarding experience enhance your conceptual and analytical skills, as well as research and data management expertise.

Careers

On successfully completing this Master's you will gain the knowledge and skills to understand the role of critical-evaluation techniques and decision-making strategies in establishing yourself and thriving in a senior management role. You will have the skills to find career opportunities in industries such as travel management; hospitality management; food and beverage management; public relations; and marketing. Possibiltieis include:

Tourism and Hospitality Manager: Oversee daily operations in hotels, resorts, or tourism enterprises, ensuring high-quality guest experiences while managing profitability and efficiency.
Strategic Planner in Tourism Development: Develop sustainable tourism strategies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation and cultural heritage preservation for governments and organisations.
Digital Marketing Specialist: Create and manage digital marketing strategies for tourism and hospitality businesses, focusing on online campaigns, social media engagement, and data-driven marketing optimisation.
Hotel and Resort Manager: Lead teams, optimise operations, and ensure guest satisfaction while managing marketing and driving revenue growth for hospitality establishments.
Sustainable Tourism Consultant: Advise on sustainable tourism projects, helping businesses and governments implement environmentally and socially responsible tourism practices.
Operations Manager: Ensure the smooth operation of tourism and hospitality businesses, managing staff, optimising processes, and maintaining service standards.
Event Manager: Plan and execute events such as conferences, weddings, and meetings, ensuring logistics, budgets, and client expectations are met seamlessly.
Revenue Manager: Maximize revenue through data analysis, pricing strategies, and forecasting, focusing on optimising occupancy and profitability for hospitality businesses.
Tour Operator/Travel Agent: Design and coordinate travel packages and logistics, ensuring clients have seamless, tailored travel experiences.
Food and Beverage Manager: Oversee the food and beverage operations, ensuring quality, compliance, and an excellent dining experience for guests.

You will also be well prepared for further academic study at either MPhil or PhD level.