Tourism Schools Educational Offer
Tourism schools can either be found in a university or college. However, it is best suggested that one should take a tourism program in a community college in your area if you live in a tourism-induced community. Say for instance you live around Lake Tahoe. The community college in your area is assumed to offer a tourism program because as a state-owned institution, it is the role of the community college to provide quality manpower to the industries in your area which in turn provide blood to your community so to speak.
Online Program / Distance Learning
If you’re planning to take up a tourism degree through an online program or distance learning, it has its own advantages. First, the tuition is minimal because you’ll not be paying for laboratory fees anymore. But the first thing that you need to check out is that particular online program is accredited by tourism bodies. Most tourism courses offered in an online program or distance learning last only four semesters and will only lead to an associate degree in tourism. But there are also ones which last up to eight academic semesters and lead to a bachelor’s degree in hotel management.
University / College
The advantages of enrolling tourism in a university or college are tremendous. First, you’ll be exposed in how to handle tourists. You will be taught in various languages of that region. If you’re studying in Phuket perhaps, you will be taught Thai and Mandarin. If you’re studying in a tourism school in Dubai, you will be taught Arabic and English. If you’re studying in a tourism school in Switzerland, you will be taught German and French. Enrolling in a university or college has its own perks because the student will be exposed to a total of four internships during his four-year stay there. These internships – intertwined with classroom lessons – are usually held in cruise ships, casinos, beach resorts and five-star hotels.
Community College / Vocational School
Tourism courses offered in a community college are specifically geared towards the tourism industry in a certain community. For example, if you’re enrolled in a tourism program in a community college in New Jersey or hospitality training information, you’ll find yourself studying such diverse electives as eco-tourism and search and rescue.