Tourism Major
Contact: College of Education/Human Development advising at 419.372.7372 or Room 365 Education Bdlg
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education
Tourism Administration Specialization
Functional areas
a) Administration - Service management/operations
b) Event planning (For-profit/commercial orgs.)
Service programming for corporate events, festivals, meetings, conventions, family gatherings (reunions weddings etc.),
sports tourism and conferences
c) Marketing - Various marketing functions
including sales
Work settings (Diverse opportunities)
a) Attractions such as theme parks, activity resorts (ski/golf), museums, zoos, historical attractions etc.
b) Resorts, cruiselines and convention hotels
c) Conference and convention centers
d) Festivals and Special event organizations
e) Convention/Visitors Bureaus
f) Independent/corporate meeting planners
g) State and regional tourism organizations
h) Transportation: airlines, trains, and rental cars
i) Tour wholesalers and incentive travel organizations
Skills and Abilities (Varies by functional areas)
a) Communication skills (verbal and written)
b) People and service orientation – one to one contact and understanding the needs of the tourist.
c) Fast-paced service environment
d) Creativity in problem-solving and idea creation
e) Organization abilities
f) Flexible work hours
g) Project oriented with focus on details
Tourism curriculum
a) Applies a social science background to a business and industry environment.
Tourism administration Program/event planning
Facilities Destinations’ strategies
Hospitality law Services marketing
Tourism Studies Specialization
Functional areas
a) Pursue graduate education in tourism
b) Economic Development (International also)
Work settings
a) State and regional organizations
b) International organizations
Skills, abilities and knowledge
a) Communication (foreign language)
b) Analytical skills
c) Social science background
Recreation Major
Contact: College of Education/Human Development advising at 419.372.7372 or Room 365 Education Bldg.
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education
Accredited by the National Parks
and Recreation Association
Focus: 1) Public/Voluntary
Functional areas
a) Public assembly/association management
b) Program/Special events (non-profit setting)
Work settings
a) Government such as Public/city/county/state parks departments, and metroparks
b) Non-profit organizations such as YM/WCA’s, Boys/Girls Clubs, environmental organizations, church/religious organizations, professional associations and socially responsible organizations such as American Heart/Cancer
Association (special events for membership, promotion, education).
c) Recreation venues and facilities such as arenas.
d) Youth recreational activities – cruise and resorts
Careers: Recreation leaders who are responsible for program’s daily operation, organize and direct participants. Recreation supervisors who oversee leaders and plan, organize, and manage recreational activities. Director of recreation and parks who develop/manage all facets of recreation programs. Recreation workers in the above areas and other positions are projected
to grow 21%-35% until 2012. Half of all recreation positions are in governments, civic and social (non-profit) organizations
(bls.gov/oco/).
Fitness and recreational sports centers
Facility (administrative) managers who plan, direct, or coordinate supportive services of an organization, such as facilities planning/maintenance have a mean
salary of $43,100. Supervisors of sales employees have a mean salary of $30,500, other supervisors mean salary of $42,630.
2) Minor: Environmental Education
Work settings
a) Environmental organizations
b) Government such as public, city, or metroparks.
3) Minor: Therapeutic Recreation
Joint program with U. of Toledo Licensure required
Work areas
a) Clinical settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities
b) Community settings such as city/county parks dept.
Professional associations: National Parks and Recreation Association, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation., American Society of Association
Executives, American Camping Association.
Tourism
Impact on Society
Tourism has become one of the world's most important sources of employment. (Source: World Tourism Organization at World-Tourism.org)
–In 2004, Travel & Tourism in the world is expected to generate: US$ 5,490.4 billion of economic activity 10.4% of total GDP
and 214,697,000 jobs or 8.1% of total employment (source: World Travel and Tourism Council at wttc.org)
In 2003, the U.S. travel industry received more than $554.5 billion from domestic and international travelers which meant
more than 7.2 million jobs were directly generated with over $158 billion in payroll income for Americans, as well as $94.7
billion tax revenue for federal, state and local governments. This means one of out of 18 non-farm jobs were created by tourism
(source TIA.org).
In Ohio, Total direct spending by tourists is estimated at $28.5 billion in 2003 and tourism directly employs 505,000 full-time
opportunities for Ohioans. Tourism generates an estimated $1.9 billion in direct taxes (source: Ohio Division of Travel and
Tourism site: http://industry.discoverohio.com/).
Also see the Ohio Travel Association website at ohiotravel.org (scholarship available).
Sample of Careers for Tourism Majors:
Unless otherwise indicated, the mean and median salaries noted below are for 2002 or 2003 and reflect employees who have experience
and education across the country. (source: bls.gov)
Event planning
Meetings and convention planners coordinate activities of staff and convention personnel to make arrangements for meetings and conventions.
Overall employment in U.S. was $37,000 in 2002. Projected employment from 2002 to 2012 is projected to grow faster than average
(increase 21% to 35%). Average wages for all meetings and convention planners is $42,570 in 2003 and contingent on education,
experience and type (example: accommodations mean is $37,940, association mean is $47, 360, other support $46,180, colleges
and universities mean is $38,410, and local government mean $41,860).
Meeting planners (additional information)
Approximately 30% of Planners with education and experience made up to $40,000. This varies by type of planners such as association;
corporate or independent (source successmtgs.com).
Event planners exist in diverse organizations and may have titles such as marketing and promotions, event coordinator, and
coordinator of public programs. Additional tourism settings are in attractions such as museums and organizations found in
the following sections on lodging and resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, and tour arrangements,
Professional associations:
Meetings Professional International,
Professional Convention Management Association, Society of Corporate Meeting Professionals, International Festival and Events
Association. International Society of Special Events.
Lodging and Resort
Source of Salary figures from http://www.bls.gov/oes/home.htm
Meeting and convention planners – See details in Meetings and convention section of Event planning. Meetings and convention planners at accommodations mean
salary is $37,940 in 2003. Event planning of recreation activities mean salary is approximately $18,900. Casino hotels meeting and convention planner mean salary is $34,880.
First line Management positions –
Lodging managers mean salary is $40,700 and projected to increase by 9% in 2012.
Marketing and sales management positions have a mean salary range of $50,000 and up. Sales and non-retail sales managers mean salary range from $35,000 to $47,000.
Convention services managers coordinate activities of departments in larger hotels to accommodate meetings and events.
Management trainees are entry level career positions in lodging and casino operations.
Professional associations:
American Hotel and Lodging Association. Oho Hotel and Lodging Association (scholarship available).
International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education.
The Tourism major does NOT provide any courses in Food and Beverage operations.
Cruise Lines
Marketing and sales positions corporate / land based.
Event planning – Shipboard such as meetings/events, activities coordinators and recreation activities involving youth counselors, and other
recreational activities positions. Professional associations: Cruise Lines International Association.
Destination marketing organizations
Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB): Organizations that promote and facilitate tourism for a destination such as a city, community, county, or region.
Career titles in CVB: Sales and marketing in specific niches such as tourism, leisure, sports, trade show, convention. Service operations in areas
such as convention, housing, and visitor services. Service development in areas such as events and cultural tourism. Public
relations and research.
Professional Associations: International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus. Ohio Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus. Association
of Destination Management Executives.
Tour Arrangements
such as tour operations/ travel agencies
(planning/sales of packaged tours)
Sales/Marketing managers – 73% make between $20,000 and $50,000.
Operations managers/tour planners – 74% make between $20,000 and $50,000.
Majority of tour operators in the survey are in small to medium size firms (source: ntaonline.com).
Meeting and convention planners – This position is in travel agencies with the mean salary in 2003 of $32,600 (see www.bls.gov/oes/
Travel guides who plan, organize, and conduct long distance cruises, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups mean salary in 2003
of $31,540. .
Professional associations: National Tour Association. Society of Incentive & Travel Executives. United Motorcoach Association
Association of Retail Travel Agents. American Society of Travel Agents. Institute of Business Travel Management.
Airlines
First-line administrative manager in airlines will also supervise reservation and transportation Ticket Agents (scheduled airlines). All first-line administrative managers
including office and administrative mean salary is $45,990. These agents make and confirm reservations, contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours, provide tourists
with travel information and sell tickets to passengers has a mean salary $31,000.
Flight attendants - Many airlines today prefer a college degree for applicants (www.bls.gov/oco). Overall U.S. employment in 2002 was 104,000. Employment is expected to grow 10% to 20% by 2012. Beginning flight attendants
had median earnings of $15,338 in 2002 but this will vary by carrier. Median annual earnings for all flight attendants were
$43,140 in 2002. (www.bls.gov/oco).
Professional associations: Association of Flight Attendants. Air Transport Association.
Entrepreneurship
Are creative, customer oriented, business oriented, risk-taker, adventurous, and independent minded. Consider a tourism major in tourism administration with an entrepreneurship minor. Learn about the key elements of travel and tourism and adopt these
into a business model as an independent business owner.
Rental cars
Management level – begin as a management trainee for major rental car companies.
Attractions- Cultural
Museums, historical sites, performing arts
Meeting and convention planners mean salary is $37,000 for museums/historical sites.
Sales Managers mean salary is $53,180
Other tourism positions in museums and performing arts include coordinator of guest/visitor services, group sales, public programs, and event coordinators. Cultural tourist coordinators
are in regional arts organizations and convention and visitors bureau.
Professional Associations:
American Association of Museums,
Attractions
Amusement/theme/waterparks
First line operations managers mean salary of $31,900. First-line administrative supervisors mean salary of $36,900. First-line manager of retail sales mean salary of $31,200.
Professional organizations: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
Trade magazine: Amusement Business
Attractions
Zoos and aquariums
Marketing positions especially in tour and group sales, event and recreation programming, manager of guest or visitor services
and membership events.
Professional Associations: American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Sports and Eco-tourism in
Activity Resorts for
golf/tennis/ski/outdoor
Professional associations: National Club Association. Club Managers Association of America. Ecotourism society
