Tourism Management Programs Combine Heritage and Culture with the Industry
“It focuses primarily on the
understanding and appreciation of world cultures and world heritage as
they relate to tourism,” says Salmea, a faculty member of the Cultural
and Heritage Tourism program at Centennial College, one of the most
reliable tourism management programs offered in Ontario. “I believe
everyone has a culture, a heritage, a root and a unique identity. If you
want to tie it all into tourism and get a career for yourself, this is
the program for you.”
While Salmea gives a great overview of
this two-year tourism management program, let’s take a closer look at
some of its standout features. First and foremost, to attend Centennial
College’s tourism management courses,
applicants must be able to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Also
required is a compulsory English 12C or U skills assessment, or
equivalent.
Once accepted, students will discover a program that
provides them with an interdisciplinary learning approach that
integrates the challenges facing culture and heritage sector managers
with the operative fundamentals of the tourism industry. This convergent
methodology mirrors the convergence of culture, heritage and tourism.
Specific tourism management courses in this program include: World
Geography for Tourism, Dimensions of Tourism, Responsible Tourism,
Introduction to Hospitality Accounting, Tour Planning and Management,
Festival Management and more.
A measured application of
fundamentals and training culminating in valid industry experience
opportunities equip learners in this program to contribute, as the
tourism sector retools for this emergent transformation. This work
placement enables students to relate classroom theory to the practical
world, while adding another career educational dimension to their career
preparation. Field placement enables student to better understand the
dynamics of the industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices
and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market.
Some of this tourism management program’s partners include: Jonview
Canada Inc., Thomas Cook Canada Ltd., Toronto Board of Trade, Tourism
Toronto, Heritage Toronto, Air Miles and more.
Should qualified
students wish to continue their education, they may be eligible to
participate in an articulated tourism management program with selected
universities, institutes and professional associations. This tourism
management program’s partners are: Athabasca University, International
Hotel Management Institute (Switzerland), Vancouver Island University,
University of New Brunswick and Royal Roads University (B.C.).
If, however, they choose to enter the field right away, tourism management programs
students become professionals who work at hotels, motels, travel
agencies and airports to help travellers choose destinations or sites to
visit on vacation. Tourism managers may create activity packages,
arrange tickets, transportation and more. It is important for
professionals in Tourism Management to maintain records of transactions,
inventory of promotional materials as well as keep their ear to the
streets in regards to upcoming attractions, shows, etc. With the United
Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization reporting that
global cultural and heritage tourism has increased 15 per cent per year,
now is a great time to enter a career in this field.