International Master Online in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Program Overview

The International Master Online in Tourism and Hospitality Management equips students with managerial expertise and specialization in areas like global tourism, digital communication, and advanced hospitality management. With an emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and practical experience through company partnerships and bootcamps, the program aims to develop leaders who drive positive impact in the tourism and hospitality industry. Graduates benefit from a high placement rate and career advancement opportunities with leading companies worldwide.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The International Master Online in Tourism and Hospitality Management offers key managerial competences with an overview of fundamental principles and tools required to become a global leader. The program allows specialization in areas such as communication and sales techniques, global tourism and experiential journeys, and advanced hospitality and leadership development. The goal is to create tourist adventures incorporating local cultures, environments, and flavors, aiming to increase understanding through sensory pleasure. The master first explores management fundamentals before offering specialization in global tourism systems, customer service, hospitality, and digital communication. Learning Outcomes:

• Identify fundamental concepts, theories, and best practices in the tourism and hospitality industry (hospitality management, event planning, marketing strategies, cultural tourism).
• Elaborate problem-solving strategies for real-world situations (guest relations, event coordination, hotel operations, destination marketing).
• Evaluate market trends, consumer behavior, and business opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector, focusing on sustainable and responsible development.
• Apply verbal and written communication skills to convey ideas, persuade stakeholders, and deliver exceptional customer service.
• Demonstrate independence and collaboration, exhibiting professionalism, accountability, and effective teamwork.
The program is built around four pillars:
• Real link with companies: Partnerships with companies provide Business Practice LABs, company visits, in-class exercises, and exclusive lecturers to enhance learning and career building.
• Internationality: The program offers a stimulating international environment through international faculty, bootcamps in various locations (Silicon Valley, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Tuscany), and diverse student bodies.
• Professional Impact: Focuses on students' professional and personal growth with Career Services, company meetings, company shadowing, individual coaching, and a soft skills program.
• Higher Purpose: Dedicated to higher purpose in business, Corporate Social Responsibility, and creating a sustainable business approach and mindset.
This aligns with the motto "Better Managers for a Better World."

Outline:

The International Master Online in Tourism and Hospitality Management is structured into several modules, totaling 100%. The program is divided as follows:

• 10% Managerial Core: Develops core managerial skills and an innovative perspective in tourism and hospitality management.
This includes modules on Managerial Economics, Management Accounting for Decision Making, Business Strategy, Financial Statement Analysis, Project & Operations Management, Marketing: Traditional and Digital, Human Resource Management, and Data Analytics for Managers.
• 35% Get Into Focusing and Specializing: This section focuses on impactful marketing, digital communication, and sales of touristic offerings; global tourism and experiential journeys; and advanced hospitality management and leadership development.
• Understanding Tourism: Covers the origins, systems, and growth of tourism, including organizational and environmental factors, historical evolution, impact of tourism, development of local tourism, and global customer relationship management.
• Digital Tourism, Communication & Advanced Sales Techniques: Includes digital travel design, online commercialization strategies, digital excellence in customer care, advanced sales techniques, and performance measurement.
• Global Tourism and Experiential Journeys: Focuses on designing immersive travel experiences, exploring global tourism niches (culinary, cultural, luxury, sustainable tourism), crisis management, and destination management best practices.
• Advanced Hospitality Management and Leadership Development: Covers hotel and hospitality management strategies, luxury hospitality, site inspection techniques, franchising, and mergers & acquisitions in hospitality.
• 10% Being an innovative and responsible leader: This section focuses on developing effective and sustainable performance in global tourism and its systems.
• Emerging Trends: Technology and Legal Compliance: Covers legislative frameworks and regulations in tourism and advanced IT solutions.
• Innovation in Tourism and Sustainable Practices: Includes smart cities, sustainable urban planning, sustainable tourism certification programs, disruptive trends, and local community engagement.
• 10% Electives: Students can choose electives from seven main areas of interest: Innovation & Growth, AI4 Business, Tech & Digitalization, Industry Business Excellence, International Business, Global Electives with RBS international partner Business Schools, and Introduction to preparation for professional certifications.
• 15% Business in Action: This includes a Practice Lab in partnership with Bulgari Hotel, where students conduct site inspections, hotel evaluations, and develop tourism packages and digital strategies.
It also includes preparation for the CHIA (Certified Hotel Industry Analytics) certification. Students also participate in Tourism and Hospitality fairs (Tutto Food, Sol&Agrifood, Taste, Vinitaly, etc.). A one-week International Bootcamp on Tourism, Food and Wine in Tuscany is also included.
• 20% Capstone Project: Students tackle a real business challenge, such as developing a marketing plan, increasing online sales, or creating a loyalty program.
The professor creates assessments to measure student learning and provides feedback.

Teaching:

The program uses the Flexon Learning Methodology, based on the Planeta Formacion y Universidades online model. This methodology is a blend of faculty-centered and team-centered learning. It includes:

• Faculty-Centered: Module starts and ends with professor-led introductions, digital pills, weekly wrap-ups, live lectures, Q&A sessions, and assessment creation and feedback.
• Team-Centered: Collaborative learning through group work on case studies, synchronous and asynchronous activities, class forums, and live classes.
The teaching methods include interactive lectures, case study analyses, exercises, discussions, teamwork, video conferences, business analysis, and student presentations. The online methodology consists of live, interactive lectures led by professors, using tools like discussion forums, chats, emails, breakout sessions, whiteboards, and audio/video sharing. The program is self-paced for pre-master courses, using pre-recorded interactive sessions, PPT presentations, exercises, and self-assessments. The overall approach is practical and applicable, with synchronous and asynchronous activities. The faculty includes highly selected international university professors, trainers, and business managers from various fields.

Careers:

The program aims to prepare students for roles such as Hotel Manager, Resort Manager, Food Service Director, Hotel Sales Director, Airline Manager, Guest Relations Manager, Catering Manager, Events Manager, Spa Manager, and Tourism Marketing Manager. The program boasts a 98% placement rate, with over 70% of students finding new jobs within six months of graduation. Alumni work at companies like Rocco Forte Hotels, Marriott Hotels, and Travel Hub. The average salary increase for graduates is 15.7%.

Other:

The program includes several international bootcamps in various locations (Silicon Valley, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Tuscany, Lagos, Qatar, London, China, Dublin, and Porto), each offering a unique immersive business experience. The Corporate Advisory Board (CAB), composed of 103 leaders, managers, and professionals, plays a key role in the quality assurance process and continuous improvement of the program. Student testimonials are provided, highlighting positive experiences and career outcomes. The program is certified by the EOCCS (Online Course Certification System) of EFMD.