Business & Information Technology Division

Travel & Tourism: Hospitality & Events Management

Debra Sutton
Associate Professor
Travel & Tourism: Hospitality & Events Management Program
(315) 866-0300 or toll free 1-888-GO-4-HCCC, ext. 8676

Program Summary

Herkimer County Community College's Travel and Tourism program was developed in 1973, and continues to maintain an excellent reputation in the industry. It was one of the first programs of this type to offer an associate in applied science degree at a community college. A degree in Travel and Tourism: Hospitality & Events Management presents a wide variety of employment opportunities for graduates. Students are prepared for careers in all phases of the travel industry including hotels, resorts, airlines, travel agencies, convention management and meeting planning, tour operations, cruise lines, trains, tourist attractions, as well as county, regional, and state convention and visitor bureaus.

A diversified curriculum continues to develop and expand to meet the interests, needs, and necessary skills of the students. All students experience practical learning opportunities through a required internship and extra-curricular experiences. The degree will provide students with an understanding of convention, conference, meeting and event planning, management of hotels sales and front office operations, guest services and customer relations management. Students will also gain an understanding of the tourism industry and its dynamics including trip and vacation planning, adventure tourism, and world destinations.

Program of Study at Herkimer

Travel and Tourism: Hospitality & Events Management Catalog

Travel and Tourism: Hospitality & Events Management Brochure

Skill Requirements

People who work in travel have a special energy, creativity, pace and challenge. Generally speaking, you must be energetic, flexible, personable and professional. You should also have excellent communication skills and be able to handle constant changes. A pleasant personality and good manners are also important.

It is helpful to have knowledge of travel destinations, computer operations, sales training, and foreign languages. People who have formal education are regarded as more serious and committed. College provides a foundation that makes on-the-job training much easier and advancement more quickly.

Nature of the Work

Travel professionals work with people all over the world, arranging travel schedules, booking reservations, issuing airline itineraries, creating and directing tours, and coordinating corporate travel, meetings and special events, etc.

Job Outlook

Travel & Tourism and Hospitality & Events Management remains a business of serving people, so it is people intensive. There are nearly 6 million jobs in the industry and new jobs are being created all the time resulting in endless opportunities. The diversity of jobs makes the travel field very appealing. There are exciting positions in hospitality, meeting and event planning, hotels and resorts, tourism offices, and corporate travel departments. The potential rewards are unlimited and advancement can be rapid. Starting salaries tend to be higher for new hires with degrees. Experience and location also play a key role in determining salary.

Facilities

The College ' s travel suite, located in the Technology Center , features a hotel front desk, computer lab, and a mock airplane, classrooms, and travel resource center. Students gain practical skills using this state-of-the-art facility.

Internships

Real-world training is an integral component of the Travel and Tourism curriculum. Students are able to combine theory with practical on-the-job experience. Students can choose from a wealth of opportunities to gain valuable experience in the field.

Scholarships

A variety of scholarships are available. Some of these include: College-sponsored scholarships, Statler Foundation, Destinations of New York State, American Society of Travel Agents, National Tour Foundation, and the International Air and Transport Association

Disney World Internships

The Walt Disney World Internship has proven to be a popular feature for students. This is a credit earning and learning experience allowing students to spend an entire semester in Orlando , Florida . By working in one of Disney ' s theme parks, students are able to earn credit hours toward their degree, while meeting the requirement for their internship. On-campus interviews are conducted by representatives from Walt Disney World. Similar opportunities are available at other resorts.

Student Activities

In addition to internship opportunities, students can participate in many campus, special-event, community, and professional activities. Annually, students attend the International Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Show in New York City . Students may join the Travel Club and/or take optional trips to gain first-hand experience. Examples include a one-week cruise to the Caribbean , a week abroad, and weekend trips to northeast cities.

Internet Academy

This program is Internet accessible and may be completed entirely online.

Placement and Transfer Opportunities

The 2003 Graduate Follow-Up Study indicated that 20 percent of Travel and Tourism graduates transferred to a four-year school and 80 percent were employed. Placement surveys have indicated great success for student placement in the travel and tourism industry. The list of employers is impressive and demonstrates an eagerness among the travel industry to employ HCCC ' s well-qualified graduates.

For students aspiring to transfer to a four-year institution, articulation agreements have been established with the following colleges and universities: Niagara University, Lynn University, Southern New Hampshire University, SUNY Delhi and SUNY Empire State College.  In addition, students have transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology, Johnson & Wales and SUNY Institute of Technology.

Employment and Career Opportunities

• Hotels & Resorts
• Convention Centers
• Corporate Meeting Management
• Events Management
• Tourist Attractions
• Airlines/Airports
• Cruise Lines
• Departments of Tourism
• Tour Operators
• Casinos
• Convention & Visitors Bureaus
• Sports Venues
• Motor coach Companies
• Tourism Promotion Agencies
• Museums/Historical Sites
• Research & Marketing
• Online Travel Providers
• Travel Agencies
• Golf Courses
• Restaurant Franchises
• Theme Parks
• Trade Associations