Hospitality and Tourism

Opportunity abounds in the travel and tourism industry, which contributed nearly 5 trillion dollars to the global economy in 2020 — despite the effects of COVID-19. This includes travel agencies, transportation, hotels, restaurants, entertainment and attractions, and other leisure pursuits attracting more than 400 million travelers worldwide each year.

Graduates of top hospitality and tourism programs will join one of Canada’s largest sectors. Programs ranging from year-long diplomas to four-year bachelor’s degrees with co-ops offer practical hands-on education in customer experience, sales and marketing, event planning and management, hotel and accommodation management, service management systems, accounting and finance, human resources, and leadership and management, among others.

Developed in close consultation with industry experts, these programs offer hundreds of hours of hands-on training opportunities, in some cases through on-site food or residence management experiences. Additional courses, including Liberal Arts courses, may complement core skills training to help develop well-rounded professionals. Emphasis on in-demand non-technical skills, like communication, problem-solving and collaboration, will also be essential to anyone interested in working in this fast-paced sector.

Salaries in the hospitality and tourism industry are as varied as the roles available to graduates. A Hotel Operations Manager, for example, earns an average salary of $77,000 per year, while the average salary for a restaurant manager is $55,000. Salaries for event planners range from $58,000-$115,000. And a Casino Director, one of the top-earning hospitality and tourism jobs, can earn more than $150,000 annually.