Tourism Management
Tourism Management students develop an in-depth knowledge of the industry and transferable skills that can be applied within a wide range of organisations.
As a Tourism Management student, you will develop a unique combination of practical, critical and analytical skills. You will learn how to sustainably plan and develop business for innovation, environmental, and economic and social well-being, leading to a wide range of opportunities in and beyond a growing and complex tourism sector.
Roles and career pathways
Tourism Management graduates entering the tourism field have sometimes started out in the hospitality industry or at tourist attractions while studying. They can therefore progress quite quickly from shift leader or team leader into management roles, especially in the tourism sectors. These may include operations, tourism, social media, public relations, hotel, customer service or event manager roles. Graduates may also work as sales, logistics, communications, human resource/people management or market research professionals for tourism or travel organisations and in other industries where they can apply their transferable skills.
Postgraduate study in Tourism Management can lead to research or policy roles or teaching at tertiary level. Students may combine their Tourism Management studies with other commerce subjects such as Marketing, Management, Human Resources and Industrial Relations or other related areas such as Sociology, Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies.
Graduate career stories
Rochelle Tait
Tourism Management graduate Rochelle Tait shares how study, part time roles, and networking led to policy roles supporting Aotearoa’s tourism sector.
Rosemary Fotheringham
Rosemary honed project management and creative problem-solving skills from her Tourism Management studies for media roles and her work as an entrepreneur.
Amy Norris
Amy is applying her theoretical and applied business knowledge, confidence and people skills to help tourism businesses plan for a more sustainable future.
Jackson Smith
Jackson's experiences managing people in hotels and his well-developed planning skills have led to a key leadership role in public sector management.
Where Tourism Management graduates work
Tourism Management graduates' broad skill set allows them to work for national and international organisations across business, events, management, entertainment and marketing, and more traditional tourism sectors. Past graduates have worked at organisations including:
- Accor Hotels
- Booking.com
- Department of Conservation
- Kiwirail
- Rydges Wellington
- Te Papa Tongarewa
- WellingtonNZ
Build relevant skills and experience
Relevant part-time work and volunteering during study all help to increase your job prospects when you graduate. Seek experience in promotional activities such as hospitality or sales, assisting at major events, or tour guiding.
The Tourism Management major includes a practicum course, where students can find a suitable paid or unpaid internship and gain credit for this experience.
Applying for and being selected for the FHSSS internship can add work-integrated learning and industry engagement to your degree.
Make career connections
Networking and making connections with individuals and groups while you study can help you learn more about career opportunities. VicCom is a student led group that offers a range of business networking and social events for Commerce students. The Business Consulting Club offers real-word opportunities to work on business problems with local employers during competition events.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Wellington Young Professionals offer various events and opportunities for students to meet other professionals.
After graduating, Young Tourist Export Council (YTEC) provides networking and mentoring opportunities for those under 36 years of age working in the tourism industry. There may be opportunities to connect with Tourism Management university alumni, at their regular events.