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Tourism Management

Tourism is one of the world's largest industries and significantly impacts New Zealand's economy – we need experts to steer that growth.

Tourism Management is available as a postgraduate subject only.

The rapid growth of domestic and international tourism and migration has led to an increasing demand for graduates who have a thorough understanding of tourism in its wider social, cultural, economic and political contexts.

Tourism and hospitality is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing export industries, and it can take your career to new places.

The industry encompasses hotels/resorts, cruise ships, sport and leisure operators, restaurants, cafes, bars, theme parks, entertainment, arts and cultural attractions, special events, and much more.

The study of tourism involves predicting the future – working out what people want from their leisure and travel pursuits, and how those wants are delivered and managed. You'll study the structure of different tourism organisations, aspects of hospitality and leisure, and the environmental and economic impacts of tourism operations.

Employers are looking for skillful, business-savvy managers who can plan, control, make strategic decisions, and understand the legal requirements for this sector - and that's where you come in.

  • Learn how to design and deliver memorable travel experiences
  • Build practical knowledge in areas such as service management, designing operational systems, business strategy, leading teams of staff, and managing financial resources.
  • Gain skills in destination marketing, event management, and inter-cultural communication.

Internationally recognised

Waikato is recognised as a global leader in this field, with a ranking of 23rd best university in the world in the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2019.

We're also in the top 300 universities for Business and Management Studies in the prestigious QS Worldl University Subject Rankings 2019.

You'll study at our internationally recognised Waikato Management School, which is in the top 1% of all business schools globally, thanks to our Triple Crown Accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.

Global research impact

Our Management School has such a strong international reputation that the United Nations asked us to host New Zealand's first-ever Tourism Monitoring Observatory in 2017. This means our academics are now part of a global network of research centres examining the benefits and impacts of sustainable tourism on the natural, social and built environments.

We also host the China-New Zealand Research Unit, which offers opportunities for Chinese students to conduct doctoral and masters degree research with some of the top scholars in both New Zealand and China.

We offer personal supervision with two supervisors per student, with students forming a peer group cemented by a programme of seminars and social events.

Qualifications

You can specialise in this subject at postgraduate level for the Master of Management Studies or the Doctor of Philosophy.

If you're interested in undergraduate study, such as a bachelor's degree or graduate diploma, please refer to the subject page for Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Apply to enrol

Key information

Study Location:Hamilton
Area of Study:

Study Tourism Management in these qualifications

Career opportunities

  • Environmental planner
  • Government policy advisor
  • Hotel and resort manager
  • Outdoor leisure manager
  • Regional or national tourism planner
  • Tourism operations manager
  • Events planner
  • Gaming management
  • Restaurant manager

500 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ANTHY515Ethnographic Research Methods30.024A (Online)
This paper provides an in depth introduction to ethnographic research, including its ethical, theoretical, and methodical components.
DIGIB555Digital Business Management30.024A (Hamilton) & 24A (Online)
A focus on the successful management of digital business applications based on rapidly evolving technologies; from business case to competitive impact.
THMGT502Tourism Development and the Environment30.024B (Hamilton)
This paper provides students with an opportunity to learn about the tourism industry, and to appreciate the different management issues from a tourism perspective.
THMGT503Hotel and Resort Management30.024A (Hamilton)
This paper provides students with an awareness of the essential issues involved in the management and operations specific to hotels and resorts. The paper covers definitions, history and the hotel and resort industry; resort planning and development; lodging and resort management and operations.
THMGT591Tourism Management Dissertation30.024X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
THMGT592Tourism Management Dissertation60.024X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
THMGT593Tourism Management Thesis90.024X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
THMGT594Tourism Management Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
THMGT800Tourism Management MPhil Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
THMGT900Tourism Management PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton), 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
No description available.

Scholarships and prizes

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

Find your scholarship


Qualifications offered


Contacts

Management Student Centre (MSC)

Phone: +64 838 4303
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.management.ac.nz/msc

Opening hours: 8.45am - 4.45pm Monday to Friday
Location: MSB.1.50, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton

One of the best times to pop into MSC is Open Advice Day, held every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm.