Program Statement

The Tourism and Recreation Management (TRM) degree program prepares students for management careers in the expanding field of tourism and recreation. In addition to the core courses in tourism and recreation, the curriculum is based on rigorous business management courses developed with specialized emphasis on the unique technological, managerial, and leadership requirements of managers and executives in the global tourism and recreation industries.

Future employment opportunities center on the credentials of our graduates to possess both theoretical and practical skills and experiences. Many courses offer a practical component. Upon successful completion of the program the student will have acquired both an applied and theoretical understanding of the Tourism and Recreation profession through the successful completion of a core curriculum, a specialization within the field, and career-oriented practical experiences.

Students will be able to meet the challenges of this rapidly changing industry in which leadership, information technology, multiculturalism, and internationalization play important roles in management. TRM majors are also encouraged to choose from a variety of elective courses, study abroad or select a second concentration.

This cutting edge degree program is designed to provide students with a readiness and competency for employment in the worldwide tourism and recreation industry in such diverse settings as theme parks, tour operations, cultural and natural attractions, events and festivals, transportation industries like airlines and cruise lines, sports and entertainment venues, tourism promotion agencies, convention and meeting services, historic preservation districts, and retirement communities. Upon graduation, students may also pursue graduate studies.

Concentration Descriptions

Tourism Destination Management

A destination’s ability to attract leisure travelers and conventions, meetings and group business impacts enormously on its vitality and economic well-being. This concentration helps future tourism professionals appraise a destination’s core tourism product, market for tourism, and provide pertinent services for visitors. Courses in the program cover research, planning, marketing and sales, as well as operational functions. Special attention will be paid to emerging product development opportunities arising from changing demographics and political/economic realities. The program stresses competencies in e-commerce applications, internet marketing, and web design capabilities. Techniques of identifying and soliciting a variety of target market, planning sales presentations; and assessing economic impact of the tourism and convention activity, along with the role of convention bureaus as a catalyst to regional economic development will be discussed.

Event and Meeting Management

Events have enormous economic and promotional value for communities and destinations. With increasing growth and corporate involvement, events are emerging as a new growth industry, capable of generating economic benefits and employment. This concentration emphasizes the planning, operational, and financial management aspect of all pertinent functions of managing successful events, meetings, and conferences. Events constitute a very powerful component of the tourism system; they are the cause of travel, and as such, make up the energizing unit of a successful tourism system. Courses within the program underscore that events and conferences need to be managed entities. Students will be introduced to principles of entrepreneurship, design considerations, visitor management, guest services, financial management, resource and supply interpretation, and marketing and promotion. The program also covers relationships with volunteers, the media, and sponsors. Special emphasis will also be placed on public/private event planning partnerships between the public, nonprofit, and business sectors. Courses will also explore the benefit of creating “cause related” events. The courses in this program will assure that students have the tools to function successfully as an event and meeting planner.

Bachelors

Minor