Tourism and Hospitality: Business Behind Every Destination
Love travel and creating memorable guest experiences? Tourism and Hospitality Management could be your calling.
This industry drives hotels, restaurants, travel, events, and entertainment—blending business skills with cultural understanding and guest service. You’ll work with diverse clients and professionals, and help shape how people experience the world.
Tourism is big business: in the US alone, travel and tourism contributed $2.36 trillion to GDP last year.
Large companies with fellowships and internship programs hire early (think Marriott and Hilton). You will want to start looking at these programs in August and September. Sports and hospitality internships also post in the fall (think MLB and NBA, as well as specific teams).
MS/MBA Hiring Timeline Overview
| Sector | Internship Recruiting | FT Recruiting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | September – December: Large firm; February – April: most employers | October – March: Structured; March – May: Just in time | -Early applications for major hotel chains; resume and cover letter prep early fall; network with alumni |
| Food & Beverage | February – April: Most employers; Rolling for smaller firms | October – May: Varies by employer | Emphasize soft skills and adaptability; Attend industry events; Update resume for sector-specific roles |
| Travel & Tourism | September – December: Large travel firms; February – April: Others | October – March: Structured; March – May: Just in time | -Research target companies early; leverage campus career fairs; Focus on digital skills and sustainability |
| Meetings & Events | February – April: Most employers; Rolling for smaller firms | October – March: Structured; March – May: Just in time | Build portfolios of event experience; Network with event planners; Prepare for flexible project-based roles |
| Recreation & Entertainment | February – April: Most employers; Rolling for smaller firms | October – March: Structured; March – May: Just in time | -Highlight leadership and customer service; Seek internships in theme parks, resorts, or cruise lines |
See more on Interstride, Detailed Hiring Timeline for Graduate Students, Industry Data
Keywords for Job/Internship Search
| Customer Experience | Guest Services | Itinerary Planning |
| Eco-Tourism | Adventure Tourism | Destination Marketing |
| Banquet Operations | Revenue Management | Inventory Control |
Sample Job Titles
| Guest Services | Travel Professional | Travel Influencer |
| Event Sales | Event Manager | Hotel Operations Manager |
| Hotel Manager | Reservationist | Recreation Coordinator |
Sample Industry Job Boards
Taking on leadership or e-board roles in student clubs is a great way of buildings skills and competencies as well as your network!
- Sports Business Association
LinkedIn Groups
Professional Organizations
- Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
- International Luxury Hotel Association
- Professional Convention Management Association
- American Hotel and Lodging Association
- Institute of Hospitality
- Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals
- American Society for Travel Advisors
- Global Business Travel Association
