Tourism Management and Event Planning, AAS

Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:    Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code:            5011
SUNY Code:             2051
Major Code:            TMEP

The Career

The tourism industry in the Niagara Region continues to grow, and the demand for tourism professionals is increasing. This program is a collaborative effort between the business, hospitality and recreation curricula. Graduates may opt for self-employment or may obtain positions in many different settings including: hotels, country clubs, casinos, restaurants, cruise ships, airports and resorts. The hospitality industry has a strong demand for tourism professionals and for event planners, including design, decorative elements, non-profit and charity events, arrangements of festivals, fairs, parades and weddings. Those interested in event planning and tourism must have strong management skills to succeed in this labor-intensive service-driven business.

The NCCC Approach

The Tourism Management and Event Planning degree is a two-year academic program that includes six courses specific to operations in this field. The coursework will provide students with an overview of the industry as well as specific skills designed to meet the needs of employers. Students in this curriculum will take coursework that focuses on general business topics such as accounting, organization and management, and marketing. This will provide them with a full complement of the skills needed in the business of tourism management and event planning.

This program is designed to meet the needs of the student in taking the first steps toward a career in the tourism/event planning industry as well as those currently employed in the field who are seeking academic credentials to further enhance their career opportunities. The class sizes are small and personal attention to each student’s academic needs is addressed.

Admission

Students admitted in September and January.

Program Goals and Objectives

• To provide students with the basic knowledge of the tourism industry that will prepare them for employment in independent hotels, cruise lines, casinos, and resorts.
• To assist students in completing five general education areas.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the travel and tourism industry.
• Explain and utilize marketing and branding techniques in the industry.
• Employ management principles in the tourism environment.
• Compare and contrast standard types of meetings, facilities, locations, and auxiliary services integral to event planning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of event design.
• Develop the accounting skills necessary for tourism and event planning.
• Analyze current trends in event operations and management.
• Apply the foundations of recreation to the tourism industry.
• Analyze the marketing mix and apply it to essential retailing techniques.
• Utilize business communication skills in the event planning and tourism arena.
• Operate computer systems necessary to the industry.