MSc International Hotel and Tourism Management

You will explore academic real life business practice as it relates to managing people (employees) within hotels, which includes key understanding how managing people is linked to business strategies, and how to manage people of varying cultural diversity, as well as the aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

You will be introduced to the visitor economy and look specifically at the sectors of tourism, hospitality and events. You will develop knowledge and understanding of how these sectors work together in contemporary societies.

You will develop an in-depth understanding of leadership theory and practice. Your understanding of leadership theory will develop by engaging with contemporary debates on leadership in the hospitality, events and tourism industries, with a particular focus on ethical leadership. You will develop your professional competences and understanding of leadership practice through participation in the school’s Bacchus Mentoring Programme. This programme gives you support from a mentor from the international hospitality, events or tourism industry.

You will explore the nature of digital marketing in the global visitor economy and how this is transforming the nature of tourism, hospitality and events. You will also develop a digital marketing plan using an omni channel approach for diverse cultures.

Your learning is supported through a structured programme of face-to-face workshops and/or support sessions, which may include one-to-one consultations, group discussions, and other interactive learning activities.

These workshops and support sessions provide structured guidance on the planning, design, and execution of an independent applied research project that seeks to address real-world organisational challenges. The guidance focuses on core research processes, methodological decision-making, ethical considerations, and effective communication of findings, and is designed to be applicable to you all on the module. Project ideas are informed by real-world organisations, and you're given the opportunity to explore a topic that reflects your individual interests, professional experience, and/or career aspirations.

This module aims to introduce students to the context and practice of dark tourism within the hospitality, tourism, and events industries. Students are introduced to the conceptual and practical development of dark tourism; its scale and scope, which includes a wide range of international case studies of dark visitor attractions, dark accommodations, and dark festivals and events; as well as the underpinning issues and challenges relating to the management of dark tourism experiences, including ethical concerns, authenticity, and experience design.

This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge, regulatory tools, and reflective practices required to navigate contemporary debates surrounding sustainability, ethics, and responsible management. You will examine key industry standards and frameworks, such as ISO 20121, learning to directly apply them to the planning, design, and execution of sustainable events while objectively auditing resource inventories and supply chains. Studying this module places a strong emphasis on practical execution and self-appraisal, where you will critically evaluate both individual and team performance during live event operations.

The module focuses on three themes: the social and cultural contexts in which events take place; the various stakeholders who affect and are affected by events; and the social, cultural, environmental, economic and political impacts of events for states, regions, organisations, groups and individuals.

This module introduces you to key concepts within Revenue Management such as capacity management, dynamic pricing and creative product development. To fully understand how to apply revenue management within hospitality and tourism businesses, you need to be aware of elements which influence customer purchase decisions and to evaluate the complex relationship between price, cost, volume and profit. Other electives may also be available.

You will be introduced to key concepts in financial, human resource, marketing, events and tourism management by developing a deep understanding of operations management in these contexts. You will also work in a group, using a computer-based hotel business simulation exercise, to carry out research and agree recommendations to develop hospitality operations.

You will be introduced to hospitality operations within an international context. Drawing on relevant management principles, you will develop an understanding of financial, human resource and marketing management knowledge at the unit level, which underpins the successful management of hospitality, events and tourism companies. You will take part in a computer based hotel business simulation assignment.

If you decide to take the sandwich mode your year of full-time taught study will be followed by one year of full-time, supervised work experience. The time on supervised work experience is paid and spent with a suitable international hospitality and tourism employer. You carry out an assessed project for the company as part of your academic studies on the placement. You'll expand your enterprise skills in the context of the workplace. The focus will be on building your intrapreneurial mindsets during your placement, helping you to develop the curiosity, creativity, vision and resilience to be successful in a variety of organisations. The placement will enable you to drive innovation in one or more of the following areas: ethical business behaviour, inclusivity, responsible management, sustainability, digitalisation and internationalisation. Drawing on your research skills you'll propose evidence based innovative solutions to your placement organisations’ challenges.