Overview
Are you passionate about the world and connecting to the people in it? Gain a global perspective in the Canadian hospitality, travel and tourism industry with practical, hands-on experience that will prepare you for an exciting career.
SAIT's Global Hospitality and Tourism Management post-diploma program is your ticket to a vibrant future.
In this program, you will:
- learn how the industry is impacted by global factors such as finance, operations, leadership, stewardship and guest experience
- gain fundamental skills in hospitality and tourism, including applied hospitality service and organizational culture
- learn about sales and marketing as well as financial and operational management
- experience hospitality in Banff, one of Canada's leading tourism destinations
Learn the fundamentals of the global hospitality and tourism industry during your first semester in Calgary, ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world. In your second semester, you will move to SAIT's Banff campus, where you will learn about leading high-performing teams, global hospitality and tourism, industry sustainability, entrepreneurship, innovation, industry operations and more.
For your third semester, get a true taste of the hospitality industry with a work-integrated learning opportunity in the Banff region. Apply the skills you have learned and work in a real hospitality setting with guests and employees from around the world.
Those in the hospitality and tourism management industry tend to be directive, methodical and social.
You need:
- excellent communication skills
- organizational skills
- good general health, stamina and mental alertness to cope with the long, irregular hours of work
- the ability to get along with all kinds of people
- leadership and decision-making skills
- the ability to adapt to changing customer needs and unexpected situations
- the ability to remain calm while under pressure.
To do well in this field, you should enjoy being in charge, taking a methodical approach to your work, and negotiating with people.
In your second semester, you will participate in a practicum with an industry partner, providing you with valuable experience in industry operations.
In your third semester, you will participate in a four-month paid internship in the Bow Valley region (Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise). Before you begin your final semester, accommodation arrangements will be agreed upon between yourself and your employer.
After successfully completing this program, you will be awarded a SAIT Global Hospitality and Tourism Management post-diploma certificate.
Careers and opportunities
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 12103, 60030, 60031, 62022, 64300, 64314, 64321.
Career planning support
Unsure which career path is for you? Here are some recommended career planning resources to help you decide your future.
You can also head to Alberta alis for lots of information about careers in Alberta, including quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a path.
Finally, you can take our online career finder quiz, which can help narrow your options based on your current skills and interests.
Courses
The Global Hospitality and Tourism Management certificate requires 30 credits (11 courses) to complete.
The program spans three semesters.
You must take all of the following courses to complete this program.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
In this course, you will build on the lessons from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing course and take an innovative idea and bring it forward into a business reality. You will apply course material including change management techniques, design thinking concepts, risk evaluation and the steps to follow, when taking a concept from idea to reality. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
In this course you will apply budgeting concepts to a hospitality or tourism setting which will include cost calculations and creating top-line revenues. You will learn about revenue management, operations, profit, and loss. A focus on financial fundamentals is designed to help you understand how you can use data based on varying scenarios facing the hospitality industry. This grounding will provide you with the tools to critically analyze financial data, how to apply that knowledge, and propose relevant solutions in a constantly evolving environment. |
3 |
|
In this hands-on service course, you will apply lessons on service culture to create superior guest experiences in a high-end restaurant-style setting. You will hone your guest service fundamentals during food and beverage events, while building an understanding of the physical spaces in hospitality settings. |
3 |
|
This introductory course will provide you with resources and information required to prepare you to be successful in the program. Focus will be placed on ensuring you are ready for the applied learning environments and the workplace placements. Appropriate certifications related to hospitality, safety and guest service will be included. |
1.5 |
|
Practicum experience is a key part of the program and allows you to apply everything you have learned to work in a global tourism destination. During this applied lab course, you will be introduced to various areas of hospitality and tourism operations in guest relations and daily operations. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
In this course you will explore communication and self-awareness through the lens of the Canadian hospitality industry. Course material will cover applying elements of organizational culture and comparing the expectations of a Canadian hospitality service culture to international norms. You will also focus on self-awareness as you examine the broader concepts of diversity and inclusion, health and wellness. |
3 |
|
Building on the tools you gained in the Self-Awareness and Organizational Culture course, you will learn advanced effective leadership skills. You will have the opportunity to apply and demonstrate an array of leadership styles and traits needed to build groups of individuals into cohesive, high-performing teams. Attention will focus on guiding people and managing diverse teams in a fast-paced, ever-evolving workplace. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
In this marketing course, you will learn how to attract guests to your hotel, restaurant or hospitality business. You will apply branding specifics including how brand promise and establishing a self-brand can impact guest experience. You will also explore the best use and involvement of tourism sales stakeholders, including destination marketing organizations, receptive tour operators, and other agents who provide information to leisure travellers. |
3 |
|
This course provides you with a bridge between academic studies and practical, experiential learning. You will have the choice of worksite in a global hospitality setting. The worksite may include a hotel, restaurant, tour operator, car rental agency, resort or other approved hospitality and/or tourism operation. You will be required to provide proof of work experience for graduation. Pre-requisites:
|
1.5 |
|
Global Tourism surveys macroeconomic principles as they relate to the global travel and tourism industry. Topics include tourism ecosystems, business fundamentals and tourism economics, product development, related technologies, and cultural and societal issues. Foci will include both developed and developing global tourism markets. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
Sustainability in Hospitality and Tourism explores the ever-evolving world of contemporary tourism sustainability issues. Trends, best practices and their relationships to sound business practices are examined and researched using the lenses of social and cultural factors, economic issues and environmental considerations. Further topics include sustainable tourism, ethical food sourcing, indigenous tourism, environmental infrastructure design, farming systems, technology as a sustainability tool, and adventure or ecotourism. Equivalents:
|
3 |
Progression
You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.
To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Explore your options!
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit.
You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.
Admission requirements
Domestic requirements
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- a post-secondary hospitality, tourism or business degree or diploma from a recognized university, institute, or college with a minimum 2.3 grade-point average (67% or C+), including a minimum of 20 courses or 60 credits.
A combination of education and experience will be considered upon approval from the Academic Chair.
All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.
SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
Academic Upgrading
Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Transfer agreements
At SAIT, we have created transfer agreements with partner institutions to allow you to earn course credits toward your SAIT program based on your previously completed credentials.
Transfer Alberta search tool
Use the Transfer Alberta search tool to see all transfer agreements between Alberta post-secondary institutions (including those with the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College.)
Search transfer agreements in Alberta
Transfer options for graduates
When you have completed this program, you may continue your education at a partner post-secondary institution. These transfer agreements include partnerships within and/or outside of Canada.
Available intakes
For semester start and end dates, see Important Dates
| Intake | Start date | Domestic applications open | International applications open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Sept. 1, 2026 | Not offered | |
| Winter 2027 | Jan. 6, 2027 | Not offered | |
| Spring 2027 | May 3, 2027 | Not offered | |
| Fall 2027 | Sept. 1, 2027 | To be announced | |
Costs
2026/27 tuition and fees
The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2026.
The estimated total cost of tuition and fees is based on the suggested schedule of study. Following a modified schedule will impact the fees you pay per semester and may alter final costs.
Domestic students
Books and supplies are approximately $500 per full-time year for uniforms, shoes and textbooks.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
Can't find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they're still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.
Required residence costs
Since some classes will occur outside of Calgary, you will need to relocate for some or all of the program.
For accommodations on SAIT's main campus during your first semester, visit SAIT Residence rooms and rates.
Living in SAIT's Banff Residence during your second semester will cost approximately $4,600. Accommodations in the Bow Valley Corridor (dependent on your employer) will cost approximately $2,500.
Financial aid
Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.
Application process
Applicants to this program will be assessed on the following criteria and seats will be offered accordingly:
- Applicants who have graduated from SAIT with a Hospitality and Tourism Management diploma (previously Hospitality Management) with a minimum GPA of 2.3 will be offered admission on a first-qualified, first-offered basis. Once the program is full, qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
- Applicants with a diploma in hospitality management from another accredited post-secondary institution will be placed into selection for review to determine equivalency. Completion of additional courses may be required.
Applications and proof of the admission requirements (transcripts and supporting documents) must be submitted to be included in the selection process.
Ready to apply?
Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the hospitality@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Begin your application
Apply now using the online application portal.
Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $175 for international applicants.
Information sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact us
School of Hospitality and Tourism Advising
- Phone
- 403.284.8612
International Student Advising
- Phone
- 403.284.8852
- international@sait.ca
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.