Overview

Are you looking to embark on a career in the vibrant world of travel and tourism? Our Hospitality and Tourism Management program, specializing in Travel and Tourism, is tailored to provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in this exciting industry.  

This program will give you insights into travel products and help you understand the travel and tourism ecosystem. It equips you to design memorable travel experiences and prepares you for travel jobs, destination planning, and travel consultancy.  

Our program offers small classes covering various aspects of the global travel environment. Throughout the program, you’ll:   

  • learn how to manage travel inventories proficiently and estimate costs 
  • delve into the financial intricacies of the travel industry and apply accounting concepts to real-world business challenges 
  • master guest experience by prioritizing guest satisfaction, understanding needs, and providing solutions
  • learn impactful sales strategies and marketing techniques tailored for the travel sector 
  • develop effective and respectful communication skills for diverse groups
  • learn to embrace leadership roles and instill a sustainable, ethically driven corporate culture 
  • implement economic theories and data-driven insights
  • leverage technology to heighten productivity
  • gain an understanding of how policy, planning, and execution can achieve operational success.  

Our program ensures you stay updated with industry trends and technologies, ensuring relevance in an evolving market. 

It also includes hands-on experience through collaborations with our on-campus Travel Centre industry partners.  

As a graduate, you’ll emerge as a well-rounded professional in the hospitality sector, with potential roles such as travel agent or counsellor, tourism jobs such as sales and marketing coordinator, working with a destination marketing organization, airline sales and reservations, and many other customer-service roles.  

The Hospitality and Tourism Management Travel and Tourism specialization sets the foundation for your success in the dynamic world of travel and tourism. Whether you see yourself as a travel consultant, event planner, or an entrepreneur in the world of hospitality, it will prepare you for a rewarding career in this industry. 

Those in the travel and tourism industry tend to be social, methodical and innovative. 

You need: 

  • a good memory 
  • patience and a pleasant manner to deal with all types of people 
  • attention to detail 
  • well-developed sales skills 
  • typing and computer skills 
  • organization skills 
  • a working knowledge of global geography 
  • the ability to serve customers quickly and efficiently 
  • the ability to handle stressful situations calmly and effectively. 

You should enjoy working with people, performing detailed work, and working on a computer. You should also have a love of travel and promoting travel experiences.

Graduates of this program may continue their education in the SAIT Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program and earn their degree with a further two years of study. 

Learn more about program and institution transfer options.

Between your first and second year, you’ll complete an internship where you’ll complete 400 hours of industry work.  

The choice of worksite is flexible and can include hotels, restaurants, tour operators, car rental agencies, resorts, and other approved hospitality and tourism operations. 

You’ll also work in Destinations, SAIT’s student-run travel agency throughout the program. 

The Travel and Tourism specialization is well aligned with the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) endorsement standards to allow you to pursue the Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) accreditation once you graduate. 

You’ll also acquire key industry certifications in Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), food safety, ProServe, and hospitality and tourism awareness.  All these certifications must be completed in your first semester. 

After successfully completing this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Hospitality and Tourism Management diploma with a specialization in Travel and Tourism. 

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 60030, 60031, 62022, 64310, 64314, 64320, 65210.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Services and workshops

Courses

The Hospitality and Tourism Management - Travel and Tourism diploma requires 63 credits (22 courses) to complete.

The program spans 2 years, with two semesters in year one and two semesters in year two.

View classes by semester

Hospitality and tourism core

Course Credits

This course provides an introduction to the financial accounting aspects of the hospitality industry. This includes generally accepted accounting principles, financial statement preparation, the accounting cycle, specialized journals, accounting for cash, accounts receivable, sales, payroll and inventories.

3

Upon completing this course, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills to use industry-standard tools to perform financial calculations. The financial calculations include simple and compound interest, debt repayment, valuation of investments, simple and general annuities, amortization of debts, sinking funds and bond valuation problems. Students will also learn to analyze, apply, visualize and present the results to inform business planning and decision-making related to the hospitality and tourism industry.

3

This course examines techniques to communicate and present your ideas using your professional skills and various technological solutions. Topics include writing business documents, creating and delivering presentations, preparation for career launch, foundations of effective teamwork, report writing, sourcing and citing information and interpersonal communication. Concepts are reinforced through relevant, task-based activities and assessments.

Equivalents:
  • COMM 256
3

In this introductory course, you will learn about economic principles in analyzing problems in the business and consumer sectors of the Canadian economy. Some topics covered are economic scarcity, demand, supply, elasticity, and perfect and imperfect competition.

Equivalents:
  • ECON 1010
3

This course explores financial strategies and techniques for analyzing business performance and decision-making in the hospitality industry. Topics include budget flexibility, contribution margins, and the strengths and weaknesses of master budgeting models. Core skills taught in this course include analyzing budget variance, using cost/volume/profit (CVP) relationships to calculate break-even and contribution margins, conducting “what if” analysis and applying hospitality industry cost items, concepts and classifications. These skills will help you become a proactive decision-maker who understands complex financial matters in the hospitality industry.

Pre-requisites:
  • ACCT 206
3

This course explores the various sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry, the links between the sectors, and the benefits and impact of the industry on the economy, the environment and employment. Topics include hospitality and tourism careers, health and wellness in the industry, and the hospitality mindset. Considering customer satisfaction and pride of place, you will identify areas fundamental to the successful planning and development of a destination.

3

This course will prepare you with appropriate certifications for applied learning environments and the workplace. Certifications include Food and Safety Sanitation (FSAN), ProServe liquor service training, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training and White Hat Academy training for employees in Calgary’s tourism industry. You will complete these certifications as part of the course.

1.5

This course provides an overview of Canadian and international laws applicable to the hospitality and tourism industry that will explain your legal and ethical responsibilities in a guest environment. Topics include travellers’ rights in Canada and abroad, the basics of Canadian law, contract law, employment law and business legal structure, and liability and dispute resolution. To help with decision-making, you will explore risk assessment tools and the practicalities of negligence for both personal injury and food and beverage service.

3

This course includes the foundational knowledge and skills required by HR Professionals and business managers. This course includes an overview of human resource management, human resource planning, employee compensation and benefits, recruitment, selection and training of employees, performance management, government regulation and health and safety in the workplace.

3

This course provides tools and tests to explore your personality styles, biases and communication preferences to build deeper cross-cultural understanding and strong team dynamics. Topics include self-awareness, strategies to maintain health and wellness, cross-cultural communication and group norm setting. These foundational concepts will support further communication studies.

3

Examining leadership styles and staff motivators, you will explore strategies for developing high-performance teams with a service culture mindset for a hospitality business. Topics for this course include leadership, team negotiating, workforce planning and the impact of management practices on motivation, health, and wellness.

Pre-requisites:
  • LDSH 202
3

This course will introduce you to key topics in organizational behaviour in the hospitality and tourism industry. These topics include the role of leadership in organizational culture, creating a health and wellness culture and managing change and innovation, handling conflict and applying theories of organizational behaviour. These topics will help you understand managers' important roles in directing organizational change in response to the realities of power and politics in organizational life.

Pre-requisites:
  • LDSH 310
3

This course introduces tourism and hospitality branding, marketing and experience design. Topics include the importance of a service culture, the brand promise and guest experiences. You will explore how a brand can impact guest motivation and experience and how this can create a competitive advantage in the hospitality and tourism industry.

3

This course introduces marketing and sales principles in the tourism and hospitality industry. Topics include tourism distribution channels, the marketing mix, target markets, consumer behaviour and its impact on the customer journey.

3

This course will teach you how to create and implement a marketing and sales plan that addresses common issues in service and marketing. You will also learn how to prepare a market analysis report, establish market strategies and objectives, develop a marketing program, apply integrated marketing communications and compare methods for evaluating and controlling marketing performance. This knowledge will allow you to recognize new opportunities for attracting guests in competitive and evolving markets.

Pre-requisites:
  • MKTG 250
3

This course provides a bridge between academic studies and practical, experiential learning. The choice of worksite is flexible and can include hotels, restaurants, tour operators, car rental agencies, resorts and other approved hospitality and/or tourism operations. Proof of work experience is required for graduation.

Pre-requisites:
  • COMM 265
  • HOSP 210
  • LDSH 202
  • MKTG 200
1.5

Travel and tourism core

Course Credits

This course explores key themes in global travel. With an emphasis on regions in the Western Hemisphere, you will learn how to use maps to identify tourist destinations. Must-see sites and current issues impacting the traveller will provide a better understanding of a destination’s appeal. Cultural and social aspects will provide you with a complete understanding of the tourist experience in each region. Technology-enhanced learning will provide research opportunities to explore the uniqueness of the Western Hemisphere and all it offers today’s travellers.

3

This course examines the geography of travel with a focused study of European and Asian tourist destinations and their major attractions. Investigative skills will be developed by identifying a country’s location, examining historical relevance, and comparing available tourist activities. The course also emphasizes how cultural factors are critical to the attractiveness of a tourist destination. Essential destination knowledge is vital to successfully selling and understanding the experiences associated with crucial tourism destinations.

Pre-requisites:
  • TOUR 260
3

This course examines tourism trends that impact travellers and how the industry handles constant technology change. The visitor economy and customization of special-interest tourism activities will be considered while exploring destinations around the globe. Investigating environmental, cultural and sustainable tourism opportunities will help reinforce the course content.

Pre-requisites:
  • HOSP 200
3

This course covers the basics of product terminology, supporting careers in the travel industry by using reservation system simulations. You will learn airline standards, booking requirements for air, vehicle rentals and accommodations for the corporate traveller and be introduced to travel products for the leisure traveller. These concepts will be reinforced through practice on a Global Distribution System (GDS), the primary tool for coordinating travel arrangements in an agency. Alternative booking channels for travel products will also be explored.

Corequsites:
  • BMAT 201
3

This course provides hands-on experience booking travel and planning itineraries for customers in an agency setting. You will work with airlines, attractions and industry tour partners, preparing documentation and pricing for all trip components and using Global Distribution System (GDS), the primary tool for coordinating travel arrangements.

Pre-requisites:
  • TOUR 260
3

In this capstone course, you will demonstrate how a product is brought to market. Building on your previous work on tour planning, attraction tour development and tourism event itinerary planning, you will apply your financial, marketing and data analysis skills to design a product that meets an industry need. While collaborating with your team, you also will learn how leadership and team dynamics, such as mindset diversity, differing communication styles, trust, and conflict resolution methods, impact performance. Using this knowledge, your team will create supplier certificates, a team contract, a project proposal, and a project plan. Your team will also present your pitch to an industry stakeholder. You will be able to monitor the success of your product online and in person at the SAIT travel centre, where your product will be marketed.

Pre-requisites:
  • ACCT 206
  • LDSH 310
  • MKTG 250
  • TPRD 300
3

Progression

You must pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program. Admission to SAIT and other post-secondary programs can be highly competitive. Grades higher than a minimal pass improve opportunities for admission to post-secondary programs. 

See our course upgrading pathways.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

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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.

Available Open Studies courses

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents.

  • at least 50% in Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 or Pure Math 30 or at least 60% in Applied Math 30
  • at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-2.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

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 out what educational documents are accepted and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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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.

Upgrade
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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Learn more

Available intakes

Spring 2024

Start dates:

Domestic students: Waitlisted
  • Application deadline: Feb. 23, 2024
International students: Closed
  • Application deadline: Jan. 22, 2024

Fall 2024

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: June 28, 2024
International students: Closed
  • Application deadline: May 29, 2024

Winter 2025

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: Oct. 25, 2024
International students: Open
  • Application deadline: Sept. 30, 2024

Costs

2024/25 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year. 
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $6,600 $1,608 $8,208
2 2 $6,000 $1,608 $7,608
Total cost:
$15,816

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for international students is based on the recommended course load per year. 
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $20,130 $1,608 $21,738
2 2 $18,300 $1,608 $19,908
Total cost:
$41,646

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.

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.

2023/24 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective until June 30, 2024.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year. 
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $6,501 $1,570 $8,071
2 2 $5,910 $1,570 $7,480
Total cost:
$15,551

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for international students is based on the recommended course load per year. 
Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2 $20,132.31 $1,570 $21,702.31
2 2 $18,302.10 $1,570 $19,872.10
Total cost:
$41,574.41
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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.

Learn more

Application process

When applying in the application portal, select Hospitality and Tourism Management. You will be able to select Travel and Tourism as your major during the application process.

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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 $150 for international applicants. 

Apply now

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

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.

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
Email
hospitality.info@sait.ca

International Student Advising

Phone
403.284.8852
Email
international@sait.ca