An online degree in travel and tourism can enable individuals to become professionals in the travel and tourism industry. Many consumers, despite the various travel programs and discounted packages available, prefer to trust the expertise of professionals in the travel and tourism industry. Also, many travel agents choose to specialize in specific destinations, cultures, or interests. Travel agents are responsible for recognizing the needs of consumer groups in the travel and tourism industry and then making the means to satisfy the consumers’ needs profitable to the travel company that they represent. Through a program for online degrees in travel and tourism, people can gain the training and expertise they need to become professional travel agents. Coursework in these online degree programs may include sales techniques, cruise line information, reservation systems, travel destinations, and accounting/bookkeeping. Courses may also cover information about good communication skills, foreign languages, event and convention management, computer reservations, food and beverage management, human resources in hospitality, tourism analysis, destinations management, contemporary leisure and recreation concepts, tourism information technology, business accounting, international tourism, tourism marketing and economics, and destination design.

All Colleges offering Hospitality & Culinary Degree in Travel & Tourism

Online Education Options for Travel and Tourism

Online Travel and Tourism Certification is great for people looking for a little extra something when they apply for jobs with travel agencies. Potential employers recognize people with online travel and tourism certificates as professionals with formal credentials.
Online Associates Travel and Tourism Degree give basic training in various aspects of the travel and tourism industry. It enables individuals to enter the industry with an understanding of what consumers are looking for. However, a Bachelors or Masters degree is more likely to enhance opportunities for advancement or promotion. Coursework in an online Associates travel and tourism degree program may include event and convention management, computer reservations, food and beverage management, human resources in hospitality, tourism analysis, and destinations management.
Online Bachelors Travel and Tourism Degree are more likely to promote advancement or promotion in the travel industry career path. It is an excellent credential for individuals with little or no prior experience in the industry. This degree may give candidates an advantage over less professional, educated, or more experienced applicants when applying for a job. Coursework in online Bachelors travel and tourism degree programs may include contemporary leisure and recreation concepts, tourism information technology, business accounting, international tourism, tourism marketing and economics, and destination design.
Online Masters Travel and Tourism Degree are excellent credentials for individuals seeking employment in the travel and tourism industry. A Masters degree informs potential employers that the applicant is dedicated to learning about the industry and committed to their work. An online Masters travel and tourism degree may give candidates an advantage over other applicants who are less educated, professional, or more experienced when applying for travel agent jobs.

Travel and Tourism Career and Salary Information

An online degree in travel and tourism provides an excellent credential for job applicants and may enhance opportunities for advancement or promotion once in a travel and tourism career. The median entry level salary for people with a travel and tourism degree is $43,700. However, the entry level salary may range from $31,145 to $55,798 depending on the individual’s experience, level of education, and employment setting. Employment settings for travel agents may include travel agencies, tour operators, visitors bureaus, reservation offices, other travel arrangers, and self-employed. The number of jobs in this career is expected to grow by 1% by 2016, which is considered little or no growth for the industry. Although more consumers are seeking more exotic and customized trips that create a demand for travel agents, the internet is creating increasing advancements in the way of customized itineraries for consumers for discounted rates. More consumers are able to plan their own trips through internet services or on their own, so fewer travel agents are in demand. People aspiring to become travel agents must be well-organized, accurate, professional, and courteous. They must also pay attention to detail and have good communication skills, interpersonal skills, and sales abilities. Personal travel experience may be valuable in helping clients to develop their own travel plans.

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Online Colleges Offering Travel & Tourism Degrees

University of Phoenix - Online Campus

Accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Capella University

Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

American InterContinental University Online

Accreditation

American InterContinental University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

City University

Accreditation

City University of Seattle (CityU) is incorporated in the state of Washington and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Colorado Technical University Online

Accreditation

Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Saint Leo University

Accreditation

Bachelor's and Master's degrees: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges.

Westwood College Online

Accreditation

Westwood College is currently nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Devry University

Accreditation

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA).

Strayer University

Accreditation

Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Accreditation

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., a nongovernmental, nationally recognized organization whose affiliated institutions include elementary schools through collegiate institutions offering post-graduate instruction.

Winston Salem State University

Accreditation

Winston-Salem State College is accredited by SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Western Governors University

Accreditation

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU’s "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU is the first online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU’s Health Informatics program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). WGU’s Nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

A.T Still University

Accreditation

A.T Still University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Regis University

Accreditation

Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

Accreditation

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.The MSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC).

Utica College Online

Accreditation

Utica College Online is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.The Graduate Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), American Physical Therapy Association.The Graduate Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Upper Iowa University

Accreditation

Upper Iowa University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

Virginia College Online

Accreditation

Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

University of Saint Mary

Accreditation

The University of Saint Mary Online is accreditated by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).