Tourism and Travel

Tourism includes a wide range of businesses and career opportunities. No single program can prepare you for everything you will ever need to know in a tourism career because it is such a huge industry and because it can change very quickly. But, this is also what makes a tourism career exciting and dynamic.

Western Michigan University offers a tourism and travel major designed for students planning to pursue career in the tourism industry. While the program is more comprehensive than many, you will still need to complement your studies by choosing a minor in one of the following areas: a foreign language, Spanish, communication, journalism, English (practical writing), geography, history, public history or international studies. You will also supplement your coursework with an internship, research or study abroad experience.

Beyond the classroom

As a tourism and travel student at WMU, you will be required to complete one of the following:

  • Professional internship
  • Research under the guidance of a tourism faculty member
  • Study abroad experience

You will also have the opportunity to join the Geography Club and Gamma Theta Upsilon or Students for a Sustainable Earth.

After you graduate

Recent WMU graduates with degrees in tourism and travel are working as:

  • Travel agents
  • Geographic area specialists
  • Regional planners
  • Map curators

Among the organizations they work for are:

  • Airlines
  • Travel agencies
  • Government agencies

Career Outcomes

Where is this program offered?

  • Kalamazoo

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