Hospitality & Tourism

Bachelor of International Tourism Management

The Bachelor of International Tourism Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for tourism management, destination management and international tourism operations. Students study tourism management, destination marketing, tourism policy, sustainable tourism and international tourism business. The programme combines tourism theory with management skills for the global tourism industry.

Students develop competencies in tourism management, destination management, tourism marketing, sustainable tourism, tourism policy and international tourism operations. They learn to manage tourism businesses, develop destinations, market tourism products and plan sustainable tourism. The programme covers tourism management, destination development, marketing, policy and sustainability.

In Kenya, international tourism management is critical for the tourism sector, which is a key contributor to GDP. Kenya's tourism industry, wildlife heritage and diverse attractions create opportunities. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and other institutions offer this programme. Graduates find roles in tour companies, hotels, tourism boards, government tourism departments, NGOs and international tourism organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical exercises, field trips, industrial attachment and research projects. Students analyse tourism cases, plan destinations, develop tourism products and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as tourism managers, destination managers, tourism marketing executives, tour operators and tourism policy analysts. Some work for tourism boards or government departments. Others join tour companies, hotels, NGOs or establish tourism businesses.

This programme is ideal for individuals with passion for travel, cultural awareness and interest in tourism management and sustainability.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 250,000
Private, up to: Ksh 467,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Tourism Management Principles
Destination Management and Marketing
Sustainable Tourism Development
Tourism Policy and Planning
International Tourism Business
Cultural and Heritage Tourism
Tour Operations Management
Tourism Economics and Finance
Ecotourism and Nature-Based Tourism
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Tourism Industry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Tourism Industry: Fundamentals of tourism industry, sectors, history and global tourism Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Tourism Management Principles
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Tourism Management Principles: Tourism management theory, tourism systems and management principles Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Destination Management and Marketing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Destination Management and Marketing: Destination management, marketing, branding and destination competitiveness Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Tour Operations Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Tour Operations Management: Tour operations, itinerary planning, tour guiding and travel agency management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Sustainable Tourism Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainable Tourism Development: Sustainable tourism, ecotourism, community tourism and environmental management Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Cultural and Heritage Tourism
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Cultural and Heritage Tourism: Cultural tourism, heritage management, cultural attractions and interpretation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Tourism Policy and Planning
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Tourism Policy and Planning: Tourism policy, planning, development strategies and regulatory framework Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
International Tourism Business
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
International tourism, global tourism trends, cross-cultural tourism and international business
Tourism Economics and Finance
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Tourism Economics and Finance: Tourism economics, financial management, tourism investment and economic impact Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Ecotourism and Nature-Based Tourism
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Ecotourism and Nature-Based Tourism: Ecotourism, wildlife tourism, nature-based tourism and conservation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Strategic Tourism Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic Tourism Management: Strategic management, tourism strategy, competitiveness and leadership Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on international tourism management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...

Specialisations

Tour Operations
Specialization in Tour Operations, preparing graduates for careers such as hotel-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Sustainable Tourism
Specialization in Sustainable Tourism, preparing graduates for careers such as hotel-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Cultural and Heritage Tourism
Specialization in Cultural and Heritage Tourism, preparing graduates for careers such as hotel-manager.
Ecotourism
Specialization in Ecotourism, preparing graduates for careers such as hotel-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Tourism Marketing
Specialization in Tourism Marketing, preparing graduates for careers such as hotel-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Destination Management
Specialization in Destination Management, preparing graduates for careers such as hotel-manager. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on tourism management or destination marketing with afternoon practical exercises or field trips. Students may analyse tourism cases, plan destinations, develop tourism products or work on tourism management projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Relevant to Kenya's key tourism sector
Diverse career paths in tourism and hospitality
International tourism offers global opportunities
Combines tourism knowledge with management skills

Against it

Industry can be affected by tourism seasonality and security concerns
Some roles require working irregular hours
Entry-level positions may have modest salaries
Industry can be affected by economic fluctuations

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 91 hospitality & tourism courses

Public141k to 250k

141k at Kenyatta University250k at University of Nairobi

Private115k to 467k

115k at Mount Kenya University467k at Strathmore University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 141K, UoN 250K, Moi 204K/yr (eafinder, uonbi.ac.ke). MKU 115K, Strathmore 467K/yr (hivileo, shika.co.ke).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some tourism companies and hotels offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Kenya Utalii College Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Students admitted to tourism and hospitality programmes at Kenya Utalii College
Tourism Training Revolution Fund
BursaryKenyan
Students pursuing tourism and hospitality training

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English or Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C
Geography or History or any Group III, IV or V
C
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Practical Exercises and Project Work
Coursework30% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Tourism Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages tourism operations and businesses
Tourism Marketing Executive
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Markets tourism products and destinations
Tour Operator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 220,000
Operates tour companies and travel services
Destination Manager
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages tourism destinations and development
Tourism Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 230,000
Analyzes and develops tourism policy

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as tourism managers, destination managers, tourism marketing executives, tour operators and tourism policy analysts in tour companies, hotels, tourism boards, government tourism departments, NGOs and international tourism organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Opera PMS
Hotel managementPrimary
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
QuickBooks
Accounting
Micros POS
Point of sale
HACCP Systems
Safety
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point food safety management systems

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Tourism management is just about travel
Tourism management covers destination management, marketing, policy, sustainability and business operations.
There are limited career opportunities in tourism
Kenya's tourism sector creates diverse opportunities in operations, marketing, policy and development.
Tourism is only for tourist areas
Tourism management covers destinations nationwide and international tourism business.
Tourism doesn't require formal training
Professional tourism management requires training in business, sustainability and policy.