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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 250,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,000,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 467,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Pastry Chef, at 5 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Relevant to Kenya's key tourism sector | Industry can be affected by tourism seasonality and security concerns |
| Diverse career paths in tourism and hospitality | Some roles require working irregular hours |
| International tourism offers global opportunities | Entry-level positions may have modest salaries |
| Combines tourism knowledge with management skills | 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 coursesAnnual 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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesTourism 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- Pastry ChefHospitality & Tourism5Low exposure
- Group Tour OperatorHospitality & Tourism10Low exposure
- SommelierHospitality & Tourism10Low exposure
- Culinary Tourism DesignerHospitality & Tourism11Low exposure
- Safari Tech GuideHospitality & Tourism11Low exposure
- Housekeeping ManagerHospitality & Tourism13Low exposure
- Professional MixologistHospitality & Tourism13Low exposure
- Safari GuideHospitality & Tourism13Low exposure
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.