Hospitality & Tourism

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Development and Management

The Bachelor Of Science In Tourism Development And Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in tourism development and management. The programme falls under the Hospitality & Tourism category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Tourism Development and Destination Planning, Tourism Management and Tourism Operations, Tourism Marketing and Destination Marketing, Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Tourism, Tourism Economics and Tourism Finance, Tourism Policy and Tourism Law. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advertising, Business Process Modeling, Data Visualization, Entrepreneurship, Financial Analysis. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Tourism, Tourism Technology and Digital Tourism, Tourism Human Resources and Leadership, Tourism Management and Tourism Operations, Tourism Marketing and Destination Marketing. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Destination Marketing and Management, Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism, Tourism Entrepreneurship. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Tourism Development And Management pursue careers as Tourism Development Officer / Destination Planner, Destination Marketing Manager, Tourism Manager / Tourism Officer, Tourism Consultant. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 152,700
Private, up to: Ksh 152,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Tourism Development and Destination Planning
Tourism Management and Tourism Operations
Tourism Marketing and Destination Marketing
Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Tourism
Tourism Economics and Tourism Finance
Tourism Policy and Tourism Law
Tourism Human Resources and Leadership
Tourism Technology and Digital Tourism
Tourism Research and Data Analysis
Tourism Entrepreneurship and Business Development

Modules

10 in the programme

Tourism Development and Destination Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Tourism development, destination planning, tourism infrastructure, and supporting tourism development.
Tourism Management and Tourism Operations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Tourism management, tourism operations, tour operations, travel agency management, and supporting tourism management.
Tourism Marketing and Destination Marketing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Tourism marketing, destination marketing, digital marketing, tourism branding, and supporting tourism marketing.
Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Tourism
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Sustainable tourism, responsible tourism, ecotourism, environmental management, and supporting sustainable tourism.
Tourism Economics and Tourism Finance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Tourism economics, tourism finance, cost control, budgeting, and supporting tourism economics.
Tourism Policy and Tourism Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Tourism policy, tourism law, Kenya Tourism Act, tourism regulations, and supporting tourism policy.
Tourism Human Resources and Leadership
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Tourism human resources, staff management, team leadership, training and development, and supporting tourism human resources.
Tourism Technology and Digital Tourism
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Tourism technology, digital tourism, tourism information systems, online booking, and supporting tourism technology.
Tourism Research and Data Analysis
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Tourism research, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, M and E, and supporting tourism research.
Tourism Entrepreneurship and Business Development
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Tourism entrepreneurship, tourism business development, tourism investment, and supporting tourism entrepreneurship.

Specialisations

Tourism Development and Destination Planning
Focuses on tourism development, destination planning, tourism infrastructure, and tourism policy. 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 Management and Operations
Specialises in tourism management, tourism operations, tour operations, and travel agency management.
Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism
Focuses on sustainable tourism, responsible tourism, ecotourism, and environmental management. 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 Entrepreneurship
Focuses on tourism entrepreneurship, tourism business development, tourism investment, and tourism innovation.
Destination Marketing and Management
Concentrates on destination marketing, tourism promotion, tourism branding, and digital marketing. 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 starts with morning lectures on tourism development, tourism management, or destination planning, followed by tourism attachments, field trips, or industry visits. Students manage tourism development, provide tourism services, handle tourism operations, manage destination planning, and work on their research project. Tourism attachments at KTB, tourism companies, and tour operators provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — tourism growth, destination marketing, and tourism company development create strong demand for tourism development and management professionals.
Diverse settings — graduates work at KTB, tourism companies, tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, and government agencies.
Entrepreneurship opportunities — graduates can start tourism businesses, tour companies, or destination marketing ventures.

Against it

Seasonality — tourism is seasonal with peak and off-peak seasons affecting employment and income.
Competition — tourism faces competition from other destinations requiring continuous innovation.
Environmental challenges — tourism involves addressing environmental sustainability, climate change, and conservation challenges.

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

Public149k to 153k

149k at University of Nairobi153k at Kenyatta University

Private143k to 152k

143k at Zetech University152k at Kenya Methodist 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 152.7K/yr (victormatara). UoN ~149K/yr (studyinkenya). KeMU 152K, Zetech 142.6K/yr (educationnewshub).

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and KUCCPS placement. County bursaries, tourism sponsorships, and international tourism scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

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
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
PlacementKsh 0Kenyan
Kenyan students placed to public universities through KUCCPS receive government-subsidised tuition.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Tourism, Hospitality Management, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant tourism or hospitality experience is advantageous.

English or Kiswahili
C+
Geography or History
C
Economics or Business Studies
C
Mathematics
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and tourism reports throughout each semester.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering tourism development, tourism management, tourism marketing, tourism economics, and tourism law.
Industry Attachment Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachments including tourism work, documentation, and supervision evaluation.
Tourism Development and Management Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of tourism development and management competencies including tourism operations, destination planning, tourism marketing, and tourism technology.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent tourism development and management research project, assessed through written report and presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Certified by Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) for tourism professionals. The Kenya Tourism Act governs tourism practice. The National Tourism Policy guides tourism development. KATO represents tour operators.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Tourism Development Officer / Destination Planner
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages tourism development, destination planning, tourism infrastructure, and tourism projects at KTB, county governments, or tourism companies.
Destination Marketing Manager
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages destination marketing, tourism promotion, tourism branding, and digital marketing at KTB, county governments, or tourism companies.
Tourism Manager / Tourism Officer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages tourism operations, tourism development, tourism services, and tourism programmes at KTB, county governments, or tourism companies.
Tourism Consultant
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides tourism consulting, tourism development advice, destination management, and tourism strategy to tourism organisations, governments, or private sector.
Tour Operations Manager
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages tour operations, tourism logistics, travel agency services, and tour packages at tour operators or travel agencies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as tourism development officers and tourism managers. Tourism development and management is in high demand driven by tourism growth. Salaries range from KES 65,000 to 160,000 per month. Ministry of Tourism, KTB, tourism companies, and tour operators offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Tourism development and management is just about guiding tourists.
Tourism development and management includes tourism development, destination planning, tourism operations, tourism policy, tourism economics, and tourism business management — guiding is one component.
Tourism development is only about building hotels.
Tourism development includes destination planning, tourism infrastructure, community development, environmental management, and cultural preservation — hotels are one aspect.
There are limited career opportunities for tourism development and management graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's tourism growth, destination marketing, tourism company development, and tourism competitiveness create demand for tourism development and management professionals at KTB, tourism companies, tour operators, and government agencies.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.