Hospitality & Tourism

Bachelor of Science in Tours and Travel Management

The Bachelor Of Science In Tours And Travel Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in tours and travel 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 Tour Operations and Tour Planning, Travel Agency Management and Travel Services, Tour Packaging and Itinerary Design, Tour Guiding and Destination Knowledge, Tour Marketing and Tourism Marketing, Tour Logistics and Tour Transportation. 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 Tour Guiding and Destination Knowledge, Tours Law and Travel Law, Tour Packaging and Itinerary Design, Research Methods, Tours Research and Project, Tours Human Resources and Leadership. 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 Tour Logistics and Operations, Tour Guiding and Destination Knowledge, Tour Operations and Tour Planning. 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 Tours And Travel Management pursue careers as Tour Manager / Tour Operator, Tour Logistics Manager, Travel Agency Manager, Tour Guide / Tour Coordinator. 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

Tour Operations and Tour Planning
Travel Agency Management and Travel Services
Tour Packaging and Itinerary Design
Tour Guiding and Destination Knowledge
Tour Marketing and Tourism Marketing
Tour Logistics and Tour Transportation
Tours Finance and Cost Control
Tours Human Resources and Leadership
Tours Law and Travel Law
Research Methods and Tours Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Tour Operations and Tour Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Tour operations, tour planning, itinerary design, and supporting tour operations.
Travel Agency Management and Travel Services
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Travel agency management, travel services, booking systems, and supporting travel agency management.
Tour Packaging and Itinerary Design
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Tour Packaging and Itinerary Design: Tour packaging, itinerary design, tour products, and supporting tour packaging. Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Tour Guiding and Destination Knowledge
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Tour guiding, destination knowledge, cultural tourism, and supporting tour guiding.
Tour Marketing and Tourism Marketing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Tour marketing, tourism marketing, digital marketing, and supporting tour marketing.
Tour Logistics and Tour Transportation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Tour logistics, tour transportation, tour accommodation, and supporting tour logistics.
Tours Finance and Cost Control
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Tours Finance and Cost Control: Tours finance, cost control, budgeting, and supporting tours finance. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Tours Human Resources and Leadership
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Tours human resources, staff management, team leadership, and supporting tours human resources.
Tours Law and Travel Law
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Tours Law and Travel Law: Tours law, travel law, tourism regulations, and supporting tours law. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Research Methods, Tours Research and Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, M and E, tours research, research project, and supporting research methods and project work.

Specialisations

Tour Operations and Tour Planning
Focuses on tour operations, tour planning, itinerary design, and tour logistics. 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.
Travel Agency Management
Specialises in travel agency management, travel services, booking systems, and customer service. 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.
Tour Packaging and Marketing
Concentrates on tour packaging, itinerary design, tour products, and tour 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.
Tour Logistics and Operations
Focuses on tour logistics, tour transportation, tour accommodation, and tour operations. 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.
Tour Guiding and Destination Knowledge
Focuses on tour guiding, destination knowledge, cultural tourism, and customer service. 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 tour operations, travel agency management, or tour packaging, followed by tours attachments, field trips, or industry visits. Students manage tour operations, provide travel services, handle tour logistics, manage tour packaging, and work on their research project. Tours attachments at tour companies, travel agencies, and KTB provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — tourism growth, tour company expansion, and travel agency development create strong demand for tours and travel management professionals.
Diverse settings — graduates work at tour companies, travel agencies, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and government agencies.
Entrepreneurship opportunities — graduates can start tour companies, travel agencies, or tour packaging ventures.

Against it

Seasonality — tourism is seasonal with peak and off-peak seasons affecting employment and income.
Long hours — tours and travel work involves long hours, weekends, holidays, and irregular schedules.
Customer pressure — tours and travel involves dealing with demanding customers, complaints, and high service expectations.

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, tour company sponsorships, and international tourism scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
PlacementKsh 0Kenyan
Kenyan students placed to public universities through KUCCPS receive government-subsidised tuition.
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: 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 tours reports throughout each semester.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent tours and travel management research project, assessed through written report and presentation.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering tour operations, travel agency management, tour marketing, tours finance, and tours law.
Tours and Travel Management Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of tours and travel management competencies including tour operations, travel agency management, tour packaging, and tour logistics.
Industry Attachment Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachments including tours work, travel agency work, documentation, and supervision evaluation.

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

Tour Manager / Tour Operator
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages tour operations, tour planning, tour packaging, and tour logistics at tour companies or travel agencies certified by KATO.
Tour Logistics Manager
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages tour logistics, tour transportation, tour accommodation, and tour operations at tour companies or travel agencies.
Travel Agency Manager
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages travel agency operations, travel services, booking systems, and customer service at travel agencies or tour companies.
Tour Guide / Tour Coordinator
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides tour guiding, destination knowledge, tour coordination, and customer service at tour companies or travel agencies.
Tour Packaging Manager
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Designs tour packages, itinerary design, tour products, and tour marketing at tour companies or travel agencies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as tour managers and travel agency managers. Tours and travel management is in high demand driven by tourism growth. Salaries range from KES 60,000 to 150,000 per month. Ministry of Tourism, KTB, tour companies, and travel agencies offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

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

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Tours and travel management is just about guiding tourists.
Tours and travel management includes tour operations, travel agency management, tour packaging, tour logistics, tour marketing, and business management — guiding is one component.
Tours and travel management is only about booking flights.
Tours and travel management includes tour planning, itinerary design, tour logistics, tour packaging, customer service, and tour operations — booking is one aspect.
There are limited career opportunities for tours and travel management graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's tourism growth, tour company expansion, travel agency development, and destination competitiveness create demand for tours and travel management professionals at KATO, tour companies, travel agencies, and airlines.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.