Leisure and Tourism Management

Overview

Studying this Leisure and Tourism Management program at EU Business School  in Barcelona gives students the opportunity to expand their business knowledge in one of the world’s most advanced smart cities. Entrepreneurs and innovators are nurtured and cultivated in this forward-thinking city, which attracts outstanding tech talent and innovative startups, of which there are currently more than 1300. Barcelona is also home to some of the world’s largest multinational companies, including Airbnb, Amazon, the Siemens Innovation Center.

This diverse and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast boasts almost five kilometers of golden beaches and provides students with excellent opportunities for sports activities and socializing. Famously home to FC Barcelona, it also has a wide array of cultural offerings including museums, UNESCO-listed monuments and architectural gems from the city’s most celebrated son, Antoni Gaudí.

Career Options

The Bachelor of Arts in Leisure & Tourism Management degree provides students with fundamental knowledge in all major business areas as well as specialist skills in the leisure and tourism industry such as tourism marketing and hospitality management. Students who successfully complete this degree may be interested in the following job positions.

Travel Consultant 

Travel consultants are equipped with specialized knowledge in travel. They work with clients to determine their needs and are responsible for the trip’s organization. To advise clients correctly, they must have in-depth knowledge about a destination’s accommodation options, areas of interest, weather conditions, exchange rates and passport and visa requirements which may involve traveling to destinations and attending trade fairs. They also deal with complaints.

To succeed in this profession, a professional should have good organizational and strong interpersonal skills. Knowledge of languages is required.

Tour Operator

Tour operators organize package tours which are sold through travel agencies or to the public directly through websites. They may purchase from individual entities or provide services such as hotel accommodation and flights. The tasks of a tour operator include providing information about travel destinations, organizing travel schedules, arranging transport and accommodation and alerting providers to specific travel needs. They may also be involved in wholesale negotiations with providers.

Organizational, interpersonal and organizational skills are key for success in this profession. Knowledge of languages is required.

Hotel Manager

Hotel managers ensure that the day-to-day operations of a hotel run smoothly. In addition to guest satisfaction, hotel managers manage budgets, recruit employees, undertake sales functions, coordinate maintenance work, ensure safety standards are met, monitor stock levels and deal with customer complaints. They are responsible for all the operations which take place within a hotel.

Competences needed to become a hotel manager include good oral and written communication skills, numerical aptitude and customer service. Knowledge of languages is required.

Conference Center Manager

Conference center managers are in charge of the operations and profitability of a conference center. Their tasks include planning daily activities with a multitude of departments such as sales and reception, managing budgets, supervising supplies and equipment and negotiating with clients and providers. Conference center managers also take part in sales and marketing activities. They work closely with event managers to achieve overall customer satisfaction.

Multitasking, coordination skills, planning and problem-solving are needed by conference center managers as well as commercial and negotiation skills.

Accreditation

In partnership with University of Derby and London Metropolitan University in the U.K., and Dublin Business School, Ireland, EU students earn state-recognized degrees. Through its alliance with Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), Spain, students attain university bachelor's, master's and MBA degrees (título propio).