Hospitality & Tourism Management

Check into Your Future

The Hospitality and Tourism Management Program helps prepare you for the vast and always-changing hospitality field. Southwestern College offers a wide variety of degrees and certificates to help you break into the industry with the professional skills and training you'll need to get hired.

Hospitality and tourism is a dynamic and growing industry throughout San Diego County with many opportunities and career paths for individuals who desire to advance and gain excellent positions in the field. While the field has many facets including recreation and entertainment, it is often divided into four key areas: event and convention planning; travel and tourism; hotel operations; and culinary arts. Southwestern College provides programs for employment training in all four areas at both the entry and management levels. 

Program Awards

Our Hospitality & Tourism Management programs are included in the Applied Technology & Hospitality Management Field of Study and offer these awards:

			Program Maps
Associate in Science Degree: Culinary Arts - Food Services Management	Chula Vista	4 Semesters
Associate in Science Degree: Event and Convention Management	Chula Vista	4 Semesters
Associate in Science Degree: Hotel Operations Management	Chula Vista	4 Semesters
Associate in Science Degree: Travel and Tourism Management	Chula Vista	4 Semesters
Certificate of Achievement: Culinary Arts - Food Services Management	Chula Vista	1-2 Semesters
Certificate of Achievement: Event and Convention Management	Chula Vista	1-2 Semesters
Certificate of Achievement:  Hotel Operations Management	Chula Vista	1-2 Semesters
Certificate of Achievement: Travel and Tourism Management	Chula Vista	2 Semesters

 

Common Careers

The Hospitality and Tourism Management industry offers a wide range of career opportunities across local businesses and organizations that support both visitors and the community. From working with marketing agencies and destination organizations that promote regional attractions, to careers aboard cruise ships that connect travelers with global experiences, the field is diverse and dynamic. Locally, individuals may find rewarding roles in bakeries, restaurants, catering establishments, and hotels that provide quality food, service, and lodging. Convention and meeting centers, recreation and sports facilities, and casinos also create vibrant career pathways, employing professionals in event planning, guest services, operations, and management. Together, these industries drive economic growth while offering engaging, people-centered careers.

The average annual salary in this field is $60,000 for occupations like Lodging and Restaurant Managers, Entertainment & Recreation Supervisors, Travel Agents & Guides

Typical Duties

• Communicating with Customers, Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  
  Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Financial activities -  setting of room rates, recenue activity, the establishment of budgets, and the allocation of funds to departments.
  
  Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.