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Global Business Administration (MBA)
Specialise in Tourism Managment
The Tourism Management specialisation in the Global Business Administration (MBA) programme provides you with in-depth knowledge of the complex structures and dynamics of the international tourism industry. You will learn how hotels, destinations and tourism services are professionally organised, marketed and sustainably developed. The focus is on combining business management expertise with industry-specific knowledge in order to strategically shape tourism as a global business field.
There is a particular emphasis on hotel and destination management, international marketing in tourism and sustainability in tourism. You will acquire the ability to efficiently manage processes, develop marketing strategies in an international context and successfully integrate sustainability goals into tourism offerings. Both theoretical concepts and practice-oriented case studies are used, enabling you to directly transfer what you have learned into professional practice.
With this specialisation, you will qualify to take on responsible management tasks in one of the largest and most dynamic industries in the world and actively shape the future of tourism.
Module content
You will deepen your specialist knowledge in the modules of the Tourism Management specialisation of the Global Business Administration distance learning MBA programme.
Module content
In the Destination and Hotel Management module, you will acquire in-depth knowledge of the organisation and strategic management of hotels and tourist destinations. You will learn the basics of hotel organisation, starting with theoretical approaches, through structural and procedural organisation, to central management processes. There is a particular focus on food and beverage management, which covers topics such as production planning, purchasing, inventory management, product design and the application of relevant key figures. You will also deal intensively with hotel and restaurant marketing. This includes strategic situation analysis, the development of long-term marketing strategies and their operational implementation in concrete measures. In the area of destination management, you will learn about the central tasks and responsibilities that are necessary for the sustainable and successful development of tourist locations. Practical exercises and case studies enable you to analyse challenges in hotel and destination management systems, develop optimisation approaches and realistically assess their implementation.
Acquired competences
After completing the module, you will be able to describe and critically evaluate the essential tasks of hotel and destination management. You will develop the ability to strategically plan, implement and control management processes in the hotel and tourism industry. In doing so, you will be able to apply theoretical models and derive practice-oriented concepts for optimising organisation, personnel management or marketing. Through sound research methods, you will be able to classify current and future challenges in the tourism industry and develop strategic responses. In addition, you will reflect on your own actions with regard to social expectations and consequences, thereby expanding your professional self-image. You will also strengthen your communication and teamwork skills by collaborating with other professionals, exchanging ideas and presenting your arguments convincingly. This will prepare you to take on and successfully carry out responsible tasks in hotels, destinations or tourism-related organisations.
Module content
In the International Marketing in Tourism module, you will develop an in-depth understanding of the specifics and challenges of international tourism marketing. You will learn the basics and definitions of the subject area and examine the international marketing management process – from analysis and strategy development to implementation and control. You will be introduced to methods of market research in tourism and instruments for strategic diagnosis, which will enable you to precisely identify markets and target groups. Another focus is on the development of marketing strategies, including market and participant strategies as well as strategic options in the hotel industry. In the operational area, you will deal with specific decisions relating to product design, pricing, sales and communication. Special attention is also paid to the specifics of hotel and restaurant marketing, where you will learn about practical tools and case studies. This holistic approach will enable you to develop international marketing plans in the tourism sector and to plan and manage their implementation realistically.
Acquired competences
After completing the module, you will be able to explain the special features of tourism marketing and apply them in a practical manner. You will have mastered the entire process of international marketing management and will be able to use appropriate analysis and control tools. In addition, you will develop the ability to plan marketing strategies in an international context, adapt them to different conditions and make informed decisions on product, price, distribution and communication policy. A key outcome is your ability to use marketing tools in a targeted manner in hotel and catering businesses and to evaluate their effectiveness. In addition, you will reflect on your own actions with regard to social expectations and international trends, thereby expanding your professional judgement. At the same time, you will strengthen your team and communication skills by working with other professionals, exchanging ideas and presenting your arguments convincingly. This will prepare you to successfully lead and help shape international marketing projects in tourism.
Module content
In the Sustainability in Tourism module, you will explore the opportunities and challenges of sustainable tourism. The starting point is the growing importance of sustainability due to the ecological, economic and socio-cultural impacts of global travel behaviour. You will learn about the various dimensions of sustainability and reflect on both the positive and negative effects of tourism. One focus is on the development and implementation of sustainability strategies in tourism companies and destinations. This includes the integration of sustainability goals at the normative, strategic and operational levels, as well as the analysis of relevant target groups for sustainable offerings. In addition, you will deal with the development of sustainable products and services, the operationalisation of sustainability through indicators and best practice examples, and the special features of emerging and developing countries. Through practical case studies and theoretical principles, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how sustainability in tourism can be systematically implemented and successfully marketed.
Acquired competences
After completing the module, you will be able to define sustainable tourism and place it in the context of ecological, economic and social issues. You will be able to describe the processes and challenges of sustainable tourism development and critically evaluate different approaches. In addition, you will acquire the ability to develop your own strategies for sustainable tourism, break them down into specific subtasks and design practice-oriented offers. You will learn about tools for operationalising sustainability goals, selecting indicators and professionally supporting implementation processes. On a personal level, you will reflect on your professional actions with regard to social responsibility and strengthen your self-confidence in dealing with complex future issues. In addition, you will expand your communication and teamwork skills by collaborating in an interdisciplinary manner, sharing your own insights and dealing constructively with criticism. This will leave you well prepared to anchor sustainability as a strategic success factor in tourism companies and destinations.
Career prospects in Tourism Managment
With a specialisation in Tourism Management, you will qualify for demanding management positions in one of the most dynamic industries worldwide. The tourism industry offers a wide range of activities that require both entrepreneurial thinking and intercultural competence.
As a Hotel Manager, you will manage the organisation, staff and processes in international hotels. In the role of Destination Manager, you will develop strategies for the positioning and sustainable development of tourist regions. As a Marketing Manager in tourism, you can also use your expertise to design international campaigns and tap into new target groups.
Further prospects open up as a food & beverage manager, where you manage gastronomic concepts and use key figures efficiently, or as a Sustainability Manager in tourism, who develops sustainable offers and accompanies their implementation. In addition, positions such as tourism consultant or event manager are attractive career options in a globally networked industry.
With this qualification, you will be well prepared to take on management and consulting tasks in hotels, travel organisations, destinations or tourism-related companies and to actively shape the future of international tourism.