Tourism
Tourism is not only the world's fastest-growing industry, but also an important one economically. According to recent studies by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) tourism revenues make up nearly ten percent of GNP in a number of countries. There is a wide range of jobs in travel and tourism industry from airline workers; to hotel and restaurant employees; to retail salespeople; to manufacturers of crafts and other products which tourists like to buy. It is, therefore, an industry, which involves many industries that used to be considered as separate one from another.

By definition, tourists are people who have left their homes to visit another place and then returned home. Many make the effort to understand the local culture in the places they visit. Others do not. At times, there are tensions between tourists and local residents. Yet, when people who work in the industry or who live in a tourist area begin to understand tourism's importance in their local and global economy, they can better relate to the tourists who visit their locality. In turn, as tourists become well educated about the industry, they become better customers. Tourism education is also an important component in this process. Increasingly, governments in many countries are creating explicit tourism development strategies and learning how to compete effectively in this global market.

Because entrepreneurs can flourish in the travel & tourism industry, it makes sense to have educational programs that provide an opportunity for students to learn about business within the context of travel & tourism.

As tourism matures as an academic subject and the number of tourism higher education providers continues to expand world-wide, there is an increasing interest in its educational aspects. At the same time the development of research into education issues related to tourism means that there is now a developing literature on the subject.

Education Programs: Tourism
The increasing popularity of travel and tourism industry is opening up various kinds of specialized studies. So, gone are the days when choice for the students remained confined to conventional courses. Majority of schools and universities in the United States are offering different graduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Tourism Program
Core areas of study on a graduate Tourism program:

• Tourism Principles and Practice
• Business Strategy
• Managing Organizations
• Research Methods

Many universities and colleges offer graduate Tourism programs with certain specialist areas such as Tourism & Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality, and Tourism & Events Management. This interdisciplinary approach allows you to gain knowledge in differing disciplines and therefore, tailor your learning to suit your career aspirations.

Post Graduate Tourism Program
Masters in Tourism or other post Graduate courses in Traveling and Tourism industry like Master of Tourism Administration (MTA), Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management (PGDTM), Post Graduate Diploma in Travel and Tourism Industry management (PGDTTIM), Diploma in Destination Management (DDM) are regarded as one’s first step to one’s entry to the Traveling Profession.

Through these programs students are able to define the various kinds of tourism, and better understand that tourism is a global business providing jobs and significant contribution to many countries' GNP.

Employment Opportunities
It is estimated that the World Travel & Tourism economy employs 234,305,000 people and accounts for 8.7% of total employment. Travel and tourism represents a broad range of related industries. The growth of these industries has opened up many new job opportunities for graduates in areas such as:

• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Retailing
• Transportation
• Travel agencies
• Tour companies
• Tourist attractions
• Leisure, recreation and sport
• Cultural industries

Due to a boom in tourism numerous travel agencies, Airlines, Ministry of Tourism require professionals having Post Graduate Degree in Tourism or Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management or Tourism Administration to handle the tourists. Thus one has the option of choosing either the public sector or the private sector as his or her employee. In addition to that one can even choose to get self-employed after acquiring the expert knowledge and adequate experience.