The UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer puts international tourism's export revenues at US $2.0 trillion in 2024 from travel receipts and passenger transport — an 11% rise in real terms, and roughly 15% above pre-pandemic levels. That growth translates directly into demand for trained tourism professionals.
Tourism courses abroad pair theory with real experience through compulsory internships and industry partnerships. You study in major tourism destinations, work alongside people already in the industry, and build a professional network across countries.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3–4 years
- Career Outcome
- Tourism Officer, Tourism Manager, Travel Consultant, Hotel Manager, Guest Relations Executive, Event Coordinator, Experience Designer
Master's
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Career Outcome
- Sustainability Manager, Eco-tourism Strategist, Tourism Director, Global Travel Policy Advisor, Cultural Tourism Planner, Museum Tourism Specialist
Diploma or Certificate
- Duration
- 6 months – 2 years
- Career Outcome
- Travel Agent, Tour Operator, Destination Marketer, Campaign Coordinator, Tour Guide, Local Experience Manager
Why Study Tourism Abroad
- Compulsory internships and direct partnerships with major tourism companies
- Cross-cultural communication skill, which is the core competence of an international tourism career
- The chance to work in a tourism-heavy destination while you study
- Access to specialised tracks such as sustainable tourism, which barely exist as courses elsewhere
Best Countries to Study Tourism Management
Switzerland
- Specialisation
- Hospitality and luxury tourism
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Up to 6 months on a job-search visa, for non-EU graduates
Australia
- Specialisation
- Industry-integrated tourism programmes
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Subclass 485: 2 years for a bachelor's or coursework master's, 3 for a research master's, 4 for a PhD
Canada
- Specialisation
- Tourism diplomas and degrees
- Post-Study Work Rights
- PGWP of up to 3 years for master's of 8 months or more, or programmes of 2 years or more
New Zealand
- Specialisation
- Sustainable and eco-tourism
- Post-Study Work Rights
- Up to 3 years post-study visa for Level 7 qualifications and above
France
- Specialisation
- Event and cultural tourism
- Post-Study Work Rights
- 12-month APS visa, extendable to 24 months in some cases
Spain
- Specialisation
- Festival and event-based tourism
- Post-Study Work Rights
- 12-month job-search visa, non-renewable — you must switch to a work visa once employed
Top Universities and Schools
Tourism education is adapting to environmental responsibility, changing traveller expectations and shifting cross-border regulation. These institutions rank in the QS 2025 Hospitality & Leisure Management table on academic output, graduate outcomes and employer links.
EHL Hospitality Business School Lausanne, Switzerland
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #1
Les Roches Global Hospitality Management Education Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #2
Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) Caux, Switzerland
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #3
Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School Lyon, France
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #12
Macao University of Tourism Macau SAR
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #13
Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Sörenberg, Switzerland
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #19
National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism Taiwan
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #45
SAIT Polytechnic, School of Hospitality and Tourism Calgary, Canada
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #51–100
CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy Barcelona, Spain
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #51–100
State Tourism and Hotel Management School (SSAT) Bellinzona, Switzerland
- QS 2025 — Hospitality & Leisure Management
- #101–150
These schools run tourism courses specifically. A hospitality or hotel management degree from another top-ranked university also leads into a tourism career.
Admission Requirements
Documents
- Undergraduate
- 10+2 completion certificate, academic transcripts, valid passport
- Postgraduate
- Bachelor's degree, official transcripts, Statement of Purpose, two Letters of Recommendation, updated CV
English Proficiency
- Undergraduate
- IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79–90
- Postgraduate
- IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL iBT 90–100
Additional
- Undergraduate
- 60–70% aggregate in high school, plus English and sometimes Mathematics proficiency depending on country
- Postgraduate
- A relevant academic background or work experience is preferred for some programmes
Tuition Fees and Living Costs
Switzerland
- UG Tuition (annual)
- CHF 20,000 – 50,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- CHF 19,000 – 40,000
- Living Expenses for Visa
- CHF 22,200
New Zealand
- UG Tuition (annual)
- NZ $30,000 – $45,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- NZ $36,000 – $55,000
- Living Expenses for Visa
- NZ $20,000 per year
France
- UG Tuition (annual)
- €10,000 – €15,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- €10,000 – €25,000
- Living Expenses for Visa
- €615 a month, plus one year of tuition
Spain
- UG Tuition (annual)
- €7,000 – €26,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- €5,000 – €35,000
- Living Expenses for Visa
- €600 per month
Australia
- UG Tuition (annual)
- AU $32,000 – $71,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- AU $35,000 – $55,000
- Living Expenses for Visa
- AU $29,710 per year
Canada
- UG Tuition (annual)
- CA $15,000 – $40,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- CA $20,000 – $30,000
- Living Expenses for Visa
- CA $20,635
Spain and France cost a third of what Switzerland does
Switzerland has the top-ranked schools, but Vatel in Lyon and CETT in Barcelona are both in the global top 100 at a fraction of the fee. Worth comparing properly.
Scholarships
EHL Academic Excellence Award Switzerland
- Coverage
- CHF 2,500 – 7,500
- Eligibility
- Bachelor applicants with a high GPA and leadership activity, who maintain their standing
Griffith International Scholarships Australia
- Coverage
- 50% ongoing tuition reduction
- Eligibility
- International undergraduate and postgraduate students meeting a GPA threshold of around 5.5/7.0 — awarded automatically on admission
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships USA
- Coverage
- J-1 visa support, return economy flights, tuition, living and miscellaneous costs
- Eligibility
- 55% aggregate in a bachelor's degree with three years of work experience, showing leadership and community service
GREAT Scholarships UK
- Coverage
- £10,000 towards one year of postgraduate study
- Eligibility
- Citizens of a GREAT target country with an undergraduate degree and relevant work experience
Individual universities run many further awards beyond these.
Careers and Salaries
Tourism graduates work across private and public sectors, and demand for people with international experience is strong. Switzerland, with its standards in hospitality training, remains the benchmark market for luxury hotels and tourism services.
Tourism Marketing Manager
- Annual Salary (CHF)
- CHF 53,000 – 112,000
Event Planner
- Annual Salary (CHF)
- CHF 50,000 – 113,000
Travel Consultant
- Annual Salary (CHF)
- CHF 56,000 – 80,000
Hotel Manager
- Annual Salary (CHF)
- CHF 90,000 – 138,000
Tour Operations Manager
- Annual Salary (CHF)
- CHF 75,000 – 97,000
An international tourism education gives you three things a domestic one cannot: a higher starting salary, a network that spans the industry, and the specialised skills multinational employers screen for.
Related Reads
The industry generated US $2.0 trillion in export revenue in 2024 and sits above pre-pandemic levels. Demand for trained professionals is real, and salaries in strong markets like Switzerland run from CHF 50,000 to CHF 138,000 depending on the role.
No. Undergraduate entry needs 10+2 at 60–70% aggregate. Postgraduate programmes prefer a relevant background or work experience but many accept any bachelor's degree.
Switzerland holds the top three places in the global rankings, but Vatel in Lyon (#12) and CETT Barcelona (#51–100) offer top-100 education at a third of the tuition, with 12-month job-search visas afterwards.
Yes — the two overlap heavily and hospitality or hotel management graduates move into tourism roles routinely. Choose on which side of the industry you want to start.
