Department of
Hospitality, Hotel Management
and Tourism
6 Degree Options
Our unique programs focus on engaging students in integrated teaching, research, and outreach programs to create skillful leaders in the field. Graduates are prepared for careers in this leading and quickly evolving industry.
Expanding Internship Areas
This department prioritizes the human experience in novel and transformative spaces, connecting people to places, and enhancing understandings of humans and the places they visit. Our internships include locations in Texas and around the world.
300+ Enrolled Students
We embrace a modern experience within the life sciences and agriculture, exploring new places and experiences – bringing together expertise from across the College and spanning social science, management and life sciences.
New department name, same foundation.
Building upon our proud 57-year history as the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, we will continue to prioritize the study of how people connect with the places and spaces around them. We are ideally placed to expand our scientifically-based approach to creating enhanced hospitality experiences.
We have a strong foundation to expand our educational mission into hospitality, with experiential learning at the heart of our approach.
Brian King, Ph.D.
Department Head
New Name, Same Foundations
Building upon our proud 57-year history as the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, we will continue to prioritize the study of how people connect with the places and spaces around them. We are ideally placed to expand our scientifically-based approach to creating enhanced hospitality experiences.
We have a strong foundation to expand our educational mission into hospitality, with experiential learning at the heart of our approach.
Brian King, Ph.D.
Department Head
Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism Welcome Video
Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism News
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable and regenerative tourism
Tourism driven solely by economic considerations can sometimes overlook long-term sustainability, which is why sustainable and regenerative tourism is becoming increasingly essential. Sustainable tourism seeks to balance economic, environmental and social impacts to benefit both the traveler and host community. Because of this more holistic approach, sustainable or regenerative tourism has become a hot topic for both the hospitality industry and academia alike.
Embracing the visitor economy
In 2023, visitors to and within Texas spent over $90 billion, creating an economic impact that supported 1.3 million Texas jobs and bolstered the state’s economy. The Texas visitor economy has rapidly evolved, with increasing numbers and competition between travel destinations. The rapid expansion of this significant Texas industry directly impacts the cities, towns and communities across the state and encourages them to adapt to take advantage of visitor and tourism opportunities.
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