Create a world of hospitality.
The global hospitality industry is powerful, resilient, and ever evolving. New and interesting models for service delivery continue to redefine the guest experience. Trends in sustainability, personalization, and smart technology are transforming physical spaces and reshaping the sector’s core values. The “experience era” of hospitality is here—and it’s driving consumer behavior and spending in exciting ways. Which means modern hospitality execs must know how to pivot, adapt, and respond in a way that supports the industry’s vibrant future.
That’s where you come in. Earn your Online MBA in Hospitality and Tourism from Washington State University, and develop the advanced expertise to lead the business side of a dynamic, multi trillion-dollar international industry.
Why Earn Your MBA in Hospitality and Tourism?
Gain a global perspective on hospitality and tourism.
The hospitality industry is large and diverse. More than that, every sector—from accommodation and recreation to luxury events and entertainment—is always changing. And executives with the skills to effectively navigate the unique challenges of this evolving industry are poised to shape its future. This is where adding a concentration in hospitality and tourism to your MBA can give you a serious edge.
Choose this track, and you’ll gain a global perspective on lodging, restaurant and food service, event management, and entertainment management. You’ll study service management, international tourism, and business operations within the hospitality industry. You’ll dive deeper into current industry trends and explore themes like customer-relationship management. You’ll cover hospitality marketing and event promotion. And you’ll study with experienced faculty who have global hospitality and tourism experience.
Choose the Hospitality MBA Online, and you can graduate prepared to:
- Gather and interpret data to make informed business decisions and propose strategic solutions in domestic and global organizations.
- Apply industry-specific skills in finance, marketing, human resources, leadership, and risk management to effectively implement best practices in hospitality businesses.
- Evaluate the cultural, psychographic, and demographic attributes of today’s global consumers.
- Lead essential business functions—from hiring and motivating staff to navigating and growing the bottom line.
- Assess the social, multicultural, and environmental issues that impact the global hospitality industry.
Personalize Your Online MBA with a Graduate Business Certificate.
WSU’s Online MBA Hospitality and Tourism concentration is also offered as a nine-credit graduate certificate that you can complete in as few as three courses. So you have multiple paths to pursue your goals.
By pursuing this option, you can:
Receive credits that can be applied toward your MBA
Earn a standalone certificate
Pair the certificate with your MBA — and graduate with both
What Can You Do With an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism?
Join the next generation of hospitality executives.
The global hospitality industry is one of the largest in the world—and one of the fastest growing for employment. The field is broad and far reaching, which means the opportunities for advancement are, too. And earning your MBA in Hospitality and Tourism can prepare you for a successful path in a number of high-level roles.
You can lead teams in resorts, hotels, restaurants, spas, and private clubs. You can manage operations in convention centers, cruise lines, casinos, theme parks, sports arenas, and entertainment venues. You can even apply your industry-specific skills in unique ways—thanks to the increasing complexity within the sector. For instance, the expanded use of technology and data has prompted the creation of new career profiles, such as asset managers and content marketing specialists. Bottom line: With an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism from WSU, you’ll have the advanced credential to add value in any role you may pursue.
Online MBA in Hospitality Management Career Paths
Hotel Manager
Coordinate activities and operations for a place of lodging. Hotel managers are responsible for staffing, maintenance, customer satisfaction, and profitability at hotels, motels, and similar establishments.
Restaurant Manager
Manage staff, décor, budget, and operations to ensure diners have a first-rate experience at your establishment. Restaurant managers are responsible for maintaining quality of food, service, and atmosphere.
Director of Food and Beverage
Manage purchasing, staffing, code compliance, and other operational aspects of running a restaurant, club, or related establishment. The director of food and beverage is tasked with maximizing profit without sacrificing customer satisfaction.
Learn more about all of the Hospitality and Tourism careers and growth opportunities you could experience after earning an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism from Washington State University.
What Is the Typical Salary for MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Graduates?
Earning an MBA is often associated with increased earning potential—a correlation that holds true in hospitality. According to the most recent data from Payscale, MBA graduates earned a median annual salary of $95,000 , while those with a bachelor’s earned just $69,000.
Careers in hospitality are diverse, meaning salaries can vary widely across different roles and settings. The following are some common occupations in hospitality and tourism, along with their respective salaries*:
Private Club General Manager
$75,700
Restaurant Owner/Operator
$72,400
Director of Events
$75,100
Food and Beverage Director**
$73,800
Director of Resort Operations**
$96,200
Director of Casino Operations
$102,500
*Payscale, March 2023
MBA in Hospitality Management Job Outlook
Surging growth in hospitality
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the leisure and hospitality sector will add nearly 2 million new jobs between 2021 and 2031—representing 23.1% of all new jobs created during that period. This projected growth is the fastest of any sector, at an annual rate of 1.3%.
Strong gains post-COVID
Partly owing to its ongoing pandemic recovery, the leisure and hospitality industry added an average of 79,000 jobs per month in 2022, according to the BLS.
Promising projections for employment growth
The hospitality industry’s recent gains are expected to continue over the next decade. The BLS projects that employment of lodging managers, food service managers, and event planners will grow by 18%, 10%, and 18%, respectively, between 2021 and 2031—far exceeding the 5% employment growth projected for all occupations.
Why Choose WSU for Your MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Online?
WSU’s Online MBA in Hospitality and Tourism provides you with the flexibility you need to earn your degree while balancing personal and professional commitments. Our program is also built for efficiency, allowing you to complete your degree in as few as 22 to 29 months. Additionally, our online program connects you with like-minded professionals, which can plant the seeds for future career growth. Our strategic partnerships also span four continents, enabling you to receive an enriching international outlook on hospitality and tourism.
What Does The Online MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Curriculum Cover?
Dive into the business of travel and tourism.
The in-depth courses of WSU’s Online MBA in Hospitality and Tourism expertly blend the unique principles, practices, and trends of the tourism and hospitality industry with the core fundamentals of the business world.
As you move through the concentration’s curriculum, you’ll learn about operations within the hospitality sector through courses in service management and international tourism strategy. You’ll explore topics such as revenue management, information technology, human resources, and strategic marketing. And you’ll develop the critical thinking, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills to lead the future of the global hospitality industry. Read more about the concentration’s course offerings now.
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MBA in Hospitality and Tourism FAQs
Earning a Hospitality MBA Online can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently pursue a wide range of roles in hospitality and tourism. The diverse and dynamic nature of this sector means there’s a wealth of opportunities across various settings, from hotels and restaurants to resorts and entertainment venues.