I have noticed that tourism and hospitality are closely-related areas of an economic and social phenomenon that have developed a critical role in the world economy. The industry has become one of the major players in international commerce, and represents at the same time one of the main income sources for many developing countries with economic and employment benefits. The profession is not only profit oriented but also interesting and full of colourful funs and challenges. I am highly impressed with the growth of the industry and the prospects of careers development in the sector – a master degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management can prepare me for this.

I think, from the course, I will develop a critical capacity for understanding knowledge and being able to act upon it, and I will develop the positive and proactive attitudes of management that are necessary in the international tourism and hospitality industry. In fact this course emphasises the development and enhancement of transferable intellectual and study skills that are highly relevant to contemporary business and management careers in this booming industry.

From the course, I expect to learn in-depth knowledge of modern approaches to Tourism and Hospitality business and management, an understanding of the relationship between people & Tourist, organisations, and business and management in different organisational structures, published modern financial techniques,  an understanding of the central importance of innovation in a range of different Tourism and Hospitality organisational contexts – entrepreneurial start-up firms, large business corporations, an understanding of the broader social context of the Tourism and Hospitality world, and the opportunity to assess my own personal development needs to help me focus my career in the Tourism and Hospitality field.

Prior to my current visa, I studied a general MBA - this study has enabled me gaining typical knowledge in general business administration. These were purely theoretical common knowledge combining bit of everything. Today’s businesses are more tailored and personalised. Managers in the ever competitive global arena are now specialising in different segments of industry and then within functional areas of organisations and departments. General MBA occasionally does not attract head-hunters attentions. I have felt this every moment of my PSW visa while looking to build a career and ended up realising that I must gain expertise in area that has individual identity rather than a generic name, and after thorough research I have found Tourism and Hospitality Management is the area where my heart responds and mind concentrates to match my academic tastes.

To me studying tourism & hospitality is about trying to understand the problems and opportunities raised by developing and operating a major sector of the economy that has major effects on the destinations themselves. The philosophy underlying the Tourism and Hospitality Scheme is that of the contextualised management degree. These contextual matters primarily include strategic tourism and hospitality management, international marketing, human resource management, financial management for the hospitality industry, social issues, political issues, environmental issues, global issues, and a range of specialist areas of interest to the sector (sport, event management, environment and hotel management).

In this MSc at the University of Bedfordshire, I will be expected to be able to read about, understand, and articulate a very wide range of academic and industry sources, case studies and resources. In the University of Bedfordshire This MSc is one of the most robust, challenging, relevant and industry-focused of its kind in the UK. The course is underpinned by world-leading research and experts from several disciplinary departments within the University; real-life industry case studies and examples; draws on an impressive range of specialist and more generalist core and optional units; builds on a very popular and successful portfolio of tourism Masters awards; and equips students with the skills, knowledge and experience to ensure they can confidently embark (and develop) a career in tourism and/or hospitality management. And this marks the difference between my MBA and this MSc – the MSc would equip me with applied and technical knowledge along with vocational skills and professionalism. This would develop and enhance my ability and skills while earn significant progressions in knowledge and potential successful career.

It is not hard to see that my past studies in the areas of business and management including my MBA would have positive and close impact and effects to complement knowledge of the this MSc programme. Due to the similarities of the business and management part of this MSc with my previous studies, in particular the most recently completed MBA, I will have the advantages to transferring the related part of the knowledge to strengthen the understanding and performance. I aim to introduce new dimension in the class and contribute extra towards the research and practical attachment part of the course.

Hospitality is one of the fastest-growing, job-creating sectors in my home country, India and abroad, offering the opportunity of careers with rapid progression at management level in hotels, restaurants, pubs, clubs, bars, contract catering, hospitality services within other organisations or self-employed. The hospitality business is a worldwide industry, with many different working environments. There’s enormous scope for travel – from working at a ski resort in Canada to cruising in the Caribbean.

On the other hand, Tourism provides a wide range of job opportunities, including: tourism marketing officer; tour leader/trek leader; travel consultant; travel agency manager; tour operator resort representative; tour operator product manager; tour operator contracts manager; tour operator product development co-ordinator; tourist information centre manager; events manager or sales executive; attractions sales and marketing administrator; public relations officer; hotel marketing executive; arts administrator; conference organiser; lifestyle consultant; magazine journalist; FE college lecturer; catering manager; retail manager; Human Resources/Training officer; passenger service agents; airline and airport management; ferry or cruise manager and many others.

Therefore, there would a whole range of career opportunities for me once I qualify with this life-changing course that offers practical life-skills for the industry along with industry related contemporary knowledge. I do not see a better place to study this course other than University of Bedfordshire that are so down to the industry and demands of the sector.