Bachelor of Science in Tourism

Bachelor of Science in Tourism in the Philippines is a four-year collegiate degree program offered to individuals who are interested in making a career in the area of travel and tour industry. The course aims to develop students who will become qualified personnel, administrators and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. 

In comparison to BS Tourism Management, which is focused on the corporate and administrative side, BS in Tourism concentrates more on subjects such as history, travel, language and other cultural aspects of this field. 

A course in Tourism consists of studying General Education subjects (as mandated by CHED) and many tourism-specified subjects that discusses the various facets of travel and leisure industry. The tourism core subjects offer fundamental concepts and operational competencies for this sector such as Principles of Tourism, Tourism Planning and Development, Tourism Management, Entrepreneurship and Business planning, Event Management, and more. Off-campus Internship and on-the-job training afford students with the practical experience in the area of their choice to help them decide on their career options in the future. 

Is Tourism a profession?
Tourism is not regarded as a profession since working in this field does not require licensing and most jobs in this field do not require specific knowledge that can only be obtained through studying this course. However, studying BS in Tourism can lead to career choices which are considered professions, such as travel agent and tour guide. 

What are the admission requirements for BS Tourism?
Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:

• Must passed the college entrance examination
• Must pass the interview conducted by the college / university admission officer
• Enrollees medical laboratory results and health certificate
• Good Moral certificate from the previous school (sometimes from enrollees Barangay)
• Particular Ratings in the college entrance examination
• Particular Ratings in the college entrance examination
• Particular High school grade or gross point average
• Particular High school grade or gross point average

Those who did not complete Secondary or High school Education may opt to first attend Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college. However, some universities only offer selected courses for PEPT passers admission. 

What skills are required to succeed in this course?

• Good interpersonal and people skills - the ability to create rapport with all kinds of people and encourage them to place their trust in you
• Very good English written and verbal communication skills
• Good organizational skills and strong attention to details
• Good customer service skills and the desire to help others
• Outgoing personality and enjoyment of the outdoors (required for out of office jobs, such as a tour guide)

How difficult is this course?
Most students find it interesting and not at all hard, especially when learning about social skills, personality concept, and discovering details of places to travel. The majority of students would classify this field of study as fun, especially at the later phase when they are sent to various travel destinations to learn about places first hand. The academic subjects in this course require a lot of memorization such as in the study of places, history, culture, languages and others. 

How long does it take to complete BS in Tourism in the Philippines?
Normally, BS in Tourism program takes 4 years to complete. Some schools who apply the trimesteral system do the program in a shorter time. 

On the Job training / Internship
Seniors of BS in Tourism are required to undergo about 320-360 hours of on-the-job training or internship in tourism related institutions such as travel agencies, travel ticketing offices, event organizing institutions and the Department of Tourism. 

Specializations

• BS in Tourism major in Hotel and Restaurant Management is a specialized field in Tourism that focuses on meeting the middle and upper management needs of the food and lodging industry.
• BS in Tourism Major in Travel and Tour Management is a Tourism course that concentrates on providing skills to bring cultural, historical and contemporary heritage interpretation to people on organized tours.
• BS in Tourism Major in Travel and Cruise Management is a comprehensive course in Tourism that will provide in-depth knowledge of the cruising industry and hospitality organizations.
• BS in Tourism Major in Travel Management is a Tourism program that provides knowledge and skills essential in operating travel agencies.

Is there a board examination for BS Tourism?
There is no board examination for BS in Tourism graduates. 
However, civil service eligibility is necessary for admission to government service such as in the Department of Tourism. Thus, if you wish to work in the government sector, you have to take and pass the Civil Service Examination.

Career opportunities for BS in Tourism graduates

• Entry Level jobs
• Jobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:
  • Hotel And Resort Personnel – provides hospitality and accommodation assistance to travelling patrons
  • Travel Agency Clerk – work usually takes place behind an agency counter where he helps clients book the necessary travelling requirements
  • Travel agents – assist customers in choosing their destination, transportation, lodging and travel plans
  • Tour Escort – accompany a client or groups of people on an organized trip or packaged tour arranged for them by tour companies
  • Airline ticketing officers – handle ticket sales for airlines at airports
  • Baggage Handlers – load and unload luggage and freight from aircraft between flights
  • Government Tourism Staff – works under the tutelage of local tourism officer in bringing about its agencys mission
• Mid-Level Positions
• Require trainings and prior job experience of a few years:
  • Reservation Personnel for Travel Agencies – responsible for scheduling flight accommodations and hotel reservations at the most affordable cost.
  • Travel Sales Representative – an agent from a travel agency that sells promoted transportation tickets or lodging accommodations.
  • Event coordinator or assistant – helps in the successful execution of touring plans and itinerary such as room scheduling and facility approval in fairs, festival and conferences.
  • Flight attendants – are airline crew members who undergo specialized training to assist air passengers in their flight on-board
  • Tourist Language interpreter – guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area. This person must possess an area-specific qualification and certification issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority.
  • Travel Writer – authors guide books and reviews, with the intent being to educate the reader about the destination, provide helpful advice for those visiting the destination, and inspire readers to travel to the destination
• Advanced Positions
• Require years of extensive experience and practice:
  • Travel Counselor – handles inquiries and provides travel advice in making reservations for international and domestic flights, hotel accommodation, package tours, and other transportation arrangements. Attending sales calls and meetings for travel sales presentations.
  • Event organizer – plans and arrange touring events, promotions, cruise, expedition, etc. from conception through to completion
  • Government Tourism officers – develop and promote tourism activities to attract visitors and generate significant economic benefits for a particular region or site.
  • Hotel and Resort Managers – oversee the over-all lodging operations, from finances to all facilities and staff members.
  • Airline Food Service officers – works for the airline in planning the menus and food requirements for each flight and class, especially those that lasts for several hours.
  • Tourism researchers – provide market research, analysis, planning and marketing strategies/services for tourism-related businesses
  • Tourism Academicians – faculty members, instructors, and teachers in an institution that provides tourism education
• Jobs not related to BS Tourism that graduates can apply to
  • Call center agent – answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and provides customer support, usually to people from other countries
  • Administrative Staff – personnel responsible for the organization and management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office secretary, personal assistant and office clerk
  • Freelancer working online – doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as data entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support etc., which mainly depends on your skills
• Career Opportunities Abroad
• Graduates of BS in Tourism have plenty of career opportunities abroad. Aside from the most-sought-after career as Flight attendants for International Airline companies, many Tourism-related jobs such as tour escort, travel consultant, ticketing/ reservation staff, travel consultants, corporate travel consultant, ticketing attendants and more, have high demand abroad.
• Salary Levels
• In the Philippines, the monthly average salary in the Hospitality and Tourism industry is about Php22,000 monthly. 
  Salary range for entry level jobs in travel agencies range from Php10,000-Php18,000 monthly. A flight attendants entry level salary ranges from Php18,000 Php26,000 per month and may even go up to Php36,000 to Php54,000 per month for those highly-trained and experienced.

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