MBA in Tourism is a professional management degree that aims to provide knowledge of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Aspects of this course focus on business management with regard to Hospitality, Tourism, and Travel. The MBA in Tourism syllabus focuses on management principles in the Tourism and Travel sector, including Adventure Tourism, Tourism Marketing, Culture, Sustainable & Eco-Tourism, International Tourism, Tribal Heritage, etc.
Admission to MBA in Tourism is based on the exam results students incur in entrance exams such as CAT, GMAT, CMAT, XAT, etc and the assessment rounds of GD+PI. The eligibility Criteria for admissions into MBA in Tourism is 50% minimum aggregate in an undergraduate degree (following a 10+2+3 pattern). The average fee for an MBA in Tourism is 12,500 – 8 LPA.
Table of Contents
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Business Administration in Tourism |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Age | No age limit |
| Entrance Exam | CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, KMAT |
| Subjects Required | Any subjects in an Undergraduate Degree |
| Minimum Percentage | For the unreserved category, a minimum of 50% aggregate in UG degree or as specified by the University is required. A 5% relaxation is given to SC/ST/OBC candidates. |
| Average Fees | ₹3 – 12 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 1.7 – 4.7 LPA (Source: Payscale) |
| Employment Roles | Travel Consultant, Sales & Marketing Managers, Tour Managers, Travel Coordinators, Event Planners, Visa Executives |
| Top Recruiters | IRCTC, ITC Ltd, MakeMyTrip, GoIbibo, Radisson Blu, Spice Jet, Yatra.com, American Express |
MBA in Tourism stands for Masters of Business Administration in Tourism. Usually a 2-year postgraduate course, the program provides students with an insight into business management aspects related to managing tourism projects. MBA in Tourism is one of the specialization courses in an MBA course.
IIM Sirmaur, Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, University of Burdwan, Devi Ahilya Vishwaviddyalaya, and Subhash Bose Institute of Hotel Management, are some great colleges to pursue an MBA in Tourism. Completion of MBA in Tourism from these colleges will provide them with placement opportunities in the Tourism and Travel Industry and hospitality areas such as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, etc. The average salary offered to graduates is between INR 1.7 – 4.7 LPA.
MBA in Tourism Admissions are on the basis of their eligibility criteria, and then the minimum cut-offs through entrance exams. Eligible students attempting to gain admission to MBA Tourism must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
MBA in Tourism course is a fulfilling course for students wanting to gain skills and knowledge about the Tourism Trade in the country and wanting to maximize the potential revenue tourism brings. According to the Ministry of Tourism, FTAs (Foreign Tourist Arrivals) in the country were the highest (6.04 lakhs), a steep climb from 2020. This statistic improves upon the fact that tourism is only starting to bounce back after the pandemic, and the need for smart and guided individuals is present.
Some important factors to keep in mind if you want to study MBA in Tourism are:
Most colleges admit candidates through their entrance examination scores. Some carry out their own entrance exams, while some prefer government-held standardized tests.
The MBA in Tourism admission process is listed below:
Colleges admit students for MBA in Tourism on the basis of their entrance exam scores. Students must be prepared well in advance with the syllabus and devote ample time to brushing up on the various topics to qualify with good marks.
Some great MBA in Tourism entrance exams are written below for the student’s convenience. Also mentioned are registration dates and colleges that accept these exams:
| Entrance Exams | Tentative Registration Dates | Accepting Colleges |
| CAT | Aug 2 – Sep 13, 2023 | IIM Sirmaur, Pondicherry University |
| MAT | Aug 17 – Sep 14, 2023 | University of Burdwan |
| XAT | Jul 15 – Nov 30, 2023 | IITTM, IIM Sirmaur, Xavier’s |
| CMAT | February 2024 | IITTM, Kumaun University |
| KMAT | Jan 20, 2024 | Lead College of Management |
Management principles are pervasive in most careers. Every professional has to make decisions, solve problems, and create strategies in their field of work. Hence, many management courses are offered in various specializations across many management colleges. The option to choose the college and course rests on factors such as infrastructure, facilities, locations, career goals, etc.
MBA in Tourism course fee structure depends on whether the college is privately run or a government institution. A private institution such as SBIHM Kolkata may have higher fees than Pondicherry University which is a government-run institution. The average MBA in Tourism course fees range between INR 12,500 to 8 LPA.
Some of the colleges offering MBA in Tourism courses in India are listed below:
| S. No | Name of Institute | Average Annual Fee (in INR) |
| 1. | IIM Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh | INR 8 LPA |
| 2. | Pondicherry University, Puducherry | INR 12,500 PA |
| 3. | International Institute of Professional Studies, Indore | INR 17,000 PA |
| 4. | IITTM, Noida | INR 1.75 LPA |
| 5. | Anna University, Chennai | INR 29,000 PA |
| 6. | SBIHM, Kolkata | INR 1 LPA |
| 7. | University of Burdwan, West Bengal | INR 25,250 PA |
| 8. | Kumaun University, Nainital | INR 46,000 PA |
The MBA in Tourism course includes core and elective subjects, spread across 4 semesters of 2 years total. Most courses include core subjects that are compulsory for students, while some elective subjects are chosen with regard to the student’s choice.Both core and elective subjects are curated to provide industry-relevant knowledge and skills to perform job roles in the Travel and Tourism Industry. Some of these important subjects are:
| Subjects | Topics Covered |
| Tourism Concepts & Impact | Concepts, Definitions, Historical Development, Types of Tourists, Tourism Demand, Measurement of Tourism Demands, Elements of Tourist Destination, Role of ITDC, ASI, Ministry of Railways & Civil Aviation in Tourism, Tourist Development vis-a-vis Impacts, Impact Assessment Methods, Social & Environmental Impact Assessment |
| Geography & International Tourism | Importance of Geography in Tourism, Major Landforms as Tourist Resources, Factors affecting Global & Regional Tourism Movements, Contemporary Trends in International Tourists Movement, Demand and Origin Factors, Location of Major Tourist Destination, Case Studies of Malaysia, Singapore, China, Thailand, Switzerland, France, etc. |
| Transport in Travel & Tourism | Evolution of the Tourist Transport System, Air Transport & its Evolution, Present Policies, Licensing of Air Carriers, Functions of ICAO, DGCA, AAI, Surface Transport System – Car Hire Companies, Road Taxies, Permits, Carriage, Rail Transport System – Major Railway System of World, Japanese Rail & Amtrak, British Rail, Water Transport System – Historical Past, Cruise Ships, Prospects and Future Growth of Water Transport in India, Franchising |
| Tourism Products of India | Tourism Products, Classifications, Handicrafts, Fair & Festivals, Performing Arts of India – Classical Dances, Folk Dances, Museums, Art Galleries, Emporiums, National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries, Locations, Accessibility, Facilities, Hill Station – Locations, Accessibility, Facilities, Beach Resorts of India – Amenities, USPs, Important Beaches, etc. |
| Adventure Tourism | Concept of Adventure Tourism, Mountain Climbing, Trekking, Skiing, Camel Safari, Water Adventure, Kayaking, White Water Rafting, Air based Adventure – Future Prospects, Emerging Trends of Adventure Tourism |
| Sustainable & Eco-Tourism | Concept of Sustainable Development, Evolution, Meaning, Principles, Sustainable Tourism Development, Planning for Sustainable Tourism, Approaches of Sustainable Tourism, Eco-Tourism – Evolution, Principles, Trends, Functions, Mass Tourism vs. Eco-Tourism, Visitor Management for Sustainability, Major Eco-Tourism Destinations in India |
An MBA in Hospitality Management is a course on how lodgings-related businesses function, while an MBA in Tourism focuses on the management principles related to Tourism specifically, and how to plan logistics and link different aspects of travel to one another for clients.
Below is a table that showcases the differences between an MBA in Hospitality Management and an MBA in Tourism:
| Course | MBA in Tourism | MBA in Hospitality Managament |
| Full Form | Masters of Business Administration in Tourism | Masters of Business Administration in Hospitality Management |
| Stream | Management | Management |
| Cours Duration | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized college/university | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized college/university |
| Entrance Exams | CAT, XAT, MAT, etc. | CAT, GMAT, CMAT, etc. |
| Top Colleges | IIM, IITTM, etc. | Amity, ISMR, etc. |
| Fees | INR 12,500 – 8 LPA | INR 1.4 – 6 LPA |
With the onset of the tourism industry bouncing back after the pandemic, opportunities for graduates in MBA Tourism have increased exponentially. The average salary for an MBA in Tourism graduate is around INR 1.7 – 4.7 LPA. As the work experience of the graduate increases, so does the salary with time. Some tourism-based companies that hire MBA Tourism graduates are Travel Agencies, Travel Portals, Hotel and resort chains, Government Railways, etc.
| Job Roles | Average Annual Entry-Level Salary |
| Travel Consultants | INR 1.7 LPA |
| Destination Manager | INR 2.4 LPA |
| Tourism Coordinator | INR 2.4 LPA |
| Event Planners | INR 4.7 LPA |
| Visa Executives | INR 2 LPA |
| Travel Agents | INR 3 LPA |
[Source: AmbitionBox]
To further enhance students’ learning experiences, higher education is a reasonable option after an MBA in Tourism. Higher Education options provide the opportunity for knowledge exchange and skill transfer while interacting with peers, mentors, and field experts. For somebody looking to broaden their horizons, there are various opportunities for students to research, experience, gain insights, etc.
Some of these higher education opportunities for MBA in Tourism are:
MBA in Tourism has many career options for graduates. Options in the Tourism and Travel related industry are abundant with companies constantly seeking professionals proficient in the Tourist trade.
Here are some career options for MBA in Tourism graduates:
| Employment Roles | Job Description | Top Recruiters | Average Annual Salary |
| Travel Consultants | Responsible for understanding traveler needs for novel experiences and advising travel options accordingly. Facilitating travel arrangements for individuals and groups, and ensuring proper and necessary documentation are provided to travelers. | Teleperformance, CWT, Yatra | 3.3 LPA |
| Destination Managers | The job role involves hiring competent staff and building links with travel providers such as transport rental companies, hotel managers, etc. | ITC, Marriott, Ministry of Tourism, Cox & Kings, Radisson | 5 LPA |
| Tourism Coordinator | Tasked with planning, organizing, and coordinating for booking accommodations, transportation, activities, meals, handling payments, etc. of a group. | American Express, IRCTC, Annalect India, | 3 LPA |
| Event Planners | Responsible for coordinating the various aspects of event management, such as venues, catering, activities, entertainment, and other related logistics. | Wizcraft, Percept Ltd, Cox & Kings | 4 LPA |
| Visa Executives | Duties involve answering any queries that an individual may have with regard to visa documentation. Important processes, dates, documents required, and interview prep, are all handled by a Visa Executive. Assistance is provided at all steps of visa application. | Meta Apply, Travel Guru | 2.4 LPA |
| Travel Agents | Advising clients on the proper mode of travel, lodgings, costs of travel, and other logistics. Also, handle travel insurance for clients in case of contingency. | BCD Travel, GoIbibo, | 2.4 LPA |
MBA in Tourism course is a management postgraduate course suitable for students interested in gaining insight into the Indian and global Tourism Trade and related logistics of travel. Several career options such as Travel Coordinators, Travel Agents, Visa Executives, and Event Planners are possible for a graduate with an MBA in Tourism.
MBA in Tourism requires some critical skills to manage the fast-paced and dynamic field of Global Tourism. Some of these skills are:
MBA Tourism syllabus focuses on tourism economics and global tourism management. MBA in Tourism course provides students with a basic understanding of business management and hotel management skills to cater to the needs of the job market. Semester-wise MBA in Tourism subjects list is given below:
The first-year MBA in Tourism syllabus touches upon basic management principles applied to the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors. Given below is the semester-wise MBA in Tourism syllabus:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Management Concepts & Organisational Behaviour | Financial Management |
| Managerial Economics | Marketing Management |
| Accounting for Managers | Human Resource Management |
| Business Environment and Law | Operations Research and Management |
| Research Methodology | Strategic Management |
MBA in Tourism course syllabus for the second year imparts knowledge on concepts like eco-tourism, event management, etc. Students will do a project in their fourth semester. Given below is the detailed MBA Tourism syllabus for the second year:
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Tourism Principles, Policies & Practices | Air Fares & Airline Management |
| Global Tourism Geography | Travel Agency & Tour Operations Management |
| Tourism Products of India | Event Management |
| Destination Planning and Development | Customer Relationship & Service Management |
| Eco-Tourism | E-Tourism Management |
| – | Project Work |
Subjects in MBA in Tourism are classified into two parts: core and elective subjects. Internships and projects are an essential part of the MBA in Tourism course. Aspirants can choose a specialization based on their desire.
Listed below are the MBA in Tourism subjects covered in the course:
