Choosing the right career path can be difficult, especially in today’s turbulent job market. With so many options, you may find it challenging to decide what you want to do and how to cultivate the necessary skills. The hospitality and tourism industry is one field that continues to grow, offering promising opportunities to dedicated individuals.
If you're committed to making your mark in the tourism industry, building a solid foundation and learning unique skills are crucial for your long-term success and personal fulfillment. Okanagan College's Tourism Management Diploma is crafted to give you these advantages, paving the way for a fulfilling career in hospitality and tourism.
Let's explore why our program stands out and how it can transform your career aspirations.
Our Tourism Management Diploma at a Glance
Before exploring the key highlights of our diploma in tourism, here’s an overview of our unique Tourism Management Program.
Our experienced team designed the Tourism Management Diploma for ambitious individuals who hope to become future hospitality and tourism leaders. With two prime locations in Kelowna and Revelstoke, our students gain a broad understanding of the intricate dynamics of tourism and hospitality. Our cutting-edge curriculum, grounded in community involvement and global market trends, will help students gain sought-after hospitality skills.
The diploma encompasses critical aspects like operations, sustainability, and service management. To ensure our students benefit from the latest in the field, we've made continuous improvements to keep our program innovative, flexible, and diverse. It’s not just about earning a certification—we want to help you become a part of the industry’s success story.
Talk to one of our supportive admissions experts. Email us at askoc@okanagan.bc.ca or call 250-862-5656 and someone will touch base with you shortly!
Top 5 Unique Benefits of Obtaining a Diploma in Travel Tourism with Okanagan College
1. Exceptional Learning Locations
As mentioned before, our Tourism Management program is available in two strategic locations in British Columbia: Kelowna and Revelstoke. Both cities are nestled in regions celebrated for their breathtaking landscapes and booming tourism sectors, providing an ideal backdrop for immersive learning. This geographical advantage offers students a unique perspective on the tourism industry, allowing them to study and interact within prime tourist destinations.
Why Attend Kelowna?
Kelowna, with its picturesque settings between mountains and lakes, offers more than just a scenic study environment. It’s a hub of cultural richness, recreational diversity, and hospitality excellence. Students here benefit from the proximity to various tourism operations, from luxury resorts to boutique wineries, providing an eclectic mix of learning experiences.
The city’s vibrant tourism sector and a thriving tech and innovation scene make it an advantageous environment for networking and career opportunities. If you enjoy city living near breathtaking outdoor landscapes, picking our Kelowna location for your studies will help you succeed in a diverse and dynamic industry.
Why Attend Revelstoke?
Revelstoke represents all that a mountain-focused, outdoor-centred tourism experience could be. A smaller city, Revelstoke features the best of small-town, community-focused living including unique boutique cultural, food, and beverage experiences. Situated in a valley, it is surrounded by the stunning Selkirk Mountains attracting year-round tourism from all over Canada and beyond. With its legendary winters and adventurous summers, the area is an international tourism destination.
2. Unique Programming Developed in Partnership with the Industry
We stand out from average hospitality and tourism diplomas. The applied nature of our programming embeds industry connection into the student experience. At Okanagan College, we partner with the tourism industry in our regions to ensure our students receive a hands-on, relevant education, connected to our communities.
What does this mean for you as a student? You’ll gain experience and knowledge from real-world scenarios and top industry professionals.
When you enroll with Okanagan College, you can trust that your education will be the most up-to-date, focusing on modern industry practices and the latest travel trends. You’ll graduate with skills that are immediately applicable to your tourism career!
3. Learn from Top Industry Professionals
The opportunity to be mentored and taught by leading professionals in the field is invaluable. Our faculty brings a wealth of experience, insight, and real-world knowledge to the classroom, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application.
At Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus, you’ll learn from industry experts like Dr. Michael Conlin and Dr. Danielle Robinson. Dr. Conlin has over 45 years of teaching experience, having held senior positions at hospitality and tourism programs globally. Dr. Robinson, locally involved in the South Okanagan tourism industry, brings a unique background in wine and food and sustainable tourism.
If you’re studying for your diploma at our Revelstoke location, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from Carolyn Gibson. She runs a successful bed and breakfast and is the Coach for StartUp Revelstoke, a program that supports would-be entrepreneurs in fulfilling their business ambitions.
As you can see, our faculty is specifically selected to offer you the most relevant and modern industry insights. We prioritize diversity among our instructors to reflect the varied backgrounds of our students and the global tourists they will cater to. Beyond traditional classroom education, our program emphasizes real-world industry opportunities and connections, ensuring your learning experience is enriched with practical knowledge and networking opportunities essential for your future success.
Learn more about our experienced hospitality and tourism staff members
4. Hands-On Learning and Co-ops
By now, you understand the importance we put on experiential learning—it’s at the heart of our tourism diploma program! To ensure your learning is grounded in the industry, this diploma includes a mandatory co-operative (co-op) learning semester. Supported by the team at the OC Careers Hub students will embark on one semester of paid work in the field with industry-leading organizations featuring a variety of roles. Students can apply for jobs on the Careers Hub site or can seek out opportunities on their own.
Through co-op placements, students dive deep into the workings of the tourism and hospitality industry, gaining firsthand experience that is both enriching and career-advancing. This practical exposure is vital for understanding the intricacies of the industry and for applying theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
We've compiled a quick list highlighting the organizations where our alums have thrived to showcase the exciting co-op possibilities available while studying tourism management at Okanagan College. This glimpse into potential opportunities is designed to inspire and illustrate the diverse options our program can unlock for you:
- Revelstoke Mountain Resort, a four-season resort
- Independent and brand hotels
- Quality adventure tourism companies like Apex Rafting
- The Revelstoke Visitor Information Centre
- Destination BC
- National and Provincial Parks
We hired a student through Okanagan College last summer. We couldn’t have been happier with our co-op match. We saw the benefits to hiring a student immediately. They were already in learning-mode, which meant on the job training was a breeze. Since we hired a student in the Tourism program their interest in our industry was relevant and valuable. We were pleased with the added value the student brought to our business with ideas stemming from their course. Further, the College gave us full support throughout the entire process. I would have participated in the Co-op program much sooner had I realize how easy and beneficial it would be.
Debbie Koerber - Apex Rafting Company
5. Unparalleled Networking Opportunities
Located in two of Western Canada's premier tourism hotspots, our students are in an ideal position to foster critical industry connections. Enhanced by our program's deep-rooted connections to local and national tourism landscapes, these networking opportunities give our students a distinct edge in the competitive job market, opening doors to various career paths.
Start Your Career in Hospitality and Tourism!
Did you know the tourism industry’s is outpacing many other sectors internationally? In Canada, tourism industries make up almost 5% of the country’s GDP. There’s no better time to join an industry full of opportunity and diversity. With over 400 types of jobs in the tourism industry, there are so many avenues you can choose.
Okanagan College’s Tourism Management Diploma is your ticket to a fulfilling hospitality and tourism career packed with growth and adventure. Why wait to start pursuing the future you’re envisioning? Talk to an admissions officer today about working towards your career in tourism. Your story of success begins here at Okanagan College.