MBA in Tourism: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees

Akanksha Gupta

Updated on - Nov 28, 2023

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.

About MBA in Tourism

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 Eligibility Criteria

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:

• Students must hold a completed UG degree in any field with a 50% minimum aggregate score from any recognized University. A relaxation of 5% is given to students from the reserved (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) category. 
• However, preference may be given to students with a degree in Bachelor in Business Administration.
• Qualifying for Management Entrance Exams such as CAT, XAT, MAT, etc. is mandatory for students interested in MBA in Tourism. 
• Please note: some colleges account for work experience, in most cases of 2 years, before providing admissions to MBA in Tourism.

Why Choose an MBA in a Tourism Course?

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:

• MBA in Tourism course has various opportunities, with abundant private and public sector companies hiring graduates fresh out of this course. 
• Students stand to gain industry-relevant knowledge on Tourism, Culture, Business Management Principles, Marketing, Resource Planning, etc. that can be utilized in the industry. 
• The lucrativeness of an MBA in Tourism is also evident. The annual salary range for MBA in Tourism graduates is INR 1.7 to 4.7 LPA. Of course with experience, this range increases as individuals gather more knowledge and skills. 
• Degree-holders in this course can explore a myriad of career options and job roles such as Travel Consultants, Visa Executives, Sales & Marketing Managers, Event Planners, Destination Managers, etc. Students can earn a reasonable package post-completion of the MBA in Tourism course, making this a sought-after professional course for many. 

MBA in Tourism Admissions 2023

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:

• Step 1: Choose your college of choice for an MBA in Tourism, factoring in your interests and career goals. Register for your chosen college either in offline or online mode.
• Step 2: Most colleges require students to take management entrance exams such as  CAT, XAT, or CMAT to qualify for an MBA in Tourism. 
• Step 3: After the entrance exam results, students must meet the minimum required cut-offs decided by their chosen college.  
• Step 4: If students satisfy the minimum cut-off scores, they are asked to pay the admission fee and attend the GD + PI + counseling sessions. The counseling sessions allow students to learn more about the college.
• Step 5: Once admitted into the college of the student’s choosing, certain formalities shall have to be completed, such as submitting educational transcripts, ID proofs, Migration letters, etc. 

MBA in Tourism Entrance Examinations

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:

Top MBA in Tourism Colleges in India with Fee Details

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:

Syllabus and Subjects for MBA in Tourism

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:

MBA in Tourism vs. MBA in Hospitality Management

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:

Salary of an MBA in Tourism Graduate In India

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.

[Source: AmbitionBox]

Courses After MBA in Tourism

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:

• M.Phil in Tourism Management
• Ph.D. in Tourism Management
• A 2nd MBA in any other stream
• Executive MBA

Career Options After MBA in Tourism

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:

Skills to Excel in for MBA in Tourism Graduates

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:

• Excellent Communication Skills - Travel professionals are expected to communicate concisely, clearly, and effectively with different points of contact, such as clients, vendors, etc. 
• Stress Management - Due to the demanding nature of the Tourism Industry, travel professionals must be able to handle the long hours and tight deadlines effectively. 
• Time Management - Since timing is key while planning itineraries and managing tours, travel professionals must look for time-saving techniques and organize everything in a timely manner.
• Charismatic Personality - Building trust and loyalty are key pillars of Customer Service. Travel professionals need to ensure clients that they are in good hands.
• Crisis Management Skills - Travel itineraries depend on a lot of uncontrollable factors. In times of crisis such as criminal or safety issues, or cancellation of transport, etc., travel professionals must be able to think and make quick decisions on their feet.
• Strong knowledge of tourist trade across the globe - Knowing the different tours, destinations, and other relevant logistics is important to effectively organize a safe, enjoyable, and enriching travel experience.
• Strong Networking Skills -  The need for networking is imperative for travel professionals since they need to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the tourism industry, and this can only happen when you connect and interact with different stakeholders. 
• Information System and Portal knowledge - Utilizing travel portal knowledge is imperative to travel professionals' work since they need to book tickets for flights, and trains and find accommodations effectively. Portal knowledge will also aid in knowing which portal provides the best deal to your customers. 

Preparation Tips for MBA in Tourism Course

• Choose the best-fit college: Pick the most suitable college that fulfills your career goals and fits your areas of interest.
• Gain work experience: If possible, gaining some work experience in a relevant industry of your choosing can boost your understanding of real-world applications.
• Prepare for the application process: The application process for an MBA in Tourism course can be competitive. Start early and prep your applications in a timely and planned manner.
• Networking: Networking with industry field experts and mentors on LinkedIn or through email can aid in creating connections while learning more about the industry.

Top MBA in Tourism Colleges

Anna University

Chennai,Tamil Nadu

Alagappa University

Karaikudi,Tamil Nadu

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU)

Madurai,Tamil Nadu

Christ University

Bangalore,Karnataka

CEG Guindy

Chennai,Tamil Nadu

Hindustan University

Chennai,Tamil Nadu

Coimbatore Institute of Management and Technology (CIMAT)

Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu

Jagran Lakecity University

Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh

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MBA in Tourism Fee Structure

See Various MBA in Tourism Colleges in India