Overview

Tourism Industry, Sports and Event Management

Changing leisure time behavior, increased demand for sustainable, social and health tourism, the increasing importance of physical fitness and health care in large parts of the population - all this is always presented by actors such as tour operators, hotels, tourism organizations and event organizers in the sports, trade fair and event sector new challenges.

The study field at a glance

In this area of study, specialists and executives are trained who have both detailed industry-specific know-how and in-depth economic knowledge. Students also learn how to plan, organize, market and finance events, sporting and cultural events or tourism services.

Offered courses

Bachelor's and Master's programs in the field of tourism, sports and event management are mainly offered at universities of applied sciences. Among them are also interdisciplinary programs, e.g. Sports and event management, tourism and event management or leisure, sports, tourism management. There are also specialized courses that only cover a specific area, such as health tourism, as well as international offers.

Contents of the course

In addition to business, economic and legal knowledge, degree courses in tourism, hotel industry, sports and event management provide sector-specific qualifications, e.g. in the following modules: destination management, sports and tourism marketing, sports event management, cruise tourism, trade fair and congress management, hotel and hospitality management or business travel. Similarly, students may acquire intercultural and language skills. Often individual courses take place in different foreign languages. Semester abroad can be integrated into the curriculum.

Admission criteria & study application

For admission to sports management and economics study programs, interested parties may need to prove that they have passed the sport suitability test. Event management as well as hotel and tourism management may require proof of English proficiency.

Possible careers after graduation

  • Tourism managers will find e.g. Employment at tourism and hotel companies, at tour operators and providers, in destination management, at tourism associations and modes of transport. Possible fields of activity are operational management, marketing, product management, accounting and controlling.
  • Sports managers and economists work in sports organizations and associations, in the sports (article) industry, in sports marketing and travel agencies, in health, tourism and fitness, and in public sports administration. There they take over various tasks, control the finances, lead employees, look for sponsors and cooperation opportunities, negotiate with media partners or organize sports events.
  • In turn, event managers are e.g. at event agencies, trade fair, exhibition or concert organizers, convention agencies or in public administration at cultural offices or in city marketing, where they organize and coordinate events from conception to follow-up. In doing so, they keep an eye on the ideas of the clients as well as the budget.