Would you like to work in a growing, dynamic, ever-changing global industry offering tourism, travel, cultural and educational experiences? Then the tourism emphasis is the right choice for you!
A bachelor of arts degree in hospitality, restaurant and tourism management with an emphasis in tourism is designed to prepare you for managerial positions in the tourism industry, including convention centers, event tourism, travel agencies and/or destination management organizations. The events and tourism industries are expanding fast. In fact, tourism is now one of the world's biggest and fastest growing sectors. According to World Travel & Tourism Council (2019), tourism contributes 10.3% of global GDP and supports 330 million jobs. In fact, 1 in 10 jobs around the world are tourism-related.
With this rapid growth, demand for people with the right qualifications is high. In the tourism emphasis you will learn marketing and management aspects of entrepreneurial tourism development through investigation of cultural, economic, and demand functions that affect modern tourism promotion and progress.
12 or more credit hours from the following:
- HRTM 280 Intro to Tourism
- ALEC 428 Leadership in Public Organizations
- JOMC 101 Principles of Mass Media
- JGEN 120 Basic Business Communication
- JGEN 200 Technical Communications I or JGEN 300 Technical Communications II
- ALEC 412 Multimedia Applications for Education & Training*
*Does not count toward degree requirements, but can be used as electives.
Beyond the Classroom
Gain experience learning through student clubs, organizations and more.
Visit Omaha Internship Program
As a Visit Omaha intern, you will work in the Convention Services Department or Visitors Center growing tourism in Omaha and/or providing exceptional opportunity for Omaha visitors.
Hospitality Student Development Organization
The mission of the Hospitality Student Development Organization (HSDO) is to provide professional development opportunities for students in the hospitality industry. This is done in a variety of ways including networking, social and personal development events and activities.
Cannes Film Festival Internship
Since 1989, The American Pavilion has enabled access for thousands of students to the world’s most exclusive film festival, Cannes! Students who apply and are selected will see a close-up view of the inner workings at the international event.
Work with the best
Madeline Miller, Alumna
Convention Services and Housing Manager, Visit Omaha
“Now being a graduate of the program, I look back and truly appreciate the many opportunities this program has given me. The biggest thing that sets this program apart is the internships. The connections I've made working in hotels, events, and with a chamber of commerce have been vital in finding a career that I truly enjoy. These all led me to a path in lodging and tourism. I cannot thank enough the amazing faculty that continues to teach and integrate the most recent developments in this industry. I truly enjoyed my time at UNL and am excited to see other students join this program!”
Learn from the best
Myunghwa Kang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Kang is an associate professor in hospitality, restaurant, and tourism management in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication. She earned her Ph.D. in tourism from Texas A&M University and M.S. in tourism and hospitality management from Purdue University. Dr. Kang received her B.S. in history from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea and has professional industry experience as a director in marketing and business planning in the tourism and hospitality industry. She also has worked with national, state, and city tourism offices for years.
