Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (Associate In Applied Science (AAS))

Responsible for over 9.3% of the global GDP, travel and tourism is one of the most important industries in the world in terms of economic impact and growth potential.

There are over one billion global tourists annually, and e-commerce and globalization continue to create new destinations and new markets every day.

Why GCC?
While earning your degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, you will have the opportunity to be involved in:

• THM 118 – Event Planning Course-Provides you with hands-on experience of planning and executing an event
• Travel Club- Provides opportunities for you and other students to plan group trips and gain valuable travel experience
• Walt Disney World College Program- Offers internships with one of the most well-known and well-respected businesses in the world

AAS Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

• Apply critical thinking skills as necessary to effectively function as an employee or entrepreneur in the tourism and hospitality industry.
• Explain basic theories related to the hospitality industry (tourism, destination management, marketing, event planning, hotel operations and food and beverage management).
• Apply various techniques common to the delivery of hospitality services industry (tourism, destination management, marketing, event planning, hotel operations and food and beverage management).
• Communicate effectively in a variety of modes, utilizing technology as appropriate.
• Utilize effective interpersonal communication techniques in a variety of individualized and group situations.
• Work effectively as a contributing member or leader of a team.
• Discuss in depth various current events and future trends (including sustainability) related to the hospitality industry.
• Describe the global impact of various trends within the hospitality industry.
• Identify and describe the impact of various historical events on the development of the modern hospitality industry.
• Discuss the contributions and accomplishments of key hospitality industry pioneers.
• Interpret basic financial statements used in the tourism and hospitality field.

Career Outlook

Career opportunities are worldwide and allow you to work amongst different people, societies and cultures. Many opportunities are available because 1 in 11 jobs are in the Tourism & Hospitality industry.

• Attractions Managers
• Customer Service Representatives
• Destination Marketing
• Food Service Managers
• Gaming Managers
• Gaming Supervisors
• Lodging Managers
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
• Sales Managers
• Slot Supervisors
• Travel Agents
• Travel Guides

Transfer Opportunities

• Starting at GCC saves many students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition. With an A.S. or A.A. degree you will be able to seamlessly transfer within the SUNY network of 64 college and universities as well as to many 4-year private institutions. GCC’s A.S. and A.A. programs were developed as part of the SUNY seamless transfer initiative allowing students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree as a freshman and a sophomore at a community college, then seamlessly transfer to a SUNY four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. Please reference the SUNY Transfer Pathways for degree programs to learn about any campus specific requirements. Visit the SUNY Core Course Finder to plan out the courses you should complete to transfer to a 4-year SUNY School.
• If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year private institution you should work with our Transfer Services office to learn about possible articulation agreements and pathways that exist for many or our degree programs. Some GCC A.A.S. programs also have transfer opportunities.
• To learn more about these opportunities and agreements contact the Transfer Services Office, we are more than happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have on building your own personalized transfer plan.

Transfer opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Niagara University
• Paul Smith College
• RIT
• SUNY College at Buffalo State
• SUNY College at Plattsburgh