The BSTM program uses varied approaches in tourism management education, adapting to the needs of our students and the demands of the changing global work environment in the tourism profession. This allows the program to stay competitive and relevant in the field.
Program Curriculum
General Education (GE) courses comprise most of the required units during the first two years of the program. These are university-wide courses intended to develop the students’ key academic skills and competencies such as persuasive communication and innovative thinking. The University upholds that developing such basic competencies helps prepare students towards becoming independent learners as they progress in their respective programs and eventually, their careers.
Alongside their GE courses, BSTM students must also undertake professional tourism courses depending on their chosen track.
Event Management Track
The BSTM – Event Management Track aims to produce graduates who are equipped to professionally handle different types of meetings and events in diverse settings. Business and technical skills in event management such as event project planning and implementation, financial management, facilities management, event program design, and the like are honed through case study analyses, event proposal creation, presentations, and actual handling of several events.
Professional skills such as conscientiousness, leadership, teamwork, and time management are also developed through theory and practice. Graduates of this track may venture into event management-related businesses, event consulting, and work in tourism, hospitality, and corporate fields where specialized skills in event management are required.
FEU-ITHM strengthens its Event Management track with international and industry-recognized certifications such as the Certificate of Achievement and Certified Events Planner from the Asia Pacific for Events Management (APIEM) and National Certifications III in Event Management from the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).
Travel and Tours Management Track
Meanwhile, the Travel and Tours Management Track aims to produce graduates with comprehensive knowledge in the management, operations, and service delivery of the different sectors of the tours and travel industry.
The professional, business, and travel-related skills are developed to prepare students to take entry-level, supervisory, and even entrepreneurial positions in tour and travel operations and related fields in multi-cultural settings.
On top of the knowledge and competencies focused on travel agency management, tour marketing and promotions, tourism laws, domestic and international tourism operations, specialized skills in recreation and leisure, destination management, and heritage tourism are also developed.
Afterward, students are required to perform internal auditing research works and feasibility studies and undertake 600-hour supervised apprenticeship training in various auditing and accounting firms and other accredited business firms.
Students are also trained to become well-rounded, socially and morally responsible citizens through the National Service Training Program (NSTP) and the Wellness and Recreation Program (WRP) of the University. Under WRP, students can choose to attend a diverse array of short courses intended to develop their physiological and emotional well-being as well as their sense of belonging in the community and their social responsibility.
Teaching-Learning Approaches
The BSTM program utilizes multiple teaching-learning approaches catering to students’ needs and empowering them as independent learners and outstanding tourism management professionals in the future. These approaches include:
Student-centered learning
Following the University’s educational philosophy and learning paradigm, the BSTM program utilizes methods which encourage active and collaborative learning engagements between the students and the teachers. Through dynamic activities and tasks, students are empowered to take responsibility for their own learning rather than become passive recipients of information in the classroom.
Didactic approach
Fundamental knowledge in management concepts, principles, and laws are taught through a mix of discussions and lectures.
Interdisciplinary approach
The BSTM program equips students with the ability to see the various aspects of professional tourism management practice through multidisciplinary lenses and perspectives. This, together with their liberal GE courses in the field of arts, humanities and social sciences, encourage well-rounded development for our students.
Blended learning
BSTM facilitates ubiquitous learning in its courses through online virtual classrooms, online modules and web resources. The program primarily uses Canvas, the official learning management system (LMS) of FEU and a globally recognized platform among leading educational institutions worldwide.
Research-based approach
Students are encouraged to conduct research work, while professional courses also utilize research-based materials such as case studies and feasibility studies to ensure the delivery of updated information about current industry standards and practices.
Assessment and Research Work
Tourism Management is a skills-based program designed to develop and hone the students’ capabilities through the assessment of their critical thinking, communication, customer service and other related skills that are essential in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Aside from the traditional pen and paper assessments, BSTM students prepare and deliver presentations on current issues and specific topics about tourism. Before the end of each semester, students are expected to apply these skills in their respective actual culminating activities (ex. Handling local and international events).
Research is part of the students’ coursework in most of their professional courses like tourism impacts and sustainability, ecotourism, entrepreneurship, among others. Their topics must be aligned with the tourism agenda of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Internship
Tourism students are expected to finish 500 hours of internship in reputable tourism-related companies, both private and government, such as airlines, airports, travel agencies, hotels, casinos, recreational facilities, among others.
They also have an option to complete their internship in other countries such as in the USA, Thailand, China and Vietnam. The Student Internship Abroad Program (SIAP) complies with CHED policy under CMO no. 22, series of 2013.