Tourism Development and Management (Sustainable Tourism), BS
Want to lead the future of responsible travel? Prepare to manage tourism that protects natural and cultural resources while supporting local communities. You can learn to design and guide sustainable tourism practices that strengthen destinations and promote positive, lasting change.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Tourism Development and Management (Sustainable Tourism) program description
You are prepared to lead in one of the world's largest and fastest-evolving industries in the Bachelor of Science program in tourism development and management with a concentration in sustainable tourism. You explore resilience and sustainability concepts and learn how to apply them to tourism destinations around the globe.
Coursework provides you with a foundation in sustainability science, including the theories and practices that support responsible tourism development. You gain skills to measure, design and implement sustainability policies throughout all stages of tourism planning and management.
The program integrates courses from the School of Sustainability and the School of Community Resources and Development, combining environmental insight with professional application. Career exposure, study abroad opportunities and a culminating internship further prepare you for leadership in sustainable tourism.
Why specialize in sustainable tourism at ASU?
This concentration in sustainable tourism goes beyond a general business or hospitality degree. It focuses on the intersection of community resource protection, social equity and economic viability, drawing courses from the first comprehensive School of Sustainability in the nation. The concentration also benefits from Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions' expertise in community development.
You gain applied experience through required local career-field exploration hours, paired with global learning opportunities. That combination means you graduate with genuine professional practice, not just classroom theory.
Additional details
Outside of class, you can join the Tourism Student Association to connect with peers who share your interests and build relationships in the field.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| PRM 120 Leisure and the Quality of Life |
| TDM 205 Introduction to Travel and Tourism |
| TDM 372 Tourism and Hospitality Planning |
| TDM 458 International Tourism and Hospitality |
| TDM 480 Sustainable Tourism |
| CRD 202 Inclusive Community Development |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Incorporate multiple perspectives when proposing creative solutions to complex tourism issues.
- Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines to develop comprehensive strategies that address the complex challenges faced by tourism organizations.
- Able to demonstrate proficiency in written communications with diverse audiences (e.g., clients, interdisciplinary team members, community members).
Incorporate multiple perspectives when proposing creative solutions to complex tourism issues.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required to change majors to this program.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Future tourism professionals need to develop an understanding of how and why people travel to destinations around the world and of how to share the local environment with visitors. Through study abroad programs, students gain valuable experience in the global travel context by learning sustainable tourism policies in locations around the world, including in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance Manager | 4.9% | $141,900 | Learn more |
| Event Planner | 5.8% | $61,160 | Learn more |
| Front Desk Manager | 3.8% | $69,250 | Learn more |
| General Manager (GM) | 5.0% | $105,770 | Learn more |
| Marketing Associate | -3.7% | $133,660 | Learn more |
| Restaurant Manager | 5.8% | $69,390 | Learn more |
| TV Program Director | 4.0% | $90,360 | Learn more |
| Tour Guide | 6.3% | $38,120 | Learn more |
| Travel Agent | 0.2% | $50,160 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this sustainable tourism concentration prepares you for
As sustainability becomes a central priority in tourism, graduates are prepared for roles that promote responsible travel and destination management. Career paths include sustainability coordination and planning within hotels, airlines, museums, convention and visitor bureaus, and major attractions.
Graduates may also work with travel agencies and tour operators focused on ecotourism, volunteer tourism and conservation-based experiences. Opportunities exist with nonprofit organizations and government agencies that advance sustainable tourism initiatives, as well as with consulting firms that help tourism businesses develop and implement sustainable practices.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Community Resources and Development
|
UCENT 164
scrdadvising@asu.edu
602-496-1658
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
