Bachelor of Tourism Management

Students starting in Year 1 of the Bachelor of Tourism Management program will choose either the Recreation and Sport Management option or the Tourism Studies option. Students who have completed a Diploma in Recreation and Sport Management, Tourism Studies, or Hospitality will start in Year 3.

Recreation and Sport Management Option

Tourism Studies Option

Years 3 and 4

Major in Recreation Management

The BTM Major in Recreation Management is a well-rounded program that provides students with a solid grounding in recreation governance, leisure behaviour, leisure education, and leisure service management. Students wishing to pursue a career in recreation service delivery with public and non-profit organizations are encouraged to complete the Major in Recreation Management as part of their BTM.

Major Requirements

In addition to VIU degree English requirements, students wishing to earn the Major in Recreation Management must complete the courses listed below.

Years 3 and 4

Completion Requirements

The expected, normal time required to complete the degree program (years 3 and 4) will be two years for full-time students. Part-time students who may require a longer time to complete the program are encouraged to apply, as the department is committed to the provision of coursework through a variety of alternative methods (Prior Learning Assessment, online, evening, short intensive sessions).

CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS/MINIMUM SESSIONAL GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Students must maintain a GPA of 2.33 (C+) in order to qualify for work placement activities.

Students must maintain an average "C+" grade and must perform satisfactorily in work placement activities in order to graduate. 

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Students who have gained required skills, knowledge and competencies taught in the degree program in Tourism and Recreation may consider seeking recognition and assessment of their prior learning. Students who are successful in demonstrating prior learning to the extent required by the faculty will be granted appropriate credit toward the degree.

Admission Requirements – Year 1

The following are admission requirements for students applying to Year 1 of the Bachelor of Tourism Management program:

• General admission requirements apply.
• Official transcript of grades from high school (and post-secondary institutions where applicable).

Note: Students applying online should select either the Tourism Studies option or the Recreation and Sport Management option. Students applying with a printed application form should identify which of the two options they are interested in.
 

Notes on Admission

• Field work may require a criminal record check prior to placement.
• Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
• All new students must participate in a compulsory orientation held early in the Fall semester.
• Students admitted to the degree can exit after Year 2 and apply for a diploma in Tourism Studies or Recreation and Sport Management.

Admission Requirements – Year 3

Students may apply to the third year of the degree program after successful completion of a diploma in Recreation and Sport Management, Tourism Studies, Hospitality Management, or by permission of the department.

Notes on Admission

• Admission to the third year of the program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
• All students must participate in a compulsory orientation which takes place early in the Fall semester.

The management of recreation and tourism services is a challenging career in this increasingly leisure-oriented society. Dynamic, creative, and innovative people are needed to plan, organize, and supervise recreation and tourism experiences in a variety of settings, and VIU’s degree program prepares individuals for positions in areas, as follows.

• Supervisory/Management positions: usually found in organizations where diploma graduates require continual upgrading of their leadership knowledge base to make strategic business decisions.
• Independent entrepreneurs: small business opportunities in the tourism and recreation industries.
• Front line-positions: where most people begin their career, these positions require an understanding of the industry and the ability to anticipate, respond to, and satisfy customer needs.

Examples of specific employment opportunities include:

• Commercial Recreation and Tourism Enterprises, such as private tour companies, leisure related retail outlets, tourism attractions, health spas, fitness complexes.
• Adventure Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Park Management, providing nature-based leisure experiences like camping, wilderness experiences, risk recreation, as well as environmental education and managing the resources required for nature-based leisure.
• Tourism Services,including destination resorts and hotels, theme parks, tourist attractions, convention and meeting business, and special events and festivals.
• Tour Operations, including packaging, marketing and operation of tours, tour guiding and interpretation services.
• Sport Management, Public Recreation and Tourism,including parks and recreation departments in municipalities and regional districts, government tourism agencies, community schools, recreation associations, and public recreation facilities.
• Not-for-profit Agencies, including YM/YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and others represented within our communities.
• Accommodation and Food Services, including hotels, restaurants, resorts, and large food service companies providing management services to hospitals, universities and airlines.
• Inclusive Leisure, involving the provision of recreation and tourism services to individuals or groups with special needs in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, mental health and community health centres, etc.

Work Placement Opportunities

Students in the third year of the degree will participate in either a Co-operative Education work term or an Internship. In order to receive a Co-operative Education designation, transfer students must have successfully completed two Co-op work terms in their diploma activity. Participation in the third Co-op work term is based on availability of space and academic performance with a minimum 3.0 (“B”) grade point average.

Co-operative Education

Co-op Fees for co-operative education and internships are due during the second month of each work term.

All fees and costs are subject to change without prior notice.

Domestic (Canadian)

International