Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Specialization in Travel and Tourism

at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Canada

Gain practical business knowledge in courses blending theory and hands-on learning in the core areas of business including economics, communication and organizational behaviour. Build a career in one of six majors - accounting, financial services, human resource management, management, marketing or supply chain management.

Engage in small classes with active, collaborative coursework, learning from faculty with real business experience. You work in teams to deliver projects, present strategies and meet business goals. You start with a common first year to build core business skills. In year two, you become proficient in your choice of major: Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing or Supply Chain Management.

You begin the program with a small business simulation. Then you progress to your final capstone course - a global simulation of an international enterprise where you make all decisions from manufacturing and production to hiring your workforce, determining pricing and promotional strategy and more.

Business Administration diploma students can choose between the following majors:

• Accounting: Gain intermediate-level accounting skills and a practical understanding of how to analyze a company's performance using financial information. You graduate ready to enter CPA's Advanced Certificate in Finance and Accounting program. You can apply to SAIT's Bachelor of Business Administration degree in order to pursue the CPA designation.
• Financial Services: Build skills to succeed in the financial services industry. You can write the Investment Funds in Canada (IFIC) exam to sell mutual funds. You graduate ready for an entry-level position in financial planning, retail or corporate banking, investing, insurance, trusts or compliance.
• Human Resource Management: Develop skills in human resource (HR) management through an understanding of the recruitment process, the role of employee training and development, employment law, and HR information management systems. Graduates can launch their HR careers in areas such as recruiting, training, payroll and more.
• Management: Develop general management skills in project management, international management, human resources and leadership. You graduate ready to launch a career in human resources, administration, operations, projects, and more in any industry. You can pursue a Certified in Management (CIM) designation.
• Marketing: Explore marketing fundamentals and apply the latest trends in brand management, strategic marketing, research and planning. You graduate ready for a career in public relations, media, advertising, sales, promotions, events and more. You can pursue a Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) designation.
• Supply Chain Management: Learn how to build, maintain and support an efficient supply chain process. You graduate with an understanding of operations, procurement, logistics, performance analytics, and quality management. You can pursue a career in a variety of industries including transportation, manufacturing, oil and gas, and more.

Developed with input from industry experts, the Hospitality and Tourism Management program will give you practical hands-on education, ensuring you have the real-world knowledge and skills to achieve success in the workforce.

During this program, you will develop a strong understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries. You will gain knowledge in guest experiences delivery, sales and marketing, service and applied leadership, all complemented by a strong financial management foundation. You will expand your knowledge by choosing a specialization in travel and tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation, hotel and accommodation management, restaurant and service operations, event management, beverage management and more.

Develop qualities that are in high demand for all hospitality and tourism jobs such as communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The industry is fast-paced and requires you to be adaptable, enthusiastic and resilient. If you enjoy keeping busy and working within a team to achieve common goals, then this career is perfect for you.

The program allows you to choose an area of specialization in:

• Hotel and Accommodations
• Restaurant and Service Operations
• Beverage Management
• Travel and Tourism
• Event Management
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Restaurant and Service Operations
Learn service operations management skills through practical,?hands-on training in the?renowned Highwood restaurant, and?through?executing special events on and off campus with?our?key industry partners. Your training will cover beverage and service operations, facility management and design,?as well as people leadership and inventory management.

Train for a career as a restaurant or hotel manager, special events coordinator or entrepreneur through courses in business management, food and beverage, human resources and marketing. Hospitality Management provides a unique educational experience with students learning and working in SAIT’s popular on-campus restaurant.

The Hospitality Management program at SAIT is known worldwide for its innovative curriculum and real-world education. At SAIT, we prepare our students for rewarding and in-demand careers in the global hospitality industry through expert instruction, hands-on learning anda state-of-the-art facilities. Our alumni are working in top hospitality organizations in Calgary, Canada and around the globe.

During this full-time two-year diploma program, you will obtain skills in lodging, food and beverage and a host of other hospitality sectors. Your training will cover hotel and restaurant operations, wine and beverage appreciation, special events, marketing, human resources, accounting and much more.

Our blended learning environment includes classroom instruction, laptop delivery and a live working environment - all delivered through a personalized approach. You will learn what it’s like to work as a member of a hospitality team by participating in group projects, serving in the renowned Highwood restaurant and executing special events on campus.

You will also be trained on the latest industry software including:

• Opera Property Management System
• MICROS point of sale system
• OpenTable restaurant management software.

As part of our close relationship with the hospitality sector, we are privileged to have some of the best and brightest leaders from the community serve on our advisory board. They help by providing insight into industry trends and informing the development of an up-to-date and practical curriculum.

Special events

• As a student, you will also have the opportunity to put your knowledge into action as part of a team planning and hosting special events such as:
  • HOSPO: the largest one-day tourism conference in Western Canada featuring 50 guest speakers and a career fair with over 50 industry booths
  • Scholarship lunch and industry gala in The Highwood
  • SAIT President’s gala dinner for 400 VIP delegates.

Professional paid internship and study tours

• Between your first and second year of study, you will be able to apply your skills in a professional paid internship. In addition to gaining experience in a real-world environment, internships provide valuable connections and opportunities to network with future employers.
• As a student, you can also take advantage of exciting international study tours. Previous tour locations have included Scotland, Italy, Australia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Developed with input from industry experts, the Hospitality and Tourism Management program will give you practical hands-on education, ensuring you have the real-world knowledge and skills to achieve success in the workforce.

During this program, you will develop a strong understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries. You will gain knowledge in guest experiences delivery, sales and marketing, service and applied leadership, all complemented by a strong financial management foundation. You will expand your knowledge by choosing a specialization in travel and tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation, hotel and accommodation management, restaurant and service operations, event management, beverage management and more.

Develop qualities that are in high demand for all hospitality and tourism jobs such as communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The industry is fast-paced and requires you to be adaptable, enthusiastic and resilient. If you enjoy keeping busy and working within a team to achieve common goals, then this career is perfect for you.

The program allows you to choose an area of specialization in:

• Hotel and Accommodations
• Restaurant and Service Operations
• Beverage Management
• Travel and Tourism
• Event Management
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Hotels and Accommodation
Gain strong hotel industry knowledge on the interconnectivity of all departments that bring a guest experience to life through two practicum placements with leading hotel partners. You will also gain practical experience in front office management, hotel event planning, hotel revenue management and facilities design.

Developed with input from industry experts, the Hospitality and Tourism Management program will give you practical hands-on education, ensuring you have the real-world knowledge and skills to achieve success in the workforce.

During this program, you will develop a strong understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries. You will gain knowledge in guest experiences delivery, sales and marketing, service and applied leadership, all complemented by a strong financial management foundation. You will expand your knowledge by choosing a specialization in travel and tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation, hotel and accommodation management, restaurant and service operations, event management, beverage management and more.

Develop qualities that are in high demand for all hospitality and tourism jobs such as communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The industry is fast-paced and requires you to be adaptable, enthusiastic and resilient. If you enjoy keeping busy and working within a team to achieve common goals, then this career is perfect for you.

The program allows you to choose an area of specialization in:

• Hotel and Accommodations
• Restaurant and Service Operations
• Beverage Management
• Travel and Tourism
• Event Management
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Beverage Management
Obtain in-depth beverage product knowledge in non-alcoholic beverages as well as wine, beer and spirits. Training will cover beverage sales and retail operations, inventory control and basic culinary understanding to build your skills in creating sustainable beverage programs. 

Train to be an on-air radio personality, video content producer or journalist through this program that spans multiple media platforms. Learn through courses in writing and reporting, video and audio production, scriptwriting and more.

The Radio, Television and Broadcast News (RTBN) program is divided into three options: Radio, Television or Broadcast News. Students choose the option that best fits their individual skills and interests, in preparation for a challenging, creative and exciting career in the media.

The RTBN program involves two years of full-time study. Each of the program’s two years is divided into two semesters. There is a single intake each year, with classes commencing in September and finishing in late April. A four-week industry practicum is available in the fourth semester.

Radio Major
Radio students gain valuable industry experience by operating SAIT’s campus radio station (accessible worldwide at radio.sait.ca). Students progress from mastering audio basics to advanced digital multi-track production, perform duties in the sales and promotions departments, and rotate through station positions including on-air personality, creative director, and production manager. Students also receive training in music directing, traffic management, and news and sports delivery, to round out this exciting and worthwhile career path.

Television Major
Television students learn the fundamentals of writing, directing, producing, and editing through live production and assembling pre-recorded video and audio elements. A strong emphasis is placed on hands-on learning and innovation in both single and multi-camera environments. Students work in teams to produce information and news programs, live event programming (such as sports), variety programs, documentaries, commercials, and public service announcements. Students also become familiar with the technical aspects of television media by working with broadcast-quality equipment such as High Definition cameras, switchers, digital audio consoles, graphics work stations, servers and computer-based editing systems.

Broadcast News Major
Broadcast News (BN) students learn how to research and objectively present a story. They receive extensive, hands-on training. The program provides realistic experiences behind and in front of the camera and microphone. Students are trained to work effectively in both the radio and television environment. BN students learn the importance of meeting deadlines while maintaining respect for journalistic integrity. Students take on many roles in our newsroom, including reporter, producer, line-up editor, news and sports anchor, and weather reporter.

In our interconnected world, strong, resilient and scalable computer networks are critical to industry success. Through classroom training and practical application, this program will help you develop skills and competencies in computer network design, maintenance and support, to get you career-ready as a network systems specialist.

During this intensive 32-week certificate, you will develop skills in leading-edge technologies including cloud and server administration, virtualized infrastructure, and Linux administration. You'll also become a member of the Cisco Networking Academy to specialize in computer networking, troubleshooting, and security.

As a result of the practical focus of this program, you will gain valuable experience solving technical problems and providing solutions that are on-time and within scope. This experience is further bolstered by a mandatory 8-week practicum that completes the program, preparing you for a successful career in the information technology (IT) field. 

Start a career as a machinist in industries like oil and gas manufacturing and medical technology with this program that covers blueprint reading and process planning, machining and metal cutting with mills, drills, lathes and grinders.

This full-time program is a great way to start your career as a Machinist - a rewarding and challenging trade with precision and craftsmanship as core attributes. As a Machinist Technician, you’ll set up and operate precision equipment for the production of a variety of components and assemblies. Machinists make or modify primarily metal components to very fine tolerances.

At 30 weeks in length (900 hours), this program contains content nearly double that afforded by the Machinist apprenticeship stream for equivalent periods.

You will learn skills including, but not limited to:

• Machining
• Machine set-up
• Blueprint reading
• Process planning
• Design validation
• Precision measurement
• Heat treatment.

Metal cutting and shaping operations use a variety of machine tools, including conventional mills, drills, lathes, and grinders. As modern machine tools are often computer-driven, a Machinist Technician may be responsible for programming and operating high-tech Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment such as CNC mills, lathes, Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM) and Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM).

Learn how to design, analyze and troubleshoot electronic circuits and systems for a career as an electronics engineering technologist, working in areas such as GPS-based systems, surveillance and wireless communication systems.

The Electronics Engineering Technology program is an analysis and design-oriented program with emphasis given to electronic circuits, systems and sub-systems. This program prepares graduates with professional, technical and practical skills that include problem-solving, research, design, prototyping, implementation, installation and testing of electronics-based systems.

Specific studies include digital and analog applications, electronic controls, computer-based circuit design and simulation, microprocessor systems, RF communications and computer-enhanced test and measurement systems. Areas of employment may include GPS-based systems, measurement, control, security and surveillance and wireless communication systems.

Graduates of the Electronics Engineering Technology program have the relevant technical, applied and professional skills that employers seek in this dynamic industry sector. Graduates may find employment as an electronic engineering technologist assisting in research, design, development of prototyping of electronic-based circuits and systems. They will also have the opportunity to continue their studies toward an engineering degree. SAIT offers articulation agreements with a variety of universities across Canada.

Working with electrical engineers who provide the conceptual design, the electronics engineering technologist will assist with the practical aspects of circuit design and analyze circuit performance. Electronics engineering technologists may design and/or evaluate the performance of the circuit using a variety of analysis methods. The technologist also works closely with technicians who fabricate, troubleshoot, measure and calibrate the systems.

The learning environment incorporates instructor-led instruction and discussions enhanced with computer-based presentations and simulation software. Most classes integrate time in the lab, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a real, practical environment.

Accreditation

• The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB) accredits this program at the Engineering Technologist level.
• After two years of suitable industrial experience, graduates are eligible for membership in The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) as a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET).

Developed with input from industry experts, the Hospitality and Tourism Management program will give you practical hands-on education, ensuring you have the real-world knowledge and skills to achieve success in the workforce.

During this program, you will develop a strong understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries. You will gain knowledge in guest experiences delivery, sales and marketing, service and applied leadership, all complemented by a strong financial management foundation. You will expand your knowledge by choosing a specialization in travel and tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation, hotel and accommodation management, restaurant and service operations, event management, beverage management and more.

Develop qualities that are in high demand for all hospitality and tourism jobs such as communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The industry is fast-paced and requires you to be adaptable, enthusiastic and resilient. If you enjoy keeping busy and working within a team to achieve common goals, then this career is perfect for you.

The program allows you to choose an area of specialization in:

• Hotel and Accommodations
• Restaurant and Service Operations
• Beverage Management
• Travel and Tourism
• Event Management
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Travel and Tourism - Specialization
Gain travel product knowledge to prepare for a career in destination and travel planning. Your training will cover product and reservation systems, itinerary planning and design, special interest and sustainable tourism. You will have the opportunity to connect with industry partners in solving industry problems, and selling and marketing products at our Travel Center on Campus.