Tourism and Hospitality Management : A growing discipline to study in

"Is this discipline about becoming a waiter/waitress?...Didn't you have any other option left?"-- These are some taunts the students of Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM) students bear on many instances. However, tourism related education offers unique opportunities for personal growth, cultural enrichment, and sustainable economic development, making it a valuable field of study and practice. Whilst there are many lucrative mainstream subjects in the Faculty of Business Studies at University of Dhaka, like Accounting, Finance, and Marketing, Tourism and Hospitality Management(THM) is yet to get its right value.

Since the admission session is around the corner, many students come to this department knowingly or unknowingly. But if a student wants to give it a serious thought, here's a take on that.

Dr Santus Kumar Deb is the chairman of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Dhaka. In a discussion with the writer, he shared why students should opt for THM when there are mainstream subjects.

"Every FBS graduate can work in banks, corporate fields, and professional fields such as chartered accountants, cost management accountants, and teaching. Tourism and hospitality management graduates are too identical in nature. Not just that Tourism and Hospitality Management students have global and sometimes department-specific career choices," Dr Deb says.

He adds, "Chain hotels and the tourist industry solely employ tourist and hospitality management students, limiting the employment opportunities for other students, in contrast to the other eight business faculty departments. Students from this department have the option of becoming teachers as part of the national university curriculum. This subject is offered by Rajshahi University, Dhaka University, and seven other universities in Bangladesh."

Due to the sector's rise and the necessity for a qualified workforce to deliver services while travelling, there is an increasing need for recent graduates in Bangladesh's hospitality industry. There are many international hotel chains operating in Bangladesh. These serve as evidence of the industry's rapid expansion.

Dr Santus Kumar further said, "Tourism can aid sustainable development, Bangladesh Vision 2041, and our 100-year Delta plan. Not just that tourism makes for 55 per cent of Bangladesh's GDP and 90 per cent of the US. And hopefully service-based sectors will boost GDP, employment, and quality of life throughout the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Tourism and hospitality management careers are promising."

Due to the curriculum's emphasis on hospitality and service, there are also several chances for students in this department to pursue careers in service-related industries like banking, insurance, telecommunications, public service, and others.

There is an opportunity to join about 40 international airlines including Biman Bangladesh, US Bangla Airlines, and Novo Airlines as cabin crew and steward.

When asked about the department's vision, Dr Santus Kumar said, "Our main goal is to build theoretical and practical knowledge-based human resources who have bookish knowledge and first-hand experience and can create valuable human resources like those found in international markets."

"To say if we follow the curriculum of top international universities, I would like to remark that our curriculum is based on a North American or European curriculum. And we hope to update our curriculum within the next two months to create a skilled and knowledgeable tourism and hospitality management workforce that can contribute to the global workforce in the face of the fourth industrial revolution."

"We aim to update our curriculum to meet the needs of the industry and create a skilled workforce. Hence, we intend to update our curriculum per the market demand and ensure that our students are equipped to meet the industry's challenges," he added.

Dr Santus Kumar also talked about the discipline's necessity compared to developed countries' universities. Dhaka University and Rajshahi University provide undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and doctorate degrees in Tourism and Hotel Management. Several public and private universities provide undergraduate and graduate degrees in Tourism and Hotel Management. Most universities in established and developing countries offer higher degrees in tourism and hospitality management. Unlike our country, THM is a highly regarded discipline around the globe.

Md Rakib Al Hasan Muhin, an alumni from THM third batch and assistant manager at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, recalls how this department prepared him.

"Being from the third batch, we were just starting out. We had to learn from books as there were no practical sessions or industrial trips. But my department and supervisor supported my internship properly. The running batches, however, have more facilities for plenty of practical sessions and career advice from seniors."

As for his decision to choose THM, he said, "Students know the subject list or how they are assigned. THM's diversity and modern appeal made me choose it over management. Though I was initially confused about tourism and its prospects, now I know I made the right decision."

He advised service industry enthusiasts who are motivated to work abroad can study this subject.

He noted another important issue: had the department solely prepared him, or had he participated in extracurriculars to prepare himself?

"Department is important, but ECA makes someone more fulfilled and job-ready. Engaging in club and industry related activities helped me network with industry leaders. ECA helped me land a job at a top Dhaka hotel shortly after graduation."

Students searching for a variety of local and international employment prospects, an engaging curriculum, and cordial relationships between teachers, seniors, and juniors may find this topic appealing. The department's welcoming atmosphere where one can thrive is also enhanced by community activities such as helping the underprivileged, Tour De Force, numerous gatherings, and department tours, etc.

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