MSc - International Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management

University of Hertfordshire

This module explores the key processes involved in the development of tourism, hospitality and event management research. Students will critically analyse the research design developed by authors in the field and reflect upon the benefits and drawbacks of various primary and secondary research philosophies and methods. Additionally, the students will learn to apply this knowledge creatively, to develop original research plans. Indicative content includes what is research and the purpose of a research proposal, critical thinking, information search, primary and secondary research, how to develop aim and objectives, the structure and purpose of a literature review and conceptual framework, developing a methodology and methods section, data collection considerations, using measures of research robustness (i.e. generalisability, reliability and validity), and ethics considerations.

The literature surrounding crisis and risk management is diverse and varies from theoretical to more practical knowledge. Some of the key areas of study on this module will be specific to the sector (Tourism, Hospitality or Events Industries) or will be more generalizable across sectors. The indicative module content will be taken from the following areas of study: major incident management, disaster management, risk identification, mitigation, and management, concepts and theories of tourism crisis and disaster management, concepts and theories of international disaster management: Disaster and risk will be examined across key components of the tourism system such as airlines, cruise ships, hotels, and through natural and human made disasters.

The Management Research Report is an independent piece of work incorporating research, study and evaluation. It is the culmination of a successful Masters programme. It is underpinned by a taught module on research methods, by support material available online through the Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE), by introductory workshops, and by other taught modules on the programme. Each student is allocated a research report supervisor. The Management Research Report may focus on any aspect of international business justified as relevant for research, and to the student's programme of study. It will adopt a similar structure to that of a dissertation, but with a more applied orientation relevant to business practice.

The module will provide a critical understanding of the strategic applications of marketing and how this can be used to transform the business models of tourism, hospitality and event management firms. Indicative content includes market segmentation, targeting and positioning, The Marketing Mix, Integrated Marketing Communications, Customer Relationship Management, consumer behaviour and their link to digital marketing.

This module considers the theories, models, and practices for strategic leadership implementation, including the leadership of businesses and personnel in the tourism, hospitality, and event management industry. Indicative content on the business side will include focus on different partnerships and business models, such as mergers and acquisitions, entrepreneurship, and small-medium sized enterprises. Indicative content on the personnel side will discuss different leadership style and its influence on other business aspects, such as promoting opportunities and developing organisational culture. Discussions around sustainable management practices and respecting diversity within the workplace will also be considered, using a variety of international case studies to support students' learning.

The module will provide a balanced blend of theories covering the topics of business transformation & innovation and THEM digital technologies. Furthermore, it will explore the transformational and innovation potential of THEM digital technologies paying particularly close attention to their strategic value and potential challenges. Indicative content includes the following, within the context of tourism, hospitality and events: ICT supported-distribution; social media induced democratisation of information; the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence; service design through virtual reality and augmented reality; value creation through ICT and technology adoption and evaluation theories and practices.

This module is designed to enable you to become more confident in the use and limitations of financial information. You will evaluate financial information that help inform decision-making within the tourism and events management industry. The module also explores the financial risks (both domestically and internationally) of certain decisions. Indicative content includes: sources of finance, core numeracy skills, management accounting information and Budgeting, KPI's and basic ratio analysis linked to creating value for shareholders, Corporate Governance, risk, ethics and presenting financial information.

This module provides students with the opportunity to explore the nature and structure of the tourism, hospitality and event (THE) industries whilst developing postgraduate research and employability skills. It is designed to provide students with an insight and understanding into the tourism, hospitality and/or event products within destinations. By considering how THE industries operate, students will analyse current trends within a variety of contexts, including geographical, economic, socio-cultural and global outlook.

Success at university requires a full understanding of institutional expectations as well as the development of key academic skills needed to enable students to fulfil their potential. This module will provide a structured step-by-step guide along the student journey to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to best achieve their goals. Using engaging and interactive content, this module aims to provide students with all the tools and a strong foundation upon which to build successful academic and professional experiences.