USA Launches New Hospitality and Tourism Concentrations

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Posted on April 17, 2024

Joy Crawford

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The University of South Alabama Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the College of Education and Professional Studies is launching two new concentrations, global leadership and events marketing and management, under its bachelor’s degree program.

For those who seek to shape the future of a vibrant and evolving industry, South’s hospitality and tourism concentrations will start in the fall semester of 2024.

“With the new concentrations in global leadership and events marketing and management, our program in Hospitality and Tourism Management is uniquely positioned to provide students with the knowledge and skills that hospitality and tourism employers demand,” said Dr. Angela Barlow, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies. “This will, in turn, lead to successful careers for our students in the fast-growing areas of leisure and hospitality. Whether a student desires to be the operations manager for a cruise line or an event planner for a resort, this program will help them grow as professionals through meaningful experiences provided by our community and industry partners.”

The servant leadership being modeled to South students will help them stand out in an industry that will produce future leaders through innovative business-education partnerships.

“The new concentrations in global leadership and events marketing and management were developed through a robust planning process and were not arbitrary,” said Dr. Khal Nusair, chair of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism and Management. “Over the duration of a three-step planning method, we analyzed hospitality and tourism programs at the state and national levels, sought the feedback of our advisory board and gathered data from industry partners and alumni.”

In the global leadership concentration, students build problem-solving, communication, critical thinking and analytical skills to excel in the global hospitality and tourism industry.

“It’s important to note these specialized programs will strengthen our existing industry ties and develop new partnership opportunities with stakeholders from the hospitality and tourism industry,” Nusair said. “Thanks to hospitality and tourism industry partners’ guidance and support during the program restructuring efforts, the program has been positively transformed. This couldn’t have been accomplished without their dedication and commitment to our success.”

According to President and CEO of Visit Mobile David Clark, who also serves as president of South’s Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board Executive Committee, the new concentrations will open doors to many career opportunities.

“USA continues to raise the bar with its education and career offerings to help students earn the right to lead,” Clark said. “Adding global leadership and events marketing and management will significantly enhance students’ ability to make a huge impact on their career path and advancement.”

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