Expert: Steve Young - 9/20/2008

Question
Hello, I'm currently trying to decide which is the best major that would suite me and I came across with Travel and Tourism Management, that I was thinking to do my associate on, but what I'm also really interested in Marketing as well, and hope to combine both, so I can peruse Marketing and Sales for Travel and Tourism Management. now is that something that can be done or yet even exists in the Hospitality world. Thank you for your help!

Answer
If you would like a career in hotel marketing.....you have to start at the sales manager level and work your way up.  At least, after 25 years of experience in the business, that is what I have seen.

The path is something like....sales manager, director of sales, and then director of sales and marketing, then you could move on to a marketing position for a hotel company and oversee multiple hotels.

To start at the hotel sales manager level, the quickest route is using a on-line certificate program at www.aprinda.com or www.ahla.com  After using the aprinda program, you should be able to find a career even without a hotel degree.  Or you could work at a front desk while you are in college and gain some hotel experience that may or may not lead you to a hotel sales and catering position.

Hope this helps