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Academic PS Calendar (pdf)

Academic Program Calendar - 2011-2012
Postsecondary Academic Program Calendar - 2011-2012 (ALL)(PDF)
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Hospitality - Tourism and Travel - Adventure and Ecotourism

2-year, Ontario College Diploma Program

Program Info

The Tourism and Travel - Adventure and Ecotourism Diploma is a distinctive hybrid travel and tourism program where students explore the travel trade and the outdoor tourism industry.  The program is designed to provide entry-level and supervisory skills within the 8 tourism industry sectors.

The students will be introduced to the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS) which is used by airlines, hotels, car rentals, railways, travel agents and other travel companies to create and manage reservations.  Through the language of geography, students will learn about different cultures and international travel patterns, and how these destinations are affected by global issues and events.  Emphasis is placed on the business side of tourism, tour operations, travel industry technology and selling techniques. The students will have the opportunity to earn a multitude of Industry Certifications, choosing from a variety of Outdoor Pursuit programs, CITC destination specialist certifications, including Online Flight Attendant training.

A key component of the program is the opportunity for students to experience and acquire ecotourism and outdoor adventure skills.  Students will begin the program with an orientation canoe trip with their fellow classmates and faculty, through the pristine waters of Northwestern Ontario. As an outdoor classroom, students will discover that Northwestern Ontario is a renowned four-season destination which provides a ready-made environment for practical learning.  Effective strategies on development and tourism planning will be introduced to promote sustainable tourism through the application of knowledge of the various tourism industries and their interaction.

Students will also gain valuable experience by completing a mandatory co-operative education component between the first and second year of the program which is designed as a process to integrate their academic studies with a paid work experience related to their field of study.  This will help the student develop professional contacts by networking with business leaders and acquire job knowledge.  Qualified students will also have the opportunity to participate in our Study Abroad programs in the fourth semester of the program.

Employment Opportunities: 

Tourism jobs offer advancement, transferable skills valued throughout the industry, and ongoing professional training. Graduates of our program have obtained employment ranging from front line, supervisory, to managerial positions.  Rewarding career opportunities are limitless and include travel agents, airline customer service agents, flight attendants, tour destination reps/tour guides, cruise line employees, tourist attraction operators, meeting/special events planners, outdoor adventure consultants, heritage interpreters, eco guides and outfitters, government tourism agents, tourism entrepreneurs, and many more.

 

Accreditation

 

The Tourism and Travel – Adventure and Ecotourism Program is endorsed by the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) which is the national association that certifies and designates travel professionals across Canada.  Endorsement is granted when a travel program meets or exceeds the educational standards that are based on the nationally validated occupational standards for travel counselling.  Completion of the program prepares students to write the Knowledge Exam that is part of the certification requirements to become a ‘Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC).  Students that pass the exam receive an Occupational Knowledge Certificate from CITC.

As mandatory licensing is now required in Ontario, students must successfully complete the TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario) examination prior to the co-operative education component of the program.

 

 

Admission Requirements: 
  1. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) preparation levels.
  2. or successful completion of  the Mature Student Assessment
  3. or appropriate credits from Academic and Career Entrance program (ACE).

If you do not meet these admission requirements, we encourage you to consider the College Access or General Arts and Science Certificate or Diploma programs; if you successfully complete one of these programs, you will be eligible to apply to programs in the Business, Hospitality and Media Arts areas.

Articulation Agreements: 

Graduates from this program are eligible to access articulation agreements with the following universities:

  • University of Lethbridge - Alberta

For more information on Articulation Agreements

Departments:

how to apply

Do you have significant & relevant experience?

Ask about Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) - a mechanism to offer credits for learning acquired through study, work, volunteering and other life experiences that are not recognized through formal transfer credit mechanisms.