About study program

Master’s Degree Program in Hotel and Tourism Management ensures the highest level of specialization in the complex hotel and tourism sector, following the most successful business practices in the world, hiring top domestic and foreign experts.

Master study created in cooperation with employers

Do you want to continue developing your potential according to your own preferences? Would you like to gain strategic management skills in the field of hotel and tourism management?
The Master’s Degree Program in Hotel and Tourism Management is the first course oriented to the international tourism market with an emphasis on acquiring practical knowledge and skills applicable anywhere in the world. Students earn the right to practice in prestigious hotels, tourism companies and organizations, restaurants and have the opportunity to acquire knowledge that gives them a comparative advantage in the labor market.

Fostering creativity, modern management approaches and thinking “outside the box” are becoming the imperative in business. With a master’s degree program, we have combined the highest level of theory and practice at the highest level.
What we offer is a different study of hotel and tourism. We believe that each individual is specific in their abilities and potentials. Through an individualized approach to learning, flexibility and practical work, we connect the learning experience and develop the potential of our students while respecting their personal affinities.

It is designed as a continuation of the undergraduate professional study of International Management in Hotel Management and Tourism, but also as a continuation of education for all those who have completed studies in other fields who want to gain professional knowledge in the field of hotel and tourism management through specialization in three study areas: Hotel Management and Management of Destination Organizations (DMO) and Companies (DMC) and Gastronomy.

A prerequisite for a successful career in the hotel and tourism industry is an adequate education that, in times of dynamic market changes, requires a special approach. Aspira University of Applied Sciences creates study programs in collaboration with employers, ensuring that knowledge is always delivered in accordance with current trends and through practical examples.

Who is this study for

The Master’s Degree Program in Hotel and Tourism Management is intended for professionals who already work in tourism and wish to advance their careers, but also for those who wish to specialize in management functions in the hotel, hospitality and tourism industry and to have a successful career in this industry.

Tourism is without any doubt one of the most promising industries in the world, and for many countries it is an important export product as well as an employment generator. Nowadays, tourism is a social and economic fact which is an indispensable part of modern civilization in the international community. Tourism is one of the general characteristics of the times we live in.
Top management has a special role in the development of the hotel, catering and tourism industry and in raising their quality, which is particularly insufficient, and the development and raising of the hotel and tourism quality depends on them. The lack of the mentioned personnel is testified by numerous employers, with whom the study program of Hotel and Tourism Management was created, in order to boost competences that meet their needs.

Education objective

Educational objectives of this study program is to acquire the competencies of managing the systems of higher complexity in top management jobs and the possibility of continuing higher education in postgraduate studies in accordance with the Bologna Declaration.

Also, the aim of education is to qualitatively improve the tourism product based on the acquired knowledge and skills based on the comparative advantages of a certain local community, while affirming its own culture, tradition and lifestyle.

Students choose one of three possible study specializations: Hotel Management and Management of Destination Organizations (DMO) and Companies (DMC) and Gastronomy.

By completing a Specialist Master’s Degree in Hotel and Tourism Management, students acquire theoretical, methodological and applied knowledge in the field of hotel management, hospitality and tourism, management, marketing, law, finance, communications … Students also acquire tools and methods by which they can permanently seek new knowledge and train skills even after completing specialist professional studies. They are given the opportunity to acquire the highest level of expertise to acquire skills and competences focused on the chosen activity. The systematic structure of the program contents of the main subject groups defines general and specific competences.

General competences relate to enhancing communication skills and managerial views on management and problem solving, market research, marketing knowledge, quality system analysis and the importance of analyzing security aspects in all tourism organizations, analyzing legal aspects of tourism organizations, etc. While specific competencies are based on high-level expertise and professional qualifications in the areas of hotel management, tourism destination and company management, or gastronomy management, depending on the area of interest.

Students will be trained to perform management and specialist jobs in: hotels, destination management companies (DMCs) and organizations (DMOs), associations, tourism associations, tourism departments of city governments, tourism departments of counties, tourism departments of the Ministry of Tourism, business systems, event management companies, marketing agencies, marketing communications agencies, marketing management departments, consulting companies, catering facilities…

Students of the study program of Gastronomy have possibility to work as: manager of food and beverage department, restaurant or hotel chef, manager of catering establishment, gastro fair organizer, catering manager, banquet manager, menu creator, brand manager in gastronomy, marketing manager in gastronomy, critic for gastronomy magazines, food critic, food-beverage pairing specialist, cook, culinary school teacher, sommelier, food quality manager, HR manager in gastronomy, expert in making business plans for catering establishments…

Duration of study

The professional title that the student gains after completing the graduate specialist study program of Hotel and Tourism Management in Tourism is:

Professional Master in Hotel and Tourism Management

(P.M. in Hotel and Tourism Mgmt)

The study lasts for 2 years (4 semesters) and is performed as full-time and part-time. There are three specializations of professional study: Hotel Management and Management of Destination Organizations (DMO) and Companies (DMC) and Gastronomy.

Upon completion of the specialist diploma (master) study of Hotel and Tourism Management, according to the provisions of the Bologna Process, at least 120 ECTS credits and the professional title are awarded:

Professional Master in Hotel and Tourism Management (P.M. in Hotel and Tourism Mgmt)

Study learning outcomes

The anticipated learning outcomes gained through the completion of a Specialist Master’s Degree in Hotel and Tourism Management will allow students to be able to:

• Predict contemporary tendencies of world integration processes in the hotel industry, booking agencies and other tourism complementary activities
• Manage the organization in hotel, hospitality and tourism industry based on business analysis
• Organize a quality system within the tourism organization
• Analyze current trends in the global market in order to create an integrated marketing plan
• Apply international corporate law in the functioning of a tourism organization
• Integrate foreign language into everyday business communication in all segments of the tourism industry
• Analyze the financial results of the business as a key basis for making strategic decisions
• Choose pricing methods depending on market fluctuations
• Create a specific tourism product according to a competitive advantage analysis
• Evaluate the safety standards of a certain tourist destination
• Appraise the material and non-material heritage for the purpose of forming a tourist offer
• Manage the project team in the development of a business project in tourism
• Design a suitable model for leadership, motivation and employee development
• Design hotel sales models and reception department procedures to enhance the reception business of the facility
• Create a marketing plan that takes into account modern approaches, both online and offline
• Use information and communication technologies in the global intercultural world
• Shape the supply of a tourist destination based on the resources and demand of guests in order to create a unique tourism experience
• Create a positive destination brand with the aim of creating long-term loyalty
• Evaluate and monitor the sustainability capacity of the space and the sociocultural environment of the destination
• Create contemporary entrepreneurial projects within the hotel and small, medium and family-run businesses
• Design events that create a unique experience and enhance the quality of a certain tourist destination
• Develop a strategy for managing the nautical tourism destination brand
• Create an attractive health and recreational program for the purpose of increasing the overall value of the destination offer
• Manage food and beverage supply and implement the HACCP program in all technological processes with the aim of increasing the economic results of the facility
• Apply traditional local and contemporary world trends when forming oenological and gastronomic offer
• Manage the organization of day-to-day operations in the housekeeping department and the processes of implementation of modern standards in the hotel industry
• Create an innovative gastronomic offer that is market-valued
• Combine different foods and cuisines to improve health
• Appraise ethical standards as an important component of corporate social responsibility

 Merlin e-learning system

E-learning is a process of education, learning and teaching by using information and communication technology, which thereby contributes to the improvement of the quality of that process as well as the quality of education outcomes.

Nowadays, there is an ever-present need and wish to improve quality and availability of different educational programs. Education has become a lifelong process and need, so the concern about the availability and quality refers to the overall lifelong learning cycle. High quality e-learning technology implementation brings a number of advantages to the educational process and enables new, modern and quality education.

E-learning enables adaptation to individual student needs, active participation, up-to-date educational materials, global approach to different educational contents, better communication between students and professors as well as students themselves, team work, better time management, independent student assessment, as well as continuous measuring and monitoring of their progress.

The e-learning system manages educational content and processes. It enables the creation of a virtual environment in which the educational process takes place. It is a complex software which combines the publication of educational materials with tools for assessment of knowledge, communication and administration of participants and their results. Merlin is an e-learning system established as a platform for e-learning application projects, i.e. for the implementation of study courses with the application of e-learning technology. It is based on the open code system Moodle which has been further developed and tailored to the needs of users. Each student at Aspira University of Applied Sciences is included in the e-learning system Merlin.

Course syllabus

SEMESTER 1

ALL MAJORS	COURSE CODE	COURSE	ECTS
	DT-GE11	Global Economy and Tourism	6
	DT-MM12	Marketing management	5
	DT-VV13	Leadership Skills and Communication Management	5
	DT-PR15	International Corporation Law and EU Acquis	4
	DT-EN16	Foreign Language in Tourism I	4
	D-SR17	Professional Workshops I	2
HOTEL MANAGEMENT	DT-UR14	Front-office Management and Guest Relations	4
DMC & DMO	DT-OD14	Destination Sustainable Development	4
GASTRONOMY	DT-TG14	Contemporary Gastronomy Trends	4

 

SEMESTER 2

ALL MAJORS	COURSE CODE	COURSE	ECTS
	DT-OM21	Operation Management	6
	DT-IT22	Market Research in Tourism	6
	DT-MK23	Service Quality Management	5
	DT-EN25	Foreign Language in Tourism  II	4
	D-SR26	Professional Workshops II	2
		Elective course I	4
HOTEL MANAGEMENT	DT-OD23	Housekeeping Department Management	6
DMC & DMO	DT-RI24	Development and Investment Policy in Hospitality and Tourism	6
GASTRONOMY	DT-FB24	Food and Beverage Management in Hospitality	6

 

Elective Courses

	COURSE CODE	COURSE	ECTS
ALL MAJORS	DT-ST27	Safety in Tourism	4
	DT-KT27	Cultural Tourism	4
	DT-EU27	EU Market, Institutions and Projects	4
	DT-BI27	Business Intelligence	4
	DT-KM27	Crisis Management	4

 

SEMESTER 3

ALL MAJORS	COURSE CODE	COURSE	ECTS
	DT-SM33	Strategic Management	6
	DT-MR34	Managerial Accounting	5
	DT-EN35	Foreign Language in Tourism III	4
	D-SR36	Professional Workshops III	2
		Elective Course II	4
HOTEL MANAGEMENT	DT-RM31	Revenue Management	6
	DT-FB32	Food and Beverage Management in Hospitality	6
DMC & DMO	DT-IP31	Innovative Tourist Product Development	6
	DT-MT32	Tourist Destination Marketing	6
GASTRONOMY	DT-PH31	Food Production and Hygiene	6
	DT-ES32	Enology and Sommelier Course	6

Elective Courses

	COURSE CODE	COURSE	ECTS
HOTEL MANAGEMENT	DT-DM37	Digital Marketing	4
	DT-IS37	IT Systems in Hospitality and Tourism	4
	DT-PM37	Busines and MICE Tourism	4
	DT-ZR37	Health and Recreation Tourism	4
	DT-RI24	Developmental and Investment Policy in Hospitality and Tourism	4
DMC & DMO	DT-PM37	Busines and MICE Tourism	4
	DT-PO37	Entrepreneurship in Selective Forms of Tourism	4
	DT-MM37	Event Management	4
	DT-ED37	Experience Economy	4
	DT-NT37	Developmental Policy of Nautical Tourism Destinations	4
	DT-ZR37	Health and Recreation Tourism	4
GASTRONOMY	DT-PZ37	Nutrition and Health	4
	DT-SH37	Food Sociology and Multiculturalism	4
	DT-HG37	Croatian Regional Gastronomy	4
	DT-SP37	Pastry and Bakery	4
	DT-PO37	Entrepreneurship in Selective Forms of Tourism	4

 

SEMESTER 4

ALL MAJORS	COURSE CODE	COURSE	ECTS
	DT-SP41	Internship (full-time students) / Project in Tourism (part-time students)	10
	DT-KM42	Quantitative Methods and Methodology of Research	5
		Graduation Thesis	15

WHY STUDY AT ASPIRA

ACCOMPLISHING INTERNATIONAL CAREER IN TOURISM

A large number of foreign lecturers who have a significant scientific and professional career are involved in the study program and are ready to share their experiences with the students. In addition, through numerous guest lectures, students get familiar with rich examples of everyday practice that can significantly contribute to their future business. Students are offered the option of attending professional practice in numerous world hotels and organizations, thus gaining top practical experience first hand. Knowledge gained at Aspira University of Applied Sciences enables work competitiveness in any of the world’s hotels and organizations.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN WORLD LEADING HOTELS AND TOURIST ORGANIZATIONS

The study puts emphasis on professional practice, which goes through all the years of study. Most of the professional practice (daily, 8 hours, 4 months) is conducted in the last semester of the study, and it is devoted entirely to the acquisition of practical knowledge and skills in hotels or destination management organizations and companies. In this way, students become familiar with their future business and gain significant contacts that can help them in their day-to-day business. Students have the opportunity to choose a number of prestigious international hotels and organizations as a place for conducting a practical part of learning.

TOP INTERNATIONAL LECTURERS

Top international experts in the field of tourism teach on most of the course. Students thus receive contemporary tourist theoretical knowledge. The lecturers are well acquainted with contemporary tourism theory and have specific professional knowledge that they have applied in practice.

POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUING THE STUDY ON PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY IN SWITZERLAND

Aspira has cooperated with the prestigious Swiss hotel management university Hotel Institute Montreux, which allows only to Aspira students to continue their studies and acquire a double diploma (Swiss and American one) under customized conditions. This collaboration confirms the high quality of Aspira study programs, as this foreign university fully recognizes the qualifications acquired on Aspira.

ACQUIRING TWO DIPLOMAS (FINAL DIPLOMA AND DIPLOMA FOR A BRANCH MANAGER)

Each student has the opportunity to acquire two diplomas at the Aspira University of Applied Sciences. The first refers to the bachelor’s degree in international hotel management and tourism, which is acquired after gaining 180 ECTS credits and a thesis defence. The second diploma refers to a course for a Branch Manager, which takes place within the Department of Lifelong Learning at the Aspira University of Applied Sciences. Students can attend the course free of charge and take an exam for Branch Manager, which enables them to open a travel agency. Professional exams are conducted based on the solution of the Ministry of Tourism Class: 334-01 / 13-01 / 50; Reg.: 529-06-13-03 of 2 April 2013.

PARTICIPATE IN NUMEROUS EXPERT WORKSHOPS

Throughout the course, students attend compulsory professional workshops by which they gain practical knowledge in the real workplace. Every successful hotel manager needs to know how to manage all the hotel departments and maximize all resources. Professional workshops include areas such as room management, food and beverage department, reception, sales, but also bartending, sommeliers, cooking, serving … Equally, it is imperative that students learn about the culture of each destination, the destination or hotel security, the history of the destination, storytelling, and workshops directed to determine valid goals, time management, employees, etc.

DRESS CODE ADAPTED TO TOP INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Following the Swiss model of study applied at the Aspira University of Applied Sciences, as well as the advice of numerous hoteliers and tourist organizations, students are dressed in accordance with formal business dress code. In this way, they are immediately acquainted with the standards of their future business.

MEAL SUBSIDIES FOR REGULAR STUDENTS

All students studying at the University College Aspira have subsidised student meals as well as all other rights realised by all other regular students in Croatia. This includes membership in the University Library, teaching materials, right to accommodation at a student home, a seminar for a Branch Manager, individual consultations with teachers, and many other benefits.

Become the first manager of international hotel management in Croatia or the first highly educated manager of DMO and DMC

International Management in Hospitality and Tourism is the first study oriented towards the international tourism market with an emphasis on acquiring practical knowledge and skills applicable anywhere in the world. Students gain the right to practice in prestigious hotels in the world and have the ability to acquire knowledge that has comparative advantage in the labor market.

The study direction of the DMO and DMC is the first graduate (master) study in Croatia that creates staff ready to be the carriers of the transformation process of tourism in Croatia. It is a study whose students will be innovators who will be ready to implement all the goals set by the Croatian Tourism Development Strategy.

Professional workshops are a form of approaching students through practical work and lectures by expert mentors  to real segments of business. Professional workshops are selected depending on the desired course of study. Thus, in the first semester, the student chooses in which direction he / she wants to profile and, in accordance with the chosen direction, attends a specialized Professional Workshop I. In the second semester, students through Professional Workshops II analyze in more detail the selected issues specialized in the study specialization, while in the third semester, through the Professional workshops III, elaborate on the business issues specific to their study specialization. Through professional workshops of Hotel Management I, II and III, students analyze all business processes within the hotel, while through expert workshops related to Destination Management, students analyze the destinations, ways of engagement in more detail through lectures of real-world experts and practical workshops and fieldwork all agents in the destination and the creation of a unique tourism product. Likewise, through professional gastronomy workshops, students have the option of practicing in a culinary practicum for the very first year, thus gaining the practical culinary skills they need as specialized managers in gastronomy.

Business tourism project, in accordance with the study program of the specialist graduate professional study of Hospitality and Tourism Management is the final synthesis of all the acquired competences during the course of the study program. The professional project is made by part-time students who are employed, under the supervision of a lecturer or assistant after passing all the exams in the previous semesters of the study and is the basis for the Graduation Thesis. After successfully implementing a professional business project with the support and supervision of the mentor, students will know and master each phase of selected entrepreneurial business activities in tourism and hospitality; from the entrepreneurial idea, its elaboration through an appropriate project, the way of funding, the calculation of expected revenues and costs to the final technological performance, with the projection of market placements and the assessment of the finite economic and social effects of this entrepreneurial enterprise that would justify investments. The projects are the synthetic forms of professional education of students prove the total competences acquired by the study by completing the project as the synthesis of all individual competences acquired.

Internship is mandatory for all full-time students, and the way of execution is defined by a special rulebook. It is being conducted in hotel, catering and tourism companies and institutions as well as other public or private work organizations engaged in activities related to the corresponding study program of Hospitality and Tourism Management in a time period of 450 hours during the 4^th semester. Completed Internship is a prerequisite for taking the final exam. Internship is carried out in the Republic of Croatia and abroad; in hotels, organizations, tourist offices, agencies with which the Aspira University of Applied Sciences has signed a cooperation agreement. During the internship, students will be familiar with the specifics of administrative, managerial and other organizations’ activities, depending on the specifics of the organization they practice in, to be directly involved in everyday activities and work issues. The specific situations in which the organization is involved are elaborated through graduation thesis, as internship is directly related to it. This way internship, graduation thesis, students and real-sector experts are interrelated. The basic aims of internship are: to connect acquired theoretical knowledge with professional experiences, to acquire additional skills in the field of management in hotel and tourism and other fields of business of tourist and other organizations in which the practice is performed, finding the topic for graduate work and obtaining possible recommendations for future employment of graduate students.

Graduation thesis is done by the student after the defense of the Business Project and on the basis of the results of the project, ie after the completion of Internship. In a graduation thesis, a student under the supervision of a mentor (a teacher in a scientific or teaching profession) broadens the issues of management of the segment of business activity that he has dealt with in detail in the Professional Business Project, or in which he has participated during the Internship. As the graduation thesis for specialist graduate study of Hospitality and Tourism Management is related to highly specialized professional education, it should reflect the overall general and specialized acquired competency of the student. The design of the graduate work itself is related to the internship because the students as a topic of graduate thesis take a concrete case from the company where they have done the internship. The Board for Graduation Thesis Defense is comprised of a representative of the economy, from the organization in which the student has done the internship and who gave the student the task – the problem of the organization that needs to be resolved through the graduate thesis.