International professionals in tourism can make a difference. A difference between profit and loss, between chaos and structure, a difference for tourists as well as locals. The tourist industry at tourism destinations is looking for well educated professionals. In this professional master’s programme you learn to analyse, interpret and apply global developments and translate these into new opportunities.

Tourism has developed into a dynamic and fast growing sector, creating an interdisciplinary field of study and research. The tourism industry offers economic benefits, growth and opportunities for people and businesses in destination areas. At the same time, matching demand - from tourists in the areas of origin - and supply - at the tourism destinations - remains a challenge.

Knowledge of the tourism destination
It is expected that a shift of power will take place from the tour operators in the areas of origin towards the suppliers of tourism products and services at the destination. This requires knowledge and expertise, which is closely interwoven with the destination areas themselves. The Master Tourism Destination Management is designed to contribute to this, focusing on practice, perspectives and policies of tourism management at destinations.

Study at four locations in the world
This programme offers you the opportunity to study at four different locations in the world. This way you will get many intercultural experiences and in-depth knowledge of tourism destinations. Each destination finds itself in a different stage of development. You will carry out research at three different destinations in Australia and South-East Asia. In previous years destinations were: Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Fiji.

The programme is structured into three phases. The first phase in Breda, with a clear emphasis on theory, is considered to be the preparation for the second phase which will take place on three different types of tourism destinations. This second phase has a focus on the tourism practice under different circumstances and you will work in international student research teams. In the final phase, you will write your final thesis in which practice and theory should be brought together and in which is strived towards new insights, theories or generalisations.

Graduates of the Master Tourism Destination Management qualify for international policy and advisory positions, international management positions and research positions.

Graduates of the Master Tourism Destination Management qualify for:

International policy and advisory positions

• international advisory functions related to feasibility analysis of investment projects, business strategy and market penetration or development
• public strategic functions in the field of development and management of (tourism) destination areas
• advisory and management functions in the field of visitor management in urban areas, theme parks and nature reserves
• strategic advisory functions

International management positions

• international (growth related) management functions in internationally operating businesses (like service companies, hotel chains, tour operators, airlines)