2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
E-mail: htmdpt@vt.edu
The undergraduate program in hospitality and tourism management prepares students for leadership positions in hospitality and tourism, one of the world's largest industries. The department, which is ranked as one of the best in the world, seeks to provide students with a balance of industry-focused educational opportunities with directed work experiences. All students will take courses in hospitality, finance, food and beverage operations, tourism management, lodging operations, revenue management, and events. Special emphasis is placed on developing analytical, decision-making, leadership and communications skills. The degree requires an industry field study experience. The department offers two majors: Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) and Event and Experience Management (EEMG); four options: HTM Analytics (HTMA), HTM Services Management (HTMS), HTM Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ENIN), and HTM Sustainability, Ethics, & Advocacy (SEA); and one pathways minor: Event and Experience Management (EEMG).
The curriculum is flexible, allowing students to pursue specific areas of emphasis. Recommended areas include hospitality operations, global tourism experiences, restaurant and food management, meetings and events, and club and resort management. We also offer a dual degree program with Real Estate which prepares students for the field of asset management or hotel brokerage.
The department offers a variety of international programs and study abroad experiences to give students an enhanced understanding of cultural diversity, experience in international business methods, and practical understanding of hotel and restaurant management in other countries. Through industry scholarships and internal fundraising activities, students are able to attend state, regional, and national hospitality and tourism meetings.
The department is strongly committed to the placement of it undergraduate and graduate students. Industry partners participate in on-campus interview sessions. Industry representatives visit the department during fall and spring semesters to interview students for both permanent placement and internships. HTM conducts a career fair each spring semester for companies offering both career and internships opportunities. Major employers recruit HTM graduates at Virginia Tech, including Marriott, Hyatt, Walt Disney World, Hilton, Compass, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, B.F. Saul Hotel Division, Interstate Hotels, Crestline Hotels and Resorts, Cvent, Great American Restaurants, and Panera Bread Company. HTM consistently enjoys one of the top job placement rates on campus for its graduates.
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the Pathways to General Education (see "Academics") and toward the degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Satisfactory progress requirements toward the B.S. in Business can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.
Head: Dr. Zheng "Phil" Xiang Assistant Department Head: Tom Duetsch Director, MSBA-HTM Program: Dr. Kristin Lamoureux Undergraduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Nancy McGehee Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Eojina Kim Professors: M. A. Khan, N.G. McGehee, J.L. Nicolau-Gonzalbez, M. Singal, and Z. Xiang. Collegiate Associate Professor: K. Lamoureux Associate Professors: E. Kim and F. Zach. Assistant Professors: S. Bernard Simpson Professor of Practice: T. Duetsch, S. Feigenbaum, C. Fitch, T. Warner, and D. Yanisko. Visiting Professor: M. Laughon Adjunct Faculty: E. Allen, S. Foster, P. Henderson, A. Hutchinson, M. Minarch, and L. Zwibak.
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