COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) program at VIU offers two distinct options for students starting in Year 1: Recreation and Sport Management or Tourism Studies. Both options provide foundational courses such as marketing, risk management, event planning, and diversity and inclusion, along with co-operative education placements that offer practical work experience during the summer. Students in Recreation and Sport Management focus on areas like program planning, recreation administration, sustainability, and leisure across the lifespan, while Tourism Studies students study visitor behavior, tourism management principles, market research, and event planning. Students who have completed relevant diplomas can enter directly into Year 3, where advanced courses cover niche tourism, financial management, human resources, research methods, and experiential product development, paired with general electives and additional co-op or internship opportunities. Year 4 deepens leadership skills through courses in entrepreneurship, strategic leadership, leisure planning, project management, tourism marketing, and professional practice issues. The program also offers a Major in Recreation Management, ideal for students aiming to work in recreation service delivery within public or non-profit sectors. This major emphasizes recreation governance, leisure behavior, leisure education, and administration, with courses focusing on leisure innovation, data analysis, governance, and outdoor recreation administration. Overall, the BTM program equips students with a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and work experience for diverse careers in tourism and recreation management.