The Growing Relevance of an MBA in Travel and Tourism in India
The tourism industry is currently one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, and there’s a high demand for skilled professionals who can navigate its complexities. Thanks to the growing tourism industry, many educational institutions in India have started offering curated MBAs in travel and tourism. The Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur offers a travel and tourism MBA course designed to cultivate essential executive skills and strategic thinking, equipping you with the competencies to excel in travel management and consultancy. By the end of this blog, you can make a well-informed decision to take up a specialised course in travel and tourism.
What are the unique course offerings?
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The MBA Tourism Management Programme
The distinctive MBA in tourism is a comprehensive, two-year residency program. Each academic year is divided into three trimesters. The course details are as follows:
| Year | Curriculum |
| Year 1 | Core Courses: Comprehensive exploration of fundamental management theories and practices across various functional domains. |
| Summer Internship | Practical Experience: Six to eight-week internship focused on tourism and related projects, applying first-year knowledge to real-world tourist initiatives. |
| Year 2 | Core and Elective Courses: Students are offered core and elective courses specific to their sectors, allowing them to specialise in their areas of interest and preparing them for the global tourism industry. |
Students can select the elective courses only if they fulfil the program’s minimum credit requirements. The electives offer subjects such as:
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Tourist Behavior and Cross-Cultural Management
This course explores the psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing tourist behaviour, including how cultural differences impact travel preferences and decision-making. It also covers cross-cultural management strategies for engaging diverse groups of travellers.
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Luxury Management
This elective focuses on managing luxury services in tourism and hospitality. Students learn about the luxury market, customer expectations, brand positioning, service design, and strategies for creating personalised experiences for affluent travellers who visit iconic brands in luxury hospitality, such as the Ritz-Carlton, Aman Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels, and Belmond.
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Tourism Analytics
This course introduces data analysis techniques relevant to tourism and hospitality. Topics include data collection, statistical analysis, market segmentation, and trend forecasting. The curriculum emphasises using data to make business decisions and optimise marketing strategies.
The curriculum strongly emphasises practical business knowledge and management skills in key areas such as entrepreneurship, special interest tourism, airline and airport operations, tourism planning, resources, products, technology, law, analytics, and modern hospitality and travel management.
Notable guest lecturers, including Mr Rakesh Bawa, VP Head of National Sales at SOTC; Mr Aakash Podwal, Founder of Space Aura; and Mr Brijest Modi, CFO of Thomas Cook and Flight Centre, have visited the Institute to share their expertise. They discussed topics such as space tourism, luxury management, the role of financial instruments in tourism development, and the impact of technology on the transformation of the travel industry. These sessions provided students with valuable real-world exposure to the tourism sector.
2. The MBA Tourism and Hospitality Management (MBATHM) Programme
The growing demand for globalisation and an interconnected world, driven by technological advancements, highlights the need for students to gain international exposure. In response to this need, the Indian Institute of Management, Sirmaur, in collaboration with the Mauritius Ministry of Education, has introduced a new MBA program in Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality Management (MBATTHM). This project is a collaboration between the University of Mauritius (UOM) and the University of Technology Mauritius (UTM).
The program offers an internationally focused approach, equipping students with employability skills for entrepreneurial and managerial positions in the global tourism industry through various learning activities. With the international tourism sector expected to grow significantly by 2034, students will benefit greatly from this experience.
Bridging Academia and Industry: The Impact of the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) on Tourism Education
The Industry Advisory Board (IAB) is the dynamic force behind the MBA Tourism Program at IIM Sirmaur. It ensures that the curriculum and teaching methods are not only current but also innovative and industry-focused.
This esteemed board is composed of influential leaders in the tourism and travel sector, including visionaries such as Mr Rajesh Dogra, CXO of Air India and Board Member of AISATS; Mr Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital and Information Officer at IndiGo; Mr Brijesh Modi, President and Chief Financial Officer of Thomas Cook (India) Limited; and Mr Ravi Gosain, Vice President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO).
A Closer Look at MBA Tourism Placement Dynamics
Prominent companies such as EaseMyTrip, Travel Buzz, the Mauritius Tourism Authority, and Cordelia Cruises actively sought to recruit MBA in Tourism students. With 51 students pursuing placements and 26 companies ready to hire in 2023 – 24 placements, the strong ratio of nearly two students per company reinforces a positive outlook for their future careers.
The overall quality of student placements at the Institute is improving, particularly in the lower quartiles, indicating a rise in student calibre. The MBA (Tourism and Hospitality Management) program has shown significant growth across all quartiles, especially in Q1 and Q2, as shown in the table below. This improvement highlights students’ dedication and the recovering tourism sector’s increased demand for skilled professionals. Looking ahead, anticipated changes in market conditions suggest a substantial salary package rise for IIM Sirmaur graduates.
Quartile Wise View – Average CTC – MBA TM programme
| Quartile | Year | CTC (INR) | Quartile | Year | CTC (INR) |
| 1 | 2024 | 10,53,843 | 1 | 2023 | 9,85,000 |
| 2 | 2024 | 11,75,003 | 2 | 2023 | 10,34,555 |
| 3 | 2024 | 13,47,727 | 3 | 2023 | 11,91,372 |
| 4 | 2024 | 17,80,318 | 4 | 2023 | 13,93,000 |
Source: IIM Sirmaur, Beyond Placements Final Report AY 2023-24
We have an interesting observation about narrowing the gender gap in placement outcomes. There has been a significant reduction in the gap between male and female participants, with female candidates experiencing improved market acceptance and more competitive compensation packages. Female MBA students specialising in Tourism and Hospitality Management for the MBA in tourism program at IIM Sirmaur have outperformed their male counterparts, demonstrating greater gender equity in placement opportunities.
Genderwise CTC Comparison
| Gender | Year | CTC | Gender | Year | CTC |
| Female | 2024 | 13,16,619 | Male | 2024 | 13,87,301 |
| Female | 2023 | 11,65,325 | Male | 2023 | 13,87,301 |
| Female | 2022 | 10,39,524 | Male | 2022 | 10,90,735 |
Source: IIM Sirmaur, Beyond Placements Final Report AY 2023-24
Global Employment Trends in the Travel and Tourism Sector
According to the World Tourism Council’s 2023 report, the tourism sector significantly contributes to the global economy, accounting for 9.1% of global GDP. It plays a crucial role as a major employer, particularly in some of the world’s most impoverished regions. As we look ahead to 2024, the employment outlook remains promising, with encouraging projections extending to 2034. These trends highlight the positive career opportunities within the international tourism industry, making it an appealing field for current and future professionals. Refer to the table given below.
Tourism Industry: Global Employment Overview
| Year | Number of Jobs (Millions) | Percentage of Total Employment |
| 2023 | 120.812 | 3.70% |
| 2024 (Estimated) | 127.17 | 3.44% |
| 2034 (Projected) | 162.759 | 4.40% |
Source: World Tourism Council Report, 2023
India’s Travel Sector: Strong Domestic Growth in 2023
India’s travel and tourism sector showed a strong recovery in 2023, primarily driven by domestic tourism. The industry has exceeded pre-pandemic levels in economic contribution and employment, with significant growth in spending by domestic visitors. However, international tourism spending remains below 2019 levels. For detailed figures and comparisons, please refer to the table provided below.
India: Travel and Tourism Domestic Trend
| Metric | 2023 Value (Trillions) | Change Compared to 2019 |
| Travel & Tourism Contribution to GDP | INR 19.13TN | 10% increase |
| Employment in Travel & Tourism | .043 TN (approx.) | 8% increase |
| Domestic Visitor Spending | INR 14.64TN | 15% increase |
| International Visitor Spending | INR 2.44TN (approx.) | 14% decrease (INR 0.4TN less spent) |
Source: World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Report
With endless possibilities, the tourism industry caters to varied interests, making it an exciting field with ample career opportunities. Technological innovations and digitalisation have paved the way for qualified professionals. The consumer’s evolving travel patterns have also helped the travel industry grow.
Travelling has transformed; it’s not just about summer getaways to well-known spots. Many now set their sights on unique experiences, like chasing the mesmerising Northern Lights. On another front, medical tourism in India is gaining traction, with cutting-edge treatments available at reasonable prices, attracting tourists across the globe. In this dynamic environment, specialisation is more important than ever. If you’re looking to prepare for future tourism, consider applying for an MBA in tourism at IIM Sirmaur.
