Tourism and hospitality significantly contribute to the nation’s economy. The industry creates job opportunities for Malaysians, uplifts domestic businesses and helps to preserve the rich cultures, traditions and biodiversity of Malaysia.
Workers in these fields are involved in various businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, theme parks and more. Their duties vary according to their roles, but they share the same goal—to ensure customer satisfaction.
Studying a hospitality or tourism degree can provide you with a broad understanding of fundamental principles and best practices in both industries. You may also learn practical skills that can help you communicate with clients and organise events efficiently.
Upon completing your studies, you can explore a diverse range of roles across different tourism and hospitality organisations. Your degree may improve your credibility in the eyes of future employers as you would have solid educational exposure to the industry.
What you will learn in tourism and hospitality courses
Many subjects in tourism management and hotel management courses offer a variety of skills to prepare students for a rewarding career in tourism and hospitality. These are some of the most common subjects:
- Customer relationship management: Explore various strategies used by companies to optimise the process of finding, growing and retaining customers to maximise profits.
- Food and beverage (F&B) management: Learn essential theories and practices of how to operate an F&B outlet. You may learn about developing a restaurant business plan, producing and distributing products and services to customers, and managing restaurant resources.
- Food safety and quality management: Acquire knowledge of quality assurance practices in the food industry. Some topics that may be covered are the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) quality standards, Halal food production and food safety hazards.
- Housekeeping management: Obtain an understanding of how to prepare, manage and review housekeeping operations to achieve maximum guest satisfaction.
- Intercultural communication: Discover how to navigate cultural differences in communication. Topics you may learn about include face and politeness in language, cultural variation in speech acts and the link between discourse and cultural values.
- Tourism marketing: Attain a comprehensive understanding of how marketing plays a major role in the tourism industry. You may learn about management strategies for service businesses, market segmentation and pricing strategies.
- Consumer behaviour: Gain knowledge of how various factors influence consumption-related behaviour in individuals and organisations.
Career opportunities in tourism and hospitality
There are many job opportunities you can consider if you are planning to pursue a career in hospitality or tourism. Here are some careers to consider for your future as a tourism or hospitality professional.
Tour guide
- As a tour guide, you lead tourists to places of interest and give in-depth explanations about the attractions.
- Your duties may involve developing tour itineraries, bringing tourists to historical sites such as museums and galleries, and answering their questions regarding the attractions.
- Average salary: RM2,000 to RM3,000 monthly.
Housekeeping supervisor
- This role involves overseeing the operations of housekeeping employees.
- Your responsibilities may include preparing staff schedules, assigning housekeeping duties and managing inventory.
- Average salary: RM2,300 to RM3,600 monthly.
Travel agent
- Travel agents help clients put together holidays according to their budgets and preferences.
- You also provide advice and assistance with travel documents such as visa requirements.
- Average salary: RM3,000 to RM3,900 monthly.
Event manager
- An event manager organises events, ranging from business summits to social gatherings.
- Your tasks may involve working together with clients to determine event objectives, planning marketing strategies, handling financial matters and ensuring events abide by health and safety regulations.
- Average salary: RM4,500 to RM6,500 monthly.
Front office manager
- A front office manager oversees the front office operations of an establishment.
- You will lead the front office staff and coordinate with other departments such as housekeeping and maintenance to provide excellent customer experience.
- Average salary: RM4,300 to RM 5,500 monthly.
Hotel manager
- A hotel manager ensures that the hotel is running smoothly on a daily basis.
- Some of your responsibilities may include preparing hotel budgets, hiring and training new employees, managing work schedules for employees, communicating with guests and handling their enquiries, and communicating with tradespeople for maintenance matters.
- Average salary: RM4,800 to RM6,300 monthly.
F&B manager
- This position involves supervising the daily operations of a food service establishment.
- You will develop and apply standard operating procedures, ensuring the premises abide by health and safety regulations, and collaborating with chefs to develop menus.
- Average salary: RM4,250 to RM6,750 monthly.
Customer service manager
- In this role, you will oversee a team of customer service associates to achieve customer service metrics.
- You may also create and execute customer service policies to upgrade customer experience.
- Average salary: RM5,250 to RM7,750 monthly.
Top institutions offering tourism and hospitality degrees
Undergraduate level
| University | Programme |
|---|---|
| MAHSA University |
Diploma in Hotel Management
|
| Asia Pacific University (APU) |
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Tourism Management
|
| Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) |
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Tourism Destination Marketing
|
| HELP University |
Bachelor of Business Hospitality Management Honours
|
| UCSI University |
Bachelor of Hospitality Administration
|
| Management & Science University (MSU) |
Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management
|
| Open University Malaysia (OUM) |
Bachelor of Tourism Management with Honours
|
| SEGi University |
Diploma in Tourism Management
|
| Sunway University |
Diploma in Hotel Management
|
| TAR UMT |
Diploma in Tourism Management
|
| Taylor's University |
Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Honours)
|
| Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) |
Bachelor in Tourism Planning and Development (Honours)
|
| University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOW) |
Diploma in International Hotel Management
|
| INTI International University |
Diploma in Hotel Management
|
| Limkokwing University |
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Tourism Management
|
| Curtin University |
Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Tourism and Hospitality)
|
| Quest International University |
Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Honours)
|
| Jesselton College |
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Hotel & Tourism Management
|
| International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) |
Bachelor in Tourism Management (Honours)
|
| Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) |
Bachelor of Science (Hons.) Tourism Management
|
| Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) |
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Tourism) with Honours
|
| University of Melaka (UNIMEL) |
Bachelor in Ecotourism and Recreation (Hons)
|
Postgraduate level
| University | Programme |
|---|---|
| Management & Science University (MSU) |
Master in International Hospitality and Tourism Management
|
| Taylor's University |
Master of Science in Tourism
|
| Lincoln University College |
Master in Tourism Management
|
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) |
Masters of Science in Tourism Development
|
| Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) |
Master in Tourism Management
|
| Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) |
Master in Tourism Management
|
| Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) |
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality and Tourism Management
|
FAQs about tourism and hospitality degrees in Malaysia
- Diploma: Two to three years
- Bachelor’s degree: Three to four years
- Master’s degree: One to two years
- Doctorate: Two to six years
Both courses may share some similar subjects, but hospitality courses cover a broader range of service industries, with subjects like hotel operation management, F&B management, and banqueting and convention management. While tourism falls under hospitality, tourism courses have a narrower focus as they prepare you to manage and promote tourism attractions and activities in your career. You may learn about consumer behaviour, digital marketing and e-tourism.
A degree in tourism or hospitality can open the door to many career opportunities for graduates and working professionals. The qualification shows your expertise and commitment to excel in your role. Some courses also offer industrial training, allowing you to gain real-life experiences and new connections within the industry.
Open University Malaysia (OUM) offers an online degree in tourism management. There are currently no online hospitality degrees from local universities, but you may find e-learning courses in this field from international online course providers.
Discover more about tourism and hospitality degrees
Earning a degree in hospitality or tourism provides you with various career path options. You can work in hotels and resorts, F&B, entertainment and more. Tourism and hospitality courses help you to develop a well-rounded skill set to progress in your career. You can explore a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in tourism and hospitality at the top of this page.