In this program, students will learn all about the industry and develop important skills like critical thinking, leadership, and adaptability. We focus on helping students understand how individuals and groups interact, think critically, and make decisions. This helps them become leaders and entrepreneurs who can make a difference in this ever-changing field.

Students can choose to specialize in Event Management, General Management or Tourism and Hospitality Management based on their interests and career goals.

 If you're passionate about travel, hospitality, or event planning, this program can help you turn that passion into a rewarding career!

Specialization Options

• Event Management: Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to administer and manage commercial and entrepreneurial businesses. This program includes courses in conference and special event planning, promotion, sponsorship, financial and revenue management, and production.
• General: Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a wide array of sectors related to the tourism, hospitality, and event management. This program provides an opportunity to select courses within the department to develop broad content knowledge in both Event Management and Tourism & Hospitality Management.
• Tourism & Hospitality Management: Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to administer and manage destination management organizations, tour operations, public recreation, hospitality enterprises such as hotels, resorts, attractions, and cruises.  This program includes courses in tourism and hospitality marketing, strategic planning and development, lodging operations and revenue management.

Additional Department Program Offerings

Minor in Event Management
Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics in THEM Certificate

Undergraduate THEM students will join the workforce with over 600 hours of industry experience to help propel their careers forward.

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Skills Learned

Students in the THEM program develop a wide range of skills including:

• Expertise in managing destination management organizations, our operations, public recreation, and hospitality enterprises
• Event management, which involves project management, logistics, timelines, and vendor coordination
• The ability to identify issues that impact tourism services
• Knowledge about conference and special event planning, promotion, sponsorship, financial management, and production
• Study of tourism and hospitality marketing, strategic planning, lodging operations, and revenue management

Internships

All HHP students will complete an internship as a capstone experience. Examples of past student internship sites include...

• Conference Technologies, Inc.
• Country Club of Ocala
• Disney College Program
• Doubletree Hilton Miami
• Florida Festival and Events Association
• Four Seasons Resort of Palm Beach
• Hillstone Fine Dining NYC
• Island Queen Cruises
• Jennifer Zabinski Events
• The Lodge at Blue Sky
• Rocky Top Wine Trail
• Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
• Stephen C. O'Connell Center
• UF Athletic Association
• UF Performing Arts
• Wilderness of the Smokies
• The World Equestrian Center

Research in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management

Eric Friedman Tourism Institute (EFTI)

The Eric Friedman Tourism Institute’s goal is to be at the forefront of groundbreaking research focusing on tourism management and sharing their insights with the world. EFTI is focused on connecting with industry leaders, pushing boundaries with cutting-edge research, and creating exciting opportunities for engagement. Their vision is to shape the future of tourism in Florida and the United States.

Faculty Research Interests

Our faculty study a wide range of interests including public recreation, travel and tourism, resort and attractions, and related industries. Some specific areas include...

• Hospitality and Tourism Analytics
• Strategic Management and Marketing
• Sustainable Business and Community Development
• Impacts of Climate Change on Business and Communities
• Consumer/Visitor Behavior Studies
• Social impacts of event sport tourism on communities
• Leisure and travel in retirement
• Tourism and regional economics
• Application of AI in tourism, hospitality, and event services
• Social networks and mass media data mining
• Destination image, branding and positive image-building
• Cultural issues in tourism research
• Brand authenticity
• Marketing and Consumer Behavior