Design experiences. Lead events. Shape destinations.
Want a career that takes you places?
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (THEM) explores how travel, hospitality and events shape the way people connect with places, culture, and each other. This program blends business, people-centered leadership, service, and operational management, preparing graduates to thrive in global industries that rely on creativity, communication, and strategic thinking.
View Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management B.S. curriculum.
- Combined B.S./M.S. degree option, allowing students to fast-track an advanced degree, reducing overall cost and time
- Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management degrees awarded have surged nearly 50% in the past 5 years, reflecting strong and growing demand for graduates
- Undergraduate students join the workforce with over 600 hours of industry experience to help propel their careers forward
- 170+ paid internship opportunities for Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management students, with $1.4 million paid in intern salaries
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects steady to strong growth across many careers connected to tourism, hospitality, travel, events, and experience-driven industries. As destinations, attractions, hotels, and event organizations continue expanding services and experiences, demand is growing for professionals who can design, manage, and deliver memorable guest experiences.
Students with a B.S. in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management can pursue opportunities across travel, hospitality operations, nonprofits, destination marketing, attractions, events, and experience-based organizations. The percentages below reflect projected national growth rates from 2024 to 2034 according to the BLS.
- Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers: plan programs to generate interest in products or services
- 6% growth (faster than average)
- Entertainment and recreation managers: plan, direct, and coordinate activities and operations related to fitness and leisure
- 8% growth (much faster than average)
- Event and facility managers: plan, coordinate, and oversee conventions, festivals, events, and venue operations
4% growth (as fast as average) - Food service managers: responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages
- 6% growth (faster than average)
- Lodging managers: ensure that guests have a pleasant experience at an accommodations facility. They also plan, direct, or coordinate activities to ensure that the facility is efficient and profitable.
- 3% growth (as fast as average)
- Meeting, convention, and event planners: arrange all aspects of events and professional gatherings
- 5% growth (faster than average)
- Tour and travel guides: lead individuals or groups on excursion to various points of interest, including historical locations, museums, and monuments.
- 8% growth (much faster than average)
As tourism and experience-driven industries continue to expand, organizations are looking for professionals who understand how to create meaningful experiences while managing complex operations. From destinations and attractions to hotels and large-scale events, success requires leaders with specialized knowledge of how these industries function.
As a Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management student, you will learn to:
- Manage hospitality operations, tourism experiences, and events that deliver exceptional guest experiences
- Apply marketing and communication strategies to promote destinations, attractions, and events
- Use data and industry insights to support decision making and organizational strategy
- Navigate operational, legal, and ethical considerations across hospitality and tourism environments
- Understand the economic, cultural, and social impact of tourism and events on communities and destinations
The 12-credit hour internship is the capstone course of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management.
The internship is based on the philosophy that course work and theory, when supplemented with a variety of observations and hands-on work experiences, will provide the student with professional development as well as increase the student’s understanding and appreciation of the profession. Examples of past internship sites include:
- Florida Festival and Events Association
- Four Seasons
- Hyatt Centric Times Square New York
- Island Queen Cruises
- John F. Kennedy Space Center
- The Lodge at Blue Sky
- Orange County Convention Center
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
- UF University Athletic Association
- Universal Studios Resort
- Walt Disney World
Graduates of the Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (THEM) program are making an impact across the travel, hospitality, and experience industries. They contribute to organizations connected to destinations, hotels and resorts, attractions, events, and tourism marketing, helping shape how people travel, gather, and celebrate around the world.
The organizations below reflect the reach and variety of the THEM alumni network. They represent just a sample of the many places where our graduates are helping design and deliver memorable experiences.
- Amazon
- American Airlines
- American Red Cross
- Atlantis Paradise Island | Bahamas Oceanside Resort
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Park Service
- HubSpot, Inc.
- International Spy Museum
- LEGOLAND® New York
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- PGA Tour, Inc.
- Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
- South by Southwest (SXSW)
- SunFest
- Universal Music Group
- The Walt Disney Company
What is a Certificate?
A certificate is a shorter, more specialized program that focuses on a specific industry or skill set, typically 9-12 credit hours. Certificates often provide hands-on, career-focused knowledge and can be a great way to gain expertise in a targeted area without committing to a full minor or major. It can be combined with a major/degree program or pursued as a stand-alone option. A certificate is noted on your official UF transcript.
Why add a Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management Certificate?
Undergraduate certificates are a smart way for students to deepen their expertise, stand out in a competitive job market, and tailor their education to their career goals. Certificates allow you to build focused, industry‑relevant skills without committing to a second major—making them an efficient, high‑impact addition to your degree. They’re designed to complement any major and help you graduate with a clearer professional direction and a more versatile skill set.
- Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management Undergraduate Certificate: gain specialized knowledge and practice in areas such as artificial intelligence trends, analytic skills, machine learning concepts, technology applications, opportunities and challenges in industries
- Entrepreneurship in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management Undergraduate Certificate: gain specialized knowledge and practice in areas such as starting a new business, joining franchises, working in social enterprises, and working in corporate settings
More Undergraduate Program Options
Looking for something else? Here are additional options.
Career Ready
Undergraduate THEM students join the workforce with over 600 hours of industry experience to help propel their careers forward.
“My professors, classmates, and THEM advisory board have opened my eyes to so many different possibilities within the field. Every day I wake up and get to consider hundreds of different career options from hotel management, wedding/event planning, festival planning, them parks, and even owning my own business.”
– Olivia B., Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management Undergraduate Student
Experiential Learning
Our goal is to expose students to the future of the industry while exposing businesses to the future leaders of it. From in-class event planning to hotel management simulation labs and more, we ensure our students have the experiences they need to go amazing places with their career.
Career Opportunities
Students with a B.S. in THEM pursue a wide range of career opportunities including casino manager, catering director, corporate travel manager, event promotion specialist, restaurant manager, tourism planning analyst and so much more.
Internship Experiences
All HHP students will complete an internship as a capstone experience. Examples of past internship sites include Disney College Porgram, Four Seasons Resort of Palm Beach, Island Queen Cruises, Wilderness of the Smokies and more.
Student Involvement
At UF you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get involved in HHP student organizations, undergraduate research, the University Scholars Program and more.
Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute
At the forefront of groundbreaking research, we focus on tourism management and share our insights with the world. We connect with industry leaders, pushing boundaries with cutting-edge research and creating exciting opportunities for engagement.
Costs & Financial Aid
A variety of types of assistance are available including federal loans, work-study positions, scholarships, fellowships, graduate study research assistantships, full-time and temporary employment, and private sources.
Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management Admission Information
Incoming Freshman
Freshman admissions are administered through the UF Office of Admissions. There’s no separate Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (THEM) application for freshmen. Students transition into THEM once they’ve completed the foundational prerequisites.
If you have recently been accepted as a freshman to UF, congratulations! You will select a major at your Preview session (regardless of what was listed on your UF application). We encourage you to explore the THEM section of our website and attend one of our info sessions at Preview to learn more about the THEM program and HHP.
If you’ve already attended Preview and wish to change your major to THEM or want to connect with an advisor, you can reach out to one of our THEM advisors.
Change of Major to THEM
For a student to be considered as a change of major, the following criteria must be met accordingly:
Lower Division Students
- Minimum UF GPA
- Minimum UT GPA as designated by the Department curriculum
- No deficit points
- Must have the ability to complete all tracking requirements by the required UT term (based on desired major)
- Completion of the Change of Major form
Upper Division Students
- Minimum UF GPA
- Minimum universal tracking (UT) GPA as designated by the Department curriculum
- No deficit points
- Must be able to complete degree within 132 hours or 8 semesters (not including summer) without exceeding the maximum credit hours per semester. (Excludes AP/IB courses not needed for HHP degree program)
- Must have completed 75% of universal tracking courses for desired major
- Must have all writing and math requirements met
- Must have a minimum of 27 hours of General Education requirements met
- Completion of the Change of Major form
Additional Notes:
- Students admitted to UF as transfers are not able to change majors into the College.
- Current HHP students may not change into another HHP major unless they currently meet the major’s criteria.
- Students who were dismissed from a college major cannot change out of HHP and then be accepted back into the College as a change of major.
THEM Transfer Students
Review the transfer admission requirements for Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management.
For application information, transfer students should refer to the admission as a transfer section of the UF Undergraduate Catalog. Within space and fiscal limitations, applicants from other institutions who have satisfied minimum requirements will be considered for admission at the junior level.
Add a THEM Certificate
If you’d like to apply for an undergraduate certificate, visit UF admissions.
Meet our Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management Advisor
Contact Us
Administration and Advising
For questions about our program or your academic career, send us an email: THEMundergrad@hhp.ufl.edu.
Rachel JC Fu, Ph.D. CHE, Chair and Professor: racheljuichifu@ufl.edu
Mailing Address
University of Florida
Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management
PO Box 118209
Gainesville, FL 32611
Phone: (352) 294-1661
Fax: (352) 846-6627