Why Should I Consider Studying a Hospitality and Tourism Course?

A hospitality and tourism course like the BCom in Tourism and Hospitality Management from MANCOSA helps you build the practical, modern skills that employers are looking for, while also opening doors to global career options. 

In this blog, we’ll break down why this field remains a strong career choice, what the industry looks like today, and how the right qualification can set you up for long-term success.

Hospitality and tourism: a stable yet evolving niche

The hospitality and tourism industry continues to be one of the world’s most reliable career fields — even during economic ups and downs. Travel demand has grown strongly over the past few years, showing why hospitality and tourism remains a stable career choice in 2025 and beyond. 

According to Statistics South Africa, global tourism reached 88% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and is expected to fully recover and grow in 2024–2025. This means more jobs in hotels, restaurants, events, travel planning, and customer service.

A consistent career path in a changing economy

Students entering this field today are joining a sector with rising local and international opportunities. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reports that the tourism sector contributed 10% to global GDP in 2024, creating millions of jobs worldwide. 

As travel continues to bounce back, employers are looking for people who can deliver excellent guest experiences, manage bookings, run operations smoothly, and solve problems quickly.

How the hospitality and tourism industry is evolving in the digital age

One of the most significant changes in recent years is the shift toward digital tools. Hotels and tourism businesses now use AI-powered chatbots, online check-ins, smart room technology, and virtual booking systems to improve efficiency. 

Furthermore, at least 83% of travellers prefer using digital tools, mainly phones, to plan or manage their trips.

Because of this, students need strong digital literacy skills. Understanding technology, customer experience management, and data-driven decision-making has become just as crucial as traditional hospitality skills.

Future trends shaping the hospitality and tourism sector in South Africa

The way people travel is changing. Popular future trends include:

• Sustainable tourism (eco-friendly stays, community-based tourism)
• Personalised guest experiences using data and technology
• Digital travel platforms, which make planning and booking easier
• Bleisure travel — where business travellers extend their trips for leisure
  

These future trends shaping the hospitality and tourism sector in South Africa show that students must be adaptable, tech-savvy, and ready to work in a fast-changing environment.

Studying a hospitality and tourism course helps learners build these future-ready skills and prepare for stable, exciting careers in global and local tourism.

10 Reasons to consider studying a hospitality and tourism course 

Choosing a hospitality and tourism course can open many exciting doors — locally, internationally, and online. Here are the top reasons to study a hospitality and tourism course for career growth.

1. Career growth opportunities

A hospitality and tourism qualification teaches you how hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and events work behind the scenes. This helps you build confidence and move up quickly in the industry.

For example, a student starts as a front desk agent at a hotel but, after gaining management skills, becomes a duty manager within two years.

2. Enhanced job prospects

If you want better job opportunities, this field offers them. How a hospitality and tourism qualification improves job opportunities is simple: you gain hands-on skills that employers trust. You also earn a recognised credential, which boosts your CV.

3. International career potential

Curious about why to study hospitality and tourism for international career prospects? It’s because tourism exists everywhere. With the right training, you can work at global hotel chains, cruise ships, theme parks, or event companies across the world.

4. Practical skills for the modern workplace

The skills gained from a hospitality and tourism course for the modern workplace include customer service, digital marketing, teamwork, communication, and leadership. These skills are useful in almost every industry, not just tourism.

5. Diverse career paths

There are many career paths available after completing a hospitality and tourism programme, such as:

• Hotel or lodge manager
• Travel consultant
• Event planner
• Tour operator
• Airline cabin crew
• Guest relations officer
• Sustainable tourism coordinator
  

This makes the field ideal for students who enjoy variety and flexibility.

6. Preparation for global travel jobs

How hospitality and tourism training prepares students for global travel jobs is through exposure to different cultures, international customer service standards, and professional communication skills. You learn how to work with guests from all around the world.

7. Digital era advantages

One of the biggest advantages of hospitality and tourism studies in the digital era is learning how to use technology confidently. This includes booking systems, social media marketing, digital guest services, and even virtual events — all essential in today’s travel world.

For example, a student trained in digital tools may help a lodge boost bookings by managing online reviews and improving its online presence.

8. High-demand industry

Tourism continues to grow globally, which is why hospitality and tourism remain a high-demand field in 2025/2026. As more people travel again, trained workers are needed in hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel companies, and tourism attractions.

9. Entrepreneurial opportunities

If you dream of running your own business, here’s how studying hospitality and tourism supports entrepreneurship in tourism: it gives you knowledge in customer service, operations, marketing, and management.

Graduates can start businesses like:

• Boutique guesthouses
• Travel agencies
• Tour guide companies
• Event planning services

10. Local advantages in South Africa

There are many benefits of choosing a hospitality and tourism management degree in South Africa. The country has a strong tourism industry, rich culture, wildlife experiences, and a constant demand for skilled professionals. 

Students can gain practical experience in hotels, safari lodges, beaches, adventure tourism hubs, and vibrant city centres.

For example, a student might complete practical training at a Cape Town hotel, then secure a full-time job at a safari lodge in Limpopo.

Benefits of studying a tourism and hospitality course with MANCOSA

MANCOSA offers a Bachelor of Commerce in Hospitality and Tourism Management, a 3-year, NQF Level 7 degree designed specifically for the tourism and hospitality sector.

The degree combines business fundamentals (management, accounting, marketing, business law, human resources) with sector-specific skills relevant to hotels, travel, guest services, and tourism operations. 

Some of the key benefits of choosing MANCOSA include: 

• Flexible online learning
• Cost-effective and accessible
• Strong mix of theory and practical business skills
• Preparation for a wide range of career paths
• Gateway to further study or advanced credentials
• Local relevance for South Africa’s tourism sector

You can view details of the Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management and apply on MANCOSA’s official website.

Hospitality and tourism FAQs

Why should I study a hospitality and tourism course in South Africa?

Studying hospitality and tourism in South Africa is an excellent choice because the country has a strong and fast-growing tourism industry. A course in this field teaches you practical, job-ready skills for hotels, travel companies, event planning, guest services, and eco-tourism. 

You also benefit from the future trends shaping the hospitality and tourism sector in South Africa, including sustainable tourism and digital guest experiences. This makes South African graduates well-prepared for both local and international careers.

Can hospitality and tourism courses be studied online in 2026?

Yes, many respected institutions — including MANCOSA — offer fully online hospitality and tourism programmes. This means students can study from anywhere while still gaining skills needed for the modern workplace. 

Online learning is flexible, affordable, and ideal for students who want to work while studying or live far from a physical campus.

What career opportunities are available after completing a hospitality and tourism programme?

There are many career paths available after completing a hospitality and tourism course, such as hotel manager, tour operator, event planner, travel consultant, guest relations officer, airline service provider, or tourism marketing specialist. Because the tourism sector is global, these opportunities exist both in South Africa and abroad.

Are hospitality and tourism degrees suitable for beginners with no prior experience?

Absolutely. Most programmes are designed for students starting from scratch. They teach core skills like customer service, travel operations, teamwork, digital tools, and communication. 

This makes the courses perfect for beginners, school leavers, or anyone wanting to change careers into a stable and growing industry.

Register for a hospitality and tourism course online

Studying hospitality and tourism is a smart choice for anyone who wants a career with stability, variety, and global opportunities. 

The industry continues to grow, especially in South Africa, and trained professionals are needed in hotels, travel services, events, lodges, and tourism businesses of all kinds. 

With the right qualification, you gain practical skills, digital knowledge, and hands-on experience that make you stand out in a competitive job market.

If you’re ready to take the next step, programmes like MANCOSA’s BCom in Tourism and Hospitality Management can help you turn your passion for travel and service into a meaningful, long-term career.