Description

The Tourism and Recreation programme is popular due to the career development prospects it offers its graduates. A career in the tourism and recreation industry combines an interesting occupation with personal development. It also means responsibility for people who decide to use the services of a travel agency, hotel, restaurant, fitness club or congress organizer and who expect professional organization and satisfaction from cooperation and provided services.

The Tourism and Recreation (Bachelor’s level) programme at Vistula School of Hospitality (formerly Warsaw School of Tourism and Hospitality Management) is an ideal choice for those who want to work in a dynamic environment. Communication skills are key here, as are foreign language skills, organizational skills, and entrepreneurship. It is also perfect for those candidates who are creative like to travel to see the world, meet new people, and want to find out how to provide customers with unforgettable experiences. What really counts here are good communication skills, knowledge of foreign languages, organizational skills and entrepreneurship.

The aim of the studies is to provide practical knowledge and the skills necessary, within the activities of enterprises in the broadly understood tourism industry. You will also acquire the necessary knowledge in the fields of marketing, law, human resources management, and other areas relevant to work in tourism, hospitality, and recreation. In addition, you will get acquainted with the latest information technologies and issues, within the fields of intercultural relations and human impact on the environment. You will complete the theory with practice. Check the section “Professional internships”, and discover what career opportunities are waiting for you during your studies!

About The Programme :

The curriculum of the Tourism and Recreation programme at the Bachelor’s level has been designed to best teach you practical knowledge and skills. This means that, in addition to lectures, you can expect many practical sessions. These include seminars, workshops, as well as strategy and simulation games. Our teaching and research faculty is comprised of outstanding experts, known practitioners, and reputable academics. It is thanks to them, that we can offer you an interesting curriculum, tailored to the needs of the tourism market, and you are able to gain invaluable knowledge and practical skills, starting from the very first semester.

You will learn how to plan, organise, and co-ordinate activities in a tourism and recreation company, hotel, restaurant,  travel agency, or resort. The curriculum also includes foreign languages courses (B2 level, according to the Common European Framework).

 Internship:

Studying at Vistula School of Hospitality (formerly Warsaw School of Tourism and Hospitality Management), you will be expected to undergo internships. They will enable you to gain professional experience. Internships are planned for the second year of studies and their duration is up to 6 months.

You will do your internships at our business partners’ organisations, as well as at a number of other companies, whose activities converge with the curriculum and your chosen specialization, in addition, to enabling you to perform tasks required by your internship syllabus.

It is important to note that the internship can be done in two parts.
The complete syllabus, which includes, among others, the tasks that must be performed during the internship, along with the relevant documents and description of how the tasks were performed, is available in the “Internship” section. Hold on, though, there is more! During your studies, you will be able to participate in training camps for qualified tourism in the “Mazur” tourist resort at Święcajty lake (see the “Summer and Winter camps” section for more information). You will also be able to utilise the competencies you will gain over the course of your studies, by participating in international conferences organised by our Business Tourism Scientific Club “2B”.

FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN DO INTERNSHIPS FOR YOUR SPECIALIZATION:

Hotel management and gastronomy

Our business partner for the hotel and gastronomy specialty is the Polish Hotel Chamber of Commerce representing over 120 hotels, including the Orbis Accor Group. You will be able to complete your internships in the Group’s facilities, various types of restaurants and in-house gastronomy.

Business tourism
The business tourism specialization is taught in collaboration with Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the largest global association of professional meeting organisers. You will hence be able to do your internship in companies which organise major events.

Leisure time tourism
The Polish Chamber of Tourism is a partner of the leisure time tourism specialization. The Chamber is, in fact, the largest organisation within the Polish tourism industry.

Recreation in tourism
The recreation in tourism specialization will take you to recreation clubs, fitness centres, and spa & wellness centres belonging to hotels.

Gastronomy manager
The gastronomy manager specialization offers internships at various restaurants and hotel gastronomic units.

Specialist knowledge
Studying at Vistula School of Hospitality (formerly Warsaw School of Tourism and Hospitality Management) will provide you with the knowledge necessary, to quickly become an expert on tourism and recreation.

List of obligatory classes

• Ecology and Environment
• Introduction to Tourism
• Introduction to Hospitality Industry
• Introduction of Sociology
• Introduction of Recreation
• Tourism Geography
• Law in Tourism and Recreation
• Information Technologies
• English 1
• Professional Language
• Physical Education 1
• H&S (Occupational Health and Safety)
• Library Instruction
• Land Planning and Development of Tourism and Recreation
• Management of Individual Potential
• Quality in Tourism and Hospitality
• Tourism in Practice
• English 2
• Professional Language
• Physical Education 1
• Vocational Training – 3 months
• Economics of Tourism
• Specialisation Courses
• English 3
• Foreign Language 2
• Vocational Training – 3 months
• Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality
• Insurance in Tourism and Hospitality
• Summer Camp
• Recreation in Tourism and Hospitality
• Specialisation Courses
• English 4
• Foreign Language 2
• Touristic and Hospitality Enterprises Finance
• Project
• Specialty Courses
• Diploma Seminar
• English 5
• Foreign Language 2
• Elective Courses
• Intercultural Communication
• Consumer Behaviour in the tourism Market
• Specialisation Courses
• Elective Courses
• Diploma seminar

• Ecology and Environment
• Introduction to Tourism
• Introduction to Hospitality Industry
• Introduction of Sociology
• Introduction of Recreation
• Tourism Geography
• Law in Tourism and Recreation
• Information Technologies
• English 1
• Professional Language
• Physical Education 1
• H&S (Occupational Health and Safety)
• Library Instruction
• Land Planning and Development of Tourism and Recreation
• Management of Individual Potential
• Quality in Tourism and Hospitality
• Tourism in Practice
• English 2
• Professional Language
• Physical Education 1
• Vocational Training – 3 months
• Economics of Tourism
• Specialisation Courses
• English 3
• Foreign Language 2
• Vocational Training – 3 months
• Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality
• Insurance in Tourism and Hospitality
• Summer Camp
• Recreation in Tourism and Hospitality
• Specialisation Courses
• English 4
• Foreign Language 2
• Touristic and Hospitality Enterprises Finance
• Project
• Specialty Courses
• Diploma Seminar
• English 5
• Foreign Language 2
• Elective Courses
• Intercultural Communication
• Consumer Behaviour in the tourism Market
• Specialisation Courses
• Elective Courses
• Diploma seminar

Specializations

Tourism and Recreation at Vistula School of Hospitality (formerly Warsaw School of Tourism and Hospitality Management) enables you to expand your knowledge of one of four specializations tailored to market needs.

SPECIALIZATION: HOTEL AND CATERING BUSINESS 

If you would like to work in hotel facilities, run your own catering business or work in a restaurant – this speciality is just for you. You will get acquainted with the current trends of the tourist market and the latest technological solutions. You will acquire knowledge in the field of hotel business planning and management of hotel and catering facilities. You learn about the operation principles of the whole facilities and of their individual departments, as well about how to ensure safety to guests and employees and successfully develop your business.

List of classes in the hotel and catering business specialization

• Information technologies in hotel and catering business
• Hotel, catering and recreational services
• Economics of hotel and catering establishments
• Operation of reception and booking departments
• Technical and technological equipment for hotels and gastronomy
• Functioning of the floor service
• Revenue management in hotel management and gastronomy
• Domestic and international hotel systems
• Hotel and catering facilities management
• Safety in the hospitality industry
• Etiquette in the hospitality industry
• Trends in the hospitality and food industry business

SPECIALIZATION: BUSINESS TOURISM

This specialization is the answer to the needs of the rapidly-developing business tourism sector. By choosing this specialization, you will learn how to professionally organise business trips, congresses, conferences, incentive tours, and company picnics. You will be able to independently plan business events, such as fairs, study tours, study presses, or corporate events. This specialization will also enable you to join Meeting Professional International (MPI). Once a member, you will be able to participate in international conferences in places, such as London, Copenhagen, Davos, Dusseldorf, or Barcelona.

List of classes in the business tourism specialization

• Economics of Tourism Enterprises
• Transport in tourism
• The Meetings industry
• New technologies in the meetings’ industry
• International organisations in the meetings industry
• Event venues
• Sports events and team building
• Event Scenography and Direction
• Corporate events
• Media in the meetings industry
• Incentive travel
• Trends in the meetings industry

SPECIALIZATION: LEISURE TOURISM

This specialization will show you what a trip full of attractions actually means. You will learn how to creatively collaborate with an artistic collective, or improvise in unexpected situations. You will learn about the culture and history of various places around the world. You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary, to achieve professional success as an organiser.

List of classes in the leisure tourism specialization

• Economics of Tourism Enterprises
• Transport in tourism
• Creating tourist offerings
• Information and  reservation systems in tourism
• Leisure tourism market segmentation
• Children and Youth Tourism and Recreational Operations
• Medical Tourism, Spa and Wellness Operations
• Activity Tourism Operations
• Leisure Tourism Promotion
• Passenger Service
• Tourist Guidance and Escorting

SPECIALIZATION: RECREATION IN TOURISM

If you would like to work at a sports club, fitness centre, wellness & spa facility of a hotel, or operate your own similar establishment, this specialization is for you. You will learn how to plan, organise, and co-ordinate sports and recreation activities, and manage sports and recreation events, including risk management. You will know how to communicate with local authorities, how to collaborate with celebrities, and how to manage activities, as part of international festivals.

List of classes in the recreation in tourism specialization

• Physical recreation and sport in the life of the ‘modern man’
• Economics of recreation and sport activities
• Volunteering in recreation and sport
• Organisation of recreation and sport for different social groups
• Pedagogy of Outdoor Recreation
• Animation of leisure time in recreation
• Methodology and safety of conducting recreational activities
• Planning and organisation of recreational events
• Outdoor leisure activities’ adventures
• Recreational, integration, and field games
• Events psychology

THE BEST IN PRACTICE:

The vast array of specializations available, as part of the Tourism and Recreation programme, is sure to prepare you well to work in your chosen field. Our sensible curriculum and additional opportunities for development, such as training camps and conferences, all ensure that you will have the practical skills necessary to start your career.

See for yourself that Vistula School of Hospitality (formerly Warsaw School of Tourism and Hospitality Management) is the best University in practice. Find out the benefits of studying Tourism and Recreation.

BENEFITS OF STUDYING TOURISM AND RECREATION:

Business and tourism
You will be able to become a member of Meeting Professional International, giving you access to international conferences, held in places, such as London and Barcelona. Our experts will teach you how to independently and professionally organise business trips and events – starting from company picnics to international congresses.

Professional organiser
Vistula School of Hospitality (formerly Warsaw School of Tourism and Hospitality Management) offers no less than two specializations, centred around teaching you how to be a great organiser. The programme will show you how to make a fun start, the moment your customers step onto the coach.

A future in hospitality management and gastronomy
You will learn how to operate a hotel and restaurant, and how to ensure that your guests want to come again. You will learn the intricacies of effective tourist resort management. The knowledge you will gain, will enable you to climb the rungs of your professional career ladder, both in Poland and abroad.

• Thinks enterprisingly
• Is able to present opinions, regarding various aspects of professional activity, in the areas of tourism, recreation, hospitality management, and gastronomy.
• Possesses well developed oral presentation skills in Polish and a chosen foreign language, regarding issues related to tourism, recreation, hospitality management, and gastronomy.
• Possesses management abilities, as well as the ability to effectively communicate and negotiate, especially in the context of professional activity in tourism, recreation, hospitality management, and gastronomy.
• Possesses extensive knowledge of select types of structures, institutions, and social relations, and the dependencies between them, in the context of their significance to the development of tourism, recreation, hospitality management, and gastronomy.

Tourism and Recreation graduates can obtain the following certificates:

• Young Event Design Certificate
• Sustainability Manager in Tourism
• MPI Global Training 1

During your studies, you will be able to pursue your interests and expand your knowledge, by participating in additional courses offered by the School:

• tourist guide course
• survival instructor course
• language courses organised by a partner university

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Graduating with a degree in Tourism and Recreation will help you find employment in various interesting places:

• hotels and other accommodation facilities,
• exhibition and conference centres,
• professional congress organisers,
• incentive travel organisers,
• travel agencies,
• airlines,
• event agencies,
• restaurants,
• gastronomy venues,
• city/municipality/county offices – sports and tourism departments
• sports and recreational venues,
• sports stadiums,
• fitness venues,
• wellness and spa venues.

List of our business partners:

• Mea Group
• Hogg Robinson
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts
• MeetingPlanner.pl  
• Z-Factor
• ICP Group S.A
• Academic Sports Association
• ORBIS S.A.
• Mazurkas Travel
• Chamber of Commerce of the Polish Hotel Industry
• Polish Chamber of Tourism
• Hotel Sheraton, Warsaw
• Hotel Bristol, Warsaw – A luxury collection Hotel
• Hotel – The Westin, Warsaw
• The Greek Gourmet Kubiak – Vafidis S.J.
• MPI Poland
• Warsaw Tourism Organisation
• Regent Warsaw Hotel (Cosmar Polska Sp. z o.o.)
• Intour Polska Sp. z o.o.
• Leonardo Hotels, Warsaw
• Carlson Wagonlit Travel
• Association of Marketing Communication SAR
• EL PADRE Sp. Z o. o.

Tourism and Recreation graduate qualifications

The graduate of the first degree studies in the field of Tourism and Recreation of Vistula School of Hospitality (formerly Warsaw School of Tourism and Hospitality Management) is awarded a Bachelor’s Degree. The first degree studies have a practical education profile. They prepare students for work in tourism, hospitality, catering and recreation enterprises as well as in institutions dealing with broadly understood tourism and recreation. The graduate is also prepared to run his/her own business in this area – in line with the selected specialty of study.

Qualifications of the graduate of the first degree studies in the field of Tourism and Recreation correspond with the sixth level of the Polish Qualification Framework.

The graduate knows and understands the basic economic, social and organizational
determinants of phenomena related to tourism and recreation as well as selected specific issues in the sectors of tourism and recreation (hospitality industry, catering, organization and services associated with tourism, leisure time animation, business tourism as well as meeting organization).

The graduate understands the relationships that take place in the tourist economy, i.e. the
local, national and international conditionings of professional activity in tourism and recreation as well as the most important development trends in that area.

The graduate knows the general principles of creating and developing forms of individual
entrepreneurship, taking into account the specifics of tourism and recreation. He/she has the basic knowledge necessary to run his/her own business in the area of tourist, hospitality, catering and recreation industries.

The graduate is able to use his/her knowledge to solve problems related to the work
activities in tourism and recreation, monitor changes in the socio-economic environment and take them into account when planning long-term activities on the market.

The graduate has managerial, organizational and marketing skills, is able to analyze the
tourist market and recognize consumer needs and preferences, as well as to develop an effective strategy for the operation of entities in the tourism sector. He/she can think creatively using the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge, moreover, he/she can adapt to changing conditions.

The graduate can make quick decisions and solve work related problems.

The graduate can make an effective use of modern methods and technologies, procedures
and tools in his/her professional activities, including information and communication techniques.

The graduate shows a high degree of creativity and is willing to continue updating his/her
skills on a regular basis. The studies enable the graduate to get acquainted with the subject matter required at work in the tourist, hospitality and recreational services sector, including the management of tourist enterprises (e.g. travel agencies, accommodation facilities). The graduate has extensive knowledge in this field, starting from basic concepts, through legal aspects, up to the principles of independentbusiness management.

The graduate has language skills in the field of tourism and recreation, in accordance with
the requirements set for the B2 level of the European System of Description of Language
Education; he/she can communicate with the environment in a foreign language, using professional (industry) vocabulary.

He/she can plan and organize work – individually and in a team. He/she is ready to think
and act in an entrepreneurial way, as well as to manage a team of subordinates, inspiring activities and taking responsibility for their outcomes.

The graduate is prepared to commence the second degree studies.

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counselor to get an accurate price.

Duration: 3 Year(s) | Fees: € 10,500 

Interested in the Bachelor of Tourism and Recreation with SIPT?

Feel free to connect with our experts for a free counselling session,

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an SIPT counsellor to get detailed information.

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