Providing global opportunities.
With the growth of tourism in New Zealand and internationally, the tourism industry worldwide is seeking graduates who are multilingual and who have an understanding of the cultural needs of their guests.
The Tourism, Languages and Cultures major subject offers students an opportunity to gain skills to work with people from other cultures in tourism and related business settings, by providing the necessary language literacy and cultural understanding, and cross-cultural perspectives, while also acquiring a solid grounding in tourism management.
What languages/cultures can you study?
You can choose to study one or more of the following languages/cultures: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, or Māori. Students have the choice of a range of tourism papers, and can for example, include events or accommodation management, or ecotourism, among other papers. There is also space within this major for students to complement their chosen language/culture specialty with other appropriate humanities or business papers.
Background required
Students do not require any particular background to enrol in this subject, and do not need to have studied a language previously. Those students who have existing language skills will be assessed and placed in classes at an appropriate level.
Why study Tourism, Languages and Cultures?
This major subject provides you with a unique opportunity to gain cross-cultural perspectives while also acquiring a solid grounding in tourism management.
In addition:
- The tourism industry is an exciting sector to work in
- Employers in this industry are looking for multilingual employees with a good knowledge of the tourism industry
- Employment opportunities are extremely broad, whether in New Zealand or overseas
- The New Zealand tourism industry is predicting that larger numbers of additional workers will be required in the future (NZIER predict an additional 36,000 workers being needed by 2025)
- We operate in a world of increasing global connectivity and the ability to be culturally/globally proficient and to speak a second language is a step towards becoming a “global citizen”
Teaching style
Papers will be taught using a combination of lectures, tutorials and directed readings. Language classes are often small and personalised attention can be given to students.
Student exchange and internships
Students will have the opportunity to attend an overseas institution for one or two semesters. Students only pay New Zealand fees and can complete the qualification in the usual three-year timeframe. The minimum grade for students to apply for exchange opportunities is a B average.
Students may also have the opportunity to gain practical experience in a workplace through internship opportunities. Ask one of the Programme Advisers below about possible internship options.
Career opportunities
Graduates will have a wide range of career opportunities in tourism roles in both the public and private sectors nationally and internationally.
Graduates in the public sector may predominantly be employed by national and regional tourism organisations (e.g. Tourism New Zealand, Destination Queenstown, Tourism Auckland, China’s National Tourism Agency, Tourism Australia).
Private sector employers are numerous, but may include a wide range of tourism accommodation, activity, transport and tourism infrastructure operators, from the approximately 20,000 tourism-related small to medium sized enterprises in New Zealand to the larger domestic companies (e.g. Air New Zealand, Tourism Holdings Ltd, Real Journeys, Auckland Airport Ltd, Ngai Tahu Tourism) and multinational employers such as Accor or the Hilton hotel group, and China Travel Service.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification page.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Tourism, Languages and Cultures
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | TOUR 101 Introduction to Tourism TOUR 102 Global Tourism | 18 18 |
| 200-level | TOUR 217 Tourist Behaviour TOUR 218 Tourism and Hospitality Enterprise Management TOUR 219 Destination Management | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | 36 | |
| Plus | 234 further points comprising:
Notes: At least 90 of these 234 points must be at 200-level or above. | 234 |
| Total | 360 |
Key information for students
Contact us
Email tourism@otago.ac.nz or languages@otago.ac.nz
Languages and Cultures component
Associate Professor Cecilia Novero
Dr Tangiwai Rewi
Tourism component
Dr Brent Lovelock
