This article details the Tourism Management – Cultural and Heritage Tourism program, which includes a beneficial field placement and review of that placement, which allows students to discuss their experiences.

1. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Places You in Growing Industry
Students of Centennial College’s Tourism Management – Cultural and Heritage Tourism
program have two distinct post-graduate options. Firstly, they are prepared to work in this
growing segment of the tourism industry that represents a significant trend sweeping through
the tourism market and caters to special interest travelers, who rank culture and/or heritage
among the top five reasons for travelling. In fact, according to the United Nations Educational
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), cultural and heritage tourism is increasing by
an unprecedented 15 percent per year. As such, students are prepared to work with: Festival
and Events Ontario, Heritage Toronto, Ministry of Tourism and Culture (Ontario), Parks
Canada, municipal governments, museums, major hotel chains and more.
Additionally, those who successfully complete all of this program’s Tourism Management
Courses may take advantage of Centennial College’s educational partnerships. Qualified
graduates may be eligible to participate in articulated programs with selected post-secondary
institutions that allow them to apply academic credit towards further study. The program’s
partners include: Athabasca University, International Hotel Management Institute
(Switzerland), Vancouver Island University, University of New Brunswick and Royal Roads
University (B.C.).
The curriculum in this offering is accredited by UNWTO TedQual. It not only teaches students
about travel experiences that feature indigenous cultures and heritage at destinations and the
culture and heritage-motivated traveler who wants to experience a distinct and authentic
sense of place while connecting with the endemic tapestry of human endeavor but also about
the challenges facing culture and heritage sector managers with the operative requisites
commanded by the tourism industry. This methodology mirrors the convergence of culture,
heritage and tourism. Among specific courses are: Responsible Tourism, Managing Cultural
and Heritage Facilities, Cross-Cultural Behavior in Tourism, Tour Planning and Management,
Festival Management and more.
In addition, because this one of the Tourism Management Programs that prides itself on
offering students extensive practical experience, it includes a field placement during the final
semester. This course provides significant work experience in approved jobs within the
industry, enabling learners to relate classroom theory to the practical world, while adding
another career educational dimension to their career readiness. Field placement enables
students to better understand the dynamics of the industry increase their knowledge of
industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market.
Once students complete their placement, they attend a Field Placement Review course that
enables them to process and analyze the practical experiences gained on their field placement
while providing a forum for the sharing of these experiences with their classmates.
Discussions and interactions allow students insight into different sectors of the hospitality and
tourism industry, different companies within these sectors, and the makeup and operations of
these companies.