The IHU MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management is designed to:

• Enable students to acquire the expertise and develop the skills for the acquisition and application of integrated solutions for the effective management of tourist enterprises in a highly competitive international environment with an emphasis on the management and economic activity of the tourist industry as well as environmental issues related to the tourism sector.
• Develop skills and expertise targeted at effective decision-taking and critical assessment of issues concerning management in the specific sector and also to provide practical orientation related to management and strategic issues in the fast-evolving tourism sector at the national and international level.
• Enable students to acquire the knowledge required for the strategic planning of enterprises and organisations concerning their compliance with environmental legislation; in general teach them how to minimize the environmental impact of their operation on the environment through voluntary activities.
• Enhance students’ self-awareness and self-confidence through the acquisition of knowledge and practical skills in disciplines related to tourism management.
• The terms with the core courses aim to lay solid analytical foundations in all areas related to hospitality and tourism. During the electives period, students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge and specialise in more specific areas, through four courses. A choice of a dissertation or a consulting project concludes the programme.

Tourism | one of the fastest growing industries in the world
The tourism industry is becoming extremely important to most countries’ economic growth. Tourism creates and sustains jobs, brings new business, and contributes to the quality of life, which constitutes the key to development and prosperity. According to the World Tourism Organization, International tourism is expected to increase by 3.3% per year in the period between 2010 and 2030.

Greece | the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism
Steadily and traditionally recognized as one of the most popular leisure destinations, Greece provides the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism as you can find every type of tourist facility, a rich cultural heritage, some of the most stunning beaches in the world, and impressive mountain ranges. According to SETE, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, and the World Travel &smp; Tourism Council, Greek tourism contributes 16.3% to GDP and is expected to employ nearly 850,000 people by 2024.

Thessaloniki | a World Heritage City with a large student community
Recognized by UNESCO as one of the most important cities in the history of mankind, Thessaloniki combines a fresh, dynamic outlook with a leading international reputation. Home to Greece’s largest student population, Thessaloniki qualifies as a student and cultural metropolis. Built between the sea and the mountain, Thessaloniki has been at the crossroads of many different cultures, constituting a truly cosmopolitan city in South-East Europe. The growth and diversity of the tourism industry has driven companies and organisations to seek out and hire skilled, dynamic, flexible and international-oriented managers.

The programme is designed for those who are aiming for a career in travel, tourism or related industries. The programme supports students and professionals who aim for careers in:

• Tourism business
• Government agencies
• Museums/Heritage centers
• Travel agencies
• Event management
• Real estate

The Careers Office of the International Hellenic University provides students with focused events, access to career information, vacancy information, career fairs, Erasmus opportunities and internships.

The core courses ensure that you acquire knowledge of practical concepts and attain skills directly relevant to your career aspirations.

First Year

• Tourism Management
• Hospitality & Tourism Operating Systems
• Financial Management for Tourism Development
• Services Marketing

Second Year

• Human Resources Management in Tourism
• Social Media and Digital Technologies in Tourism
• Special Interest Tourism
• Tools for Business Analysis

The following list is indicative and continuously updated. Electives may vary from year to year depending on current interest and student demand.

Students choose four courses from the following list according to their interests and their current and future career orientation:

• Tourism Policy Analysis
• Project Financing in Tourism
• Tourism Product Development
• Cultural Heritage Tourism
• Destination and Event Development
• Visitor Attraction Management
• Entrepreneurship in Tourism and Hospitality
• Project Management
• Transportation in Tourism
• Press and Travel Trade Relations
• An elective course from another IHU programme

As part of the MSc programme, students submit an individual project on a subject relating to their studies and career. The topic is chosen by the student with input and advice from a faculty member, who acts as supervisor, working closely with the student. The dissertation is an individual 10,000- word paper of original scientific work, which upon completion is submitted for examination and approval by a three-member committee chaired by the student’s supervisor. 

Consulting project :
http://www.ihu.edu.gr/gateway/expertise/sprojects.html
During the last part of the taught terms, students participate in a consulting project relevant to their interests. In groups, students study an actual problem of a particular tourism firm or organisation. Following analysis of the problem, the students prepare and present concrete and practical solution(s). 

Duration of the programme: 2 years part-time from November to April.Teaching takes place on weekday afternoons.

Workshop: Thessaloniki – City tourism

Entrepreneurship and Alternative Forms of Tourism

Tourism and Education: Young employees facing new challenges

Complaints management for the Food and Beverage Sector

Recruitment Day on campus - Sani Resort & ikos Resorts

Students tour of Macedonia Palace

Students tour of Thessaloniki airport

Cooperation Agreement signed Between TTO and IHU

Cooperation Agreement signed between TCB and IHU

2nd Panhellenic Place Marketing and Place Branding Conference

2nd Tourism Conference

Seminar on Customer Service Complain Handling 05/12/2017

Recruitment Day on campus by SANI IKOS Resorts, 07/12/2017

Thessaloniki Walking Tours: 12/12/2017

Presentation by Ms Efi Koudeli(18/12/2017)

Complaints management for the Food and Beverage Sector, Nikos Peros (20/12/2017)

Students tour of Makedonia Palace Hotel Thessaloniki,24/01/18

Students as volunteers at the 1st Interactive Hospitality Talent Fair, 30/01/18

Students tour of Electra Palace Hotel Thessaloniki, 06/02/18

Thessaloniki Walking Tours

Negotiations in the Tourism Industry

The first edition of the SIGMag has arrived – an initiative by the IHU Students

Applications are open!

Programme Announcement(Greek)

Programme Announcement(English)

Having participated in the IHU’s Career Fair 2016, I am happy that I was offered a job as a Front Office Executive, for the Porto Carras Hotel Resort, after 10 days. I left from the event with the best impressions, satisfied that I had the chance to meet a sufficient number of employers related to my postgraduate studies. For students like me, who didn't have any previous work experience in this sector, it was a relief to have the opportunity to be interviewed by executives from top hotels in Thessaloniki and the Chalkidiki region. The Career Fair 2016 event helped me to contact Porto Carras and have the chance to show my potential during an introductory interview. Moreover, I had the opportunity to extend my networking within the hospitality sector and explore possibilities for future cooperation. For me, the Career Fair served its purpose: I increased my chances for employment and I got hired during my studies something that, otherwise, I would not have achieved.

Dimitris Efthyvoulou
MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management, 2015

As part of the MSc, students will have the opportunity to attend the “Integrating Seminars” Series which include talks by Managers from well-known companies related to hospitality and tourism management issues. Also, students will participate in fieldtrips which include sessions with the Directors of Luxury Hotels and Museums and fascinating guided tours. Graduates will be able to meet face-to-face with employers to discuss internships, as well as full-time and part-time employment opportunities.