Presentation
Why study for an MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism?
A Master of Science specialising in destination development strategies via tourism will enable you to become an expert in the marketing and development of destinations by means of innovative and sustainable tourism strategies. It offers a combination of advanced academic theory in management, destination marketing, and sustainable tourism, with practical hands-on projects designed to meet the economic, cultural and environmental challenges facing a destination.
An overview of Excelia’s MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism
This MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism offered at Excelia Hotel & Tourism School boasts a unique approach to education by offering a combination of academic excellence, professional projects and company-based immersion. This State-recognised and accredited postgraduate programme will enable you to design and implement tourism development strategies tailored to the needs of a particular destination and the expectations of travellers. With a particular focus on innovation, sustainability, and the marketing of local heritage, this MSc will ensure excellent employability prospects, preparing you for a wide variety of careers in France and around the world including city councils, local and regional authorities, as well as consulting firms and agencies specialising in destination development.
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LanguageFrench
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QualificationMaster (5 years of higher education)
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Location
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Tuition Fees
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In shortDestination Marketing, Tourism Development, Destination Attractiveness
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5 reasons to choose the MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism
Excellent employability prospects in a wide range of professions
With this State-recognised qualification, take up positions such as Tourism Development Consultant, Destination Marketing Manager, Tourist Office Manager or Tourism Coordinator.
Expertise in destination marketing and sustainable development
Learn how to design and implement innovative, sustainable strategies that enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of a destination with this MSc that boasts an RNCP Level 7 professional certification of ‘Tourism Product Manager’.
A school giving new meaning to education
Study at a not-for-profit establishment: Excelia is one of the very few schools to reinvest 100% of tuition fees back into the quality of its programmes and projects. Through our vibrant clubs and associations, we educate students to become professionals who are fully committed to transforming the world.
An innovative and immersive approach to teaching
Acquire valuable key skills in a stimulating learning environment, thanks to our interactive approach to education and innovative technology, including educational metaverses. These advanced tools will improve your ability to anticipate and respond to key trends in the industry.
A work-study track for total professional immersion
Take advantage of a two-year work-study track to develop your professional skills, enabling you to enter the world of work with ease.
Programme structure
Work-study track
Work-study track
Programme content includes…
- Analysis of Destination Development Opportunities
- Development of Destination Marketing Strategies
- Project Management for Tourism Development
- Sustainability in Tourism Policy
- Destination Engineering & Innovation
- Stakeholder Negotiation & Collaboration
- Tourism Performance Monitoring & Assessment
- Leadership & Team Management
- Communication Strategy & Destination Branding
- Adapting to developments in the tourism sector
Companies that already work with our Exceliens
FAQs
- What does the MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism involve?
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The MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism offered at Excelia Hotel & Tourism School is a postgraduate qualification, preparing you to develop and market destinations through innovative, sustainable tourism strategies. The programme combines advanced theory with real-life projects and company immersion to enable you to master the strategic, operational and environmental challenges associated with destination development.
- What are the career opportunities after this MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism?
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With this qualification, you will be able to take up positions such as Destination Marketing Manager, Tourism Development Consultant, Project Director for a local or regional authority, or even Tourist Office Manager. Our graduates are very much in demand for their ability to design effective and sustainable value-added strategies, to deliver innovative projects and to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders in a truly global environment.
- What are the admissions requirements for this MSc specialising in destination development strategies through tourism?
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To join Year 1 of this MSc, you need to have already validated 3 years of higher education and to join Year 2, you need to have already validated 4 years of higher education; in addition, our selection panel must successfully assess your application. We are looking for highly motivated applicants with a genuine interest in the tourism industry and the ability to work as part of a team.
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How are the lessons and projects organised on this MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism?
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Lessons are given by industry professionals and experts, combining theory and practice. You will work on a number of hands-on assignments and consultancy projects for major players in the industry, enabling you to put your skills into practice whilst developing your professional network.
- Will Excelia Hotel & Tourism School help me to secure a work-study placement?
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Once you have been accepted onto the MSc and paid your deposit, you will be able to finalise your enrolment and benefit from a range of tools to help you in your search.
- You will have access to JobTeaser where you can personalise your placement search
- You can make an appointment with the school’s Talent Centre, as part of the support for vocational integration. The team of coaches will help you optimise your CV, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and overall application process.
- You will be able to make use of the school’s database of ‘Who did what / Who went where’ to contact former students and their internship/apprenticeship supervisors.
- You can consult our work-study guide detailing the procedure for securing a placement and can benefit from our Webinars and information-gathering meetings on work-study.
- You will have access to JobTeaser where you can personalise your placement search
- What are the advantages of studying for an MSc at Excelia Hotel & Tourism School?
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By deciding to join this MSc, you will be joining Excelia, a reputable higher education group, renowned for its academic excellence and international accreditations. Excelia Hotel & Tourism School is the first school in France to be recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with Tedqual certification. Excelia is also a member of the Top Hospitality Tourism School association, which brings together the most prestigious schools in the sector, thereby ensuring you are part of an elite tourism industry network. It also means you will be studying at one of the Top 10 schools in France.
Lessons
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Year 1
MSc 1st year Tourism products and projects* -
Description Cours EN
Examples of core courses:
- Sustainable tourism and quality labels
- Intercultural communication and negotiation
- Economic management and financing of tourism projects
Examples of specialization courses :
- Structuring the tourism offer and the value chain
- Tourism product design and innovation
- Marketing, distribution & digital transformation of tourism products
- Awareness-raising Inclusive tourism and social responsibility
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Year 2
MSc 2nd year in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism* -
Description Cours EN
Course examples:
- Destination management, diversification, globalization, sustainability
- Innovation and creativity in tourism
- Territorial branding and destination identity
* Note: Excelia programmes are subject to modification at any time; Excelia cannot be held responsible for any such changes
Experiences
Work-study
Based on our La Rochelle campus, you can benefit from a work-study track in Year 1 and Year 2 (24-month placement) or Year 2 only (12-month placement). This is a perfect opportunity to develop your professional skills in a company and to apply the management theory learned in class.
Support for vocational integration
At Excelia, your professional success is our priority. Through the Talent Centre, you benefit from tailored support: coaching sessions, CV and interview workshops, a platform offering exclusive job opportunities, and networking events with companies.
Whether you're seeking an internship, a work-study placement, or your first job, we equip you with all the tools you need to stand out and secure the best career opportunities.
Consultancy Project
You will have the opportunity of carrying out a consultancy project on behalf of a major player in the industry such as Atout France or Futuroscope. In groups, you will undertake a full analysis of the issue and then present your findings and associated recommendations to a panel made up of managers from the partner company.
Series of lectures
Several times a year, graduates and industry experts visit the school to present and explain the different strategies deployed by players in the sector or to give an overview of a specific profession.
End-of-studies Thesis
Your programme culminates with your end-of-studies thesis, which enables the school to evaluate your ability to identify the issues specific to the industry. This thesis is an opportunity for research on an operational theme and entails carrying out analytical work, assessing your findings and putting forward appropriate recommendations. It is supervised by the school’s research-active Faculty and is a perfect addition to your CV, further boosting your future employability.
Excelia Alumni Network
Joining Excelia means being part of a powerful and supportive network… Excelia Alumni! With over 45,000 graduates across 150 countries, this network is an invaluable resource for furthering your career, broadening your professional opportunities and benefiting from support throughout your professional life. Excelia Alumni offers a variety of services, including networking events, career advice and access to exclusive job offers. This unique and privileged access to professionals from all over the world will help you excel in today’s global and highly competitive environment.
Business Creation Project
In a group, you will work on a business creation project, from concept development to the drafting of a business plan. Throughout the project, you will benefit from the support of a project mentor and business experts in key areas such as law, marketing, business architecture, administration and finance, who will provide you with valuable, professional guidance.
Careers
Why not take our Careers guide! It’s quick and easy to get!
Download the careers guideJob opportunities after studying on the MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism
After this MSc, you will be able to take up strategic posts in destination development and marketing, such as Tourism Development Consultant, Destination Marketing Manager, Project Director for a local authority or even Tourist Office Manager. This study programme will prepare you to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving sector by successfully combining innovation, sustainability and operational management.
Types of careers after studying on Excelia’s MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism
- Tourism Development Consultant: Work alongside local government bodies and other organisations to design and implement innovative tourism development projects.
- Destination Marketing Manager: Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote the attractiveness and competitiveness of a given destination.
- Project Manager for a local or regional authority: Lead tourism and heritage development initiatives in partnership with local and international players.
- Development Agencies, NGOs or private companies: Contribute to sustainable value enhancement projects and to strategy development in order to maximise the impact of tourism in a given destination.
- Tourist Office Manager: Oversee all the different activities of a Tourist Office, from promoting the destination to building and coordinating relationships with local stakeholders.
Skills acquired during the MSc in Destination Development Strategies through Tourism
- Analysis & Assessment of a Destination’s Tourism Potential
- Designing Innovative Destination Marketing Strategies
- Managing Complex Tourism Development Projects
- Integrating Sustainable Practices into Tourism Policy
- Coordination & Negotiation with local and international stakeholders
- Data Analysis for assessing the impact of tourism initiatives
- Destination Communication & Branding
- Leveraging Digital Technology to optimise the management and marketing of a specific area
- Leadership & Management of Multicultural Teams
- Adapting to emerging trends and evolutions in the sector
What career in tourism with a Master of Science in Destionations?
Facts & Figures
of our graduates find a job within 6 months of graduating
secure a job contract before the end of their studies
International
work abroad – the principal countries are United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, India, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia
Sectors they work in:
- 50% in Hospitality and Catering
- 13% in Event Management
- 16% in the Travel Industry
- 11% in Leisure and Entertainment
- 10% in other sectors of Tourism
Tuition Fees
Tuition Fees 2024-2025
Students from within the European Union*
- 12-month Track or 24-month Track: In the case of a contrat de professionnalisation and a contrat d'apprentissage, tuition fees are paid by the host company from the date of signature of the contract.
* 27 European Union members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France and French Overseas Territories, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Students from outside the European Union
- 12-month Track or 24-month Track: In the case of a contrat de professionnalisation and a contrat d'apprentissage, tuition fees are paid by the host company from the date of signature of the contract.
Tuition fees are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next.
In addition to tuition fees, you need to take into account the following costs:
- Multiservice charge (see details below)
- Annual administration costs relating to a double qualification (if applicable)
- Enrolment fees at a partner university in the case of a double qualification (to be paid directly to the partner institution)
Multiservice charge
Fee: €350
Services included in the Multi-service fee:
- Administration and support services
- International mobility insurance-assistance
- Reprographics credit (photocopying, printing)
- Unlimited access to all content on Exceliaprime Edutainment platform
- Personalised support and coaching from our Talent Centre
Financing your studies
Calculate the cost of studying in France
For more information about the cost of studying
Admission
Applications are open to students with a minimum of 3 years of post-High School education or international equivalent.
1 / Online application
Submit your application online and select your programme:
List of supportive documents required : CV and Proof of current academic level (exam certificate/s or letter from current academic establishment etc.)
Admission fee : An admissions fee of €50 is required (to be paid by bank transfer or credit card)
2 / Online video interview
Details of admissions tests
- Online video interview on our online admissions platform (in French or English depending on the chosen programme and track).
- Candidates have 5 days to respond to a series of questions (motivation, academic and professional projects)
Upcoming admissions deadlines
Possibility of taking the admissions test all year long.
3 / Admissions test results released and deposit to be paid
Admissions test results
Candidates will receive notification of their admission or non-admission within 6 days following their interview.
If you are admitted, you must pay the deposit, which will be deducted from your annual tuition fees, before the specified deadline.
Excelia has partnered with Flywire to provide our overseas families with an easier method of sending international fee payments. Flywire offers a best price guarantee when sending the payment by bank transfer, real-time payment tracking and 24x7 multilingual customer support.
4 / Administrative assistance
Confirmation of enrolment
You will receive confirmation of pre-enrolment as well as confirmation of accommodation which are necessary for your student visa application.
Click here for administrative assistance
5 / Proof of academic level required
Conditions of acceptance
To confirm your final acceptance, you must provide proof of your current qualifications and language ability:
English-Track and French-Track Programmes:
- Bachelor, Master, Masters of Science (MSc): B2*
- Foundation and preparatory programmes**: A2 or B1 depending on programme*
- For Summer School and FLE (French as a Foreign Language) courses: Open to students of all abilities
* Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
** Business Foundation Programme et Excelia First Year
Proof of language ability is NOT required if:
- Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
- You hold a qualification issued in a French-speaking country and are applying for a French track
- You hold a qualification issued in an English-speaking country and are applying for an English track
Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
Applications are open to students with a minimum of 4 years of post-High School education or international equivalent.
1 / Online application
Submit your application online and select your programme:
List of supportive documents required : CV and Proof of current academic level (exam certificate/s or letter from current academic establishment etc.)
Admission fee : An admissions fee of €50 is required (to be paid by bank transfer or credit card)
2 / Online video interview
Details of admissions tests
- Online video interview on our online admissions platform (in French or English depending on the chosen programme and track).
- Candidates have 5 days to respond to a series of questions (motivation, academic and professional projects)
Upcoming admissions deadlines
Possibility of taking the admissions test all year long.
3 / Admissions test results released and deposit to be paid
Admissions test results
Candidates will receive notification of their admission or non-admission within 6 days following their interview.
If you are admitted, you must pay the deposit, which will be deducted from your annual tuition fees, before the specified deadline.
Excelia has partnered with Flywire to provide our overseas families with an easier method of sending international fee payments. Flywire offers a best price guarantee when sending the payment by bank transfer, real-time payment tracking and 24x7 multilingual customer support.
4 / Administrative assistance
Confirmation of enrolment
You will receive confirmation of pre-enrolment as well as confirmation of accommodation which are necessary for your student visa application.
Click here for administrative assistance
5 / Proof of academic level required
Conditions of acceptance
To confirm your final acceptance, you must provide proof of your current qualifications and language ability:
English-Track and French-Track Programmes:
- Bachelor, Master, Masters of Science (MSc): B2*
- Foundation and preparatory programmes**: A2 or B1 depending on programme*
- For Summer School and FLE (French as a Foreign Language) courses: Open to students of all abilities
* Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
** Business Foundation Programme et Excelia First Year
Proof of language ability is NOT required if:
- Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
- You hold a qualification issued in a French-speaking country and are applying for a French track
- You hold a qualification issued in an English-speaking country and are applying for an English track
Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
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