Presentation
Why study for an MSc in destination and tourism development?
Studying for an MSc in tourism, specialising in destination and project development, means specialising in strategic destination management, digital marketing, and sustainable development. It also means acquiring the specialist skillset to be able to design, market, and manage innovative tourism projects.
An overview of Excelia’s MSc in Destination & Tourism Development
This MSc at Excelia is an outstanding study programme that will prepare you to become an expert in managing destinations and developing innovative tourism projects. This State-recognised and accredited postgraduate programme (equivalent to 5 years of higher education) successfully combines advanced theory with practical experience, enabling you to master the strategic and operational challenges facing the sector. The programme is carried out on a work-study track, enabling you to develop the skills needed to design and manage creative and sustainable tourism solutions.
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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 shortManagement, Double qualification, Regions, Travel
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5 reasons to choose the MSc in Destinations and Tourist Projects
A prestigious State-accredited double qualification
The MSc is State-accredited and boasts an RNCP Level 7 professional certification of ‘Tourism Product Manager’, with the opportunity for a double qualification through our partner, ESTHUA, at the University of Angers. It offers you solid academic recognition that will be invaluable to your future career.
Excelia Tourism School’s wealth of expertise
Since 2005, our school has been a leading player, and the first in France to be awarded Tedqual certification from the United Nations World Tourism Organization. You will benefit from this recognised expertise to become a key player in the tourism sector.
The possibility of developing your professional network through personalised mentoring
Receive valuable mentoring from our graduates, helping you to build your professional network, whilst benefitting from precious advice throughout your studies.
Professional immersion and specialised skills
Develop advanced skills in tourism management, digital technology, customer experience and destination management. The programme features consultancy projects with major companies operating in the industry, thereby offering you comprehensive immersion and preparing you to become an expert in the tourism sector.
Impressive graduate employment
100% of our graduates secure a job within 6 months of graduating, with 80% signing a contract before the end of their studies.
Programme structure
Work-study track
Work-study track
Consultancy projects with leading tourism companies
A fantastic opportunity to participate in consulting projects for major players in the tourism industry such as Futuroscope, Walt Disney World, Center Parcs, Club Med, and many more. Working in groups, you will analyse real-life business challenges, present your findings, and put forward recommendations to a panel of industry professionals.
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FAQs
- What is the MSc in Destination & Tourism Development?
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Excelia’s MSc in Destination & Tourism Development is a postgraduate qualification, preparing you to manage and develop tourism destinations and innovative projects. The programme combines advanced theory with real-life experiences to enable you to master the strategic and operational challenges of the tourism sector.
- What are the career opportunities after this MSc in tourism?
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With this qualification, you will be able to take up positions such as Destination Manager, Tourism Consultant, Events Project Manager or even Hotel Manager. Our graduates are very much in demand for their ability to innovate and manage complex projects in an international environment.
- What are the admissions requirements for this MSc specialising in 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 candidates with a genuine interest in the tourism industry and the aptitude to work as part of a team.
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How are the lessons and projects organised on the Master of Science in Destination & Tourism Development?
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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 tourism industry, enabling you to put your skills into practice whilst developing your professional network.
- Will Excelia 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 coaches to benefit from advice on your CV, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, etc.
- 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 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 (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA). Excelia Tourism School is the first school in France to be recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with Tedqual certification. The school takes a unique approach to teaching that places the emphasis on hands-on learning and professional work experience, and its campuses in La Rochelle offers an exceptional living and study environment.
Lessons
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Year 1
Overview of the tourism industry: strategic considerations and challenges -
Description Cours EN
- Strategic Management for Tourism
- HR Management for Tourism Organisations
- Budgetary and Financial Management for Tourism Projects
- International Marketing Strategy for Tourism
- Tourism and Digitalisation
- Business English (or other language: Spanish/German/Italian/French as a Foreign Language)
- Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship
- Latest Trends, Issues and Challenges for Tourism
- Management of Institutional Bodies and Involvement of Local Authorities
- Tourism Organisations and Key Stakeholders
- Services Marketing in Tourism
- Case Methodology
- Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Marketing
- Document Research
Further benefits
- A strong emphasis on Soft Skills: you will learn about the importance of skills relating to human and relational qualities needed in today’s business environment – listening, open-mindedness, communication, creativity, leadership, etc.
- Teamwork: you will work in groups on real-life business management situations
- Coach Inside: a unique learning approach involving a mentor who is a graduate of Excelia Tourism School
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Year 2
Strategic destination management: expertise + managerial roles -
Description Cours EN
- Development and Marketing of Destinations
- Digital Marketing and Loyalty Management
- Strategic Repositioning of Tourism Destinations, Events and Hospitality Organisations
- Destination Management, Diversification, Globalisation, Sustainability
- Management of Organisations
- Advanced Global Code Of Ethics: International Tourism Law
- Professional Practices: Co-creation
- Consultancy Project
- Regional Management of Sustainable Development
- Thesis Methodology
- Master Thesis
Further benefits
A year dedicated to acquiring the relevant practical skills for Tourism Management and Destination Management A vocationally-oriented year, concluding with a 6-month internship Presentations and lectures by experts from the tourism industry
Experiences
Work-study
Mentoring
In Year 1, this unique educational tool has been designed to enable you to develop your professional network through the support of an industry mentor who is a graduate of Excelia Tourism School and whose job reflects your own professional project. Your mentor will help you to both evaluate the current job market and to develop your career strategy.
Personalised Support and Guidance from your Mentor
Throughout your studies, you will benefit from personalised support and guidance. The School offers workshops structured around personal development (self-awareness and self-assertion), communication tools (such as CVs and cover letters), understanding the job market, learning about different careers and developing your professional network.
Consultancy Project
You will carry out a consultancy project on behalf of a major player in the industry (e.g. Atout France, Futuroscope). In groups, you will complete a detailed analysis of the issue and then present your findings and associated recommendations to a panel made up of managers from the partner company.
Examples of past projects:
‘How can we adapt the World Forum event 2016 to the La Rochelle area?’ (World Forum, 2016)
‘Developing a night-time tourism economy in Paris’ (Welcome City Lab, 2016)
‘How can we continue to develop our business?’ (Yescapa, specialist in the hire of motorhomes between private individuals)
Industry seminars
Several times a year, graduates visit the School to present and explain the different strategies adopted by industry professionals or perhaps to give a presentation on a specific career.
End-of-studies Thesis
Your programme culminates with your end-of-studies thesis, which enables the School to evaluate your ability to understand and deal with a complex issue through theoretical analysis, to formulate a diagnosis and to put forward pertinent recommendations and solutions.
This dissertation is a real opportunity to conduct research on an operational theme, supervised by our research-active Faculty. It will be an asset on your CV as regards your future career.
Careers
Job opportunities after studying at a major tourism school
After the MSc in Destination & Tourism Development, you will be ready to excel in a fast-growing sector, taking up positions such as Tourism Project Manager, Travel Agency Manager, Tourism Marketing Manager, Events Manager or even Tourism Development Consultant.
Types of careers after studying for Excelia’s MSc specialising in destination and tourism development?
- Destination Manager
Promote and develop a tourist destination, managing its brand image and reputation to attract visitors.
- Tourism Consultant
Work alongside companies and organisations, helping them to develop strategies to improve their tourism offer and to attract a greater number of visitors.
- Travel Agency Manager
Manage a travel agency, overseeing day-to-day operations, sales and customer relations to deliver unforgettable travel experiences.
- Events Project Manager
Organise and coordinate events, seminars, and conferences in a variety of tourist destinations, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that participants have a truly memorable experience.
- Tourism Marketing Manager
Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote tourist destinations, using social media, advertising campaigns, and various other channels to reach your target audience.
- Tourism Development Manager
Work alongside local authorities and companies to develop and improve a region’s tourism offer, ensuring that it is sustainable and appealing to visitors.
- Sustainable Tourism Consultant
Work on projects that promote responsible and sustainable tourism, minimising environmental impact whilst supporting local communities.
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.
Motivation interview is carried out by internet via our dedicated platform (day and time of your choice).
Application fees: €50
Applications are open to students with a minimum of 3 years of post-High School education or international equivalent.
Motivation interview is carried out by internet via our dedicated platform (day and time of your choice).
Application fees: €50
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