Presentation
Why study for an MSc in transformation and innovation strategies for the tourism industry?
A Master of Science specialising in transformation and innovation strategies for the tourism sector is a postgraduate programme that educates students to become professionals capable of understanding, anticipating, and accompanying the evolutions in the world of tourism. It focusses on digital transformation strategies, the management of innovative projects, and the harnessing of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics. Through a range of specialised modules, applied workshops, and collaboration with industry experts, you will acquire the advanced expertise needed to design and manage tomorrow’s sustainable, digital tourism projects. The aim is to gain an in-depth understanding of the major transformations in the tourism sector: sustainability, digitalisation, new customer expectations, health crises, etc.
An overview of Excelia’s MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism?
This Master of Science in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism at Excelia Hotel & Tourism School is a highly specialised programme, available on a work-study track, which will prepare you to become a key player in innovation in the tourism sector. It combines top-level academic education with hands-on experiences, enabling you to develop skills in digital leadership, innovative project management and sustainable development. This MSc leads to a variety of career opportunities, such as Tourism Innovation Consultant, Transformation Director or e-Tourism Project Manager, thereby offering you excellent employability prospects in today’s rapidly changing market. You will be ready to identify trends, incorporate disruptive technology and manage high-impact projects to meet the expectations of tomorrow’s travellers.
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LanguageFrench-English Mixed
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QualificationMSc (5 years of higher education)
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Location
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Tuition Fees
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In short100% in English, Destinations, Internships, International
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5 reasons to choose the MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism
A variety of career opportunities for excellent employability prospects
Take up positions such as Tourism Innovation Consultant, Transformation Director or e-Tourism Project Manager within innovative companies and organisations or for a destination itself.
A strong focus on innovation and digital transformation
Become a key player in innovation by harnessing the latest technology for your tourism strategies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics.
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.
A recognised programme offering valuable practical experience
Thanks to this MSc which boasts an RNCP Level 7 professional certification of ‘Tourism Product Manager’, participate in practical workshops and real-life projects, and work alongside industry experts. These hands-on experiences will ensure that you develop skills that are of direct relevance to your future career.
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.
Programme structure
Work-study track
Work-study track
Programme content includes…
- Analysis of Tourism Trends
- Innovative Tourism Product Design
- Tourism Project Management
- Storytelling & Experience Design
- Use of Digital Tools
- Sourcing & Supplier Negotiation
- Implementing Sustainable Practices
- Product Life Cycle Optimisation
- Strategic Marketing Skills
- Working with Local Stakeholders
- Co-creation workshops with local stakeholders (residents, businesses, local authorities)
Companies that already work with our Excelians
FAQs
- What does Excelia’s MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism involve?
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The MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism offered at Excelia Hotel & Tourism School is a postgraduate programme that trains you to manage digital transformation and innovation projects in the tourism sector. It combines advanced academic theory, practical workshops and valuable workplace immersion, enabling you to meet the challenges of a fast-changing sector. You will learn how to harness new technology, design sustainable strategies, and lead innovative initiatives to deliver enhanced tourism experiences and boost the competitiveness of businesses and destinations.
- What are the career opportunities after this MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism?
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With this postgraduate qualification, you will be able to take up positions such as Tourism Innovation Consultant, Transformation Manager, Digital Strategy Manager, e-Tourism Project Manager or even Sustainable Development Project Manager. Our MSc graduates are highly sought-after for their expertise in digital transformation, their ability to manage complex projects, and their proficiency in digital and technology tools specific to the tourism sector.
- What are the admissions requirements for this MSc specialising in transformation and innovation strategies for 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 you need to successfully complete our admissions procedure, which includes an assessment of 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.
- How are the lessons and projects organised on this MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for 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 tourism 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.
- 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. The school takes a unique approach to teaching that places the emphasis on hands-on learning and professional work experience. Furthermore, our campus in Tours offers an exceptional living and study environment.
Lessons
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Year 1
MSc 1st year Tourism products and projects -
Description Cours EN
Core courses modules includes :
- Sustainable tourism & quality labels
- Intercultural communication & negotiation
- Economic management & financing of tourism projects
Specialization lessons include :
- 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 Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism -
Description Cours EN
Course examples:
- Digital transformation and tourism 4.0
- AI & personalization of tourism experiences
- Customer experiences & gamification of tourism
LESSONS
- Digital Leadership
- E-Marketing, e-Business & Data Analytics
- Managing Human-Digital Relationships
- Innovation & Project Management
- Designing new AI-related strategies
OBJECTIVES
- Drive forward-looking projects in sustainable, digitalised tourism
- Develop digital leadership skills
- Master new technologies to analyse trends and respond to the challenges facing tourism
- Develop skills in project management, storytelling, experience design, and leveraging local resources
* NOTE: Programmes are subject to change at any time; Excelia shall not be held liable for any such changes.
Experiences
Work-study track
Based on our Tours campus, this MSc is carried out on a work-study track for 24 months (Year 1 and Year 2) or 12 months (Year 2 only). 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.
Business Creation Project
In groups, 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.
Consultancy Project
You will carry out a consultancy project on behalf of a major player in the industry (Huttopia, Yellow villages,etc.). 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.
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.
Careers
Why not take our Careers guide! It’s quick and easy to get!
Download the career guideJob opportunities after studying on the MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism
After this MSc, you will be able to take up strategic posts in digital transformation and tourism innovation, such as Transformation Director, Tourism Innovation Consultant, Digital Strategy Manager or even e-Tourism Project Manager. This study programme will prepare you to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving sector by combining skills in leadership, complex project management, and new technology.
Types of careers after studying on Excelia’s MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism
- Tourism Innovation Consultant : Assist companies and destinations in implementing innovative strategies to enhance their attractiveness and competitiveness.
- Transformation Director : Drive change in tourism organisations by leveraging digital solutions and adopting innovative practices.
- Digital Strategy Manager : Develop and implement digital strategies to optimise the impact of marketing campaigns and tourism initiatives.
- e-Tourism Project Manager : Design and implement digital projects to optimise traveller experience and the performance of destinations and businesses in the tourism industry.
- Sustainable Development Project Manager : Build sustainable solutions into tourism strategies to address today’s key environmental and social imperatives.
CAREERS
Tourism Innovation Consultant - Transformation Director - Digital Strategy Manager - e-Tourism Project Manager - Sustainable Development Project Manager
Skills acquired during the MSc in Transformation & Innovation Strategies for Tourism
- Digital Transformation : Managing digital transition projects by deploying the technological tools most appropriate to the tourism sector.
- Innovation Project Management: Designing, planning and implementing innovative initiatives in line with the expectations of today's travellers and the market.
- Data Analytics & Decision-making : Leveraging data analysis tools to optimise tourism strategies and project performance.
- Managing the Human-Digital Relationship : Combining human skills and technology to deliver the best possible tourism experience.
- Designing AI-led Strategies : Leveraging artificial intelligence tools to deliver innovative tourism products and services.
- e-Marketing and e-Business : Developing effective digital campaigns to promote tourist destinations and services.
- Implementing Sustainable Practices : Promoting the transition to responsible tourism by embedding ecological and ethical solutions into projects.
- Capitalising on local resources : Working with local stakeholders to develop unique, differentiated offers.
What career in tourism with a Master of Science in Tourism and Innovation?
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 2025-2026
Students from within the European Union*
- Work-study Track Year 1 and Year 2 (24 months) or Year 2 only (12 months) 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, The United Kingdom.
Students from outside the European Union
- Work-study Track Year 1 and Year 2 (24 months) or Year 2 only (12 months) 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.
Multiservice charge
Fee: €350
Included in the multiservice charge :
- 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
Final admissions session : registrer by Wednesday,July,13th
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
** International Foundation Programme and 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
Final admissions session : registrer by Wednesday,July,13th
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
** International Foundation Programme and 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.
