The tourism industry has become very sophisticated nowadays. The development in this industry has lead to the demand of more well experienced and qualified professionals as to meet the many requirements as well as dramatic changes in the level of service within the nation.

The course in tourism management will help the students prepare for a career in the industry of tourism. The theoretical studies and practical classes shall provide aspirants with the expertise on what to do and how. Those who complete their education in this field have the option to go for advanced level studies or get jobs.

One factor that makes the tourism industry very much attractive is the employment opportunities offered. Countless possibilities are at hand for individuals with innovative visions. Opportunities in this sector can be got at many areas. Those include:

• Hotels
• Travel Agencies
• Airlines, Cruises And Tours
• Ski Resorts
• Adventure Sports
• Ecotourism
• Theme Parks
• Restaurants
• Wellness Centers
• Resorts And Spas

The MTA course has a period of two academic years.

Advantages or Benefits of Master in Tourism Administration

• Studying this course will give aspirants awareness about tourism sector as well as its many career opportunities.
• Students shall get training on practical as well as conceptual aspects of tourism.
• Training in this field will give aspirants the courage and encouragement to start a venture of their own.

Eligibility Criteria for MTA

The eligibility needed for one to join this course is a graduate degree in any stream. The admission criteria of one centre shall vary from the other.

Admission Procedure for MTA

Admission to the MTA program is done on base of an admittance test. the following are the steps included in the admission procedure:

• Written Test (objective type)
• Group Discussion
• Personal Interview

MTA Entrance exams in India

• Department Of ‘Future Studies’ Of Kerala University Entrance Exam
• Himachal Pradesh University Entrance Exam
• Jai Narain Vyas University Entrance Exam
• Bangalore University Entrance Exam

How to fill MTA Entrance Application form?

The admission form for the tourism management exam can be filled in online or offline. Students who are filling the exam form by either of these means have to be careful and take care to fill in all details applicable. It is also recommended for them to have someone help them when they fill the form. This shall ensure that they won’t make many errors and they can do their work confidently.

It is also imperative that aspirants take care to fill the form in the correct manner. The right pen or pencil is to be used. Besides this, the admission form must not be damaged or have typo errors. Forms that are incomplete or are received late shall not be considered by the institution

The form is to be sent to the concerned address alongside all the appropriate documents.

MTA Entrance Exam Pattern

Objective nature questions shall be posed. The topics included are:

• Numerical ability
• Test of reasoning
• General knowledge

Top 10 Tourism Colleges in India

A few top institutes within our nation that offer Masters in Tourism programs are:

• Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management
• Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism
• College of Vocational Studies University of Delhi
• Sri Krishnadevaraya University
• National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Management in Andhra Pradesh
• Tezpur University in Assam
• Kurukshetra University in Haryana
• Himachal Pradesh University Institute of Vocational Studies
• Institute of Tourism & Future Management in Chandigarh.
• MTA course curriculum

Syllabus

The MTA course is an integrated program that is designed to provide students with advanced level training in all the aspects of skills in management and it consists of compulsory core electives in addition to modules for each and every semester. Practical classes comprise of tour report, dissertation as well as on job training.

The MTA program also offers 2 Bridge Courses. They are:

• Basic Air Fare and Ticketing
• Travel Agency Management

Courses syllabus

First Semester

• Effective English Communication

Elective (Any two modules from the following)

• Foreign Language (German / French / Japanese)
• Geography of Tourism
• Human Resource Development
• Indian History Society and Culture
• Planning and Management of International Tourism
• Tourism Principles Policies and Practices
• Tourist Products of Maharashtra

Second Semester

• Marketing Principles and Practices
• Financial Management
• Hotel Management
• Quantitative Method
• Foreign Language (German / French / Japanese)
• Organizational and Consumer Behavior
• Management Principles
• Business Policy and Social Responsibility

Third Semester

• Public Relations, Promotion and Operations Management
• Management of Travel Agency and Tour Operations
• Ethical Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Tourism Business
• Foreign Language (German / French / Japanese)
• Field Trip and Viva – Voce

ELECTIVE (Any two modules from the following)

• Eco-Tourism
• Adventure Tourism
• Cultural Tourism
• Destination Planning Development and Management Conceptual Framework

Fourth Semester

• Contemporary Issues in Tourism
• Tourism Products of India
• Tourism Development, Evaluation and Control Measures
• Management Information System and Computer Application

Specialization Electives (Any one specialization from the following)

• Hotel Management
• Travel Agency Management
• Air and Surface Transport Management
• Dissertation
• Viva – Voce

On Job Training

Aspirants who desire to get a M.T.A. Degree will have to go through a 6 week practical training session, namely the On the Job Training. This is generally carried out during the Summer Vacation period subsequent to the Second Semester Examination. A well known Tourism Enterprise that has an approval from the Director of the Department shall carry out this exam. The following organizations will be included:

• Government Tourism Organization
• Department of Tourism, Government of India
• Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation
• Air India
• Indian Airlines
• Approved Travel Agencies
• Five Star Hotels and Resorts
• Private Airlines

MTA Course Evaluation

The evaluation process of the M TA course is given below:

• Theory
• Practical
• Project Report
• Dissertation
• Field Trip & Viva – Voce
• Viva – Voce

Upon the successful completion of the exam with more than 40 percent marks each in practical and theory, the Master’s Degree shall be awarded.

MTA Reference Books

These are a few of the top guides that students can use for their reference:

• ABC & OAG Guides, TIM Air Tariff
• Business Communication Today by Boves Thill
• Effective Business Communication by Murphy Hidderandt Thomas
• Effective communication in tourist travel Industry by Robert T. Reilly
• Encyclopedia of tourism management by PC Sinha
• Human Resource Development Quarterly Journal of Administration by Briggs. B
• Human Resource Development, Kly Concepts and skills by Beaumount P.B
• Human Resource Management.  A guide to personal practice in the Hotel and Catering Industry by Ricly M
• Human Resources Management in the Hotel and catering Industry, by Boilla, M.J.
• IATA notes
• International Tourism  by Negi Jagmohan
• International Tourism Today by Colley G
• International Travel and Tourism by Lundberg Donald
• International Travel International Trade by Gray H. Peter
• Man power planning, selection, training development, by Agarwal D.V.
• Management Of Human Resource by Dwivedi R.S
• Management OF Human Resources in Public Enterprises, by Shanker S.R
• Managing Human Resources by Arun Monappa
• Managing Human Resources, by Dwivedi Monappa
• Potentials for Tourism of Developing countries by Davis H.D
• TACT Rates & Rules Book Customs Act
• The Economic and Social Impact of International Tourism in Developing Countries by Cleverdon Robert
• The Future of the Future by Michalle John
• The Geography of International Tourism by Ian M. Mately
• The Tourism system an Inforoductory Text by Mill and Morrison
• Tourism and International Balance of Payments by Lickorish I.J
• Tourism Evolution Scope Nature & Organization by P.C. Sinha
• Tourism, Past, Present and Future by Burkart and Medlik
• Tourism, Principles and practices by Cooper and Fletcher
• Tourism: Blessing or Blight by Young G
• Travel agency and tour operation- concepts and principles by Jagmohan Negi

What to do after MTA?

Career opportunities are on the rise for aspirants who have successfully accomplished their Masters in Tourism course. With the inflow in tourists with the country, professionals who have finished their Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management/ Administration or Post Graduate Degree in Tourism are very much in demand. Aspirants here have the option to choose either the public or private sectors. Self employment is another good option.

Job and Career options for MTA

The career scope for aspirants is very huge as the potential of the tourism industry is still untapped. Jobs for aspirants of this sector are available in firms of both public and private sectors. Those who desire to get into the public sector can get jobs with the Directorates and Departments of Tourism. As for those who are interested in working in the private sector, jobs are available with airlines, cargo companies and hotels etc. The emergence of private sector airline firms that have tie ups with foreign airlines has opened up new avenues   domestic and foreign tourists within the country. This in turn has opened new opportunities for aspirants. One can even start his own business with an experience of 3 – 4 years in this field. They start their business small and then expand gradually.

Careers Opportunities after MTA

These are a few job profiles available for aspirants who finish their education in MTA:

• Events manager
• Government administrator
• Hotel manager
• Hotel service supervisor
• Marketing manager
• Policy maker/planner
• Public relations officer
• Recreation officer
• Research officer
• Sports administrator
• Tour guide
• Tourism manager
• Transport administrator
• Travel consultant

Remuneration after MTA

Jobs within the travel and tourism industry offer aspirants with good remuneration in addition to other perquisites. The salary structure of one industry will vary from the other and it will be much higher with agencies or airlines of foreign origin. Individuals who work in the post of Regional Manager will be able to make as much as Rs. 38000 – Rs. 45,000 each month while a general manager can make around Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 60,000/- a month.