Erick Byrd, associate professor of marketing, entrepreneurship, hospitality and tourism in UNC Greensboro’s Bryan School of Business and Economics, says hospitality and tourism management is all about helping people form great memories. “I look at the pictures of my kids at Disney and think about how that was such an awesome trip. I don’t usually tell people about how I went to the bank today and deposited a check.”
The restaurant and hotel industries are entwined with attraction management, event planning, and community governance. Someone who studies hospitality and tourism management puts all those pieces together – good food, comfortable lodging, and unique experiences – for tourists, vacationers, and day trippers to talk about for years to come.
We’re talking about people going on vacation, but it’s a serious industry. This is how people relax. This is how they get away from the stresses of life.
– Dr. Erick Byrd
Job Prospects
While there is no shortage of professional futures around Greensboro, graduates take their skills all over the world. Furthermore, since hospitality industries are rebuilding their workforce after the COVID-19 pandemic, UNCG students may find themselves quickly promoted to fill management positions in the following areas:
- Hotels
- Attractions
- Restaurants
- Destination and community development planning
Byrd says, “One UNCG student was handpicked by one of North Carolina’s largest wineries to become a tasting room manager after they saw her working at an event. The owner called me personally and asked if she was available.”
Classes
Students get hands-on experience in the following popular courses:
- Event Management
- Sustainable Food and Craft Beverage
- Global Franchising
- Wine Appreciation
In addition, the Hospitality and Tourism Management program is home to one of UNCG’s new Esports Management concentration, which prepares students to host, promote, and manage esports events.
“I’ve been in meetings with lots of tourism directors from different communities,” says Byrd. “One of the common things that kept coming up was esports. How do we host Esports events? What do they look like? How does the tourism income compare to a youth soccer tournament?”
What makes UNCG’s program stand out?
Location, location, location: The program benefits from UNCG’s central location within the state of North Carolina. “We’ve got the mountains and the coast,” says Byrd. “Hospitality and tourism is a huge economic driver for our state.”
Hands-on esports experience: Thanks to UNCG’s Esports Arena in Moran Commons, students don’t have to go far to learn about tournaments. “They are working behind the scenes,” says Byrd. “The tournaments UNCG hosts give our esports students the opportunity to work with industry professionals on campus.”
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography by David Lee Row and Sean Norona, University Communications
Create a trip that’ll never be forgotten.
