MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Overview

Overview

The MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management Programme is being offered by the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Economics of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies of the International Hellenic University. The programme provides expertise in tourism with a practical orientation related to management and strategic issues in the fast-evolving tourism sector at the national and international level. Greece provides the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism and more specifically, Thessaloniki, which has been at the crossroads of many different cultures and a student metropolis. The courses are taught exclusively in English.

The IHU MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management is designed to:

Enable students to acquire the expertise and develop the skills for the acquisition and application of integrated solutions for the effective management of tourist enterprises in a highly competitive international environment with an emphasis on the management and economic activity of the tourist industry as well as environmental issues related to the tourism sector.
Develop skills and expertise targeted at effective decision-taking and critical assessment of issues concerning management in the specific sector and also to provide practical orientation related to management and strategic issues in the fast-evolving tourism sector at the national and international level.
Enable students to acquire the knowledge required for the strategic planning of enterprises and organisations concerning their compliance with environmental legislation; in general teach them how to minimize the environmental impact of their operation on the environment through voluntary activities.
Enhance students’ self-awareness and self-confidence through the acquisition of knowledge and practical skills in disciplines related to tourism management.
The terms with the core courses aim to lay solid analytical foundations in all areas related to hospitality and tourism. During the electives period, students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge and specialise in more specific areas, through four courses. A choice of a dissertation or a consulting project concludes the programme.

Some interesting points

Tourism | one of the fastest growing industries in the world
The tourism industry is becoming extremely important to most countries’ economic growth. Tourism creates and sustains jobs, brings new business, and contributes to the quality of life, which constitutes the key to development and prosperity. According to the World Tourism Organization, International tourism is expected to increase by 3.3% per year in the period between 2010 and 2030.

Greece | the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism
Steadily and traditionally recognized as one of the most popular leisure destinations, Greece provides the ideal place to study Hospitality and Tourism as you can find every type of tourist facility, a rich cultural heritage, some of the most stunning beaches in the world, and impressive mountain ranges. According to SETE, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, and the World Travel &smp; Tourism Council, Greek tourism contributes 16.3% to GDP and is expected to employ nearly 850,000 people by 2024.

Thessaloniki | a World Heritage City with a large student community
Recognized by UNESCO as one of the most important cities in the history of mankind, Thessaloniki combines a fresh, dynamic outlook with a leading international reputation. Home to Greece’s largest student population, Thessaloniki qualifies as a student and cultural metropolis. Built between the sea and the mountain, Thessaloniki has been at the crossroads of many different cultures, constituting a truly cosmopolitan city in South-East Europe. The growth and diversity of the tourism industry has driven companies and organisations to seek out and hire skilled, dynamic, flexible and international-oriented managers.

Official Government Gazette:

Re-establishment PDF (in Greek)
Regulation PDF (in Greek)

Key facts

Start date: November 2026

Application deadline: 31 August 2026 (non-Greek applicants) / 15 September 2026 (Greek applicants) or until places are filled

Campus: Thermi, Thessaloniki

Duration/Mode: 2 years part-time/weekdays evenings (available in distance learning mode)

Recognition and Partnerships: The programme runs under the auspices of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) and forges partnerships with the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Taught language: English

Entry requirements: An undergraduate degree from a recognised University

Language requirements: IELTS (academic 6.5 and above), TOEFL (IBT, 95 and above) or TOEIC (745 and above) score, or a recognised by the Greek State certificate of proficiency in English of C1 level

Fees: 3,900€ (total) Excellence awards for the academic year 2026-2027 (check the Fees & Financing section for details)

How to apply: Please follow the instructions at the applications page

Programme announcement: ENG-GR

Testimonials

Dimitris Efthyvoulou

MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management

I had the opportunity to extend my networking within the hospitality sector and explore possibilities for future cooperation.

MORE ›

Who can apply

Who can apply

Entry requirements: An undergraduate degree from a recognised University

Course content and Handbook

Course content

The core courses

The core courses ensure that you acquire knowledge of practical concepts and attain skills directly relevant to your career aspirations.

First Year

Tourism Management

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to develop and increase students’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills on the operational and strategic policies of tourism management. Students completing this course will acquire the tools to understand the fundamental principles, philosophy and methods of tourism management with a specific focus on the current dynamically changing social, technological and economic era.

Hospitality & Tourism Operating Systems

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles of service operations management with a specific focus on their application in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Students completing this course will acquire the critical and analytical skills for applying the appropriate management tools and processes to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and quality standards in the contemporary hospitality and tourism sectors. Particular emphasis will be given on the understanding of the practical implications of service operations management concepts and their applicability in the day to day business life of hospitality and tourism enterprises. To achieve that, the discussion and analysis of case studies and examples of hospitality and tourism operators are incorporated in the instruction of the module.

Financial Management for Tourism Development

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to refer to general principles of financial management and to highlight the dimensions of organizational culture which are associated with financial knowledge and processes. Students completing this course will acquire the tools for financial decision making in the hospitality industry and for efficient financial management of hospitality enterprises.

Services Marketing

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is the understanding of the principles and the concept of services marketing for tourism. Students completing this course will acquire the tools for a good command of the key elements of marketing across tourism organizations. Through case studies and contemporary examples from the tourism industry, students will be expected to apply the theoretical concepts discussed onto real-life marketing examples from the hospitality and tourism industry.

Second Year

Human Resources Management in Tourism

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the importance of human resource management (HRM) in tourism enterprises. Students completing this course will acquire fundamental knowledge on issues concerning human resources development, selection and recruiting processes, motivation, employee relations, education and training.

Social Media and Digital Technologies in Tourism

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to explore how students can use Information Communication Technology (ICT) in a strategic context by analyzing the new technological trends and by providing a solid basis for studying the impact of the ICT revolution on the tourism industry. E-Tourism revolutionizes all business processes, the entire value chain as well as the strategic relationships of tourism organizations with all their stakeholders. It additionally focuses on how Social media and Digital technologies are employed in airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators and destinations management organizations. The course demonstrates that eTourism increasingly determines the competitiveness of the organization, and therefore, it is critical for the competitiveness of the industry.

Special Interest Tourism

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is the understanding of the special interest tourism, along with the ways to develop alternative tourism and the benefits associated with it. The course examines strategies that will first identify opportunities for alternative tourism in a region, integrate these activities with the region’s existing tourism capacity and design expansion with respect to the region’s and the particular activity’s capacities. Regarding special interest tourism the factors that have led to its development and connection with sustainability will be presented and the main providers will be mentioned (tour operators, specialist providers, packaged or non-packaged holidays providers, etc.).

Tools for Business Analysis

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	30 Hours, 6 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the most important statistical tools used in business analysis along with business planning. The focus is on application and interpretation of the tools and results. The intention is not only to equip students with the practical skills to implement the necessary techniques, but to acquire the skills of discretion in choice of appropriate method and clarity in the interpretation of the output from such methods, together with extraction of the information of the highest importance to the business decision-maker.

The elective courses

The following list is indicative and continuously updated. Electives may vary from year to year depending on current interest and student demand.

Students choose four courses from the following list according to their interests and their current and future career orientation:

Customer Experience Management

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to enable students to gain knowledge about the theories and concepts of consumer behaviour and to understand the concept of customer experience and its impact on the competitive business environment.

Learning Outcomes

During the course students will:

Demonstrate and apply an understanding of theories related to consumer behaviour and customer experience
Know key concepts and definitions of customer experience management
Demonstrate awareness of the factors that determine consumer satisfaction
Critically evaluate evidence-based solutions to customer experience problems or issues.
Evaluate the role of new technologies in creating valuable experiences.

Content

Customer experience theory
Customer service theory
Customer satisfaction/dissatisfaction
Consumer behaviour theory
Service quality theory
Consumer insight
Complains handling
Resolve conflicts and disputes with the client
Relationship Marketing

Project Financing in Tourism

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide a good understanding of how to identify and exploit profitable opportunities. Another aim of this course is to provide an in-depth understanding of the types of funds available to companies through the capital markets. It also deals with the issues involved in structuring and executing capital-raising transactions.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the course students will be able to:

Understand the process of structuring
Manage the exit and assess
Understand the use of venture capital and private
Provide practical understanding of the principle features of the venture capital and private equity
Understand the various methods available for raising
Appreciate the complexities and practical considerations in raising debt and equity
Understand the perspectives of corporate managers, shareholders, financiers and financial intermediaries of international
Know the institutional framework underlying equity and debt offerings.

Content

Fundamentals of private equity investment
Structuring private equity investments
Acquiring controlling interests
Debt and Equity markets
Raising Equity Capital
Raising Equity through an initial public offering (IPO)

Tourism Policy, Planning and Development

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to examine the concept and scope of tourism policy in light of the alternative theoretical approaches, assumptions and typologies of tourism development. The course analyses tourism organizations, stakeholders and institutions, and their role in shaping, planning and implementing tourism policies. Case studies on issues of tourism policy are presented. Another aim of this course is to provide an in-depth understanding of the types of funds available to companies through the capital markets. It also deals with the issues involved in structuring and executing capital-raising transactions.

Learning Outcomes

During the course students will:

Use theoretical and applied knowledge in relation to the exercise of tourism policy, as well as its potential role in the context of tourism and economic growth.
Apply theoretical concepts of politics and development in practice.
Understand the interrelationships between resource management and tourism planning and development
Develop an understanding of the basic concepts of tourism planning for public and private sector community and regional tourism development

Content

Tourism development: center and periphery
Tourism policy at international, national, regional and local levels
Tourism development and quality management
Visitor management
Tools and techniques in tourism planning development
Case Studies of tourism policy

Cultural Heritage Tourism

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to investigate the relationship between culture and tourism, by examining the management of tangible and intangible assets. By completing the course students will be able to acquire knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between culture and tourism, the concepts and theories of cultural heritage tourism, along with contemporary issues in the management of the cultural heritage.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the course students will be able to:

Understand the conceptual partnership between cultural heritage and tourism
Distinguish heritage tourism as a distinct and evolved form of travel
Distribute actors, zones of activity, and motives for the participation in heritage tourism
Understand the role of interpretation in cultural heritage sites and the relevance of such interpretation approaches to visitors
Build an awareness of the interpretation of major cultural heritage sites available to visitors
Become familiar with World Heritage Sites, heritage conservation, impacts of heritage tourism and heritage tourism product development

Content

The market for cultural heritage tourism
Assessing your destination’s cultural heritage resources
Developing your strategic plan
Managing your sites for sustainable tourism
Strategies for preserving and protecting sites and resources
Strategies for achieving a visitor experience that is memorable, educational, and entertaining
Setting and enforcing quality standards
How to improve your marketing efforts

Destination and Event Development

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with the means to develop high-level management skills and knowledge specific to the field of managing events and projects at all levels. Students will learn how to formulate event tourism strategies for specific destinations, specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, hotel accommodation, restaurants, excursions, conference venues, gala dinners and programme logistics. Specific topics will include event studies, bid preparation, public and corporate sponsorship, negotiations, and volunteer staff management.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the course students will be able to:

Recognize the centrality of tourism in event management
Promote events as a destination attraction
Appreciate the role of events in creating and interpreting a destination’s sense of place
Comprehend the economic impact of events for destinations
Comprehend the role of a destination marketing organization as it relates to events
Develop a management plan for a special event
Develop sponsorships
Understand the establishment of event organizations
Volunteer recruitment and management
Understand the importance of professionalism in event management

Content

Event
Sponsorships
Volunteer recruitment
Destination marketing
Event revenue sources and risk management

Strategy and Decision Making

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

Strategic Analysis refers to the theory and practice of making decisions that shape the future of the firm. This course looks at the content and process of strategic decision making from the perspective of managers who are responsible for an entire business unit. These may be individuals who are acting in the capacity of Chief Executive of a company, divisional General Managers, or departmental heads. The course integrates the specialized areas of business administration by requiring the student to analyse and make strategical and operational decisions in the environment of a computer processed management simulation.

Learning Outcomes

During the course, students will:

Develop the capabilities required for undertaking the responsibilities and tasks involved in strategic management
Understand the fundamental tools, techniques, and practices of strategic management and examine their application to different organizational contexts
be able to explore and assess business problems and challenges of managerial importance experiencing a virtual business environment
develop decision-making process of from managerial, organizational, technological and human resource positions to acquire the skills of analytical and empirical research of existing organization and decision making processes, development and justification of organization’s improvement
to develop decision-making process about the essence of strategies process for the modern organization as a whole and its individual units

Content

An introduction to strategic management, with a focus on what is meant by the term “strategy”
Strategic Analysis, tools and techniques (industry analysis, core capabilities, generic strategies and perceived use value).
Practical experience applying theory, tools and techniques through case studies and assessment project
Strategy as Competitive Positioning and as Resource and Knowledge Advantage.
Business simulation game for running a company to create a ‘learning by doing’ environment

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

This course concentrates on the unique challenges involved in the management of innovation and entrepreneurial ventures, whether in start-ups, small early stage entrepreneurial firms, or within larger well-established companies in the Tourism sector. It also aims is to develop an understanding of the process and context of entrepreneurship as well as to provide key concepts which will enable students to become more entrepreneurial themselves. The course will examine all issues of entrepreneurship using examples from the tourism industry, combining thus the appropriate theory with real world examples to give students a powerful framework for understanding every aspect of this vital business function. Students, working in teams, will assess the attractiveness of a real entrepreneurial opportunity and prepare a feasibility study that presents their conclusions through the submission and presentation of a business plan.

Learning Outcomes

During the course, students will:

Explain the synergies between creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry
Describe the entrepreneurial perspective in the hospitality industry
Evaluate the business environment and its importance to new business ventures
Evaluate the legal requirements and process to start a new business
Describe the marketing, financial, and human resource management of a small business\
Identify the importance of growth and succession for a small business
Identify entrepreneurial trends in the hospitality industry
Prepare a business plan for their own hospitality enterprise

Content

Introduction to innovation & entrepreneurship in the Tourism sector
Evaluating opportunities
The financial resources
Creativity, Innovation and Ethics
Developing the entrepreneurial plan
Initiating entrepreneurial ventures
Growth and exit

Project Management

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding and knowledge of the key concepts and analytical skills underpinning the effective management of projects in any industry sector.

Students will learn the responsibilities and essential tools and techniques required to successfully plan, manage, control and evaluate any major project in a complex environment. Students will develop the fundamental skills required of all project managers: critical reasoning skills, quantitative analytical skills and integrative skills, from both a theoretical and practical viewpoint.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the course students will be able to:

Apply basic tools and techniques of project management in practice
Write a sponsor and project requirements definition
Construct a comprehensive project schedule
Evaluate a project plan subject to time, cost and resource constraints

Content

Project Management Growth
Project Planning
Project Stages and Sizing
Resource and Task Management
Scheduling Techniques
Project Teams
Pricing and Cost Control
Contracts and Procurement
Risk Management
Stakeholder Management
Project Evaluation and Reporting

Air Travel and Transportation in Tourism

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding and knowledge of the key concepts of the travel industry with a comprehensive view of the growing transportation sector in a global context. Based on literature, professional bodies’ reports and a range of case studies students explore the historic development, range of destinations, tourist’s profiles, as well as the role of governments, and intermediates and key issues associated with the management of airline, shipping and transportation companies. Emerging trends and future predictions for these sectors are also examined.

Learning Outcomes

On completing the course students will be able to:

Discuss the development of the transportation industry
Define the profile of travelers
Discuss how organisations and government policies affect travel and transportation
Evaluate how key markets and social trends affect the travel industry

Contemporary Issues in Tourism (Property Management System Training, etc)

Teaching Hours and Credit Allocation:	16 Hours, 3 Credits
Course Assessment:	Coursework & Exam

Aims

The aim of this course is to introduce basic concepts in a selected tourism business-related topic and familiarize students with contemporary issues and trends. This topic can touch upon issues of management, finance, law, technology, ethics and safety, data protection policies, diversity-equity and inclusion and/or specific areas of the tourism industry such as sustainability, alternative tourism, Holistic hospitality, health & well-being and many more. The course will aid students to develop an understanding of contemporary issues and trends related to the tourism industry and how the external environment affects organizations and societies alike.

Learning Outcomes

During the course, studetns will:

Get acquainted with a trending topic related to business and management
Familiarize themselves with contemporary developments and practices of the business world and explore their application to different business contexts
Gain the opportunity to analyze business problems and issues of managerial importance
Develop skills in the selected contemporary topic

Content

Understanding of the main concepts of a business-related topic which has become important in the fast-changing business world
Analysis of its business issues of managerial importance
External and internal factors that influence business units
Evaluation of the contemporary topic and its effect on the business world
Case Studies related to the topic

The Dissertation or Consulting Project

After the taught courses, students conduct an individual project on a subject relating to their studies and career. The topic is chosen by the student with input and advice from a faculty member, who acts as supervisor, working closely with the student. The dissertation is an individual 10,000- word paper of original scientific work, which upon completion is submitted for examination and approval by a three-member committee chaired by the student’s supervisor.

Alternatively, students may participate in a consulting project. Individually or in groups, students study an actual problem of a collaborating firm or organisation. Following analysis of the problem, the students prepare and present concrete and practical solution(s) in a report of min 7,000 words. https://www.ihu.gr/ucips/geninfo/consulting-project

The Programme Handbook

Handbook

Seminars

The IHU organises regularly workshops and business seminars. Some of these are offered exclusively to the IHU students and alumni. The purpose of the Seminars is to act as a link between the academic community and businesses by introducing you to the real world of business and showing you how the notions and techniques learnt in the classroom apply and materialize in the Greek business context. After all, you will get a better taste of many sectors of the market.

Activities

Activities

Conference “The Energy Charter and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms”

www.ihu.gr2024-09-18T17:24:40+03:00