MSc in International Travel and Tourism Economy
Course Overview
The MSc in International Travel and Tourism Economy is a 12 to 18 month research-informed Master's programme preparing senior tourism practitioners for director-level leadership across the international travel and tourism economy, from national tourism boards through to multinational operator groups, tourism policy bodies and cross-border consultancy practices. Delivered by LSTITM in London, the programme is aligned with study standards referenced by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Tourism Society, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the British Chambers of Commerce, and culminates in a dissertation or capstone project on a genuine international sector question.
By graduation, learners can lead a director-level international travel and tourism economy programme, coordinate cross-country policy or commercial functions, prepare board-facing international papers a chair can act on and manage a portfolio of senior cross-border partner relationships. Learners also develop the calm judgement to hold an international position under national or regional pressure, backed by a research-informed evidence base rather than opinion.
The programme is structured around live director-tier international scenarios drawn from UK tourism boards, WTTC-referenced economy frameworks and multinational operator groups rather than academic policy theory alone, and every assessment output mirrors a document a director might genuinely be asked to produce, from a board international paper to a research-informed international investment case.
The dissertation component allows senior practitioners to develop a research contribution to their chosen area of international travel and tourism economy specialisation, which becomes a genuine differentiator in interviews for head-of-international and chief tourism officer roles across the UK and international sector.
Key Features
- 12 to 18 month research-informed executive Master's programme with dissertation
- Content aligned with WTTC, Tourism Society, CMI and BCC director-tier practice
- Coverage of director-tier international programmes, cross-country functions and portfolios
- Blended delivery through on-campus, online and distance routes for senior practitioners
- Assessment through board international papers and a dissertation or capstone
- Focus on holding an international position under national or regional pressure
- Progression into head-of-international and chief tourism officer roles
What You Will Learn
- Lead a director-level international travel and tourism economy programme
- Coordinate cross-country policy or commercial functions with clear accountability
- Prepare board-facing international papers of a standard a chair can act on
- Manage a portfolio of senior cross-border partner relationships
- Hold an international position under national or regional pressure
- Interpret cross-country policy and economy variance into director-tier implications
- Coach a head-of-international practitioner through their first director cycle
- Develop a dissertation contribution on a real international economy specialisation
Who This Course Is For
- Senior tourism practitioners moving into director-tier international leadership
- Career changers with senior policy or international backgrounds at director level
- International senior practitioners preparing for UK director-tier economy roles
- Tourism board senior officers progressing into head-of-international positions
- Consultancy senior associates moving into international-focused advisory work
Career Pathways
- Chief Tourism Officer (international)
- Executive Director (Tourism Board, international)
- Head of Tourism Development (international)
- International Development Manager (director)
- Tourism Policy Advisor (director)
- Tourism Consultancy Partner (international)
- Tourism Programme Director (international)
The LSTITM careers service supports MSc graduates with director-tier CV work, interview practice for head-of-international and chief tourism officer conversations and warm introductions to London tourism boards, multinational operator groups, cross-border consultancies and policy bodies recruiting for director-tier international leaders. Graduates leave with a dissertation contribution and board international papers they can talk through confidently at senior interviews.
Entry Requirements
- A UK 2:2 (Lower Second Class) honours degree or overseas equivalent in any discipline
- Applicants without a first degree may be considered with 5+ years senior tourism experience
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band under 6.0) or equivalent English proficiency
- A 500-word research statement on the applicant's chosen area of international tourism economy specialisation
- Two academic or professional references and a short interview
Why Study at LSTITM
LSTITM is the London School of Tourism and International Travel Management, a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on the destination, business, systems and strategic disciplines that shape modern global tourism. Every LSTITM programme is aligned with recognised UK tourism and marketing bodies including the Tourism Society, ITT, ABTA, the Chartered Institute of Marketing and UKHospitality.
Our postgraduate curriculum is written by former tourism board executive directors, international policy advisors and multinational tourism consultants, delivered across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes to fit senior professionals and international candidates alike. International economy tutors bring genuine director-tier international tourism leadership experience from UK tourism boards and multinational operator groups to every workshop. Every LSTITM Master's route offers dedicated dissertation supervision alongside careers support for senior director recruitment.
Apply for MSc in International Travel and Tourism Economy
Ready to advance into director-tier international travel and tourism economy leadership with a research-informed UK Master's aligned to recognised sector standards? Advance into executive tourism leadership with LSTITM through the MSc in International Travel and Tourism Economy, ready to move into chief tourism officer, head-of-international and executive director roles across the UK visitor economy with a dissertation contribution and board international paper portfolio already on your record. Enrol Now
