MSc in Tourism Business Innovation
Course Overview
The MSc in Tourism Business Innovation is a 12 to 18-month full postgraduate LSTITM programme in the Tourism Business, Marketing and Operations department. It is aligned with the CMI, CIM, Tourism Society and British Chambers of Commerce frameworks, developing executive competence in tourism business innovation, venture design and portfolio-level growth.
By graduation you will lead innovation portfolios at organisational level, coordinate senior venture reviews, and deliver a research-informed dissertation that maps innovation choices to real commercial and social outcomes.
Modules combine executive seminars on venture design, research-informed workshops on portfolio governance and dissertation supervision sessions where senior candidates test hypotheses on live tourism ventures. Case examples reference actual board and consultancy innovation projects so postgraduate vocabulary always maps back to real executive practice.
Key Features
- Executive innovation portfolio modules
- CMI-aligned venture governance frameworks
- Case examples from London tourism ventures
- Applied projects on senior venture reviews
- Research-informed dissertation module
- Careers coaching for executive innovation roles
What You Will Learn
- Lead innovation portfolios at organisational level
- Coordinate senior venture reviews
- Structure venture-design frameworks
- Design measurement frameworks for innovation portfolios
- Facilitate executive innovation steering groups
- Interpret venture-funding markets for tourism
- Coordinate scale-up plans for early ventures
- Deliver a research-informed dissertation
- Build an executive portfolio linking innovation findings to board decisions
- Present research-informed venture recommendations to senior panels
Assessment and Delivery
Assessment on the MSc in Tourism Business Innovation blends executive assignments on venture governance, applied corporate innovation briefs and a research-informed dissertation defended in a viva panel of senior tourism leaders. Every postgraduate is paired with a senior academic supervisor and, where appropriate, a corporate co-supervisor from a London tourism partner. On-campus, online and distance students follow the same schedule of executive seminars and research clinics, with continued access to the LSTITM secure virtual learning environment after graduation.
Who This Course Is For
- Senior innovation leads at tourism operators
- Venture directors moving into executive roles
- Consultants specialising in tourism innovation
- International postgraduates with entrepreneurial backgrounds
- Career progressors from LSTITM undergraduate routes
Career Pathways
- Tourism Corporate Development Manager (senior)
- Tourism Business Development Manager (senior)
- Tourism Strategy Consultant (innovation)
- Head of Tourism Development (innovation)
- Tourism Investment Analyst (senior)
- Tourism Consultancy Partner (innovation)
LSTITM careers services support postgraduates with executive coaching, dissertation-to-role coaching and warm introductions to senior innovation teams at London tourism operators, consultancies, cruise lines and venture partners, backed by an active alumni network covering board-level innovation leadership roles.
Careers Support and Networks
MSc in Tourism Business Innovation postgraduates access executive careers workshops, board-level showcase sessions and interview clinics run by the LSTITM careers team. Every candidate receives an executive careers conversation, LinkedIn coaching, mock interview practice and warm introductions to corporate development, venture partner and innovation director vacancies at London tourism operators and consultancies, backed by an alumni network that continues to support graduates beyond graduation.
Industry-Referenced Study
The MSc in Tourism Business Innovation is written with reference to executive innovation portfolios at London tourism operators, consultancies and venture partners. Postgraduates work through senior scenarios that mirror executive practice, such as leading an innovation portfolio at organisational level, coordinating a senior venture review and producing a dissertation-linked venture brief for a real tourism partner. Every scenario is anchored to real UK executive innovation practice, and candidates leave with a portfolio that supports consultancy, corporate development or board-level innovation leadership.
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 tourism specialisation
- Two academic or professional references and a short interview
Why Study at LSTITM
LSTITM is a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on destinations, tourism business, travel systems and strategic tourism practice. Postgraduate programmes are aligned with the Tourism Society, ITT, ABTA, CIM, CMI, British Chambers of Commerce and UKHospitality.
Curriculum authors include former tourism corporate development directors, venture partners and senior innovation leads from London-based tourism operators and consultancies. LSTITM Master's routes support executive consulting, corporate development and board-level tourism leadership, with dedicated dissertation coaching and applied venture fieldwork for innovation-focused candidates.
Apply for MSc in Tourism Business Innovation
Applications for the MSc in Tourism Business Innovation are open on a rolling basis and reviewed within a few working days of receipt. Advance into executive tourism leadership with LSTITM by submitting your 500-word research statement, two references, preferred delivery mode and interview booking to admissions. Successful applicants receive an offer pack detailing senior academic supervisor allocation, dissertation planning notes, tuition options and start dates, plus an invitation to an executive cohort induction with fellow innovation-focused postgraduates. International applicants also receive pre-arrival guidance and access to the LSTITM student services team throughout the degree. Enrol Now
