How long does the MSc in Tourism Economic Development take to complete?

The MSc in Tourism Economic Development runs across 12 to 18 months full postgraduate route depending on delivery pace, and the MSc in Tourism Economic Development timetable is designed to fit UK and international learners studying alongside work commitments.

What delivery modes are available for the MSc in Tourism Economic Development?

The MSc in Tourism Economic Development is offered on-campus in London, online, and, where relevant, through distance learning routes, and the MSc in Tourism Economic Development timetable includes recorded sessions, live seminars and structured cohort activity.

Is the MSc in Tourism Economic Development recognised in the UK?

The MSc in Tourism Economic Development is issued by LSTITM as a division of Harold International College of London, and the MSc in Tourism Economic Development curriculum is aligned with UK tourism, travel and marketing bodies including the Tourism Society, ITT and CIM.

What are the entry requirements for the MSc in Tourism Economic Development?

Entry to the MSc in Tourism Economic Development requires the level-appropriate academic background and IELTS 6.5 overall (no band under 6.0) for international applicants, and the MSc in Tourism Economic Development admissions team advises on documentation and progression from prior LSTITM routes.

How much does the MSc in Tourism Economic Development cost and are payment plans available?

Fees for the MSc in Tourism Economic Development are published transparently on the LSTITM website with tiered UK and international rates, and the MSc in Tourism Economic Development finance team supports instalment plans and scholarship enquiries. Distinctive practice includes economic development dissertation and regional strategy work.

MSc in Tourism Economic Development | LSTITM | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MSc in Tourism Economic Development is a postgraduate MSc route running 12 to 18 months full postgraduate route, aligned with executive tourism practice. Delivered by the Travel Systems & Global Tourism department at LSTITM, the programme concentrates on a postgraduate programme covering tourism economic development at national, regional and destination scales within the wider UK visitor economy.

By the end of the msc route you will be delivering tourism economic development advice and research for UK tourism boards, ministries and executive audiences, ready to contribute in travel systems & global tourism settings across London and comparable UK tourism environments.

The MSc in Tourism Economic Development gives postgraduate depth to the discipline of shaping economic outcomes for UK and international destinations, including impact modelling, regional strategy design, policy engagement and a dissertation engaging a genuine tourism economics question with executive audience readiness.

Key Features

Programme content aligned with IATA (International Air Transport Association) (referenced), Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT themes
Delivered fully in UK English through the Travel Systems & Global Tourism department
Structured articulation from LSTITM Certificate through Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma and honours-level study
Focus areas include tourism economic development, regional strategy, impact measurement, dissertation practice for the MSc in Tourism Economic Development
Dedicated career support covering CV, LinkedIn and interview coaching for UK tourism roles
Access to LSTITM's employer network across tour operators, OTAs, DMOs and London hospitality partners
Formative and summative assessment reviewed by tourism industry practitioners

What You Will Learn

Analyse tourism economic development at national, regional and destination scales
Advise on regional tourism strategy with policy audiences
Measure economic impact of tourism programmes and investments
Recognise WTTC and UNWTO commentary on tourism economics
Manage a dissertation on a chosen economic development question
Compare UK tourism economic practice with wider international cases
Coach peers on economic modelling and communication
Present economic advice to executive tourism audiences

Alongside taught content, the MSc in Tourism Economic Development embeds postgraduate research through applied economics projects with UK and international partners. Learners plan impact studies, prepare regional strategy case studies, complete supervised research and shape a final dissertation on a live tourism economics question drawn from their partner engagement with a UK or international employer.

Who This Course Is For

Senior policy and economics practitioners in UK tourism organisations
Bachelor graduates targeting tourism-economics careers
International candidates preparing for UK executive tourism roles
Career changers from wider economics backgrounds into tourism

MSc learners join economics-focused executive sessions with UK and international tourism partners, hearing directly from senior economists on the postgraduate research habits that separate strong new tourism economists from weaker ones, and on the executive briefings that prepare postgraduate economic research for boards and policy audiences after graduation.

Career Pathways

Head of Tourism CRM Specialist
Head of GDS Systems Analyst
Head of Airline Distribution
Head of Tourism Systems Consultant
Head of Travel Technology Specialist
Head of Reservations Systems Analyst

LSTITM's careers service supports every MSc in Tourism Economic Development learner with CV coaching, interview practice and warm introductions across London tourism boards, tour operators, OTAs, airline partners and hospitality employers, aligned with senior and executive tourism careers in the UK visitor economy.

Postgraduate MSc graduates commonly enter senior tourism economist, head of economic development and executive policy roles at UK and international tourism organisations.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 (Lower Second Class) honours degree or overseas equivalent in any discipline, with a stated interest in tourism economic development
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

The MSc in Tourism Economic Development also connects learners to LSTITM's UK and international economic-development partner network, giving direct exposure to boards and consultancies shaping tourism programmes.

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.

Students on every LSTITM route are supported by dedicated career services covering CV, LinkedIn, interview coaching and introductions to London tourism boards, tour operators, OTAs, airline and hospitality partners.

Apply for MSc in Tourism Economic Development

Applications for the MSc in Tourism Economic Development are open all year through the LSTITM admissions portal, with the admissions team available to guide UK and international applicants through documentation, English requirements and instalment plans. Once accepted, postgraduate learners receive a full induction covering module timetables, dissertation supervision, tutor introductions and a quick primer on UK and international tourism economics practice that new MSc students commonly find useful in the transition to postgraduate study. Applicants can request a call with an economics MSc tutor before enrolling to confirm module choices, dissertation supervision and executive research expectations for this MSc. Advance into executive tourism leadership with LSTITM and secure your place on this MSc in Tourism Economic Development cohort. Enrol Now.