University Of Otago Tourism

Help reimagine and reinvent tourism with a degree from Otago Far and away New Zealand’s best tourism option Hospitality and Tourism Management at Otago is ranked 26th in the world.



Make your big break right here in your own backyard. With a degree in Tourism, you can work in all fields of tourism, hospitality, entertainment and leisure. Set yourself up for an exciting career that could take you anywhere.

Study tourism

Get ready to make your mark on the world.

Postgraduate study

A great way to continue your tourism study.

Tourism research

Conduct research that breaks new ground.

Center of Excellence

The department is one of only five centers of excellence in the world.

Study Tourism at Otago

It’s about the journey and the destination

Study tourism and gain all the right skills for a fun and fulfilling career in a re-energised industry.

Help re-establish one of New Zealand’s largest industries.

Tourism teaches you about:

  • the global principles that structure tourism
  • the nature and operation of the tourism industry
  • the impact, development and management of issues that arise in the industry
  • hospitality, planning, managing and marketing
  • destination management, tourist behaviour and tourism and hospitality enterprise management

Career opportunities

Tourism needs motivated, educated people who understand the wider environmental, social and economic issues affecting tourism businesses. With the broad business education gained by Otago graduates, you can work in:



  • marketing co-ordinators
  • events and meetings co-ordinators
  • economic development officers
  • accommodation and restaurant/business managers
  • operation co-ordinators or managers
  • museum curators
  • tourism organisations – e.g. Tourism New Zealand
  • tour guides and operators • Self-employed
  • researchers, academics, policy makers and planners
  • hotel management – sales and marketing, front office, reservations, revenue
  • event management – business and corporate events, exhibitions and convention events, private events such as weddings and celebrations
  • food and beverage management – sales, quality assurance, regional outlet management
  • online travel company roles – market development, pricing and revenue, marketing and sales


“Graduates who studied across multi-divisional subject areas have a more systemic perspective and better critical thinking skills – they are more resilient and can contribute to multiple areas. We like that Otago graduates have made the decision to go out of their comfort zone and become independent by moving to Dunedin to study.” 
Saskia Verraes, GM Responsible Management, Tourism Holdings Ltd

Study options