FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tokyo, February 17, 2004-Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is pleased to announce another addition to its growing undergraduate program, beginning summer 2004: a Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM). Students will take two years of entry-level courses at TUJ before transferring to Temple University’s main campus in Philadelphia for a final two years of upper-level curricula in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). TUJ’s THM major responds to the current and prospective need for trained, globally responsive professionals in tourism and hospitality management.

The THM major at TUJ will train students for positions in the tourism and hospitality management industry. Students will acquire industry-specific skills in management, marketing, planning, and information technology to prepare for convention and conference, hotel and lodging, restaurant, theme park, cruise, transportation, and other tourism and hospitality management professions. Central to, and a mandatory aspect of, the major in the United States and Japan is an internship program. An advisory board of industry-related individuals will help arrange internships for students, provide advice, and help raise funds for the program.

TUJ believes that THM will be one of its most popular majors. A recent survey of university students in Japan indicates that, among the top-10 corporations to work for, students chose three tourism-related companies. And market analysis shows increasing demand within the tourism and hospitality management industry for professionals who understand and can serve the needs of global customers. The multinational and bilingual environment at TUJ offers THM students a competitive advantage in the tourism job market.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, tourism has been the number one industry worldwide since 1999. It produces $3,526.9 billion, or 10.2% of world GDP, and provides 194.5 million jobs, or 7.6% of the world employment total. In Japan, the government is emphasizing tourism as a key 21st-century business. The Visit Japan Campaign launched by the government aims to increase inbound tourism to Japan. This will increase demand and employment opportunities for people whose skills include the training and international experience gained through the THM major at TUJ.

Dr. Elizabeth H. Barber, STHM’s Associate Dean, commented that, “We are delighted to extend our program offerings to TUJ. With Japanese tourists traveling around the world and with the Japanese government’s tourism-promotion campaign, tourism and hospitality management represents a very exciting career path for Japanese students. And, in addition to helping TUJ students, this new relationship between STHM and TUJ will benefit main campus students, by providing them with internship in Japan and opportunities for cross-cultural exchange.”

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