What is PhD Travel and Tourism Management: Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

Updated on Feb 27, 2025 05:42 IST
Pragati Singh

Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content

PhD in Travel and Tourism Management courses is a specialised doctoral course that studies advanced research in the various facets of the global tourism industry that entails marketing, sustainable tourism, policy-making, tourism economics, destination management, hospitality services, etc. 

Based on the external reports, the Indian tourism sector is a significant contributor to the economy. It contributes around 6.8% to India’s GDP in 2022, while in 2023, 9.24 million foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) were recorded (a growth of 43.5% compared to 6.44 million in 2022).

To be eligible for PhD in Travel & Tourism Management courses, candidates need to acquire a Master’s degree in Travel and Tourism Management or a related discipline, with a minimum of 55 percent marks. Additionally, you can sit for exams like UGC-NET, SET, CSIR NET or university-specific exams. Which is sometimes followed by an interview to evaluate their research aptitude and knowledge of the field. Some universities may prefer candidates with work experience in the tourism or hospitality sectors.

Tourism sector of India plays a major contributor as a source of employment, with almost 8.1% employment, with an increase of 54 million jobs by 2029. Top colleges such as IIM Sirmaur, LPU, and SGT University in India offer this course with fees ranging from INR 90,000 to INR 3 lakhs of the total tuition fees.

PhD Travel and Tourism Management career opportunities can lie in various areas such as becoming a professor or researcher or working as a tourism consultant advising private and government entities, working in corporations belonging to tourism and travel work, and even contributing to policymaking. 

PhD Travel and Tourism Management Course Details: Highlights

Below are the details for PhD in Travel and Toursim Management course covering its fee, colleges, jobs, salary, recruiters and other important information to give you a quick recap about the course:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

PhD Travel and Tourism Management

Course Level

Doctorate

Duration

4-5 years

Entrance Exams

UGC-NET, CSIR NET, SET

Fees

INR 90,000 – INR 3 Lakhs

Average Salary

INR 6 LPA – INR 12 LPA

Top Recruiters

Jet Airways, Make My Trip, J W Marriott, ITC, Hyatt, etc.

Job Profiles

Professor, Researcher, Policy Maker, Corporate Advisor

Note- This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

PhD in Travel and Tourism Management Course Related Information:

Tour Operations

List of IHMs in India: Rankings, Admissions and Courses

Q:   What is PhD in Travel and Tourism Management course?
A:

PhD In travel and Tourism Management course teaches students in such a fashion where they can become efficient professionals as well as researchers in the field of Tourism. The main objective is explaining different techniques that are normally applied for carrying out tourism management.

AskShikshaGPT on App
Q:   Why study PhD in Travel and Tourism Management course?
A:

Some reasons why -

  • It'll provide a range of career opportunities from professor to researcher and even to policy-making projects by the government.
  • If you have a good business background and can work in academia or in the private sector.
  • It helps you develop critical thinking and research skills that are valuable for any profession.

Know more about -

PhD in Travel and Tourism Management 

AskShikshaGPT on App
Q:   Are there international job prospects after completing PhD in Tourism Management course?
A:

Yes, there are various job prospects after completing PhD in Tavel Management course, specifically due to global nature of the tourism industry, and also because of the high level of research and analytical skills of the PhD students. You can work in organisations like World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Other international organizations involved in sustainable development, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation.

AskShikshaGPT on App
Table of contents
  • PhD Travel and Tourism Management Eligibility Criteria
  • Top PhD Travel and Tourism Management Entrance Exams
  • Top PhD Travel and Tourism Management Colleges
  • Popular Private PhD Travel and Tourism Management Colleges in India
  • PhD Travel and Tourism Management Syllabus
  • PhD Travel and Tourism Management Careers, Scope, Job Profiles, Salary, and Recruiters
  • PhD Travel and Tourism Management FAQs
  • Course Cutoffs
  • Popular PhD Travel and Tourism Management Specializations
View More

PhD Travel and Tourism Management Eligibility Criteria

The table below covers all the requirements for this course in detail:

Category

Details

Educational Qualification

  • A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Travel and Tourism Management, Hotel Management, or a related field (e.g., Business Administration, Geography, Economics, Sociology).
  • From a UGC-recognized university.

Minimum Marks

  • A minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in the Master's degree. 
  • 50% marks (or equivalent) for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD).

Entrance Examinations

Many universities require candidates to qualify in national-level entrance exams such as: 

  • UGC-NET 
  • CSIR-NET
  • Or university-specific entrance tests. 
  • Candidates with a valid NET/JRF score may be exempted from the university's entrance test.

Research Proposal

Most universities require candidates to submit a research proposal outlining their intended area of research.

Interview

  • Shortlisted candidates are typically required to attend an interview/presentation.
  • During this, their research aptitude and subject knowledge are assessed.

Other Considerations

Having relevant work experience in the tourism or hospitality industry can be advantageous.

Variations

It is very important to check the specific university guidelines, as some universities may have additional requirements.

Read more-

Hotel Management vs. Tourism Management: Which Career is Right for You?

PhD Travel and Tourism Management Admission Process 

  • Make sure that you fulfil the eligibility criteria of the colleges.
  • Fill out the application form and pay the fee.
  • Appear for the entrance exams if any.
  • Wait for the results.
  • Sit for the counselling rounds.

Read more-

Q:   What is the eligibility criteria for PhD Travel and Tourism Management?
A:

You need a masters degree in a relevant field like Travel and Tourism Management with minimum 55 percent as an aggregate marks. Additionally, you also need to qualify exams like UGC-NET for PhD courses in top government universities.

AskShikshaGPT on App

Top PhD Travel and Tourism Management Entrance Exams

Some of the common exams for PhD in Travel and Tourism Management courses are given below, where UGC-NET is the most common for entrance into doctoral courses:

Exams

Exam Dates

Exam Schedule

UGC-NET 2025

3-Jan-2025 to 27-Jan-2025

UGC-NET Exam Date 2025

GATE 2025

May ' 25 - Jul ' 25 (Tentative)

GATE Exam Date 2025

CSIR NET 2025

28 Feb '25 - 2 Mar '25

CSIR NET Exam Date 2025

LPU NEST 2025

15 Mar ' 25 - 31 Mar ' 25

LPU NEST  Exam Date 2025

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.

PhD in Travel and Tourism Management Course Related Information:

Tour Management

Tourism Studies

 

Important Exam Dates

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
Aug ' 26

OUAT Entrance Exam 2026 Counselling

TENTATIVE
To Be Notified

AILET 2027 Registration

TENTATIVE
To Be Notified

AILET 2027 Exam

TENTATIVE
18 Dec ' 26

AILET 2027 Final Answer Key

01 Jun ' 26 - 31 Jul ' 26

IEMJEE 2026 Exam Dates - Phase 3

ONGOING
Aug ' 26

REVA PET 2026 Exam date

TENTATIVE
DatesPast Exam Dates
Jan ' 26

TIFR GS Final Answer

14 Dec ' 25

TIFR GS 2026 Exam

26 Oct ' 25

TIFR GS 2026 Application deadline for completing REGISTRATION

Q:   What are the exams required for PhD in Travel and Tourism Management courses?
A:

Here are some common exams for PhD courses in Travel and Toursim:

Exams

Exam Dates

Exam Schedule

UGC-NET 2025

3-Jan-2025 to 27-Jan-2025

UGC-NET Exam Date 2025

GATE 2025

May ' 25 - Jul ' 25 (Tentative)

GATE Exam Date 2025

CSIR NET 2025

28 Feb '25 - 2 Mar '25

CSIR NET Exam Date 2025

LPU NEST 2025

15 Mar ' 25 - 31 Mar ' 25

LPU NEST  Exam Date 2025

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.

Top PhD Travel and Tourism Management Colleges

There are very few colleges in India that provide PhD Travel and Tourism Management courses with approximately 10 colleges as per our records. Here are these colleges along with their fees information:

College

Tuition Fees

LPU - Lovely Professional University

INR 3 L

Sri Sri University

INR 2.1 L

SGT University, Gurgaon

NA

NIMS Institute of Management and Commerce, NIMS University

INR 90 K - 6 L

Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University

NA

Maharaja Agrasen University

INR 3 L

Vikrant University

INR 2.7 L

Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.

PhD Travel and Tourism Management Colleges Related Information:

List of Ph.D. in Hospitality & Travel Colleges in India

List of Travel & Tourism Management Colleges in India

8 L - 12.5 L
4.2
1 Course
9.5 L
4.4

Hospitality & Travel Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
1.87 L - 12 L
4.0

Hospitality & Travel Applications open. Apply Now

32 K - 3.68 L
4.5
75 K - 3.68 L
4.5

Hospitality & Travel Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Private PhD Travel and Tourism Management Colleges in India

30 K - 6.2 L
4.6

Hospitality & Travel Applications open. Apply Now

4 Courses
1.25 L - 5 L
4 Courses
1.25 L - 5 L
4 Courses
1.25 L - 5 L
4 Courses
1.25 L - 5 L
4 Courses
1.25 L - 5 L

PhD Travel and Tourism Management Syllabus

If you choose a PhD in Travel and Tourism Management, the syllabus covers core areas like tourism theory, research methodologies, sustainable tourism practices, tourism economics, cultural impacts of tourism, tourism policy analysis, marketing strategies. There can be some specialisations for research focus. You will learn about advanced statistical analysis and data interpretation using tools like SPSS. The main areas may include:

Tourism Theory and Concepts

Definitions and classifications of tourism

Tourism motivations and behavior

Tourism life cycle

Carrying capacity and Impacts of tourism on Destinations

Research Methodology

Qualitative and quantitative research methods

Data Collection Techniques (surveys, interviews, observation) 

Statistical analysis (regression, ANOVA, factor analysis)

Research ethics and integrity

Sustainable Tourism

Principles of sustainable tourism development 

Ecotourism and Responsible Tourism Practices

Community-based tourism initiatives

Climate change and tourism adaptation strategies

Tourism Economics

Economic impacts of tourism (multiplier effect)

Tourism demand forecasting

Tourism Revenue Management

Cost-Benefit Analysis 

PhD in Travel and Tourism Management Course Relevant Information:

Hospitality and Travel Course

Q:   What is the syllabus for PhD in Tourism Management?
A:

PhD in Travel and Tourism Management curriculum entails specialisations and core areas like tourism economics, cultural impact, tourism policy, sustainable tourism practices, marketing strategies, and many more. 

However, it is important to understand that most of the PhD courses are research driven, and hence the curriculum is not fixed and can vary. 

 

PhD Travel and Tourism Management Careers, Scope, Job Profiles, Salary, and Recruiters

A PhD in Travel and Tourism Management can lead to careers in research, education, consultancy, and tourism management. Here are some of the popular job profiles for PhD in Travel and Tourism Management graduates. 

Job Profile Job Description
Average Salary
Professor/Lecturer

Teaching and conducting research in universities and academic institutions.

INR 8 - 20+ LPA
Tourism Researcher/Analyst

Conducting in-depth research on tourism trends, impacts, and policies.

INR 7 - 15+ LPA
Tourism Policy Advisor Developing and evaluating tourism policies at local, regional, or national levels.  INR 8 - 18+ LPA
Destination Development Manager Planning and managing the sustainable development of tourist destinations. INR 7 - 14+ LPA
Tourism Consultant Providing expert advice to tourism businesses and organizations on strategic planning, marketing, and operations.
INR 8 - 20+ LPA
Research and Development Manager (Tourism) Leading research and development initiatives within tourism companies or organizations.  INR 9 - 16+ LPA

Note: The salary has been taken from external sources.

PhD in Travel and Tourism Management Career Relevant Information:

Top 5 Hospitality Management Courses Offered by Five Star Hotels in India

Top PhD in Travel and Tourism Management Recruiters

Refer to the table below to learn about top recruiters for PhD in Travel and Tourism Management in India:

PhD Travel and Tourism Management Top Recruiters 

Deloitte

KPMG

Indian Institutes of Tourism and Travel Management 

Taj Hotels

MakeMyTrip

Thomas Cook

State Tourism Development Corporations

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Q:   What are the career options after completing PhD in Travel and Tourism Management course?
A:

After completing PhD in Travel and Tourism Management courses, graduates can find employement in universities and colleges as professor or researcher. They can also work as a policy maker in government organisations like Ministry of Tourism

One can also work in coporates and big companies like Deloitte, Makemytrip, and Yatra.com, to play as an advisor and strategy making expert. If anyone is interested in business, then they can also start their own venture in Travel Industry.

Q:   What is the average starting salary for PhD Travel Management graduate?
A:

Based on the external sources, PhD in Travel and Tourism Management students can earn from INR 2.5 LPA to INR 12 LPA, as the fresher. It can vary from recruiter to recruiter and Industry to Industry as well. 

PhD Travel and Tourism Management FAQs

Here are some common FAQs for this course:

Q:   How long is PhD in Travel and Tourism Management?
A:

The course usually takes 3 to 6 years of duration to complete, plus it can vary from college to college and university to university. Some may offer 5 years of duration also.

Q:   Is there a provision for lateral entry in PhD Travel and Tourism Management?
A:

Yes, there are some colleges in India that offers provision for lateral entry into PhD in Travel and Tourism Management, to the candidates who have master's degree in the relevant field or significant industry experience

Course Cutoffs

The cutoffs of popular PhD Travel and Tourism Management colleges is given below:

Popular PhD Travel and Tourism Management Specializations

Following are the most popular PhD Travel and Tourism Management Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

At for LPU scholarship to get admission, it is for eligibility and scholarship. As per portal management, a student can apply LPU for scholarship. If the student or applicant could get great scores in LPU, then they can, you know, get the highest scholarship provided by LPU. I would suggest to just

...Read more

A

Ankita Sharma

Guide-Level 11

Answered 4 days ago

 As far as I know, BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management) is one of the most popular courses for students interested in the hospitality industry.

Iam also pursuing the same course at LPU. The Hotel Management programme is also popular because it offers practical training, internships, and good placement

...Read more

V

Vaishnavi Abrol

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 4 days ago

Yes, as far as I know, admission depends on the course:

For BBA (Hospitality & Culinary Management)-You have to appear for the Symbiosis Entrance Test, also known as SET. After that, you have to attend a Personal Interview.

 B.Sc. (Hospitality & Culinary Management)-You have to appear for the Eligibil

...Read more

V

Vaishnavi Abrol

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 5 days ago

Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology is the best private college for hotel management in Delhi NCR, as per India Today-MDRA 2026 rankings. This college is also affiliated with GGSIPU. Check its BHMCT course, which requires valid scores from the IPU CET BHCT en

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, Hotel Management at Galgotias University can be a good choice for students seeking practical training, industry exposure and placement opportunities

P

Prachi Katiyar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

In Pune, you can find the regular MBA course in travel and tourism for 2 years. The BBA in Travel and Tourism Management is generally for 3 years.  

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, you don't necessarily have to give an entrance exam. There are colleges that also accept class 12th scores (for UG courses) and UG degree scores (for PG courses).
Students need to check the courses available by the college. They should also make sure the eligibility criteria is met. Understanding

...Read more

B

Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

SPPU (Savitribai Phule Pune University) can be considered to be the best option for choosing tourism and hospitality management courses in Pune. It affiliates a majority of the top private colleges that offer MBA, BBA, and BSc degrees on the same. The fees are regularised and do not exceed more than

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The MAH HM CET exam is for the Bachelor in Hotel Management and Catering Technology course from AISSMS College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in Shivaji Nagar. It's affiliated with SPPU, and the course is for INR 6.6 Lakh. 

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, many UG courses like Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management, BBA in Tourism Management, etc. are available for Tourism and Travel. Students need to check the application process and eligibility criteria for the course and college. Some colleges accept students on the basis of their class 12t

...Read more

B

Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

A degree is considered as best depending upon the career that a student wants.

In order to work in the management and operations of the industry, the best choice for you would be a BBA/PGDM degree in Travel and Tourism Management.

But, in case of your interest towards planning and agency work, you sho

...Read more

B

Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

DY Patil University can be considered the best private college for BSc in Hotel/Hospitality Management. It offers a BSc in Hotel Management course with a tuition fee of INR 4 Lakh. The median salary for graduates here is INR 5 LPA, which is a decent ROI.    

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The admission process for travel and tourism courses is simple for the most part. First, you have to choose a degree, since there are multiple options for the type of degree. Next, you have to choose a college. Visit college website and check the admission criteria and process.

B

Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

In the Amity University Noida BTech global programs, core tuition covers the standard five-week study abroad term. However, airfare, visa processing fees, and overseas living costs must be borne by the student. The university provides the academic infrastructure abroad without extra tuition costs.  

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 4 weeks ago

BSc courses are offered in travel and hospitality at Chandigarh University are BSc (Hons) Airlines & Airport Management, BSc (Hons) Travel & Tourism Management and BSc (Hons) Hotel & Hospitality Management. To be eligible for these courses, candidates need minimum 50% aggregate in Class 12 exam or e

...Read more

S

Saumya Gairola

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

For the Excelia courses offered in English at both levels, Bachelor's and MSc courses, a B2 level (CEFR) is needed. All official tests like IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo and others. 

Also, for French-taught courses at Excelia, a B2 French is required. 

M

Mamona Dixit

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

Excelia Group of Institutions is a big brand name and its Hotel & Tourism School is the first French school to have a certification like UNWTO.TedQual for all its courses. 

This certification is provided by the United Nations in recognition of Excelia curriculum and the tourism industry

This school

...Read more

78590934
Loveleen Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The rank needed to get admission at IHM Meerut for the BHMCT course would depend on the category you belong to. The IHM Meerut BHMCT cutoff 2026 for the General AI category was 7559 in the first round. Hence, students who belong to this category need to attain a rank of at least 7559 or preferably b

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The IHM Meerut cutoff 2026 has been released for the first round for admission to the BHMCT course. The cutoff was released in the form of ranks for various All India quota categories. 

For the General AI category, the cutoff for the first round was 7559. Students who want admission to this course ha

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No, in most cases international travel is not required or compulsory in the Technology and Management-related programs at Lovely Professional University. The university might still provide optional international exposure chances, like student exchange programs study tours internships, semester abroa

...Read more

S

Samreen Begum

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The English Language section carries the highest weightage: 40 questions for 40 marks, accounting for 40% of the total score.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No. There is no negative marking in either the BHMCT or MHMCT CET. Incorrect and unattempted answers both result in zero marks. Candidates should attempt all questions.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

MAH MHMCT CET 2026 is a 60-minute online exam. It includes 50 MCQs spread equally across five sections: Food & Beverage Operation, Food Production, Rooms Division, English, and Hospitality & Tourism Industry.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Dear reader,

Within its Bachelor of Science curriculum, ITM Institute of Hotel Management (ITM IHM), Navi Mumbai, provides two unique specializations: B.Sc. in Hospitality Management and B.Sc. in Hospitality Studies (associated with the University of Mumbai). Both programs are highly acclaimed for g

...Read more

A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Scholarship deadlines at Vatel France vary for different financial aid programs. The Eiffel Scholarship is one of the more popular financial aid options among Indian students.

Deadline to apply for the same for the 2026-27 intake is now closed. Tentative deadline to apply for the 2027-28 intake is Ja

...Read more

A

Akash Gaur

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The total tuition fee of Certificate in Aviation Tourism & Ticketing Management at Skylark Institute of Travel is INR 1 lakh. Candidates need to pay the course fee to9 confirm their admission. This number is taken from the official website of college. It can change.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Dear reader,

The ITM-Institute of Hotel Management, Navi Mumbai, offers three-year Bachelor of Arts programs. In a similar vein, LPU provides top-notch hotel management programs with a functioning hotel on campus, worldwide internship opportunities, and outstanding placement rates with high-end inte

...Read more

A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Dear reader,

For its 2026 session, ITM-Institute of Hotel Management, Navi Mumbai, is offering a special scholarship program. Through their particular scholarship entrance test, merit-based waivers are given. In a similar vein, LPU offers a comprehensive scholarship environment through LPUNEST in ad

...Read more

A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Dear reader,

The degree programs at Enviroskills Academy, Institute of Hotel Management, are open to candidates who have completed Class 12 from an accredited board with a minimum of 45% to 50% aggregate marks. LPU offers top-notch hotel management programs with an on-campus luxury hotel, internatio

...Read more

A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Dear reader,

IAM Institute of Hotel Management Guwahati's three-year programme is well-known for its AICTE-approved curriculum and stellar placement record with prestigious companies like Taj and ITC. In a similar vein, LPU provides top-notch hospitality programs with a functioning hotel on campus,

...Read more

A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 10