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:

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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.

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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 

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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.

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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.

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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:

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Tourism Studies

 

Important Exam Dates

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
07 Aug ' 26 - 10 Nov ' 26

AILET 2027 Registration

ONGOING
13 Dec ' 26

AILET 2027 Exam

To Be Notified

AILET 2027 Final Answer Key

TENTATIVE
Aug ' 26

OUAT Entrance Exam 2026 Counselling

TENTATIVE
01 Jun ' 26 - 31 Aug ' 26

IEMJEE 2026 Exam Dates - Phase 3

ONGOING
DatesPast Exam Dates
26 Apr ' 26 - 05 Jun ' 26

JMI Entrance Exam Dates 2026

20 Feb ' 26 - 10 Apr ' 26

JMI Entrance Exam 2026 Application

Jan ' 26

TIFR GS Final Answer

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

9 L - 12.5 L
4.2
1 Course
9.5 L
4.4

Hospitality & Travel Applications open. Apply Now

1.87 L - 12 L
4.0

Hospitality & Travel Applications open. Apply Now

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:

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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:

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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

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