Diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management

Can you see yourself as a manager of a successful tourism business, either working for yourself or for a tourist company? This diploma will help you get there by providing you with the skills and knowledge for the hotel and tourism industry, and preparing you for employment in positions within New Zealand and internationally. The programme has a strong focus on management practices in the hotel and tourism industries, and on the skills needed for lifelong learning in a changing global business environment. The programme aims to develop dedicated professionals and to equip them with a qualification that is highly regarded by employers and the community.

Please note: course content for 2013 is currently under review and may be subject to change.

Year One

DHTM101 Tourism and Hospitality Studies 1

This subject introduces students to a range of issues and concepts that are relevant to the hotel and tourism industries.  The paper will provide an awareness of the patterns and trends in tourism, both on a global scale and with reference to the three kinds of whole tourism systems affecting New Zealand.

DHTM102 Personal Communications for Tourism and Hospitality

This paper explores the theories and practices of communications as they pertain to hotel and tourism management.  Topics covered include the communications model, verbal and nonverbal communication, interpersonal and cultural communications, effective writing, persuasion and motivation and organisational communications.  This paper provides both theoretical and practical information.

DHTM103 Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality Marketing

A paper designed to introduce students to the concept and functions of marketing within the tourism and hotel industries.  In particular the paper focuses on developing an understanding of how tourism and hospitality managers can stay close to their customers, be aware of their competitors' actions, and keep abreast of market trends within their operating environment.

DHTM104 Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality Management

This subject introduces students to concepts, theories and practical examples of organisations and the fundamentals of managing these organisations within the hotel and tourism industries.  The paper will provide an awareness of tourism businesses and form a knowledge base which students may draw on as they progress through their academic career.

DHTM105 Food and Beverage Management

This paper examines the management of food and beverage facilities, focusing on strategic, managerial and operational impacts on product and service quality, and organisational profitability.

DHTM106 Financial Analysis for Tourism and Hospitality

This paper introduces students to accounting practices that underpin financial information that is used in management planning, control and decision making processes integral to achieving organisational objectives. It offers students an understanding of the ‘language of business’ essential for those who wish to participate in these processes.   It introduces students to the concepts of reading, understanding and interpreting financial information.   It also introduce students to some of the business activities and financial management issues, particularly in service organisations such as hotels and airlines.

DHTM107 Hotel Operations

This paper looks at the hotel industry specifically front office, housekeeping skills and the successful ways to manage this area. The accommodation sector forms a large part of the hospitality industry and there is an increasing need for employees within this sector to understand the management principles and issues concerning rooms division from both the front office and housekeeping perspective. 

DHTM108 Tourism and Hospitality Sales and Promotion

This paper will introduce students into the world of promotion in the hotel and tourism industries.  It includes areas such as public relations, advertising, personal selling, designing and managing products, which involves pricing strategies and distribution options.

Year Two  

DHTM201 Tourism and Hospitality Studies ll

This paper builds on DHTM101, and  includes consideration of issues such as ecotourism, sustainability and authenticity in tourism.  In this paper the focus widens from elements of whole tourism systems to the interactions of these systems with their environments.

DHTM202 Human Resource Management in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

This paper introduces the understanding of principles and practices of human resource management to help maximise the potential of your employees.  This includes topics like legislation requirements in business, human resource planning, training and development.

DHTM203 Tourism and Hospitality Research and Analysis

This paper will give students an understanding of the research process and basic statistics, important in making business decisions. The paper will help students understand the importance of collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of research results in tourism management decisions.  It aims to provide a basic introduction to research planning and design, including data collection and data analysis techniques applicable to tourism and business research.

DHTM204 Tourism and Hospitality Services Management

This paper will link marketing, human resource management and food and beverage together.  Students will learn why the customer is considered the centre of the organisation.  At the end of this paper students will have developed skills in organisational strategies and service management techniques.

DHTM205 Strategic Management for Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises

This paper will give students an advanced knowledge and understanding of various theories and practices in strategic management, applicable to organisations in tourism and hotel industries.  The paper will also build on strategic issues earlier learnt in the programme.

DHTM206 Hospitality and Tourism Financial Management

This paper enables the student to use financial and operating information for management in planning, control, evaluation and decision making.  It develops the skills for understanding, interpreting and using management accounting and other financial information, mainly in the hotel environment.

DHTM207 Employment Relations and Law for Tourism and Hospitality

This paper concentrates on the legal environment and employee relations.  As tourism organisations operate in a complex legal environment, managers must be aware of the business implications of the legal requirements of operations in their industry, and understand their legal obligations to guests and staff. Employee relations affect the environment within which business decisions are made, and as such the employment relations system in New Zealand has many implications for the operation of the various sectors of the tourism industry.

DHTM208 Entrepreneurship in Tourism and Hospitality

This paper examines entrepreneurship, new venture creation and innovation in tourism and hospitality industries. Its main aim is to equip students with knowledge, skills, and conceptual frameworks that assist in recognising and assessing inputs to the entrepreneurial process, in planning and creating a new venture, and in managing it successfully through establishment and growth.  

Graduates will be suited for employment in a management capacity within the hospitality and tourism sector, hotels, resorts, restaurants, events and convention centres, or continue on to further study with our Bachelor of Hotel Management programme.

Students successfully completing the Diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management will receive, upon application, the equivalent of two years towards the Bachelor of Hotel Management at SIT.

Application by Academic Qualification

Applicants in this category will have evidence of the achievement of University Entrance (or equivalent NZQA credits), NCEA equivalent, or Sixth Form Certificate in four subjects, including English, with total marks of 16 or fewer (or equivalent NZQA credits), NCEA equivalent, or completion of an external or overseas qualification, which is considered to be the equivalent of either of the above qualifications, as approved by the Head of Faculty.

Application by Mature Entry

Applicants who are 20 by March 1 of the first year of enrolment in the programme, and have provided evidence of relevant prior learning and experience can apply for entry.

Special Application

In exceptional circumstances an applicant below the age of 20 who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed a special programme, which prepares students for the required academic standard for entry, (e.g. successful completion of year one of the New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management, or New Zealand Diploma in Business).

Provisional Part Time Application

An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more year one papers, provided she/he meets the requirements of special admission above.  Upon successful completion of the paper(s), the student may apply for special admission by mature entry.

International Students

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, must provide evidence of achieving an IELTS Academic English language test overall score of 6.0.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management (Level 6), they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all unit standards, and achieved a total of 240 credits as specified in the programme schedule.

The student completing the Diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management will normally be expected to complete the programme over no more than five years. The Head of Faculty may approve longer periods to complete the programme, following consideration by the Board of Studies.

To download key dates for 2014 click here