Course Code: TRAV 279
Academic Year: 2025-2026
All aboard the ship, or the coach! This course curriculum introduces students to the fundamentals of the global cruise business and the exciting career of a tour guide. Learners will start with exploring cruise industry target markets, profiles of the cruise lines, cruise versus land vacations, cruise sales/marketing, and international career opportunities. Students will also gain knowledge about the anatomy of a cruise ship, cruise geography, selling tools, trends and issues in the cruise industry and shore excursions. The second half of the course explores the career duties and opportunities of a professional tour guide and tour manager both in Canada and globally. Group management, local destination knowledge, presentation and customer service skills, as well as crisis management procedures are analyzed through group discussions, videos, and an off campus experiential field trip to demonstrate effective guiding skills.