Recreation & Tourism Management Concentration

Metropolitan State University of Denver is excited to announce the launch of a Recreation and Tourism Management Concentration for the Fall 2021 semester. This new concentration will be housed within the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Leadership program in the School of Hospitality. The Recreation and Tourism Management concentration provides scholarly instruction and practical experiences to prepare students as skilled professionals and leaders in the recreation and tourism industry. This program provides an interdisciplinary perspective of recreation and tourism business and provides an integration of theory and hands-on courses covering such topics as management, sustainability, risk management, policy, and social justice.  

Curriculum 

The Recreation and Tourism Concentration embraces flexibility by providing students an integrated core curriculum of three required courses with the opportunity to specialize with a certificate in Outdoor Recreation or to select electives that support each student’s career outcomes. The Recreation and Tourism Management program breaks down traditional academic barriers and supports students as they seek to enter vibrant careers in recreation and tourism.  

Core Courses:  

Courses Required for Recreation and Tourism Management Concentration (9 Credits):  

RTM 2000 - Commercial Recreation and Tourism  (3 credits)  

This course introduces concepts related to the planning, development, and managing of recreation and tourism businesses. The course analyzes such topics as managing an enterprise, resources, place-based considerations, risks, marketing, and operations management.  

SLOs  

1. Identify innovative procedures for commercial development.
2. Explore the relationship of business, society, and economics in recreation and tourism. 
3. Demonstrate knowledge of accountability in dealing with agency programs and resources.
4. Identify important legal implications.    

TTM  3000 - Sustainable Tourism and Recreation  (3 credits)  

This course examines the opportunities and challenges of maximizing positive impacts on cultures, environments, and economies while minimizing and mitigating negative impacts of tourism and recreation activities. The course features worldwide case studies and provides a deep analysis of land and leisure, environmental stewardship, industry interrupters, responsible development, ethics, and human diversity.  

SLOs  

1. Define sustainable tourism.
2. Illustrate how the triple-bottom-line works.
3. Interpret the impacts of tourism and recreation on destination culture, economy, and identify solutions that minimize the stresses imposed by tourism activities.
4. Demonstrate how sustainability and its meaning may vary according to regional, national, and international policies. 
5. Illustrate differences in theoretical approaches to understanding and implementing sustainable initiatives.   

RTM 4000 - Recreation and Tourism Policy and Planning (3 credits)  

This course prepares students to develop effective recreation and tourism programs in diverse settings, including urban, public, private, and volunteer agencies. The course examines contemporary issues related to economics and policy in local and global recreation and tourism industry.   

SLOs  

1. Recognize concepts, theories, and strategies of recreation and tourism policy, planning, and development.
2. Apply conceptual tools of planning and policy.
3. Evaluate social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic impacts of recreation and tourism development.
4. Evaluate program effectiveness. 

Possible Electives:  

Select 3 courses elective courses (examples provided for advising purposes)   

TTM 4100 – Adventure Travel  
TTM 4200 – Ecotourism  
RTM 2730 – Sport in Society  
RTM 3960 – Adventure Instruction  
SM 2050 – Sport Management

SM 3300 – Leadership and Ethics in Sports

Program Certificate
 

Approaches to outdoor recreation and outdoor tourism have undergone considerable evolution over the years, and the use of outdoor space has become a more popular theme within the recreation and tourism industries. We have seen the field of outdoor recreation emerge into a booming industry with 7.6 million direct jobs and $887 Billion in consumer spending, and adventure tourism has flourished as the fastest growing segment of tourism. Over the years these allied industries have transformed into big business. The Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism Certificate provides the skills you need to enter the thriving outdoor industry. 

Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism Certificate 
Required Courses (18 Credits):  
RTM 2000 – Commercial Recreation and Tourism  
RTM 3960 – Adventure Instruction  

RTM 4000 – Recreation and Tourism Policy and Planning  

TTM 3000 – Sustainable Tourism and Recreation  

TTM 4100 – Adventure Travel  
TTM 4200 – Ecotourism