This graduate certificate will provide middle managers in the Hospitality and Tourism industry with the tools and skills required to engage in high-level strategic thinking and analysis in the areas of revenue management and business analytics. Specifically, this certificate will provide methods to utilize information systems as tools for dynamic forecasting of supply and demand and maximize profits in HTM-related businesses. Skills gained will ultimately allow certificate holders to compete for upper level managerial positions.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

·         Determine the strategic roles of information systems in today’s hospitality/tourism organizations.

·         Implement information technology applications.

·         Apply the components of Web marketing and distribution practices.

·         Compare and contrast information systems that support business intelligence and data analytics in hospitality/tourism.

·         Evaluate emerging data analytics tools in operations and strategic decision making.

·         Analyze effectiveness and return on investment of information systems.

·         Evaluate revenue management (RM) as a dynamic strategic process.

·         Create and implement an effective RM process.

·         Implement RM within the framework of Customer Relationship Management.

·         Analyze the key elements of dynamic forecasting of demand, supply, cancellations and no-shows.

·         Apply the key elements of setting RM controls and rate fences / restrictions.

·         Analyze positioning, segmentation, target market selection, product development, pricing and channel management within the context of RM policies and processes.

·         Manage the interface between revenue management with human resources and information systems management in hospitality service environments.

·         Articulate and debate the ethical aspects of revenue management in hospitality services environments.

Number of Credit Hours:       

Graduate certificates can be awarded to individuals who do not desire to work toward a degree as well as to students who are working on graduate degrees.  Interested students must submit an official copy of their college transcript or diploma documenting receipt of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an acceptable grade point average mailed to the Virginia Tech Graduate School as part of the application process. Please contact us for specific instructions on applying online. Students should meet with the MSBA-HTM and Graduate Certificates Advisor and submit the application form to the HTM Graduate Administrator for Certificate Program Approval signature no less than six months prior to completion of coursework.