Bunker Hill Community College

About the Hospitality Department

In Hospitality, we are welcoming many new programs and initiatives within the coming months. We are updating our programs to improve career opportunities for our students and take advantage of a changing industry.

The Travel and Tourism program has started using the SABRE computer reservations system for student training. This system, developed by American Airlines, was the first to computerize airline inventory and pricing for travel industry use. It is still used by many major airlines and is the primary system in travel agency usage in the United States. Students are trained in reservations, pricing and ticketing as well as in selling the many ancillary services needed by clients. They receive certification from SABRE upon completion of the course and are also eligible for initial Travel Agent Proficiency certification.

In the coming years the Travel and Tourism program will shift focus to the industry areas offering the best opportunities for career advancement. Courses in Corporate Travel Management, Marketing Group Tours and Selling Commissionable Products are being developed. A certificate option in Meeting and Event Management is planned for Fall 2009.

The Hotel and Restaurant Management program currently offers students certification in Lodging Operations from the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Hotel front desk software will be introduced to this curriculum in order to replicate the real work environment for students.

The department is also developing new programs to better train Bunker Hill students for the future career marketplace. There are many areas of growth within the industry. Casino Management and Managing Assisted Living facilities are two of the most promising possibilities planned for the coming years.

In addition to course development, we are investigating new avenues of student recruitment. Faculty members are coordinating outreach visits to local high schools and hopefully articulation agreements will provide for a smooth transition from vocational schools into our career track programs.