Applied Learning
The UTC Sport, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism program provides a variety of opportunities for students in the program to apply their learning, fostering a deeper understanding of the tourism industry.
Key Applied Learning includes:
- Economic Impact and Market Analysis: Students are exposed to the process of conducting economic impact analyses and feasibility studies. Working alongside the Tourism Center Faculty, students learn how to assess the financial viability and market potential of tourism initiatives and economic impacts to locales as a result of these initiatives.
- Community-Based Projects: Students collaborate with local agencies, tourism providers, and event organizers to develop and implement projects that address real-world challenges, enhancing regional tourism outcomes while meeting stakeholder needs.
- Sustainability Practices: Through field experiences and coursework, students explore sustainable and resilient tourism practices, learning to balance economic, environmental, and social priorities while addressing local and regional challenges.
- Innovation and Technology Integration: Students engage in projects like the UTC Brainwave Project, gaining experience in advanced data analytics and visitor behavior studies to improve tourism strategies and experiences.
- Professional Development and Internships: The program offers robust internship opportunities, enabling students to work directly with industry leaders in areas such as destination marketing, event management, and outdoor recreation programming.
- Research and Insights: Students contribute to primary and secondary research, assisting in producing actionable insights that inform tourism policy, program design, and destination planning.