MASTER IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INNOVATIONS
Breda University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), the University of Girona (Spain), and the University of Rijeka (Croatia)
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During this Master's Tourism and Hospitality management - Master of Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality is a unique European joint professional graduate study in outdoor hospitalitymanagement that combines theory and practice across three universities.
THE MASTER
THI – Master of Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Management consist of 4 semesters in duration of 18 months rewarded with total of 120 credits (ECTSs).
In semester 1 of the English-taught Tourism and Hospitality Innovations master specialization, students attend lectures at Breda University of Applied Sciences (30 ECTS). This semester focuses on theoretical knowledge, professional development, research, and intercultural skills through the following modules:
In semester 2, students move to Opatija, in Croatia diving into the sustainable management of camping resorts and visit companies in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. Students are gaining insight into business challenges in park design, sustainable reporting, human resource management and strategic management (30 ECTS).
After this semester students spend two months working as a trainee in the hospitality industry at one of the companies working with the master's globally. This offers the opportunity to work in high season and study in low season. At the same time, students are writing a development plan for an outdoor hospitality destination. Examples of destinations of current students include Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands and even Rwanda!
In semester 3, students move to the University of Girona (Spain) to further develop academic and business skills. In the final months, students write a thesis (30 ECTS).
THE STUDY PROGRAMME
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THI - Master of Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Management study program is designed to equip graduates with the generic qualifications at EQF level 7, focusing on professional development, investigative capacity, interprofessional collaboration, and impactful interventions in the hospitality sector. The program emphasizes practical application of knowledge to achieve meaningful changes in outdoor hospitality management.
Graduates will demonstrate a strong foundation in tourism, with advanced understanding of its political, social, economic, and technological contexts. They will approach management issues proactively, informed by research and reflective practices. They will integrate complex theories into real-world scenarios and understand the roles of stakeholders and organizational processes.
The program also fosters critical thinking, enabling students to assess international tourism environments and integrate evidence to propose effective solutions. Students will explore intercultural contexts and apply strategies for managing tourism destinations, using these skills in diverse international settings.
Practical skills are honed through competence in information technologies, research, and communication, both in academic and professional contexts. Students will develop abilities in preparing reports and collaborating effectively, showcasing confidence in an online environment and working independently or in teams.
Transferable skills are emphasized, including problem-solving through personal research, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing interpersonal communication skills, particularly in diverse cultural environments. Students will also learn to manage tasks and motivation, preparing them for entrepreneurial and professional success.
Beyond technical skills, the program equips students with the ability to evaluate specialized knowledge in management, tourism, and hospitality. They will apply this knowledge in research and business contexts, develop creative solutions to complex problems, and take responsibility for strategic decision-making in unpredictable environments. Ethical and social responsibility is a core component of the program, preparing students to manage the consequences of their actions.
The study program spans four semesters, amounting to 120 ECTS credits, and includes a mix of foundation courses and practical modules. Students are required to complete 540 hours of supervised traineeship, which may take place in Croatia, Spain, the Netherlands, or other countries. The program's curriculum is designed to ensure flexibility, mobility, and continued academic development, providing students with the necessary skills to thrive in a dynamic outdoor hospitality industry.
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1st Semester – Breda University: "Context of Tourism and Outdoor Hospitality" (30 ECTS)
Contemporary Marketing, Context and Trends (6 ECTS)
Destination Stakeholder Management (6 ECTS)
Cross-Cultural Studies (4 ECTS)
Qualitative Research Processes and Methods (6 ECTS)
Destination Development Finance and Organizations (6 ECTS)
Team Performance and Creative Leadership (2 ECTS)
2nd Semester – University of Rijeka, FTHM: "Business Operations and Management" (30 ECTS)
Management and Operation (9 ECTS)
Customer Relationship and Sales Management (6 ECTS)
Sustainable Management in Outdoor Hospitality (9 ECTS)
Financial Reporting (3 ECTS)
Outdoor Hospitality Innovation (3 ECTS)
3rd Semester – University of Girona: "Critical Analysis, Strategic Thinking, and Planning" (30 ECTS)
Sustainable Development of Tourism (3 ECTS)
Financial Management of Tourism Products (3 ECTS)
Quantitative Research Methods (3 ECTS)
Tourism Science and Research (3 ECTS)
Destination Economic Management (3 ECTS)
Management Skills (3 ECTS)
Revenue and Yield Management (3 ECTS)
Experience Design (3 ECTS)
Strategic Management (3 ECTS)
4th Semester – Traineeship & Thesis (30 ECTS)
Transformation Project: Traineeship (18 ECTS)
Master Thesis (12 ECTS)
THE UNIVERSITY
University of Rijeka
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Founded in 1973, the University of Rijeka has matured into a modern European university and center of excellence whose impact extends beyond the region. With a total of 16 academic units, we are a research, science, and education-oriented university that supports social and economic development in our community, the City of Rijeka, and the wider region.
The University of Rijeka is a socially responsible and open university – not only are we open to international students, teaching staff, and researchers, but also to recent developments in higher education. The University of Rijeka is a fully functionally integrated university and it is composed of eleven faculties, one art academy, two departments, university libraries and the Student Centre Rijeka.
The Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management (FTHM) in Opatija is part of University of Rijeka and has been a key institution in Croatian tourism education for over 60 years. It is the only university in Croatia dedicated entirely to training managers in the hotel and tourism industry while fostering scientific research in this field.
The FTHM leads numerous professional and scientific projects, organizes conferences and panels, and comprises seven institutes and 20 departments. It offers undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate specialist, and doctoral studies, as well as lifelong learning programmes.
Its programmes align with the Bologna Declaration and European standards, incorporating the ECTS credit system for easy comparability. The FTHM ensures high-quality education also through distance learning, electronic records, and internationally recognized degree classifications.
Graduates receive a diploma and an additional study document, enabling them to compete in the European labor market with qualifications equivalent to their peers across Europe.
SUMMARY
DURATION
2 years
LOCATION
Breda (Netherlands)
Opatija (Croatia)
Girona (Spain)
DEGREE
Master of Economics – Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka
Master of Arts – Breda University of Applied Science
Master of Science – University of Girona, Faculty of Tourism
KEY WORDS
Tourism,
Hospitality, Innovation,
Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality, Outdoor Hospitality Management,
International study,
Study in 3 countries,
Multiple degrees,
Camping,
Glamping,
Eco lodges