Student Experience

What to Expect

Algonquin College is proud to provide a diverse and dynamic student experience. Check out the highlights below to get a sense of what to expect as a student in the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Honours) program.

Success Stories and Testimonials

A professor, a student, an alumnus and an employer weigh in on how the degree sets you up for success in the high-demand hospitality industry.

Hear firsthand how the program offered a lot of opportunities for growth in Jessica’s career, who was hired by the historic Lord Elgin Hotel before graduation.

Meet Kevin Barrington, Graduate, Top 30 under 30 Winner by Kotuch Media Ltd. This achievement recognizes exemplary role models for those who choose to pursue a career in the food service and hospitality industry, and it speaks to Kevin’s talent, hard work and dedication.

Kevin graduated from the program in 2020, and is currently enjoying his new role as Manager, Talent – Global at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Raffles Hotels & Resorts .

Hear about Kyra’s experience in the program, and how she was hired by industry before she graduated.

Hospitality and tourism alumnus Issa Ibrahim follows his passion back to the hotel industry post-lockdown. Read the CBC article, “Why the pandemic had these young people quitting their jobs” here.

Work-Integrated Learning

Students gain real-world experience and make industry connections through two paid co-op work terms. Past co-op placement opportunities include: Albert at Bay Suite Hotel, Andaz, Delta Hotels, Best Western Plus, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts – Banff Springs, Chateau Lake Louise, and Jasper Park Lodge, Les Suites Hotels, Play Food & Wine, Marriott Hotels, Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals, and The Westin Ottawa.

A team-based fundraising event provides students with an opportunity to make a difference in the community. Hospitality and Tourism degree students raised over $26K for local charities with Spring 2023 Charity Events. Read the article here.

Competitions

STR Student Market Study Competition
A huge congratulations to our fourth year Bachelor of Hospitality & Tourism Management (Honours) students who made it to the Top 5 out of 26 undergraduate teams competing worldwide at the 2021 STR Student Market Study Competition. Not bad considering this is the first time our students have competed in the Smith Travel Research competition!

Take Off! Global Hospitality Competition
Congratulations to three Algonquin College Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management students took home second place in Take Off!, a global hospitality competition held in Paris this week. Their ground-breaking concept for the hotel room of the future — a highly customizable, multi-sensory, AI environment — impressed the judges. To learn more, and hear the CBC interview, click here.

“We’re excited to represent the BHTM program and Algonquin College in Paris!” This is a great program and we want people to know about it because it deserves a lot of credit.” – Brielle Pelletier, Graduate

BHTM Student & Alumni Society (SAS)

Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Honours) Networking Event 2023
This annual networking event, organized by the BHTM Students & Alumni Society, connects our students with over 40 industry executives.

It’s a valuable opportunity for our students to network with industry leaders and recruitment officers, and to learn more about the industry, which is in dire need of skilled workers. Included was a panel discussion on hospitality trends.

Industry

Staying connected to industry is important. To ensure the program continues to be on the cutting edge and up-to-date on emerging trends, faculty meets regularly with top hospitality and tourism industry professional advisors.

Nyle Kelly, General Manager, Brookstreet Hotel, says graduates from the program are equipped with the tools needed to grow quickly in the hospitality industry.

Hear why Regional Vice President Human Resources, Marriott Hotels of Canada, Brian Cammack, hires our graduates.

“Marriott Hotels of Canada is a proud partner of Algonquin College’s Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Honours) (BHTM) program. Marriott consistently hires Algonquin graduates and current students into our Voyager Management Training Program and internships across Canada. Their success is attributed to the academic outcomes of this program. Students gain meaningful education and demonstrate leadership skills and abilities that align with achieving success in our career paths.

Students enter the industry with hands-on experience and have learned leading industry theory that prepares them for leadership roles. The quality of Algonquin’s BHTM program is evident in that it is one of Marriott’s important partner schools measured by student employment and relationships with faculty.

As our industry recovers from the current pandemic, we expect significant growth and opportunities for students to learn and grow. We recognize that we have the power to inspire people to fall in love with travel and look forward to tomorrow’s graduates leading the way.”
– Brian Cammack, Regional Vice President Human Resources, Marriott Hotels of Canada