About This Course

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Tourism and Hospitality Management is a research-driven doctoral program dedicated to advancing knowledge, innovation, and professional excellence in the global tourism and hospitality sector. Designed to promote analytical thinking and forward-looking insights, the program emphasizes rigorous academic inquiry, problem-solving, and trend analysis. As tourism and hospitality represent major revenue-generating industries for many nations, research in this field plays a vital role in fostering economic growth, social welfare, and sustainable development.

The hospitality industry forms a critical pillar of the global economy, encompassing hotels, resorts, tourism services, event management, food and beverage operations, travel enterprises, and more. For individuals who aim to create meaningful contributions and pursue leadership, research, or academic careers, a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management is an excellent pathway. University offers a comprehensive and research-focused Ph.D. program that equips scholars with the advanced knowledge, methodological expertise, and practical insights required to excel in this dynamic field.

What is a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management?

A Ph.D. in Hospitality Management is the highest academic qualification in the field, focusing on advanced study and original research related to hospitality operations, service management, customer experience, tourism systems, and industry innovation. The program helps students:

Deepen their understanding of hospitality and tourism theories
Analyze complex industry challenges
Conduct impactful, original research
Develop leadership and critical decision-making skills
Contribute to academic, industry, and policy advancement

Doctoral scholars investigate real-world issues, explore global hospitality trends, and acquire the analytical skills needed to propose innovative solutions for improving service quality, operational efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction across the sector.

Program Focus and Structure

This advanced research program caters to scholars and industry professionals passionate about expanding knowledge in hospitality and tourism through structured research and innovative thinking. The curriculum covers a broad range of specialized areas such as:

Hospitality operations and management
Tourism planning and sustainable tourism development
Destination marketing and branding
Service quality management
Human resource development in hospitality
Strategic and digital transformation in the hospitality sector

The program is divided into two stages:

1. Coursework

Students begin with coursework that builds a strong foundation in research methodologies, theoretical frameworks, hotel management principles, and subject-specific studies. This phase includes:

Core research methodology courses
Elective courses aligned with individual research interests
Topic exploration and development of initial research ideas

Within the first year, students work closely with faculty mentors to refine their research trajectory and prepare for proposal development.

2. Research and Dissertation

After completing coursework, scholars move into the research phase, which includes:

Developing and defending a research proposal
Conducting in-depth, original research
Analyzing data using quantitative and qualitative methods
Writing and submitting a doctoral dissertation

This stage emphasizes precision, critical thinking, and scholarly contribution to the global body of hospitality and tourism knowledge.

Academic Support and Research Environment

Ph.D. scholars benefit from:

Dedicated mentorship from renowned faculty
Access to academic journals, databases, and digital learning platforms
Participation in national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops
Opportunities for interdisciplinary and industry-led research
Modern infrastructure, including hospitality labs and practical training facilities
Strong industry partnerships for applied research, consulting projects, and field studies

Such a holistic academic environment nurtures creativity, collaboration, and high-quality research output.

Eligibility

1. Educational Qualifications

Master’s Degree Route

Candidates must have:

A Master’s degree in Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, Tourism Management, Catering Technology, or any related field.
At least 55% marks in aggregate or 5.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale from a recognized university.
A 5% relaxation in marks (or equivalent grade) is provided for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS categories.

Candidates may also be eligible if they have completed:

A 1-year/2-semester Master’s program after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s program, OR
A 2-year/4-semester Master’s program after a 3-year Bachelor’s program,
Or a qualification considered equivalent to a Master’s degree by the relevant statutory body.

Direct PhD Admission After a 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree

Candidates who wish to apply directly after their bachelor’s degree must have:

A 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale.
A 5% relaxation in marks is available for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS categories.

M.Phil. Holders

Candidates who have completed an M.Phil. degree (regular mode only) with at least 55% marks are also eligible.

A 5% relaxation applies to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates.

2. Entrance Test Requirement

PhD Entrance Test (PET)

All candidates must qualify the PhD Entrance Test, which evaluates:

Research methodology
Hospitality and tourism concepts
English language proficiency
Analytical and application-based knowledge

3. Exemption from Entrance Test

The following candidates are exempted from the PhD Entrance Test:

UGC NET/JRF qualified
CSIR NET/JRF qualified
Candidates with a valid GATE or GPAT scorecard
Candidates who have completed their M.Phil. program in regular mode

Such candidates can directly appear for the interview stage.

4. Interview / Research Presentation

Candidates who clear the entrance test (or those exempted) will be invited for an interview.

During the interview, applicants must:

Present their proposed research area
Demonstrate clarity of research objectives
Show their preparedness for doctoral-level study

A Department Research Committee (DRC) will evaluate the candidate’s suitability based on the quality, feasibility, and relevance of the proposed research.

PhD in Hotel Management - Admission Process

Future Scope

A PhD in Hospitality Management opens the door to a wide range of prestigious and rewarding career paths in academia, research, government, and the global hospitality industry. With advanced expertise, analytical skills, and research capabilities, PhD graduates are highly valued in many sectors. Below are some of the most prominent career opportunities:

1. Academic Careers (Teaching & Research)

Many PhD graduates build successful careers as professors, lecturers, or academic researchers in universities, colleges, and hospitality institutes. In these roles, professionals:

Teach hospitality and tourism management courses
Supervise graduate and postgraduate research
Publish scholarly research in national and international journals
Contribute to curriculum development

2. Government Sector Careers

PhD holders can work in various government departments and regulatory bodies involved in tourism, hospitality, and policy formulation. Typical roles include:

Tourism Development Officer
Policy Analyst
Hospitality Standards & Regulatory Officer
Research Specialist in Tourism Ministries
Project Manager in government-funded tourism initiatives

3. Private Sector & Corporate Roles

The private hospitality industry offers numerous high-level opportunities for PhD graduates in:

Hotels & Resorts
Hospitality Chains
Event Management Companies
Travel & Tourism Corporations
Luxury Hospitality Brands

Graduates often work in leadership or strategy-based positions, such as:

General Manager / Operations Manager
Corporate Trainer
Hospitality Consultant
Director of Guest Relations
Quality Assurance Manager
Strategic Planning Specialist

4. Research Organizations & Think Tanks

PhD graduates are highly valued in tourism research institutes, policy think tanks, and consultancy bodies. These roles focus on:

Conducting industry-level research
Developing models for tourism sustainability
Studying market trends, consumer behavior, and service innovation
Providing recommendations to governments and private companies

These positions are ideal for those passionate about data-driven insights and policy development.

5. Hospitality & Tourism Consultancy

PhD holders can work independently or with multinational consulting firms, providing expertise in:

Hospitality operations
Tourism planning & destination development
Customer experience management
Service quality improvement
Digital transformation in hospitality

Consultants often enjoy flexibility, high earning potential, and global exposure.

6. International Career Prospects

The global nature of the hospitality industry provides PhD graduates with opportunities to work abroad in:

International universities
Global hotel chains
Tourism boards
International organizations like UNWTO, IATA, UNESCO
Research and consulting roles in Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and North America

In Summary

Completing a PhD in Hospitality Management or Hotel Management & Tourism equips you with:

Advanced research skills
Leadership and management expertise
Strong analytical and critical-thinking capabilities
Deep industry knowledge

These competencies open doors to diverse, well-paid, and prestigious roles across multiple sectors.

PhD in Hotel Management - About, Minimum Qualification, Universities, And Admission 2025-26