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HGTC Accepting Students for Hospitality & Tourism - Hotel, Restaurant & Events Management
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is proud to announce the launch of a new hospitality degree program on its Grand Strand Campus at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach. The new Hospitality & Tourism Management - Hotel, Restaurant & Events Management - Associate in Applied Science Degree will cater to three different hospitality industry tracks; food service management, event planning management and hotel management.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of food service managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of lodging managers is projected to grow 18 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for graduates in hospitality management roles, such as lodging managers, event planners, and other career options is due to the transferrable skills acquired in this field.
Joe Bonaparte, HGTC Executive Director for the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach, recognized the need for a full hospitality degree program for students and started working on development five years ago.
“Since 2017, HGTC has been conducting focus group studies to understand how hospitality industry managers and owners along the Grand Strand would feel about launching a full hospitality degree program focused on hotel, restaurant, and event management. Because hospitality and tourism is the number one industry in the Myrtle Beach area, everyone expressed support and agreed it was needed,” said Joe Bonaparte.
The program will have three tracks, including food service management, event management and hotel management. This new curriculum will give students hands-on experience and exposure, especially as businesses continue returning to a sense of normalcy utilizing pre-pandemic protocols.
“All students will begin with fundamental hospitality classes and then choose one of the three paths,” explained Bonaparte. Many local hospitality businesses support the program. It opens a pipeline for them because they can hire the students that participate in labs and internships,” he said.
“We are very excited about advancing the future of the hospitality industry with this new program. Students can find their love or their passion within the hospitality industry and then really focus on getting the job skills needed to enter the workforce in an entry-level management position prepared to progress quickly,” said Dr. Marilyn Murphy Fore, HGTC President.
HGTC is accepting applications now for students interested in the program that will help graduates obtain employment in the hotel, restaurant, and event business.