MTA - An Introduction

Over the years Tourism has become an integral part of modern life. In the last three decades tourism has transformed the way the world looks and works. Being of major economic and social significance, the tourism Industry has been recognised both by the developing and developed economies.

Though India accounts only 0.4 % of World tourism Arrivals, it is the Department of Tourism that has been responsible for injecting dynamism and enthusiasm into the Tourism Industry of the country. Between 1951-81 the compounded growth rate of tourism in India was 14% as against the world average of 8.2%. in absolute terms, India’s foreign tourism went up from 4.32 lakhs in 1961 to 1.28 million in 1981. Realising that India has the opportunity to tap a much bigger share of world Tourist traffic, the status of Industry was accorded to Tourism, and ever since many academic institutions were set up in the country to mould tourism human resource to serve in Tourism to make it Professional industry. Himachal Pradesh University was one of the pioneering Universities in the country to start imparting Tourism education.

THAT IS MTA

Shimla is an educational centre of global repute. All through the 20th century a large number of students from this cosmopolitan centre have been groomed in the convent schools and colleges, who have made a mark on the national and international scene. The summer capital of the British days now is the seat for Himachal Pradesh University and Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.

The Tourism Administration Master Degree was started as an Independent course in Himachal Pradesh University in the year 1992 under the Institute of Vocational Studies, Faculty of Commerce and Management. The programme was initiated keeping in view the growing importance of the Tourism Industry to the country. The flourishing of Tourism in the country created a sudden demand for Tourism Professionals to serve in the Industry. Realizing the dearth of educated Tourism Professionals and the vast avenues of employment opportunities available in this field, it was decided to introduce a postgraduate degree in Tourism. Himachal University was one of the earliest Universities in the country and second in the Northern Region to start a Master of Tourism Administration Degree. The Degree includes papers on Tourism and Management along with Foreign Language instruction, field trip to some known tourist destination within India and hands-on-work experience in Tourism is provided through a 2 month on- the- job training with any tourism related organization. To deliver lectures on Tourism, faculty from the University and Tourism Scholars and professionals are invited.

The Course Curriculum has been revised from time to time as per the requirements of the Tourism Industry. This has helped to include the latest emerging concepts in Tourism and the Travel Trade in the course and orient the students in accordance with the contemporary tricks of the trade. The latest syllabus of MTA course is now strictly according to UGC NET tourism management curriculum.

Ever since 1999, after some regular teaching appointments, the MTA course has been assigned a separate status and now exists as an Independent Department under the Institute of Vocational Studies. A separate identity of the MTA department has further facilitated better placements of the MTA graduates in the Tourism Industry.

The Vocational Studies (Tourism) Department has been on a steady path of growth and enrichment and has become very popular within and outside the country.