With the world’s increasing globalization and advancement in hospitality and travel, having the correct undergraduate course after 12th can be a deciding factor for your future career. Among all the popular courses, BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management) and BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) in Tourism are preferred courses for those who are interested in the hospitality, tourism, and service industries. But both these programs, though seemingly interchangeable, are distinct in emphasis, curriculum, career opportunities, and industry exposure.
What is BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management)?
BHM is a professional under-graduate course that focuses mainly on hotel management and operations, equipping students in hospitality services, food and beverage management, front office operations, housekeeping, event planning, and others. The course includes theoretical learning as well as vocational training, even including internships with leading chains of hotels.
- Duration: 3 to 4 years (country or university based)
- Eligibility: 10+2 from government-recognized board with at least passing marks
- Key Fields: Hospitality, hotel management, food production, customer care, event planning
What is BBA in Tourism?
BBA in Tourism is a business course focused on the administration, marketing, and management of the travel sector. Students gain knowledge about tourism operations, destination marketing, administration of the travel agencies, tourism economics, and international business of the travel sector.
- Duration: 3 years
- Eligibility: 10+2 from a known board with at least passing marks
- Areas of Focus: Marketing of tourism, operations in travel, global management of tourism, business strategy
Comparison of Curriculum: BHM vs BBA Tourism
BHM Syllabus Highlights:
- Food Production and Kitchen Operations
- Food and Beverage Service
- Housekeeping Management
- Front Office Operations
- Hotel Accounting
- Hospitality Marketing
- Event and Banquet Management
- Hospitality Law
Industrial Training and Internships
BBA Tourism Syllabus Highlights:
- Principles of Management
- Tourism Geography
- Business Communication
- Tourism Marketing
- Travel Agency and Tour Operations
- Tourism Policy and Planning
- Business Law
- Customer Relationship Management
- Airline Management
Destination Management
BHM is more application-oriented and experiential, handling operations of the hospitality industry on a day-to-day basis, whereas BBA Tourism handles strategic planning, management, and marketing of tourism products.
Career Prospects Following BHM
BHM graduates can pursue different career options in the service and hospitality industry, including hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and event management.
Top Career Options:
- Hotel Manager
- Front Office Executive
- Food & Beverage Manager
- Housekeeping Supervisor
- Banquet Manager
- Cruise Line Staff
- Restaurant Manager
- Hospitality Trainer
Top Recruiters
- Taj Group of Hotels
- Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
- Marriott International
- Hyatt
- ITC Hotels
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Radisson Blu
- Lemon Tree Hotels
Salary Range:
Starting salaries range from ₹3 to ₹5 LPA and increase with increasing experience.
Career Opportunities After BBA Tourism
A BBA in Tourism offers opportunities for more administrative and managerial roles in the aviation, travel, and tourism sectors. It is ideal for those looking to pursue corporate strategy, entrepreneurship, or international business in the travel industry.
Top Job Roles:
- Travel Consultant
- Tourism Marketing Manager
- Tour Operator
- Travel Agency Manager
- Airline Customer Service Executive
- Destination Manager
- International Travel Coordinator
- Tourism Project Manager
Top Recruiting Companies:
MakeMyTrip- Thomas Cook
- Cox & Kings
- Yatra
- Expedia
- Indigo Airlines
- Air India
- IRCTC
- State Tourism Departments
Salary Range:
Initial salaries are as low as ₹3 to ₹6 LPA, with higher packages for international postings or specialized career paths.
Industry Exposure and Internship Opportunities
BHM Internship Experience:
- Industrial training compulsory in 5-star hotels
- Hands-on training in kitchen, housekeeping, food service
- Live event management exposure
- Guest lectures by hospitality professionals
BBA Tourism Internship Experience:
- Internship in airlines, travel agencies, or boards of tourism
- Exposure to product design in tourism and market research
- Airport operations and travel reservation systems
Seminars by industry professionals
BHM internships are operation and service-oriented, while BBA Tourism internships are planning, marketing, and client interaction-oriented.
Higher Education Options After Graduation
After BHM:
- MBA in Hotel Administration
- M.Sc. in Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Management
- MBA in Event Management
After BBA Tourism
- MBA in Tourism Management
- MTA (Master of Tourism Administration)
- PGDM in Travel & Tourism
- MBA in International Business
Both the degrees offer excellent prospects for postgraduate specialization, with MBAs in respective disciplines improving leadership prospects and compensation packages.
Who Should Choose BHM?
Students enthusiastic about hotel administration, cooking, and service to guests
- Those who want to do hands-on hospitality work
- Aplicants for careers in upscale hotels, resorts, and cruises
- Those with effective communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Optimal Qualities:
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina (longer working hours)
- Team player
- Pressure management skills
Who Should Choose BBA Tourism?
- Students who are interested in travel, business strategy, and tourism marketing
- Those inclined towards corporate and administrative careers compared to on-field hospitality work
- Job seekers wishing to work with airlines, tourism boards, or global travel companies
- Those inclined towards planning, research, and management
Ideal Qualities:
- Strategic thinking
- Problem-solving capability
- Knowledge of worldwide cultures and destinations
- Good analytical and business acumen
Global Ambition: BHM vs BBA Tourism
Both the courses have huge global appeal but in other sectors.
BHM Global Opportunities:
Hotel careers in Dubai, Singapore, USA, Europe
- Cruise ships and luxury resorts
- Hospitality management careers in foreign chains
- International culinary and event management careers
BBA Tourism Global Opportunities:
- Global travel agencies
- Tourism development organizations (UNWTO, etc.)
- Destination marketing agencies
- Airline and airport management
- Both the courses have study abroad and internship options if the college has international affiliations.
Top Colleges in India Offering BHM & BBA Tourism
Top BHM Colleges:
- Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore
- Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal
- Christ University, Bangalore
- Amity University
- SRM Institute of Hotel Management
Top BBA Tourism Colleges:
- Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM)
- Christ University, Bangalore
- Lovely Professional University
- Chandigarh University
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Last Word: Which Course to Choose?
Whether you prefer doing BHM or BBA in Tourism depends entirely on your professional goals, skill set, and interest. Both the courses are excellent, but the opportunities they provide are different: If you are interested in the hospitality industry, interested in cooking, service, and hotel operation, and want a customer interaction-based job, go for BHM. If you are passionate about business strategy, tour planning, destination marketing, and want to do travel business world work, then BBA in Tourism is the right option.
Gaurav Tagore is a forward-thinking Director known for his impactful work in the education media space. He leads content that helps students make informed academic and career decisions while offering a window into real campus experiences. With a strong focus on clarity and relevance, Gaurav continues to be a trusted voice for student communities across the country.