Florida's Hospitality and Tourism Management pathway prepares students for careers in the state's signature industry. As one of the world's premier tourism destinations, Florida's hospitality sector includes theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, restaurants, and convention facilities that employ hundreds of thousands of Floridians.
The program provides comprehensive training in hotel operations, restaurant management, event planning, and tourism services. Students learn customer service excellence, hospitality operations, marketing, and management skills specific to the tourism industry. Many programs partner with hotels and theme parks to provide authentic workplace experiences.
Florida's unique position as a global tourism leader provides students with career pathways ranging from theme park operations to luxury resort management. The pathway emphasizes both operational excellence and customer experience management, preparing students for supervisory roles and postsecondary hospitality management programs.
Hospitality and Tourism Management at a Glance
3
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Florida's Hospitality and Tourism frameworks align with American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) standards and incorporate National Restaurant Association competencies. The curriculum addresses lodging operations, food and beverage service, tourism and travel services, and event management.
Programs are encouraged to provide opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized certifications and participate in work-based learning at hospitality businesses. The state emphasizes both customer service skills and operational management competencies.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism | 8863010 |
| Hospitality and Tourism Operations | 8863020 |
| Hospitality Management and Leadership | 8863030 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Hospitality Tourism Specialist (HTS)
- ✓Guest Service Gold - Tourism
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓ServSafe Manager
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 1
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 2
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Hotel Front Desk Agent
Entry LevelSalary range: $44,440 - $94,130
Restaurant Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $50,360 - $82,330
Event Coordinator
Entry LevelSalary range: $44,800 - $77,250
Resort Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $64,720 - $159,510
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Florida students access internships at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, major hotel chains, cruise lines, and hospitality businesses throughout the state. Tourism season provides peak opportunities for student employment and internships.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Florida CTE Programs
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Florida Standards Built In
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Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Florida standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Florida
Culinary Arts
Florida's Culinary Arts pathway prepares students for careers in the state's vibrant food service industry. With world-class restaurants, resort dining, cruise ship operations, and theme park food service, Florida offers diverse culinary career pathways from fine dining to large-scale food production. The program provides comprehensive training in cooking techniques, baking and pastry, menu planning, food safety, and kitchen management. Students work in professional kitchen environments, often operating student-run restaurants that serve real customers. Many programs specialize in areas like international cuisine reflecting Florida's multicultural population. Florida's culinary pathway emphasizes both classical techniques and contemporary trends, along with the business and management skills needed for restaurant operations. Students work toward industry certifications including ServSafe that are recognized nationwide, preparing for immediate employment or postsecondary culinary education.
Hospitality & TourismRestaurant Management
The Restaurant Management pathway prepares students for careers managing food service operations, dining establishments, catering companies, and institutional food service across Florida. Students develop competencies in food production, inventory management, financial controls, staff supervision, and customer service. This pathway serves Florida's diverse restaurant industry ranging from casual dining chains to upscale fine dining establishments while addressing the hospitality sector's critical need for skilled management professionals. Restaurant managers lead teams and manage complex operations including food costs, labor expenses, quality control, and customer satisfaction in fast-paced environments. Florida's extensive dining scene, tourism industry, and population diversity create abundant opportunities for restaurant management professionals. The pathway emphasizes both culinary knowledge and the business acumen necessary to operate profitable food service enterprises. Students master food safety and nutrition principles, food production techniques, inventory and cost control, financial management, menu planning, and leadership. The curriculum includes hands-on experience in restaurant kitchens and service areas. Graduates develop understanding of the complete restaurant operation from guest experience to back-of-house food production and financial management.
Hospitality & TourismRelated Glossary Terms
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
AssessmentCareer and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are national organizations that provide CTE students with opportunities for leadership development, competitive events, community service, and career preparation. Recognized CTSOs include DECA, FBLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA, each serving students in specific career cluster areas.
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