Hospitality & TourismSouth Carolina

Hospitality and Tourism Management in South Carolina

See How It Works

South Carolina's Hospitality and Tourism Management pathway develops professionals for the state's significant tourism and hospitality industry. Charleston, Hilton Head, and myrtle beach draw millions of visitors annually, creating robust hospitality employment.

Students develop customer service excellence, event planning, front office management, and tour operations knowledge. They gain experience through internships in hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tourism organizations.

Graduates work as event planners, hotel managers, concierges, or tourism coordinators. Many advance to general manager positions or operate independent hospitality businesses. Employment opportunities span hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour operators, and convention centers throughout South Carolina.

Hospitality and Tourism Management at a Glance

4

Courses

8

Credentials

4

Career Paths

State Standards & Framework

South Carolina hospitality and tourism standards cover customer service excellence, event management, operations, and tourism industry knowledge. Standards emphasize cultural hospitality specific to South Carolina.

Students complete event planning projects, customer service assessments, and operational simulations. State standards include sustainability in hospitality and visitor experience management.

View South Carolina CTE Framework →

Typical Course Sequence

Course
Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management
Event and Entertainment Management
Lodging Management
Travel and Tourism Management

View South Carolina course standards →

Industry Certifications & Credentials

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.

Front Desk Associate

Entry Level
$26,060in South Carolina
National: $29,210-11%

Salary range: $26,060 - $35,140

Adjusted for cost of living: $27,967

+3.4% growth1,100 openings/yr
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Event Coordinator

Entry Level
$40,930in South Carolina
National: $45,610-10%

Salary range: $40,930 - $64,470

Adjusted for cost of living: $43,926

+3.5% growth4,400 openings/yr
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Hotel Manager

Experienced
$60,700in South Carolina
National: $68,130-11%

Salary range: $48,520 - $85,090

Adjusted for cost of living: $65,143

+3.4% growth900 openings/yr
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General Manager

Experienced
$99,340in South Carolina
National: $102,950-4%

Salary range: $66,730 - $148,690

Adjusted for cost of living: $106,611

+0.4% growth4,100 openings/yr
Search jobs on Indeed →

Work-Based Learning Opportunities

Students intern at hotels, resorts, restaurants, tourism attractions, and event venues throughout South Carolina's coastal and mountain regions.

Career & Technical Student Organization

Students in this pathway can participate in DECA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.

How Sage Helps South Carolina CTE Programs

AI-Powered Curriculum

Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months

South Carolina Standards Built In

Pre-loaded with South Carolina's CTE standards and frameworks

Teacher Customization

Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment

Ongoing Updates

Curriculum stays current as South Carolina standards and industry needs evolve

Related Pathways in South Carolina

Business Management and Administration

South Carolina's Business Management and Administration pathway, part of the modernized Management & Entrepreneurship cluster, prepares students for careers in business operations, management, human resources, and entrepreneurship. This comprehensive program develops essential business competencies including financial literacy, business communication, project management, marketing principles, and organizational leadership. As businesses throughout South Carolina seek employees with strong foundational business skills, this pathway provides critical workforce preparation. The program emphasizes both traditional business management concepts and contemporary skills including digital marketing, data analytics, global business operations, and innovation management. Students develop professional skills through hands-on projects, business simulations, and interactions with local business leaders. The curriculum prepares students for business careers across all industries while also supporting those interested in launching their own entrepreneurial ventures. South Carolina's Business Management pathway integrates academic rigor with practical application, ensuring students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities essential for business success. Graduates are prepared for entry-level business positions, advanced business certifications, or continuation to four-year business degree programs.

Management & Entrepreneurship

Culinary Arts and Hospitality

South Carolina's Culinary Arts and Hospitality pathway prepares students for careers in the state's vibrant tourism and hospitality industry. This comprehensive program covers culinary techniques, restaurant operations, food safety, hospitality management, and customer service excellence. With South Carolina's coastal tourism destinations, historic cities like Charleston and Greenville, and growing culinary scene, the hospitality industry provides substantial employment opportunities. The pathway emphasizes both classical culinary fundamentals and contemporary food service trends including farm-to-table concepts, dietary accommodations, and sustainable food practices. Students gain hands-on experience in professional-grade culinary laboratories and often operate student-run restaurants or catering services that provide authentic hospitality experiences. The curriculum integrates business management, nutrition science, and professional communication skills essential for hospitality careers. South Carolina's Culinary Arts programs maintain partnerships with restaurants, hotels, resorts, and catering companies throughout the state, providing students with industry mentorship and employment pathways. Graduates are prepared for entry-level culinary positions, management training programs, or continuation to culinary arts or hospitality management degree programs.

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Marketing and Sales

South Carolina's Marketing and Sales pathway prepares students for careers in advertising, digital marketing, sales management, marketing research, and retail operations. This dynamic program teaches students to analyze consumer behavior, develop marketing strategies, create promotional campaigns, and build customer relationships. With businesses throughout South Carolina requiring marketing expertise to reach customers in increasingly digital marketplaces, marketing skills are essential across all industries. The pathway integrates traditional marketing principles with contemporary digital marketing strategies including social media marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization, and data analytics. Students develop both creative and analytical abilities, learning to craft compelling marketing messages while using data to measure campaign effectiveness. The curriculum includes hands-on projects where students create marketing plans, develop promotional materials, and execute campaigns for real clients. South Carolina's Marketing and Sales programs often operate school stores or student-run businesses that provide authentic retail and sales experiences. Students participate in DECA competitions that test marketing knowledge and professional skills. Graduates are prepared for entry-level marketing and sales positions, continuation to four-year marketing degree programs, or entrepreneurial ventures in retail or e-commerce.

Marketing and Sales

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