MBA - Tourism and Visitor Economy Management

This course is subject to validation.
What does this mean?

Empower your future in a global industry—where impact meets opportunity.

Study where world-class leadership meets world heritage. Our MBA Tourism and Visitor Economy Management programme is delivered face-to-face at Ambleside, in the heart of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This immersive location offers a living laboratory of sustainable tourism in action.

Designed for professionals with an existing degree or other qualification and professional experience, this MBA will support career progression through:
* Industry expertise woven into every module.
* Embedded UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals, shaping ethical and innovative leaders
* Career-focused content to boost employability and inspire career progression

Whether you're evolving your role in the sector or entering with purpose, this programme equips you to lead with insight, impact, and confidence.

Take the next step in your tourism career. Apply now and learn in one of the most inspirational settings on Earth.

Download our Prospectus

Accredited by:

Tourism Management Institute

Tourism and Visitor Economy Management cover image

Course Overview

Study the MBA Tourism and Visitor Economy Management in the heart of the Lake District National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delivered face-to-face at Ambleside, this programme is designed for professionals with a degree, combining academic insight with industry experience. With strong sector links and content embedded with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, you'll develop ethical leadership, strategic thinking, and practical skills to drive career progression and impact. Gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and site visits, while enhancing your employability in a globally relevant sector.

On this course you will...

Have the opportunity to be a part of world-class Learning in a World Heritage Setting
Experience industry embedded education
Study a course aligned with UN sustainable development goals
Boost career progression and employability
Engage in hands on learning through fieldwork, site visits and local engagement

Download our Prospectus

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationAmbleside
Institute Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
Mode of DeliveryIn person and work-based learning
Course DurationFull-time: 18 months
Part-time: 2 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardMBA
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAmbleside
All

Minimum entry requirements

2:2 or equivalent

Honours degree

Tuition fees

£13,250

UK |

2025 - 2026

£16,900

International |

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

Students enrolled in the MBA Tourism and Visitor Economy Management programme will gain a rich blend of academic knowledge and practical skills tailored to the evolving global tourism sector. Modules combine strategic insight with hands on practice and are designed to empower you with the leadership, analytical, and operational capabilities to thrive in today's visitor economy—whether you're shaping strategy, improving visitor experiences, or influencing policy.

Modules

The modules on the MBA Tourism and Visitor Economy Management provide a transformative educational experience that combines academic excellence with strategic insight, sustainable commitment, and real-world application.

Year one

The MBA Tourism and Visitor Economy Management offers a transformative learning journey for anyone ready to deepen their expertise and drive meaningful change in the global tourism sector. Set in the inspirational surroundings of Ambleside, students engage directly with the Lake District National Park—an ideal environment for experiential education. The programme focuses on student development across key areas: critical thinking, applied research, strategic leadership, and professional practice. With each module, students build the skills to analyse complex industry challenges, design innovative solutions, and lead with ethical purpose. Learning is hands-on, collaborative, and anchored in real-world contexts, ensuring graduates are not just informed—but empowered to shape the future of tourism.

Applied Research Methods
This module aims to prepare you for industry-based research and provides a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, data collection and analysis methods, as well as the ethical considerations in tourism research. Applying these methods to real-world tourism challenges will develop your ability to criticality evaluate information and make informed decisions that contribute to the growth and competitiveness of an organisation.
Resources Management
This module aims to provide you with the tools to optimise the use of available resources (financial, human, technological) to ensure operational efficiency. Designed around a resource management simulation, you will utilise the financial tools associated with the management of business at both a strategic and operational level, measure business performance and consider the profit orientation of businesses in a range of contexts.
Visitor Experience Management
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to design, manage, and enhance visitor experiences in tourism and visitor economy. Site visits and case studies will be used to highlight the complexities of the visitor experience and the limitations of applying existing theoretical frameworks in a real-world context.
Industry Work Based Learning
This module aims to promote the integration of theoretical and practical learning and facilitate the development of skills that are relevant to the world of graduate employment. Your placement will give you the opportunity to apply skills and knowledges from previous modules in real-world contexts. This exposure will help you develop practical skills, improve employability and provide better understanding of workplace culture in the tourism and visitor economy.
Industry Consultancy
This module enables you to create, analyse and develop data driven insights, provide recommendations and innovative solutions that contribute to the growth and competitiveness of your tourism business.
Strategic Impact Portfolio
This module aims to equip you with holistic and strategic skills of business management within the tourism sector by integrating key disciplines including human resources management, marketing, finance, innovation and leadership. By the end of this module, you will be able to showcase real-world problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking developing the qualities needed to lead effectively in a dynamic tourism environment.

Careers and Research

Career Outcomes

On completion of the programme graduates would normally be equipped to undertake a range of strategic and management roles across the tourism and visitor economy.

Possible career paths include Destination Manager, Visitor Economy Strategist, or Tourism Development Officer, where they lead sustainable growth and destination planning. Operational roles such as Hotel Manager or Attractions Manager provide opportunities to shape customer experience at key tourism sites. For those interested in consultancy or innovation, careers in Tourism Consulting, Sustainability Advising, or launching a tourism enterprise are viable options. The programme also opens doors to policy and education through roles such as Policy Analyst, Academic Lecturer, or Research Lead, shaping the future of tourism through thought leadership and public impact.

Research

Programme staff actively contribute to cutting-edge research across a diverse range of areas, enhancing student learning through real-world insight and academic innovation. Key specialisms include:

- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tourism operations and experience design
- GDP of Happiness and its role in measuring destination success and visitor wellbeing
- Heritage & Culture, focusing on conservation and storytelling in tourism
- Strategic Management, with emphasis on leadership and destination planning
- Upland Tourism, including environmental and economic perspectives
- Sustainable Human Resources, exploring workforce ethics and wellbeing

The MBA Tourism and Visitor Economy Management is part of the Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas, placing students at the heart of research and policy dedicated to the UK’s most treasured landscapes. This connection provides access to sustainability-focused initiatives, live projects, and academic expertise—enriching student learning with real-world relevance and environmental stewardship. It empowers graduates to contribute meaningfully to the future of responsible tourism and destination management.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

£13,250 - UK
£16,900 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

Overseas and EU fees are £16,900; for more details please contact international.admissions@cumbria.ac.uk

Note: fees exclude travel, meals and accommodation.

Scholarships & Bursaries

The University of Cumbria are offering £11,000 towards tuition fees as part of the GREAT Scholarships, funded in partnership with the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council.

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More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

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Location
Ambleside Campus
Nestled in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ambleside campus is the perfect place for world-savers, animal lovers, and adventurers. There is never a dull moment when surrounded by such natural beauty and opportunity.
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MBA - Tourism and Visitor Economy Management