Live and Learn in Florence, Italy
Gonzaga University's Master of Arts in Destination Management (MA DSTM) is a fully residential, one-year program based at our location in Florence, Italy.
This degree is designed for those who recognize that modern travel and tourism systems demand ethical, sustainable and culturally sensitive management. We want to take hospitality and management to the next level and address the most complex challenges facing global destinations, from accessibility and climate change impact to over and under-tourism, all while using Florence, one of the world's most beautiful and intensively managed destinations, as your living classroom.
Why Earn a Master’s in Destination Management at Gonzaga in Florence?
The Master’s in Destination Management stands out in a crowded market by embedding your education in a rich cultural context and focusing on purpose-driven outcomes.
- Study in the Heart of Europe at our Gonzaga in Florence Location: Your learning is embodied and embedded within the city, giving you direct access to local authorities, corporations, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and Non-Government Organization (NGOs) tackling real-time destination issues.
- Accelerated 1-Year Master's: Complete your 30-credit degree in just one full year (Fall, Spring and Summer terms) to accelerate your career in global destination management.
- Ethical Leadership: Our program is grounded in Gonzaga’s Jesuit, humanistic values. You will be trained in responsible tourism practices that prioritize social justice, environmental stewardship and the dignity of the local community, ensuring you become an advocate for mobility justice.
- Guaranteed Practical Experience: Apply your knowledge immediately through your final capstone project. Choose between a high-impact Internship a Community Service Project, or Intensive Research with local partners like UNESCO, Destination Florence and the Municipality of Florence.
Core Skills for Sustainable Tourism and Global Destination Management
The MA DSTM curriculum is multidisciplinary and applied, equipping you to be a change-maker in the global travel and tourism sector. You will gain the expertise to lead DMOs, non-profits and government agencies worldwide.
- Strategic Management: Apply problem solving, strategic planning and coordination for complex urban and rural destinations.
- Ethical Practice: Learn ethical discernment, moral and political analysis and principles of sustainable tourism development.
- Intercultural Fluency: Gain a global perspective and advanced intercultural knowledge vital for coordinating various stakeholders involved in all travel.
- Community Engagement: Develop skills to tackle issues like over and under-tourism, housing crises and tourism-related pollution with hands-on community engaged learning.
Career Outlook: Global Roles in Destination Management
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects the tourism industry will create 449 million jobs by 2034, making this U.S. Master’s credential earned in Italy a powerful asset for your future.
Graduates will be prepared for rewarding careers in a variety of roles including:
- Destination Manager
- Sustainable Tourism Consultant
- Policy Analyst for Travel and Tourism
- Community Development Officer
- International NGO Program Director
- Heritage Conservation Consultant
- C-Suite Executives across the Travel & Tourism Industry
Student Life: Living and Learning in Florence, Italy
You will be living in one of the most beautiful and historically rich cities in Europe. We encourage you to find your own accommodations in Florence and can offer advice and recommendations on potential spots. Gonzaga in Florence does have a very limited number of housing options and costs vary.
Your classes will be taught in English; you do not have to speak Italian. However, if you are interested, we do offer the ability to join Italian language courses offered by Gonzaga in Florence for an additional cost.