The Department of Tourism Studies is a relatively recent development compared to other academic departments which comprise the Faculty of the Social Sciences in the Ekiti State University. Tourism Studies was formerly called Tourism and Hospitality Management, the name which it bears until it assumed a new nomenclature following the visit of and the conduct of the first Accreditation exercise by the National Universities Commission team on 5^th to 7^th December, 2022.

Formerly and before becoming a full-fledged and autonomous academic department, Tourism Studies which was referred to as Tourism and Hospitality Management was one of the three options of programmes ran under the umbrella of the Department of Geography and Planning Science in the Faculty of the Social Sciences.

In year, the resource verification of the programme/course was conducted by the National Universities Commission under the leaderships of Professor Ayodele of the Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Studies in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. During the verification exercise Tourism was found to be qualified to stand on its own as an academic.

Tourism Studies kicked off with three Professors who were Professor Ishola Owa Afolabi, Professor J. A. Ogundele and Professor B. O. Bankole. Other lecturers in the Department are Dr S. J. Arohunsoro, a Senior Lecturer and the current Acting Head of Department, Dr A. O. Jegede who is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department.

Other prominent past heads of Department of Tourism Studies are Professor J. A. Ogundele (Pioneer Head) 2017 to December 2019 and Professor B. O. Bankole presdecssion to the current read February 2020 to July 21^st  2020

Other supporting staffs in the Department of Tourism Studies are Department of Tourism Studies collaborate with other Department in the University such as Geography and Planning Science, French Studies and also Faculties of Agriculture and Management Science.

Notable among the scholars of repute from the cognate Department of Geography and Planning Science are Professor W. O. Adebayo, Professor O. A. Ibitoye, Professor A. J. Olatunji, Others are Professor O. O. Omotoso, Professor O. S. Ogunleye, and Professor J. T. Owolabi.

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy underpinning the B.Sc Degree Programme in Tourism Studies is to produce a crop of graduates equipped with appropriate knowledge, skills, concepts and techniques to make their contributions to the development of Nigeria, Africa and globally in the various subfields of Tourism Studies.

The course is built around a central theme of tourism, recreation, leisure pursuits and hospitality management principles, doctrines, theories, behaviours, beliefs, and practices. It involves the chance to study and manage tourism facilities for organizations or for one self. Likewise, it entails how to learn the day to day spatial and a spatial processes, systems and patterns used to plan and manage environmental resources at the local, national, and international levels to attain recreation, tourism and hospitality sustainable growth and goals.

To be successful, a student needs a range of knowledge and skills. After graduating from the University, he/she is expected to have acquired the skills and knowledge with comprehensive formal and other forms of education in the study and preparation of policies and activities in the Tourism sector. This is a confirmation of Locke’s thoughts, practices and supports for formal training, and benefits which one derives from secular education.

According to Locke, and other early philosophers, being resort or tourism developers, require responsibility and commitment which are brandished by the types and quality of education being imparted on incoming streams of learners, and prospective graduates who will, in turn, apply the concepts, knowledge and techniques gained to the outside worlds.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the programme are to:

1. Impact into students a sound scientific knowledge of Tourism and Hospitality Management studies, an appreciation of its application in different socio-cultural contexts, and to involve the students in intellectually stimulating, convivial, and satisfying experiences in learning and studying.
2. Provide students with a broad and well balanced knowledge in the concepts, principles, theories and methods or techniques in Tourism and Hospitality management.
3. Provide students with relevant knowledge and skills from which they can proceed to either further their studies or set up enterprises in specialized areas of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
4. Instill in students an appreciation of the importance of Tourism and Hospitality Management in contemporary national and global affairs.
5. Develop in students a range of opportunities in employment whether public, private or self-employment as related to the knowledge in Tourism and Hospitality Management have acquired.
6. Develop in the students’ ability that will enable them manage hotels, resorts, tourism centres, recreation sport facilities, travel agencies, and other related organizations.

Equip the students to be able to offer professional advice and consultancy services in the broad and specific areas of Tourism and Hospitality Management.