By Darlene Seto
The Haskayne School of Business has become the first in the world to receive accreditation from the World Tourism Organization for PhD program in Tourism Management.
“The WTO is an agency that provides international standards for educational programs specializing in tourism,” explained Dr. Brent Ritchie, Chair of the Tourism Management Area of the Haskayne School of Business. “I am very proud of the fact that [Haskayne] has taken the lead in the world and is an intellectual leader in tourism practices.”
The PhD program was not the only one from the University of Calgary to be approved certification. The Bachelor of Hotel and Resort Management was also accredited. Each program qualified through a TedQual Certification Committee within the WTO.
There has been a positive response from tourism-based agencies within Calgary. Head staff at Tourism Calgary expressed satisfaction at the news, saying that it would benefit and support the entire industry.
“I may be biased,” beamed Ritchie. “But, this program puts the Haskayne School of Business right among the top in the world for this field. In fact, there is a case for the top in certain aspects.”