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Oregon Tourism Careers

The travel and tourism industry is home to a variety of different career paths from destination marketing organizations and hotels to attractions, restaurants, and transportation—all of which provide unique benefits and opportunities for growth

Woman serving food to people sitting at a long wooden table in a busy, well lit restaurant.

Watch the video about tourism careers in Oregon

A person wearing a black shirt, black apron, glasses and red stocking cap serving an ice cream cone with vanilla ice cream standing at a counter.

Learn more about tourism careers

Hotel lobby, guests at front desk with bicycles.

Learn more about high wage jobs in the tourism industry

Why work in tourism?

  • Tourism jobs provide a training ground for Oregon’s future workforce, enabling younger workers to demonstrate a professional work ethic and to build good work habits.
  • Tourism jobs provide flexibility for seniors, parents, students and other workers.
  • Tourism jobs are often small business jobs connected to the communities they serve, all over the state.

Tourism jobs

Tourism Education

A lot of tourism jobs don’t require prior experience, but there are programs across the state with tourism and hospitality-focused curriculum, certifications and specialized degrees. See below for educational and certification opportunities.

 

Post-secondary

OSU-Cascades, Hospitality Management

The undergraduate curriculum in hospitality management provides students with the knowledge necessary to become leaders, executives and owners in the hospitality industry. The course work provides students with skills in service, operations management, hospitality technology, food and beverage operations as well as basic business fundamentals in marketing and accounting.

Central Oregon Community College, Hospitality Management Degree and Certificate

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) coursework prepares students for immediate employment in hospitality occupations.

Southern Oregon University, Hospitality and Tourism Management

Bachelor of Applied Science Coursework

Chemeketa Community College, Hospitality and Tourism Management

Chemeketa's flexible online Hospitality and Tourism Management program can prepare you for work in Oregon's booming tourism industry in a few as 10 months. Courses are offered entirely online so you can participate when your schedule permits.

Southwestern Oregon Community College, Oregon Coast Culinary Institute

Whether you are interested in Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts or want to go into Culinary or Baking Management this is the school for you.

High school

Oregon Charter Academy, ASCEND

Oregon Charter Academy, ASCEND Hospitality and Tourism Management preparing students for the exciting world of the travel industry.

Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, ProStart

ProStart®, supported by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, is a nationwide CTE program reaching over 8,100 high school students in 54 schools across Oregon. Through an industry-based curriculum in culinary arts and restaurant management—combined with real-world experience—students build skills, develop leadership, and prepare for rewarding careers.

Certifications

Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

Supervisory and Hospitality Management Training

Waypoint Guide Academy

Guide skills and certificate

Oregon State University

Guide & Tour Operator Program