New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 5)
Travel & Tourism
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
A 1-year, Level 5 diploma to build broad management skills with a sustainability focus for supervisory roles in tourism and travel, including work-based learning and a field trip to a New Zealand tourism destination.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Dunedin, Dunedin
It will take a total of 1 year
Core skills this course teaches
Enhance visitor experience
Implement processes that actively support and enhance the visitor experience within tourism environments.
Evaluate tourism environments
Evaluate local, national, and international tourism operating environments for effective business decision-making.
Apply management skills
Utilise broad management skills, with a focus on sustainability, in the tourism and travel industry.
What You're Signing Up For
The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 5) prepares you for supervisory positions in the tourism and travel industry by focusing on broad management skills, sustainability, and Māori values such as manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. You will learn to support and enhance the visitor experience, evaluate tourism operating environments (local, national, international), and apply theory to practice through an included educational field trip. The programme supports further study pathways, including direct entry to the second year of the Bachelor of Applied Management.
Course Content
- Communications Practice in Tourism
- Developing People in the Tourism Industry
- Tourism Industry Principles
- Destination Investigation
- Marketing in Tourism
- Tourism Business Development
- Fundamentals of Finance and Quality Assurance in Tourism
- Tourism Event Planning
What you need to know first
Minimum NCEA Level 2 including 10 literacy credits, or equivalent.
Preferred: NCEA Level 3.
International entrants require a qualification equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels.
If English is not your first language: NZ University Entrance, or IELTS 5.5 (no individual band below 5.0), or other acceptable English evidence.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Tourism and Travel
Hospitality Services
Future employment opportunities might be
Supervisory roles in travel and tourism businesses
Positions in destination management
Tourism operations coordinator
Travel consultant (senior/non-entry)
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.