2nd November 2026
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke today launched a new Bachelor of Business in Hospitality and Tourism Management in the South-East Technological University (SETU), Waterford.
A unique, hybrid programme, where students can work as they learn, this programme was developed through close collaboration between SETU, industry and other regional stakeholders in the South-East.
Speaking at the event the Minister outlined how this programme aligns directly with Ireland’s national tourism policy 'A New Era for Irish Tourism’ published in late 2025, which places strong emphasis not only on increasing job numbers, but also on enhancing skills, supporting workforce development, and promoting high-quality employment practices and retention in the tourism industry. It also links employment to sustainability, with a focus on creating more stable, year-round jobs by extending the tourism season and distributing demand more evenly across the country. We are world renowned for our Céad Míle Failte, and the tourism experience we offer is influenced hugely by the warmth of welcome and service provided by professionals in the tourism industry”.
Minister Burke highlighted,
“This new programme reflects strong collaboration between academia and industry and has been designed to respond directly to the skills and workforce needs of the tourism and hospitality sector. Courses such as this play an important role in positioning tourism as a career of choice and for life, supporting individuals to enter, progress and thrive within the industry while helping businesses access the talent needed for continued growth.
Tourism remains one of Ireland's most strategically important economic sectors, and its impact is deeply regional, with around 70% of roles located outside Dublin, making it a critical driver of balanced regional development. On the island of Ireland, it is responsible for over 300,000 jobs."
The Minister outlined how this partnership approach is one that is being implemented at national level through the work of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, as well as at regional level, with programmes such as the one launched today. He recognised the key contribution made to the development and delivery of this programme by stakeholders such as the County Wexford Chamber Skillnet, the South-East Regional Skills Forum, Wexford and Waterford ETB, the Irish Hotels Federation and Fáilte Ireland.
The Minister concluded,
“Investment in skills is an investment in people. By supporting lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling, we can help individuals adapt to change and pursue interesting and rewarding careers while supporting business growth and innovation.”
Notes to the editor
‘A New Era for Irish Tourism’: National Tourism Policy Statement
Minister Peter Burke launched Ireland’s new National Tourism Policy Statement, 'A New Era for Irish Tourism', on 1 December 2025.
It provides a clear and ambitious framework for the sector's future. It recognises tourism as a major national employer and sets a target to grow employment to around 250,000, while ensuring the sector remains a viable and attractive long- term career.
The policy places strong emphasis not only on increasing job numbers, but also on enhancing skills, supporting workforce development, and promoting high-quality employment practices and retention particularly within SMEs and regional economies. It also links employment to sustainability, with a focus on creating more stable, year-round jobs by extending the tourism season and distributing demand more evenly across the country.
A coordinated, cross-government approach is being taken to skills development, with ongoing collaboration between departments, industry stakeholders, State agencies and education providers. This ensures that the tourism workforce is equipped to meet the demands of an increasingly innovative, digital and competitive sector.
The National Tourism Policy Statement:
- includes a specific section on the importance of our culinary offering and contains several new policy commitments in relation to food in tourism
- reflects tourism’s strategic repositioning within the enterprise, trade and employment agenda with increased focus on supporting tourism SMEs and setting ambitious targets and KPIs
- focuses on diversifying our markets through a new Strategic Air Access Programme for new airline routes, and developing the off-peak season from October to May
- highlights the need to develop tourism as a viable and valuable career pathway with specialised skills training, driving quality employment practices and supporting the retention of talent and a high standard of service
- addresses capacity constraints in the tourism market, including supply of accommodation and visitor access
The Policy Statement includes 71 policy proposals. Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland are central to delivering the policy’s objectives and will align their 3-year Corporate Plans accordingly for the periods 2026-2028 and 2029-2031. Further information in relation to the national tourism policy statement is available here: A new Era for Irish Tourism: National Tourism Policy Statement
Programme overview
The programme is being implemented by SETU in partnership with County Wexford Chamber Skillnet, which is funding up to 40% of the programme costs for more than half of the current student cohort. It has received strong support from organisations including Fáilte Ireland, the South-East Regional Skills Forum, WWETB, the Irish Hotels Federation and other key sector partners.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is a central feature of the programme. It is embedded throughout the curriculum through a structured sequence of WIL and Professional Development modules.
WIL integrates academic learning with authentic workplace experience, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge within professional hospitality and tourism contexts. The programme adopts a developmental approach to WIL, supporting students in progressively building professional competencies, reflective practice, and industry engagement across the duration of the programme
Structure
- 3.5 years duration
- Level 7 (National Framework of Qualifications)
- Hybrid – 14 Mondays on campus & 14 Mondays on line (6 hrs) per annum
- Embedded Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) each week & 3 WIL placements during the summer months with their employers
- Designed for full-time employees
- Student–Employer–University partnership and eco system
- Final year industry capstone project (resolve a real world organisational problem)
The programme aims to deliver industry-ready management professionals, supporting the development of specialised knowledge, applied managerial capability, and supervisory competence appropriate to operational and middle-management roles within hospitality and tourism enterprises.
The curriculum is designed to progressively develop leadership capability, interpersonal and customer engagement expertise, operational and commercial management competence, and sustained personal and professional growth across the duration of the programme.
The broad nature of the programme, expands the opportunity for intake to include a variety of candidates from a wide pool within the tourism and hospitality sectors. Its flexible structure supports access for non-traditional and mature learners, enabling participants to earn a salary while undertaking a professionally recognised business degree.
The first cohort of 24 students started in September 2026, all of whom are working in the hospitality/ tourism sector in Ireland, across a number of counties.
Further details are available on the SETU website: SETU - Bachelor of Business in Hospitality and Tourism Management
ENDS
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