Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
The Hospitality, Events, & Tourism Career Cluster encompasses a broad range of services and experiences related to food and beverage, lodging, travel, events, and conferences.
What this cluster covers
- Definition
- The Hospitality, Events, & Tourism Career Cluster encompasses a broad range of services and experiences related to food and beverage, lodging, travel, events, and conferences. This Cluster focuses on delivering quality customer service, memorable experiences, and seamless logistics to cater to the needs and preferences of guests, tourists, and event participants. The Cluster is characterized by its diversity, including everything from luxury hotels and international travel to local dining, cultural events, and business conferences, aiming to enhance the overall experience of visitors and attendees.
Advance CTE
Hospitality, Events, & Tourism Career ClusterAdvance CTE- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Careers in this cluster
Entry education, license and BLS pay and outlook for every career page in this cluster. Each career page shows what the job is and links its step-by-step roadmap.
| Career | Typical entry | License | Median pay, May 2025 | Outlook 2025–35 | Career page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Service Manager Culinary & Food Services |
High school diploma or equivalent | Not required | $69,390 Food service managers |
+6% BLSFood Service Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Food Service Manager |
| Chef & Head Cook Culinary & Food Services |
High school diploma or equivalent | Food handler card (some states, cities) | $62,470 Chefs and head cooks |
+7% BLSChefs and Head Cooks — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Chef & Head Cook |
| Meeting, Convention & Event Planner Conferences & Events |
Bachelor's degree | Not required | $61,160 Meeting, convention, and event planners |
+6% BLSMeeting, Convention, and Event Planners — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Meeting, Convention & Event Planner |
| Travel Agent Travel & Leisure |
High school diploma or equivalent | Some states (seller of travel) | $50,160 Travel agents |
0% BLSTravel Agents — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Travel Agent |
| Lodging (Hotel) Manager Accommodations |
High school diploma or equivalent | Not required | $69,250 Lodging managers |
+4% BLSLodging Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Lodging (Hotel) Manager |
Pay is the BLS median for the occupation named under it, for May 2025; half of workers earned more, half less. For comparison, BLS projects all U.S. jobs to grow 3.5% over 2025–35. The career's sub-cluster comes from Advance CTE's SOC crosswalk.
Also in this cluster
Advance CTE places some occupations in more than one cluster. These careers have their page under another cluster, and the crosswalk puts them here too.
- Public Relations & Fundraising Manager Leadership & Operations
Sub-clusters and example programs
Major groupings of career areas within a given field that have similar skills as defined by industry area. The programs are Advance CTE's examples of school and college programs of study; what is offered varies by state.
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Accommodations
Careers that support, operate, and manage businesses and services related to temporary lodging, including hotels, motels, resorts, short-term rentals, and bed-and-breakfast establishments, focusing on providing guests with a comfortable and safe stay.
Example programs Hospitality Management · Hotel & Resort Management
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Conferences & Events
Careers encompassing the planning, coordination, and execution of various events and conferences.
Example programs Conference Planning · Event Management
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Culinary & Food Services
Careers dedicated to the service, operation, and management of establishments involved in the preparation and serving of food and drinks with significant emphasis on providing exceptional culinary experiences and delivering high-quality customer service.
Example programs Culinary Services · Nutrition · Pastry Arts · Restaurant Management
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Travel & Leisure
Careers focused on facilitating enjoyable travel, entertainment, and recreational activities.
Example programs Outdoor Recreation · Tourism Management
Certifications and licenses
A state or federal license is the law; a registration through an employer comes with the job; a voluntary certification is something employers may ask for. Each card links the owner's own page.
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Voluntary
Certified Culinarian (CC)
American Culinary Federation (ACF)
Education plus kitchen experience (or an ACFEF apprenticeship), three 30-hour courses, then written and practical exams; renewed every five years.
ACF
Certified Culinarian (CC)American Culinary Federation- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Career Chef or head cook
-
Voluntary
Food Protection Manager Certification
Food safety exam providers
Earned by passing a food safety exam; not always required.
BLS
Food Service Managers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Career Food service manager
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Employer may require
Food handler card
Some states and localities
Some states and localities require chefs, head cooks and cooks to have a food handler certification.
BLS
Chefs and Head Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Career Chef, cook
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State license
Seller of travel registration
State agencies (e.g. California Attorney General, Florida FDACS)
Some states require travel businesses to register before selling travel; California charges $100 a year per location.
CA OAG
Frequently Asked Questions: Seller of Travel RegistrantsCalifornia Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Career Travel agent
Closely connected clusters
Advance CTE, from national labor market data: this cluster is most closely connected to these clusters. Advance CTE
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