USM Tourism and Hospitality program courses are designed to integrate field trips, guest speakers, class projects, and senior capstones with Maine hospitality businesses and the local tourism industry, and are often collaborations with members of our regional advisory board here in Vacationland. But while tourism abounds in our community, we don’t stop there – because there’s a whole world of opportunity!

Here are just a few examples of how students connect in the classroom for experiences in the real world, both near and far.

Local Industry: field trips, real world experiences, and a sense of community

Our classes provide students with insight into different aspects of the tourism and hospitality industry while also providing them with life-long connections.

TAH 101 – Intro to Tourism and Hospitality

From touring a cruise ship docked in Portland set up by CruiseMaine, to checking out the Portland Jetport and talking with its director, students have the opportunity to explore different career paths in the industry.

TAH 150 – Professional Practices in Tourism and Hospitality

Students spend 2 full days exploring the greater Portland region with their faculty.

TAH 222 – Food and Beverage

Food and Beverage students have the opportunity to plan and execute food and beverage management through real world events.


TAH 224- Off-site Catering

Off-site Catering collaborated with USM Athletics and Sodexo to plan an end of the year celebration for athletics. The Husky Carnival Cookout welcomed the USM community with a day of food and fun.

TAH 241 – Sustainable Tourism Development

This course will focus on the principles and practices of sustainable community development.  Students will be introduced to the components of the community tourism system, tourism planning models, how to address diverse perspectives on community development, and how to assess a community’s readiness for tourism. 

TAH 299 – Topics in Multicultural Hospitality

Students visited the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center. They had a tour with Nancy and Damas who talked about what they do at the center to support immigrants in Portland.


TAH 311 – Event Management 

Students learn how to plan and manage events along with exploring the importance of promotion and marketing of events. Students have toured Brick South Event Space at Thompson’s Point to get a look at a venue and talk with an event manager.

TAH 426 – Beverage Operations

Students learn about the concept, production, selection, and service of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Students have had coffee tastings at Tandem Coffee and in-depth tours followed by a panel discussion at Allagash Brewery. This gives opportunities to learn about different career paths within the industry.