Thompson Rivers University Tourism Management

World Tourism Day has us thinking about why we teach tourism in the first place.

Every year, we get to work with students who will go on to build businesses, plan events, manage destinations, work with communities and bring new ideas into this industry.

Some already know exactly where they want tourism to take them. Others figure that out along the way.

Today, we’re celebrating our students, alumni, faculty and the many industry partners who are part of the TRU Tourism community.

Some of the most meaningful travel experiences happen when you learn the story of a place.

Indigenous tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Canada. Before the pandemic, it generated more than $1.9 billion in GDP and supported over 39,000 jobs across the country.

From cultural tours and storytelling to outdoor adventures and culinary experiences, Indigenous tourism offers visitors the chance to connect with land, culture and community in powerful ways.

For tourism students, it’s also an opportunity to learn how tourism can be developed in ways that are respectful, community-led and grounded in culture.

Tourism isn’t just about visiting a destination. It’s about understanding it.

📸 Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park

What can you do with a Tourism degree? Emma Matusiak has a pretty great answer.

Emma studied Tourism at TRU, specializing in events, and today she owns Elm & Peony Events right here in Kamloops.

Her interest in events actually started when she was 17 and helped plan a surprise wedding hidden inside a 50th birthday party. Years later, she turned that interest into a career and eventually her own business, Elm & Peony Events, in March 2020.

Since then, Emma has planned 81 weddings, building a business around the part of events she has always loved most: the people.

Emma was recently featured in Faces of Kamloops, sharing more about her path from TRU student to business owner and what she’s learned along the way.

We love seeing where our Tourism grads take their careers. Congratulations, Emma! 👏

One month to go.

Whether you're joining us for the first time or coming back for another semester, we're looking forward to seeing you.

📅 Registration deadline: September 4, 2026
🎓 Classes begin: September 9, 2026

Research doesn't always happen in a lab.

Sometimes it starts with a simple question: Why do we order more food than we can eat?

TRU Tourism faculty member Dr. Yaou Hu's latest research explores how menus' communication of portion sizes can influence what people order.

Her research found that when diners have a clearer idea of how much food they're ordering, they're less likely to over-order and waste food. It's a simple idea that could help restaurants reduce waste while helping customers make more informed choices.

Read more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1447677026000082?via%3Dihub