List of Free Online Hotel Management Courses and Lessons

Info on Free Online Courses in Hotel Management

Free hotel management courses are most commonly available by schools participating in the OpenCourseWare (OCW) Consortium. These courses can be accessed online, aren't graded and don't require campus attendance or registration. With the exception of the University of California - Irvine, the following classes do not offer college credit.

Free Online Hotel Management Course List

Introduction to Tourism at the University of Queensland in Australia

This OCW course is a fundamental lesson on the tourism industry and how it impacts the environment, sociocultural systems and economies. Additional topics include accommodations, travel laws, regional and global destinations, tourist demand and branding. The 12 modules are mostly text-based with some illustrations. For each module, online students can access a book reference list, review exercises, assignments and a keyword glossary.

Listening to the Customer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This was a graduate-level course designed for students and professionals who are interested in market research and how one may better understand 'the customer'. This non-credit, online course is not specialized, but can be applied to all service industry fields. Students learn how to design a market research plan, interact with customers and understand behaviors. The lecture notes are available in PDF form, and there's also a recommended readings list. All of the course materials can be downloaded into a ZIP file.

Management of Services: Concepts, Design, and Delivery at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

This was a graduate course that delved into the concepts and tools used in the service industry by management. This course covers service operations used in both the private and non-profit sectors. Students will look at case studies that can help them understand different styles of management in service businesses in industries like hospitality, health care and government operations. The lecture notes, assignments and examples of class projects can be downloaded in a ZIP file.

Marketing Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This OCW course offered by MIT focuses on different marketing management strategies and utilizes the textbook Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism, which isn't required for purchase in reviewing this free course. Among the 25 lectures, topics include product design and branding, market research, consumer behavior, advertising and competition. The final project at the campus-based course consisted of an analysis of two resort and casino companies. Students can access lecture notes, assignments, syllabus and readings list.

Spa and Hospitality Operations at the University of California at University of California - Irvine

This free online course consists of eight lessons, one of which includes a case study. By clicking on 'Begin Course', students can learn about the day-to-day operations of managing a spa. Other content includes marketing, business planning, legal and ethical aspects, inventory control and client satisfaction. Each lesson consists of a series of text-based slides, some of which are interactive, that inform the user on spa and hospitality operations topics. The University of California - Irvine Extension accepts academic credit for the completion of this online course.