With over 850 graduates in 2024, the CSU produced the majority (51%) of all hospitality graduates across the state and an even more significant 67% of all hospitality bachelor’s degrees. These remarkable numbers help quantify how much the state’s tourism sector relies on the robust training of CSU students to not only supply the labor, but also its leadership.
Centers and Institutes:
The Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research (CHTR) at San Diego State serves as a dynamic academic hub that bridges scholarly inquiry with industry application in hospitality, tourism, and event management. Housed within the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the center advances both student learning and industry innovation. CHTR integrates students into the research process, offering them opportunities to collaborate with faculty on industry-sponsored projects and conduct market and operational analyses for real-world clients. The center fosters a practice-based pedagogy that aligns with the CSU’s broader commitment to applied learning. CHTR maintains strong ties with a wide range of industry leaders, including Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, San Diego Tourism Authority, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, event planning firms and convention centers, and local and regional restaurant groups. The CSU develops demand-side curricula in partnership with local employers, ensuring that students graduate with skills directly applicable to the job market.