Academy of Hospitality & Tourism

Our Hospitality & Tourism pathway is celebrating 35 years of putting students on the path to success.
video-play Play Video about NAF students holding up pins.

The Future of Hospitality & Tourism​

Our Academies of Hospitality & Tourism provide relevant coursework and exposure to real-world workplace experiences, so that students will be ready for the innovative jobs of the future in this fast-paced industry. More than 16,000 students are currently enrolled in 74 high school academies across 16 states.

Our Approach

DC students visit Marriott International headquarters on November 27, 2017

Career-Connected Curricula

Our curricula expose learners to the essential components of the industry, including foundational principles, customer service, event planning, and marketing with a global perspective on the geography and sustainability of tourism. Our curriculum collaborators include The Global Travel and Tourism Partnership (GTTP) and Machu Picchu Energy.

Work-Based Learning

Our students build future ready skills and social capital to fuel their aspirations through hands-on learning experiences such as behind-the-scene tours of hotels, internships, mentorship programs, mock interviews, resume writing workshops, and more while connecting with industry professionals to make informed choices and be successful in their future careers.
video-play
The NAF Approach is simple. NAF Academies of Hospitality & Tourism are small learning communities within high schools or districts that support students in igniting their aspirations, growing professional and industry skills, and connecting with industry experts through career-focused curricula and work-based learning.

Our Impact

16,257

Students in 74 Academies

100%

of Seniors Graduated

83%

Plan to Go to College

Our Students and Alumni

“Prior to entering the academy, I hadn’t foreseen a wealth of experiences, but the academy’s values and my newfound skills have transformed me. Networking with like-minded peers and gaining insights through job shadows, paid internships, running a school-based store and participating in competitive competitions have broadened my horizons.”
Destinee R., Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
Portrait of NAF Alumni Nashara O'Reilly Frazier
“I joined NAF’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Miramar High School and immediately felt a part of something special. My NAF academy experience taught me that travel was an industry full of innovation and opportunity.”
Nashara O’ Reilly Frazier, Director, Florida Expedia Group, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, Class of 1996

Industry Need

Our career pathways support growing industries and the needs of the local community. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics*, the leisure and hospitality industry is projected to grow the fastest of all industries, at a rate of 1.3 annually, as recovery from the global pandemic continues.

1.9M

New Jobs by 2031*

$57K

Median Annual Wage*

Ready to join a NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism? The only requirement to join is the desire to do so!

Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Curriculum Collaborators

Essential industry collaborators supporting NAF’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism include:

Explore Our Academies & Get Involved

A NAF Academy of Information Technology student poses for a photo in front of coursework on the board about the programming process

Explore Our Career Pathways

Explore our other NAF academy career pathways and programs of study.
NAF students, educators, and staff in a classroom
Learn about the benefits of starting a NAF academy in your high school or district.
A volunteer helps NAF students navigate their hands-on learning project

Volunteer with NAF

Are you an industry expert or community leader? Find out how you can give back.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website and other media. For more information, please read our privacy policy.

You are leaving NAF.org

If you choose to click “Continue”, you will be redirected to an external website that is not under NAF’s jurisdiction and may have privacy policies that are different from NAF’s. Would you like to continue?
Search

Fund a Future

Support the dreams of more than 113,000 students nationwide. Your investment provides high school students of all backgrounds and capabilities with access to equal opportunities for successful futures and prepares them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Donate Today!

Donate Now