Academy of Hospitality & Tourism

Our Hospitality & Tourism pathway is celebrating over 38 years of putting students on the path to success.

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. Over 14,000 students are currently enrolled in 75 high school academies across 16 states.

Our Approach

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:

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.

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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.

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Our Impact

14,155

Students in 75 Academies

99%

of Seniors Graduated

87%

Plan to Go to College

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 add 190,000 new jobs annually and has a $58K median annual wage.

1.9M

New Jobs by 2033*

$58K

Median Annual Wage*

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

“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