The new venture will include a slew of additional programmes for diploma, bachelors, masters, M.Phil. and PhD degrees.

"For all courses, learners will be taught and trained through a mix of online, face-to-face and the open and distance learning (ODL) mode,"a university official informed.

The IGNOU School of Tourism and Hospitality has a number of features. The courses judiciously mix the academic content with its application. The convergence of theoretical aspects with practical on-the-job trainings makes the programmes unique, which the conventional classroom tourism/hospitality trainings cannot match.

Second, the programmes eye to tap the massive potentials of human resources in the country. A large contingent of tourism professionals will benefit from this venture.

Finally, the programme will have pan-India focus, which none of the conventional curricula ensures.