Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Global Hospitality and Tourism program is preparing students for a career centered on the world of modern travel. The program is designed to help students enter the global workforce with a significant impact. This move is influenced by the uprise in the worldwide travel industry, which surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2023 with a revenue peak of approximately $2.29 trillion. With the rapid recovery of tourism from pandemic-era travel restrictions, EKU takes the opportunity to leverage revenge spending and provide a quality program for aspiring professionals. EKU President David McFaddin highlights the program’s potential to make EKU a launching pad for these future hospitality and tourism professionals.