Tourism not a respectable major?!

So I'm sitting in class the other day and my professor begins to tell us that our major; Tourism, Conventions, Events Management; is not considered a respectable major. Okay, part of that I can understand. I mean in my time here at IUPUI, I've taken 2 wine tasting classes; come home somewhat intoxicated from them.

I've taken a class called catering and the lab portion of the class is going out to Wisconsin for a week; on a beautiful lake; and cooking in the kitchen for 4 straight days, and marketing the camp. I should mention that while there they took us to a Brewers Baseball game; and a bowling alley twice which a majority of us were drinking (besides the point..).

I guess I should also point out that last summer I went on a cruise for 5 days to Greece as part of a class; Cruise Line Management. Then stayed an extra week and toured Italy. With these classes in mind I guess could see the reasoning behind that concept.

However we do have to take 2 accounting, 1 speech, 2 foreign languages and our basic gen ed classes. But what I want to know is how many people actually agree on this debate? (Don't worry mom and dad; since I know both of you are on here; I am not switching majors this late in the game!)

As part of my senior exit exam and presentation we get to completely butcher the degree program and say what we feel are important classes and what classes we think should be thrown out. I'd put a link on here directing you to look at the site but most of the classes sound the same and without either prior knowledge you might not know what they are. So my main question is this: From what you understand about the Tourism industry and all that entails into the Tourism industry do you think we should be able to go to school for it? Or do you think they should combined it with another program.

For instance; we are actually in the Physical Education Department & Tourism, Conventions Events Management Department. We don't have our own school, nor is there an actual governement department. I want to know what some of you think of this! Thanks!! :)