Successful Career in Travel and Tourism: A List of Jobs and Skills

The travel and tourism industry is an important source of revenue and jobs for many economies, families, and persons. It is a huge industry where opportunities are endless, giving you a wide array of choices for a well-paying, invigorating career that is both interesting and challenging.

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The industry covers the accommodation, transportation, entertainment, food and beverages, and other related sectors. From the moment a traveler books a flight or a cruise to the last activity he/she does before returning home, the travel and tourism industry takes care of every single detail.

In the next section, we outlined some career under each industry. We will not cover the specific job descriptions, but this is a good place to start, whether you are a fresh graduate with a tourism-related degree or someone who wants to shift to this field.

Source: Tourism Today

1. Accommodation Industry

• Sales Manager
• Chief Concierge
• Front Desk Agent
• Hotel General Manager
• Executive Housekeeper
• Guest Services Attendant
• Housekeeping Room Attendant
• Small Hotel or Guest House Owner/Operator

2. Transportation Industry

• Pilot
• Rental Agent
• Taxicab Driver
• Tour Bus Driver
• Flight Attendant
• Ferry Boat Captain
• Air Traffic Controller
• Customer Service Director
• Recreation / Activity Director (Cruise Ship)

3. Food and Beverages Industry

• Baker
• Bartender
• Line Cook
• Wine Server
• Kitchen Helper
• Executive Chef
• Catering Manager
• Nightclub Manager
• Food and Beverage Server
• Beverage Services Manager
• Food and Beverage Service Supervisor

4. Entertainment Industry

• Casino Dealer
• Games Manager
• Museum Curator
• Heritage Interpreter
• Gate / Cash Attendant
• Outdoor Adventure Guide
• Public Relations Assistant
• Golf Club General Manager
• Director of Sales and Marketing

5. Other Related Sectors

• Tour Director
• Tour Operator
• Tourism Trainer
• Local Tour Guide
• Travel Counsellor
• Registration Clerk
• Retail Sales Clerk
• Marketing Manager
• Tourism Researcher
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Travel Agency Manager
• Fundraising Consultant
• Special Events Manager
• Reservations Sales Agent
• Special Events Coordinator
• Travel Writer / Photographer
• Executive Officer - Marketing
• Manager of Travel Trade Sales
• Small Business Owner / Operator
• Visitor Information Centre Supervisor
• Tourism / Visitor Information Counsellor

Skills that will Guarantee Success

In order to be successful, there are key attributes required, since the travel and tourism industry is all about providing excellent service and making customers satisfied--- a role that may not be for everybody.

1. Customer Service Skills

The one thing that can make or break you in this field is your ability to meet customer expectations: the more positive the experience you provide, the more likely you are to receive good feedback (and a good tip, too).

2. Cultural Literacy

A large percentage of the customers you face (and people you work alongside) will be from abroad, which means you would be dealing with people from various cultural backgrounds. Hence, your ability to be culturally aware and adapt to that which is different from your own is crucial.

3. Excellent Work Ethic

In this industry, regardless of the hat you take, you would need to work hard. It’s likely that you will be on your feet most of the time, working long shifts for little reward – all while maintaining a cheerful and friendly façade in front of customers.

4. Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are highly valued in every industry, but especially so in travel and tourism. As pointed out, you are dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds, ages, nationalities, and temperaments, so it is important that you can communicate in a way that is both clear and understandable, as well as representative of your employer’s brand.

5. Multitasking Skills

One of the reasons why working here can be so difficult is because it’s almost always hectic, thus the ability to multitask and handle several tasks at once will serve you well. This means learning how to prioritise and manage your time effectively while maintaining grace under pressure.

6. Professionalism

Most employers in the industry rely on their customer-facing staff to uphold the integrity of their brand, thus it’s important that, at all times, you remain highly professional: ensuring that you look tidy and well-groomed, on time for your shifts, not caught doing anything you shouldn’t be, and keeping your cool when dealing with an angry customer.

7. Problem-Solving Skill

This is a skill that is highly valued in any industry. But in travel and tourism, the ability to think on your feet and solve problems quickly can save yourself a lot of potential hassle, since you are dealing with a very busy and people-related environment.

8. Attention to Detail

Being attentive to details can help you develop relationships with customers and provide a more positive experience overall.

9. Teamwork Skills

In this industry, you will always only ever be one piece of a big puzzle, so being able to work in a team environment is essential, not only for yourself but for an efficient and profitable business.

10. Language Skills

Although not necessarily a requisite, language skills are a huge bonus in this field because they allow you to communicate with a wider range of clients.

It may not be for everybody, the travel and tourism industry is a fascinating and rewarding place to work, especially if you enjoy meeting and interacting with new people. Thus, if you possess the skills on this list, there’s no reason why you can’t be successful.

Despite being highly impacted by COVID-19, forecasts reveal a positive future for the industry. With that, good luck to your future endeavor, and may you thrive in the career of your choosing!