Careers in tourism

CAREERS IN TOURISM

The travel and tourism industry is growing very fast. Today more

people look for quality vacations where they can relax and also do

something new' and interesting. Unless tourist traffic grew', travel-related

jobs would not increase. These relate to various related services

facilitating travel, such as travel agencies, banking, hotels, guides, airlines

and other services. Some o f them may be seasonal, limited to the

tourist season from September to March but others are permanent in

nature. Travel-related jobs are best suited for individuals who enjoy

meeting people and make them comfortable. They arc for those who

like adventure and travelling. True, some are desk jobs, but even these

jobs entail understanding the needs o f the traveller and making the

best arrangements possible for him.

Some o f the areas where careers can be made are described here:

TRAVEL AGENCIES: Without travel agencies travelling

would be impossible. They require that travel agents deal with customers.

guide them. Travel agencies plan holidays and finally offer

tickets for the best routes. They also help in foreign exchange and

visas. The requirements arc a pleasing personality and the ability to

deal with customers. It is desirable that travel agents possess knowledge

o f destinations.

TOUR OPERATORS: There are many companies operating

tours for the domestic as well as the international tourists. Some

may be for the usual destinations like hill stations but others arc for

unusual activities like river rafting, gliding, rock climbing and camping.

Tour operators need people for selling the conccpt and then to

accompany the groups to the destinations. Again, the qualities required

arc a pleasing and outgoing personality, knowledge o f the activities

and often participation in them with the tourists. A person

hoping to work with a tour operator must be able to travel with the

groups and know people at the destinations to make the tours pleasant

for the client.

TOURIST GUIDES: Three c a teg o rie s o f to u ris t guides are

known to be regional, state level and monument guides. The best

guides and those who are in demand are those who arc able to get

the maximum advantage for the to u ris ts . It is required that

guides be in touch with foreign agencies. A fixed itinerary is offered

and guides take the groups to those a reas, which they are

familiar with. Apart from the activities mentioned above, wildlife

safaris arc also becoming increasingly popular. I f a guide understands

the foreign tourist and his needs, he will be able to earn a

round sum.

HOLIDAYS CONSULTANTS: This is a new conccpt, the idea

is that the tourist gets all the details o f travel and itineraries from

one source. The holidays consultant will sell the holidays, plan out

the itineraries and help in travel plans, and arrange for tickcting and

other details as well. It is essential that holidays consultants know

the destinations and the activities available.

AIRLINES: Airlines require people for ground as well as flight

duties. On the ground the duties are in offices, at the airline desks in

airports and for checking and managing flights. A coursc in travel

or a qualification on hotel management helps to get in. Particular

jobs that provide useful knowledge include those o f ticket agent and

reservations agent for the airlines. Airlines also require air hostesses

and stewards for flights. The jobs are glamorous and afford the possibility

o f travelling to exciting destinations. Free tickets for the family

offered by some airlines are an added advantage.

BANKS: Foreign banks and dealers in foreign exchange demand

that people assist their clients in their travel requirements. The idea

is to provide services under one roof. The bank helps in hotel booking,

ticketing and all travel-related services. The jobs expected from

the person may sometimes be more than travel-related, since a personal

touch is added to make the traveller feel at home. For the adventurous

and the travel-minded, there arc a lot o f avenues that

could be explored.

CAREERS IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT: With hotels coming

up in record numbers to cater to the ever growing domestic and international

travellers, the demand for trained professionals has multiplied

in the industry.

The people who write about travel also receive lavish treatment

from the tourist industry. There arc relatively few travel writers, but

they play an important part in publicizing the industry. Without them

it would be impracticable to promote the tourist industry. There is a

small industry involved in writing and publishing guide-books.

Notes:

to sell the concept продавать путевки через посредников

to sell the holidays продавать путевки отпускникам