How to Start a Career in the Travel and Tourism Industry

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Are you the type of person who hates sitting behind a desk and longs for journey and excitement? Could you imagine yourself travelling the world making your dreams and adventures, as well as those of others a reality? If so, it may be time to kick your 9 to 5 job and embark on a career in the travel and tourism industry.

With more than 200 million people worldwide working within the travel and tourism industry, there is a wide range of career paths to choose from, some of which are desk jobs while others require travelling. Some travel and tourism related careers include tour guide, cruise line crew member, event organiser, travel agent, airline crew member, theme park management, pilots, public relations officer, holiday advisors, travel consultant, media professionals, writers and photographers, various consultants and managers, plus so many more.

If you prefer a desk job, the following types of travel and tourism careers may appeal more to you, a travel agent, event planner, some writers, consultants, park guides, historians, theme park managers, and some other varied management positions. However, if you enjoy traveling and seeing the world you may enjoy one or more of the following travel related careers, tour guides, freelance writer and photographer, working on a cruise ship, cruise tours, coach tours, private yacht and plane charters, commercial airline jobs, train engineers, some media professions.

With travel jobs there are awards, incentives and additional benefits such as free travel, sizeable discounts, opportunities to experience different cultures and the opportunity to see the world to name a few. Regardless of the specific career you choose within the industry, options available to you are many and limited only by your imagination. So what are you waiting for?

There are various programs available across all responsibility levels within the industry. Courses are available at local colleges and universities as well as online to best suit your budget, lifestyle, and the amount of time you have available to devote to course study. The most common types of programs offered for the travel and tourism industry include certificate programs, diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, and master's degrees.

With such a wide range of career paths available, course study could cover a number of things, however, core curriculum covered as a basis in most programs may include, but are not limited to, the following, the tourism industry covering travel agents and transport accommodations, understanding tourists, consumer behavior and the market segment. You will learn tourism terminology and the development of tourism by studying growth patterns and long-term forecasts.

For on campus programs, consult your local community college or university for a list of available courses and curriculum, however, if you need more flexibility and freedom in your studies, excellent online resources offering in home study for a variety of travel and tourism positions are available. Start taking steps today toward a career in the travel and tourism industry.