Theory of Tourism : CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

DESINGED BY,
MR. SUNIL KUMAR,
LECTURER
Learning Objectives
.Learn about the careers available 

Evaluate future job opportunities in the tourism 

.field

Discover which careers might match your 

.interests and abilities

Know additional sources of information on 

.careers

2
Introduction
Every student eventually must leave the college or 
. university campus to a career-oriented job

.This is a difficult decision-making time 

(You are marketing a product (Yourself 

You will have to do a good job of communicating to 

convince a prospective employer that you have the
abilities needed, that you will be an asset to the
. organization

3
:Job Forecasts

The World Travel and Tourism Council 

(WTTC( estimates that over 221.5
. million people worldwide

Tourism contributes to gross domestic 

product (GDP(, capital, employment,
.foreign exchange, and export earnings

4
:Job Requirement
? Are you suited to work in the tourism field 

? Do you like work that provides leadership 

Would you be truly concerned for comfort, 

needs, and well-being even if the customer
?might be rude

You must also ask if you have the physical 

stamina required for the jobs available?.. Is It
.difficult to work long hours on your feet

5
( Job Requirement (Continued
To enhance your chances of getting a job and deciding 
. if several types of tourist-related organizations
. Watch the activities 

. Talk to managers, supervisors, and employees 

.Try to obtain an internship 

. Work experience means a great deal 

Once you have had that, these skills can be utilized in 

a wide variety of tourism enterprises in any number of
.locations

6
:Career Possibilities
. Tourism today is one of the world's largest industries 

It is made up of many segments, The principal ones 

being
Transportation 

Accommodations 

Food service 

Shopping 

Travel arrangements 

Activities for tourists, such as history, culture, adventure, 

. sports, recreation, entertainment, and other similar activities

The businesses that provide these service require 

. knowledgeable business managers
7
( Career Possibilities (Continued
Familiarity with tourism, recreation, business, 
and leisure equips one to pursue a career in a
. number of tourism-related fields

Tourism skills are critically needed, and there 

are many opportunities available in a multitude
. of fields

Because tourism is diverse and complex, each 

sector has many job opportunities and career
.paths

8
:Airlines
The airlines are a major travel industry 
.employer

Offering a host of jobs at many levels, ranging 

:from entry level to top management, including
, Reservation agents 

,Flight attendants 

, Pilots 

, Flight engineers 

,Aircraft mechanics 

,Maintenance staff 

, Baggage handler 

9
( Airlines: (Continued

Airline food service jobs 

Sales representatives, sales jobs 

Computer specialists 

Training staff 

Office jobs 

clerical positions 

Ticket agents 

Research jobs 

10
:Bus Companies
:Bus companies require 
Management personnel 
Ticket agents 
Sales representatives 
Tour representatives 
, Hostesses 
Information clerks 
Clerical positions 
Bus drivers 

Personnel people 

. Training employees 

11
Cruise Companies
The cruise industry is the fastest-growing segment of 
. the tourism industry today

:Job opportunities include those for 

Sales representatives 

Clerical workers 

, Market researchers 

Recreation directors 

Because of its similarity in operations, the cruise 

industry has many of the same jobs as the lodging
.industry

12
Railroads
:Railroads hire 
, Managers 
Passenger service representatives 
Traffic analysts 
, Marketing managers 
, Sales representatives 
Reservations clerks 
Information specialists 
Conductors 

Engineers 

Coach and lounge car attendants, and station 

. agents

13
Rental Car Companies
With increased pleasure air travel and the 
growth of fly/drive programs, rental car
companies are becoming an ever more
. important segment of the travel industry

:This sector of tourism employs 

Reservation agents 

Rental sales agents 

Clerks of various kinds 

Service agents 

Mechanics 

.District and regional managers 

14
Hotels, Motels, and Resorts
The range of jobs in hotels and motels is 
. extremely broad

The following list is 

Representative 
Regional manager 
General manager 
Resident manager 
Comptroller 
Accountants 
Management trainees 

15
( Hotels, Motels, and Resorts (Continued

Director of sales 

Director of convention sales 

Director of personnel 

Director of research 

Mail clerks 

Room clerks 

Reservation clerks 

Front-office manager 

16
( Hotels, Motels, and Resorts (Continued

Superintendent of service 

Bellhops 

Lobby porters 

Doormen 

Maids 

Chefs 

Cooks 

Kitchen helpers 

17
( Hotels, Motels, and Resorts (Continued

Storeroom employees 

Dishwashers 

Waiters 

Bartenders 

Apprentice waiters 

Heating and air-conditioning personnel 

Maintenance workers 

18
( Hotels, Motels, and Resorts (Continued

Electricians 

Plumbers 

Carpenters 

Painter 

.Laundry workers 

Resorts tend to have the same jobs as 

those mentioned for hotels and motels

19
( Hotels, Motels, and Resorts (Continued

Resorts tend to have the same jobs as 

.those mentioned for hotels and motels

larger resorts will have greater job 

opportunities and require more
. assistants in all areas

20
( Hotels, Motels, and Resorts (Continued

Resorts also have a number of 

additional job opportunities in the areas
:of
Social events 

Entertainment and recreation, such as for 

tennis and golf pros. At ski resorts there will
be ski instructors, members of a safety
. patrol, and so on

21
Travel Agencies
Travel agencies range from very small to very 
. large businesses

The smaller businesses are very much like 

. any other small business

Very few people carry out all the business 

: operations, and jobs include
Secretarial 
Travel counselling 
Managerial activities 

22
( Travel Agencies (Continued
In large offices, job opportunities are more 
:varied and include
Branch manager 

Commercial account specialists 

, Domestic travel counsellors 

International travel counsellor 

, Research directors 

Advertising managers 

Trainee group sales consultants 

Accountants 

File clerks 

23
CAREERS FOR HOTEL
MANAGEMENT STUDENTS
Sales personnel 

Tour planners 

Tour guides 

Reservationists 

Group coordinators 

Trainees 

, Operations employees 

Administrative assistants 

Advertising specialists 

Computer specialists 

DESINGED BY,
MR.P.SURESH,
24
LECTURER
:Tour Companies

Tour companies offer employment 

opportunities in such positions as
, Tour manager or escort 

Tour coordinator 

Tour planner 

Publicist 

Reservations specialist 

Accountant 

Sales representative 

25
( Tour Companies: (Continued
Group tour specialist 

Incentive tour coordinator 

Costing specialist 

Hotel coordinator 

Office supervisor, and managerial positions 

Often, a graduate will begin employment as a 

management trainee, working in all the
departments of the company before a
. permanent assignment is made

26
Food Service
Many job opportunities are available in the rapidly 
:growing food service industry, such as
Headwaiters 

Captains 

Waiters and waitresses 

Bus persons 

Chefs 

Cooks 

Bar­tenders 

Restaurant managers 

Assistant managers 

Personnel directors 

Dieticians 

27
( Food Service (Continued
Menu planners 

Cashiers 

Food service supervisors 

Purchasing agents 

Butchers 

Beverage workers 

Hostesses 

Kitchen helpers 

.Dishwashers 

Highly trained managers having a strong background 

in this sector are required to oversee the development
. and performance of large restaurant chains

28
:Tourism Education
As global tourism continues to grow, the need for 
. training and education grows

In recent years many colleges and universities have 

added travel and tourism programs, existing programs
have expanded

:There are job opportunities for 

Administrators 

Teachers 

Professors 

,Researchers 

.Support staff 

29
Tourism Research
Tourism research consists of the collection and 
analysis of data from both primary and
. secondary sources

The tourism researcher plans market studies, 

consumer surveys, and the implementation of
. research projects

Research jobs are available in national tourism 

offices, state/provincial travel offices, and so
.on

30
Travel Communications
A number of opportunities are available in travel writing for 
. editors, staff writers, and freelance writers

:Most major travel firms need public relations 

People who write and edit 
Disseminate information 
Develop communication vehicles 
Obtain publicity 
Arrange special events 
.Do public speaking, plan public relations campaigns, and so on 

A travel photographer could find employment in either public 

.relations or travel writing

. Television is a medium with increasing opportunities 

31
Recreation and Leisure
Jobs in recreation and leisure are enormous. Activity 
director
Aquatics specialist 

ski in­structor 

Park ranger 

Naturalist 

Museum guide 

Handicapped­program planner 

Forester 

Camping director 

Concert promoter 

Lifeguards 

32
( Recreation and Leisure (Continued
Tennis and golf instructors 

,Coaches for various athletic teams 

. Drama directors 

.Many recreation workers teach handicrafts 

Resorts, parks, and recreation departments youth 

groups, to serve as camp counsellors, or to teach such
. skills as boating and sailing

Management, supervisory, and administrative 

positions are also available

33
Attractions

Attractions such as amusement parks 

and theme parks are a major source of
. tourism employment

Large organizations (Disney World, Disneyland, Six 

Flags, Europa­Park, Tivoli Gardens, and Sea World) provide
job opportunities ranging from top
management jobs to clerical and
. maintenance jobs

34
Festivals and Events
Festivals and events are one of the fastest­growing 
.segments of the tourism industry

Event management is emerging as a field, is 

becoming more professional, and is providing a new
. source of job opportunities

Events are creating offices and moving them to year­ 

. round operation

A study of the International Special Events Society 

showed that event managers earned between $25,000
and $75,000 per year and that the majority held
. baccalaureate degrees
35
Sports Tourism

Sports are popular throughout the 

world, with many sports teams and
. enterprises becoming big businesses

Offering job opportunities in the 

.management and marketing areas

36
:Tourist Offices and Information Centers

Numerous jobs are available in tourist offices and information 

. centers

Many chambers of commerce function as information centers and 

. hire employees to provide this information

. Many states operate welcome centers 

:Job titles found in state tourism offices are 

Director 

Assistant director 
Deputy director 

Travel representative 
Economic development specialist 

Assistant director for travel promotion 

37
Tourist Offices and Information Centers:
((Continued

Public information officer 

Assistant director for public relations 

Marketing coordinator 

Communications specialist 

Travel editor 

, Media liaison, media specialist 

Photographer 

Administrative assistant 

Information specialist 

38
Tourist Offices and Information Centers:
((Continued

Media coordinator 

Manager of travel literature 

Writer 

Chief of news and information 

, Marketing coordinator, market analyst 

, Research analyst 

Economist, reference coordinator 

Secretary 

Package tour coordinator 

Information clerk 

39
Convention and Visitors Bureaus: (Destination
(Management Organizations

As more and more cities enter the convention and visitor industry, 
. employment opportunities in this segment grow

Many cities are devoting public funds to build convention centers 

. to compete in this growing market

:Convention and visitors bureaus require 

managers 
Assistant managers 
Research director 
Information specialists 
Marketing managers 
Public relations staff 
Sales personnel 
.Secretaries, and clerks 

40
Meeting Planners

A growing profession is meeting 

. planning

Many associations and corporations are 

hiring people whose job responsibilities
are to arrange, plan, and conduct
. meetings

41
Gaming
, One of the fastest-growing sectors is gaming. Today 
In states where gambling is allowed or a gaming 
proposal

From riverboats to Indian reservations to land-based 

. casinos, new destinations are being created

Casinos provide job opportunities ranging from 

managers to marketers to mechanics to clerical and
. maintenance jobs

42
Other Opportunities
A fairly comprehensive list of career 
. opportunities has been presented

Others that do not fit the general categories 

:listed are
Club management 

Entertainment management 

Corporate travel departments 

Hotel representative companies 

In-flight and trade magazines, and trade and 

professional associations

43
Career Paths in Tourism
Because the tourism industry is so large and so 
.diverse, it offers broad range of challenging positions

People can pursue a variety of reasonably well defined 

alternative route
Through the educational system 

.Through the industry itself 

Based on the training and experience gained, 

combined with high-quality performance, a person
, can pursue a career path starting at different levels

44
( Career Paths in Tourism (Continued
Positions that will appeal to different people will vary 
(differ) according to their particular educational
. background and their occupational skills

The chosen career path will also reflect a person's 

. values and interests

:Example 
frontline staff (entry level and operations) must like dealing 
with people and has a strong interest in providing them
.with high-quality service
Supervisors, managers, and entrepreneurs must have 
additional values and interests that enable them to face the
challenges of change as they attempt to meet the needs of a
. demanding and ever-shifting marketplace

45
Internships
One of the best ways to get the job you want is to 
.have internship

Most internship programs are designed to provide 

:students the opportunity to
Acquire valuable, hands-on experience to supplement) 1( 
their
academic learning
Learn potential practical skills) 2( 

Develop professionalism) 3( 

Interact with segments of the local business community) 4( 

. Develop a further understanding of their chosen field) 5( 

46
Other Sources of Career Information

Most of the career opportunities available in 

. the travel field have been listed

This overview will provide you with a guide and 

point out that these industries are so large that
they are worthy of much further study by
. themselves

In considering career opportunities, it is 

important to gather information before you
. invest a great deal of time looking for a job

47
Summary
A career in tourism offers many exciting and 
. challenging employment opportunities

. Tourism is the largest industry in the world today 

In the United States and throughout the rest of the 

world the travel industry is expected to be a growth
. industry

The labour-intensive tourism industry has a need for 

. motivated people of all ages and backgrounds

48
Thank You