Travel and tourism is a wide, popular industry that is forever growing and expanding in terms of opportunities. For those that are interested in city life, a holiday by the sea, or even a cruise to voyage across the world, there is truly something for everyone. In this article, you will learn everything that there is to know about how to get into travel and tourism, including career prospects that will offer different experiences and opportunities for any type of person, as well as skills that you can learn before entering the industry.

In this article:

Understanding the travel and tourism industry

The travel and tourism sector includes a multitude of roles designed to make travel dreams come true. From organising itineraries to managing stress-free journeys, these jobs cater to every traveller’s dream. While some roles, like flight attendants or tour guides, can immerse you in travel, others, such as ticketing agents or trip coordinators, can be anchored in one place. Key roles in this vibrant industry include:

Travel consultants.
Local tour leaders.
Cabin crew members.
Travel bloggers or journalists.
Cruise liner personnel.
Airline pilots.
Ticketing specialists.
Accommodation professionals.
Travel photographers.

Narrowing down what type of role that you wish to undertake within the travel and tourism industry is only the beginning of your journey, so ensure to keep reading to learn more. Even if travel photography sounds intriguing to you, we have a course guide on how to become a photographer.

Areas of Travel and Tourism

To help you understand more about the travel and tourism sector as a whole, here is a breakdown of each industry, so that you can see which one appeals to you most.

1. Adventure Tourism

Adventure tourism is the heartbeat for thrill-seekers. Many tourists go on holiday, looking forward to going on excursions and adventures. It offers exhilarating outdoor activities in breathtaking locales, catering to those with a passion for adrenaline rushes.

2. Nightlife

After a day filled with exploration, travellers often seek vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, and pubs are perfect spots for relaxation, cultural exchanges, and global camaraderie. When travelling abroad, there are bound to be tons of nearby bars and clubs; perhaps you would be interested in working at foreign bars and clubs to explore how different the nightlife is.

3. Global Conferences & Events

Businesses frequently host events, both domestically and internationally. These gatherings demand meticulous planning and execution for seamless experiences. If you are interested in planning or project management, particularly in different countries, then this could be the opportunity for you.

4. Serene Cruise Journeys

Cruise liners offer tranquil oceanic voyages. These state-of-the-art vessels promise luxury, relaxation, and unmatched amenities like pools and top-tier sound systems. If you do not get sea-sick, and are more than happy to cruise the world, then this option is for you.

5. Diverse Entertainment & Leisure

Alongside popular attractions, many tourists seek cultural experiences like theatres, operas, and museums. Europe, in particular, attracts art aficionados from around the globe. For those that are more interested in the arts, and exploring different cultural impacts that art has on them, then you should keep an eye open for opportunities here.

6. Food Service Management

Food services cater specifically to tourists, offering packaged meals for various events and hotel dining experiences. All tourists are bound to have different food etiquettes, and learning about different food services in other cultures is fascinating to learn.

7. Health & Fitness

Tourists often gravitate towards spas and massage centres to rejuvenate. These establishments offer unparalleled relaxation and unique treatments. If you are interested in keeping tourists relaxed whilst on their adventures, then this industry is for you.

Additionally, we also have a list of popular mental health courses for you to try, as well as a useful guide on how to become a personal trainer.

8. Heritage Sites

Tourists flock to iconic heritage sites to learn more about cultural history. In the UK, landmarks like Stonehenge and Buckingham Palace top the list of must-visit destinations. Whereas abroad, the possibilities are endless, and each iconic location is bound to get thousands of visitors a year.

The Pyramids of Giza. The Eiffel Tower. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, and many more. If you have a particular fascination with certain cultures and histories, then give this opportunity a go.

Check out these top rated tourist attractions in the world!

9. Hospitality Services

Hospitality encompasses a range of services, ensuring tourists and business travellers feel welcomed and catered to. If you want to aid the traveller experience, then learn more now.

10. Hotels

Hotels are the backbone of tourism, providing a comforting space akin to enjoying a familiar dessert. Furthermore, tourists want to make sure that they are getting their value for money when booking a hotel abroad, and you can aid their experience by developing your skills in the hotel industry.

11. Public Sector

The public tourism sector shapes the industry’s landscape, introducing pivotal policies and regulations for both travellers and businesses.

12. Quick-Service Retail

Duty-free shopping offers tourists unique products and swift transactions, especially near popular destinations.

13. Find Restaurants

Food influences cultures, and cultures influence food. Many travellers embark on culinary journeys, exploring local delicacies or seeking familiar comfort dishes. If you have a passion for food too, then why not try helping tourists to check out the best restaurants in town?

14. Expert Tour Planning

Tour planners craft memorable journeys, catering to diverse needs from intimate family getaways to grand corporate trips. If you want to give tourists and travellers an experience that they will always remember for years to come, then jump into the tour planning sector to begin crafting adventures.

15. Travel Agencies

Travel agencies simplify the travel process, handling accommodations, tickets, visas, and more, ensuring tourists can truly unwind. Many holidays begin at a travel agency, and if you want to make a customer experience easier when booking a holiday, then be sure to look into jobs and experience for travel agencies. Some of the most popular and certified travel agencies in the UK are:

Applying for Jobs and Careers in Travel & Tourism

Now that you have narrowed down which particular sector interests you most in travel and tourism, you need to decide how you will get there.

Here is our step-by-step process on how to get into travel and tourism:

1. Choosing Your Travel Niche

As mentioned above, the travel industry is vast, encompassing various aspects of travel and tourism. Begin by identifying what fascinates you most about travel. If engaging with people excites you, roles like travel agents or hospitality might be ideal. On the other hand, if transportation intrigues you, consider roles like a pilot or cruise ship captain. Reflect on your strengths and passions to select a travel job that aligns with your aspirations.

2. Understanding Career Requirements

After pinpointing your desired travel role, you need to learn about educational and job experience for those particular positions. While roles like travel agents or cruise ship crews might only necessitate a high school diploma, specialised positions could demand higher education or specific certifications, such as for pilots.

Browse our travel and tourism courses for further details and inquiries

3. Exploring Educational Avenues

Although many travel roles don’t mandate advanced degrees, possessing one can enhance your employability. Fields like hospitality need specific degrees in order to gain experience in this industry. Alternatively, a travel planner might benefit from a business or mathematics degree. Additionally, certain certifications or training courses can bolster your profile. If you need to advance your education here, we offer business & management courses and maths courses, to name a few.

4. Mentorship and Internships

Should you opt for higher education, search for internships aligned with your career prospects. Beyond internships, you can also seek personal mentors—whether it be friends, family, or industry professionals—to gain insights and knowledge of the travel domain.

5. Entry-Level Roles

Kickstart your journey by applying for entry-level positions that are tailored to your dream job. Roles like tour guides or hotel clerks offer a glimpse into the travel world. Even roles outside the travel sphere, emphasising customer service, can be stepping stones for careers like hotel management. Even if you are lacking the experience, it will not hurt to ask for volunteering roles in these particular positions, to gain the experience that you need to progress into a particular industry.

6. Building Professional Connections

Forge relationships with travel industry experts to gain more knowledge and experience about the travel and tourism industry. Networking can unveil hidden job opportunities and provide invaluable insights. Engage in online travel-focused groups, attend local travel events, or develop profiles on social media by sharing travel-centric content to expand your professional circle.

7. Embarking on a Local Travel Venture

Consider launching a local tourism venture if you’re entrepreneurial. With minimal capital, you can initiate yourself as a tour guide, especially if you’re knowledgeable about local attractions and possess an affable demeanour. This offers firsthand experience, allowing you to interact with travellers and hone essential skills. Balancing this with a full-time job or academic pursuits is manageable too. However, you will need to remain dedicated and innovative in order to kickstart your career down this path.

Tips and Insights for Getting Into Travel and Tourism

Here are some additional insights and informational tips for you to consider if you are still uncertain about how to get into travel and tourism.

Travelling experience

Travelling by yourself will develop your understanding of destinations as a whole, making it an asset for roles like tour guides and travel agents. By travelling, you not only gain knowledge but also experience tourism from a customer’s viewpoint.

What you experience whilst you are travelling yourself will put you into the mindset of what other travellers will expect from their travelling adventures. For those eyeing the hotel sector, for example, staying in various hotels of different ratings offers insights into their operations and best practices.

Developing Communication Skills

Developing effective communication is pivotal in the travel industry, whether you’re interacting with customers or working with colleagues. Enhance your communication skills by enrolling in our effective communication courses or reading up on effective communication techniques. Even by regularly practising your communication skills with friends and family can also help refine your skills. There is a gravitated level of importance of communication in the workplace too.

Become a Member of a Professional Group

Many travel roles have relevant professional groups in which you can join, whether this be on social media or local community groups. These groups support those in specific careers, offering resources to boost your progression in the travel sector. They frequently organise events, workshops, and seminars, providing opportunities to learn new skills and stay updated with industry trends. Additionally, they’re fantastic platforms for networking with fellow travel enthusiasts.

Popular Tourism Roles

Here are some of the most popular (and competitive) roles that exist in the tourism industry:

Travel Consultant.
Guest Relations Officer.
Seasonal Staff.
Vacation Representative.
Amusement Park Crew.

You might not require prior experience for these positions since most offer on-the-job training. However, possessing the right skills and attitude can make you stand out and pave the way for your ideal tourism career.

Stay Updated on Travel Trends

Being aware of current travel trends can guide your career choices. Investigate the job prospects and salary ranges for roles you’re interested in to ensure they align with your aspirations.

Craft a Compelling CV

On average, employers will glance at a CV for just seven seconds. To capture their attention, it’s crucial to tailor your CV to the specific role. Even if you lack direct tourism experience, you can develop transferable skills valuable to the industry, such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. For more guidance on crafting an impactful CV, check out how to write the perfect CV.

Diversifying Industry Experience

Starting in a non-tourism job isn’t a setback but a strategic move towards your dream career. Gaining experience in another field can aid your CV and equip you with experience, following advice from our ultimate job interview guide. For instance, if you aim to be a travel agent, a customer service role can showcase relevant communication skills.

Also, consider expanding your skill set in your current job, whether by taking on more tasks or exploring a secondment to another department. For those eyeing roles like teaching assistants for teaching abroad, familiarise yourself with potential teaching assistant interview questions.

How to volunteer

Another factor that we considered above was about volunteering. Volunteering not only enhances your CV but also supports businesses with limited hiring budgets. If you’ve volunteered before, whether in travel and tourism or not, you should highlight it on your CV, either under Employment or a dedicated “Volunteering” section. If you’re new to volunteering, explore opportunities with local tourism entities. They often lack the resources of bigger firms and would value your contributions. Learn how to find volunteer work and the benefits of volunteering.

Travel and Tourism Salaries

Salaries in the travel and tourism industry can vary based on your role and the establishment’s size. For instance, a small hotel’s general manager might earn around £20,000 annually, while a five-star hotel’s manager could make up to £90,000. Junior managers typically earn between £18,000 and £28,000. Leisure club managers can earn up to £50,000, and restaurant or convention hall managers can range from £19,000 to £60,000.

As with many professions, specific skills can propel your career forward. In tourism, where managing people is key, possessing these essential skills can be a game-changer:

Communication.
Teamwork.
Flexibility.
Dedication to the industry.
Commercial Insight.
Passion.

For more specific details on salaries, check out tour guide salaries.

Career Paths for Travel and Tourism Graduates

In the UK, travel and tourism graduates often find themselves in various roles. Six of the most common jobs they pursue are:

Sales and marketing associates.
Hospitality and leisure service managers.
HR and vocational training professionals.
Secretarial roles.
Administrative positions.
Business associate professionals.

Below is a table that contains information about the likelihood graduates will succeed in travel and tourism:

Status	Percentage
Employed	75.1%
Unemployed	6.1%
Further education	5%
Working & studying	7.7%
Other	6.1%

Discover your purpose in travel and tourism

As you may have noticed, there are numerous opportunities available for people of different skills levels and capabilities in the travel and tourism industry, from specialised sectors to diverse roles like tour guides and hospitality managers. While your educational background will undoubtedly be different to your competitors, you can still hone in on your key skills like communication and flexibility, which are universally valued. Volunteering, networking, and staying updated on industry trends can further enhance your CV and profile.

FAQs

What skills are important for a career in travel and tourism?

Some important skills for a career in travel and tourism include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, customer service skills, organisational and time management abilities, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving skills, and a good knowledge of geography and different travel destinations.

Do I need to learn a second language to work in the travel and tourism industry?

While not always a requirement, learning a second language can be highly beneficial in the travel and tourism industry, especially if you plan to work in international destinations or cater to a diverse clientele. Common languages to consider learning include Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, or Arabic, depending on the regions you’re interested in.

Are there any specific certifications or licences required to work in travel and tourism?

The requirements for certifications and licences vary depending on the specific role and the country or region where you plan to work. For example, travel agents may need to obtain certifications from organisations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

How can I gain practical experience in the travel and tourism industry?

To gain practical experience, consider internships or entry-level positions in hotels, airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, or cruise lines. Volunteering for travel-related organisations or participating in exchange programs can also provide valuable experience. Additionally, networking within the industry and attending travel and tourism conferences or events can help you make connections and find opportunities.

Sources

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TUI. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://www.tui.co.uk/ [Accessed 23/08/23].

easyJet. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://www.easyjet.com/en [Accessed 23/08/23].

Jet2.com. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://www.jet2.com/ [Accessed 23/08/23].

Ryanair. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en [Accessed 23/08/23].

British Airways. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb/ [Accessed 23/08/23].

Virgin Atlantic. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://www.virginatlantic.com/ [Accessed 23/08/23].

Indeed. (n.d.). Tour Guide Salaries. Available at: https://uk.indeed.com/career/tour-guide/salaries [Accessed 23/08/23].

IATA. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://www.iata.org/ [Accessed 23/08/23].

CLIA. (n.d.). Home Page. Available at: https://cruising.org/ [Accessed 23/08/23].

How to Get Into Travel and Tourism