A career in travel and tourism

I like travelling and would like to take up my interest further by pursuing a career in travel and tourism, is there any scope? Do I need to do a degree in travel and tourism or should I do a regular Bcom/BA and then do an MBA? What are the different courses in this sector and also if there is any scope for job opportunities? -Shyam Sunder, Bank Street, Koti

A passion for travel when complimented with confidence, strong interpersonal skills, ability to stay updated with the socio-economic trends, having a strong geographic sense and being hard working and diligent, leads to a fulfilling and successful career in the travel and tourism sector.

Travel and tourism management degree programs teach business concepts specific to the travel industry. Students may take courses in human resources, facilities management, media relations and financial strategies. Many travel and tourism management programs offer or require internships with companies in the tourism or hospitality industries prior to graduation.

Popular research and studies conclude that this sector has created about 11 million jobs and has the potential to create another 37 million jobs in the future. It is one of the largest foreign exchange earners among all the industries in the world with an annual growth rate of 4.3 per cent till 2013.

The job opportunities in this sector include: government tourism departments, directorates and departments of tourism of the centre and the state as officers, information assistants, travel agencies, airlines, immigration and customs services, tour operators, managers at resorts and hotels, etc. and many associated service industries such as airline catering or laundry services, guides, interpreters, tourism promotion and sales.

Along with good financial returns a job in this industry gives perks which includes seeing many locales at low prices. Travel and tourism courses are offered at graduate and postgraduate levels and one can go in for a diploma or certification course as well. You can also engage in research by studying masters in Philosophy and doctoral level courses. In many colleges, this subject is offered as a vocational subject.

The UG courses: eligibility being 10+2 includes:

• Tourism administration
• Tourism studies
• Hotel administration
• Tourism economics
• Hospitality management
  

For operational jobs in government organisations, you require a degree in travel and tourism. For the selection of information assistants at the offices of tourism departments you need to write competitive examinations held by the Staff Selection Commission. Other than a graduate degree you need to be proficient in English with knowledge of Indian history, art and architecture.

Specialisations at the PG level: eligibility, bachelors in any stream include

• Tourism administration
• Tourism management
• International tourism
• Logistics
• Travel and tourism management
• Tour operations
  

The candidate is required to clear the entrance test followed by group discussions and interview conducted by the institute. Proficiency in at least one foreign language is preferred. If you can acquire a diploma in public relations or advertising it could compliment your career.

The Indian Institution of Tourism and Travel Management and some universities offer MTA (Masters in Tourism Administration) degree in Tourism. It helps one get into managerial and administrative positions in the industry.

Banaras Hindu University, Kakatiya University and the University of Madras offer MA (Tourism), wherein the minimum qualification is a bachelors degree with Tourism as one of the subjects or BTA/BTS degree. Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, offers Masters in Tourism Administration (MTA), 2-year course that promises to be one of most sought after course.

The Travel and Tourism Management (IITTM) offers a PG Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management, counted as one of the top courses available in this sector. Candidates who pursue administrative service and those who worked for the State or Central Government are selected as officers in the Directorate and Departments of Tourism. They are involved in the planning and promotion of tourism activities.

Diploma courses in travel and tourism management:

• Tourism and hotel management
• Airline, travel and tourism
• International tourism
• Logistics
• Tourism services
• Tour operations
  

Travel management course is also offered as a distance-learning mode: Annamalai University offers a PG diploma in Tourism Management (Distance learning mode) For an MBA in tourism the prerequisites are an entrance test, group discussion and personal interview. MBA in Tourism, MTA, MTM holders are qualified to be employed as marketing executives or in managerial positions in the tourism and travel industry. Majority of the vacancies are in the private sector.

IATA (International Air Transport Association), an organisation recognised as standard in training to travel, tourism and cargo industry, offers certification courses. Eligibility for certification courses is 10+2. There are several travel agencies that offer short term training programmes after which most of the candidate are absorbed by the respective institutions.

A course in travel and tourism or a qualification in hotel management helps you earn a job in the airlines as traffic assistance, reservation and counter staff, ground staff at airports and sales and marketing staff. Domestic and international airlines such as Air India, Indian airlines, Jet airways, Air Sahara, Aeroflot, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines offer employment opportunities with attractive salaries and numerous benefits.

You have the option of pursuing a short tem course or a diploma in travel and ticketing for duration of 3-6 months and this will fetch you a job in a travel agency wherein you get an opportunity to work for reservation and counter staff, sales and marketing staff, tour escorts and tour operators, cargo and courier agencies etc. If you are professionally qualified, you have the option of getting a financial aid from tourism department / government / financial institutions and with this you can start your own venture in travel and tourism field. All the best!!

By: Shehre Banu Kagalwala