India is rich in culture and heritage. So, tourism contributes the most to the Indian economy. The travel and tourism industry is growing tremendously and will continue so in the coming years. In India, the travel industry hopes to create 46 million job opportunities by 2025 and our government is also taking various initiatives to improve the structure and promote tourism efficiently. These sectors include the government tourism departments; major MNCs, Immigration and customs services, airlines, & small-scale private travel agents. Some of the important factors in this field are good communication skills, English proficiency, understanding the customer’s needs and last but not the least is an experience.
Travel and tourism is the largest earner of foreign exchange across the world and employs a large number of people directly or indirectly through corresponding service industries. The major career options in travel and tourism sector are:
- Holiday agent
- Tourism manager
- Travel officer
- Travel agency coordinator
- Travel counselor
- Airlines’ staff
- Tourist Guide
- Transport officer
Salary is pretty good in the travel and tourism industry. Moreover, the industry also offers good remuneration and perks, which include free travel for employees and their families. You can get relatively quite handsome salary in foreign-based airlines or travel agencies. You could also do part-time jobs or can consider summer work internships for early experience.
Required skills: Leadership, good teamwork, good communication skills, ability to research, and strong customer focus, presentation skills, up-to-date on current rules and regulations and documentation required, in areas like cargo, ticketing and passports, visas etc, Interpersonal skills , a reasonable knowledge of India and world geography, working long hours.
Courses:
- Certificate Course in Tourism Studies
- Diploma
- Undergraduate course (Bachelor in Tourism Studies – Travel and Tourism)
- Advanced diploma
- Postgraduate courses
- Sc. in Airline Ticketing and Hospitality Management
- Bachelor in Air Ticketing and Management Administration
- Vocational Course in Travel & Tourism.
- Master of Tourism Administration (MTA).
Institutions:
The top institutions in India where you can pursue your travel and tourism studies are:
- Al-Ameen Institute of Management Studies, Hosur, Bangalore
- Bundelkhand University, School of Tourism & Hotel Management, Jhansi, UP.
- Centre for Tourism Studies, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu.
- Amity University ( Institute of travel and tourism), Noida
- Indian Institute Of Hotel and Tourism Management, Ghaziabad (Delhi)
- Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior, MP
Institutions outside India:
- Brigham Young University Hawaii
- Florida International University, Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
- George Mason University, Virginia
- Indiana University, Bloomington
- Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
- University of North Texas, College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism
Eligibility:
The eligibility criteria for admission to Travel and Tourism courses at the undergraduate level is higher secondary examination pass. But in some colleges, you may also require to give your scores or percentage for management entrance examinations like CAT, MAT etc.
Top five travel companies:
MakeMyTrip
Corporate office – Gurgaon, Haryana
Business – Online Travel Company, Website – www.makemytrip.com
Thomas Cook
Corporate office – London, UK
Business – Tourism , Website – www.thomascook.in
Cox & Kings
Corporate office – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Business – Travel Company, Website – www.coxandkings.com
Yatra
Corporate office – Gurgaon, Haryana
Business – Online Travel company, Website – www.yaatra.co.in
Goibibo
Corporate office – Gurgaon, Haryana
Business – Travel & hospitality, Website – www.goibibo.com
Thus employment opportunities are very high in travel and tourism industry in both private and public sector. You can even plan to start your own business or decide to be an entrepreneur by taking on additional employees and partners. So, go ahead for your bright future and make your dream career in travel and tourism industry.