Imagine you're swimming with sharks in French Polynesia one day, and the next, you're standing on top of a mountain above the clouds. Now, imagine this is your job!
If travel and adventure excite you, have you ever dreamed of getting paid for it?
Photo by Alif Ngoylung on UnsplashThe travel industry is booming with opportunities, especially after the pandemic. More people than ever are itching to explore and travel the world.
So, what kinds of opportunities are in demand right now that could take YOU around the world?
What are some in-demand job titles?
The travel industry has tons of exciting career opportunities beyond being a flight attendant or a travel agent. Here are some of the top jobs in the travel industry:
Travel photographer: Document destinations, culture, and travel experiences by taking photos of iconic places, architecture, cultural events, and people.
Event coordinator/planner: Help plan and organize events and functions for clients, like destination weddings or international conferences and fundraisers.
Travel writer: Document travel experiences, share your recommendations, or inform/guide others to help make their time worthwhile by writing captivating articles or blog posts.
Sustainable tourism consultant: Help companies, hotels, and government agencies to "go green" by promoting eco-friendly practices.
Tour guide: Educate and entertain tourists while taking them to historical sites, landmarks, and museums, or fun experiences like zip lining through the forest or food tasting at the local market.
Destination marketing: Promote and market-specific destinations as must-visits, and help attract tourists, increase visitors, and enhance a destination's reputation using social media and content creation.
Photo by Peter Hansen on UnsplashOther in-demand job opportunities in travel and tourism include:
Travel influencer
Hospitality manager
Medical Representative
Diplomat
Cruise ship staff
First officer pilot
Travel nurse
Read the following personalities:
Emma: loves reading and studies chemistry. She enjoys doing scientific research at a lab.
Tom: passionate about cooking and works in a restaurant. He enjoys tasting different foods around the world and dreams of opening a bakery one day.
Sarah: great at organizing documents and managing accounts for a small company. She prefers a quiet office job.
Jake: enjoys writing about his travels, and exploring new places and cultures. He takes great photos and has a following online.
Quiz
Which person is best suited for a job in the travel industry?
What type of education do you need?
Tourism provides a wide range of career paths, so educational requirements for jobs in the travel industry can vary a lot depending on your field of interest.
Tour guide
Formal education isn't necessary but it's a good idea to know history, geography, or the tourism in the area you're in. If you're fluent in multiple languages, that's a big bonus!
Travel writer
A degree in journalism, English, or communications will be helpful, as well as strong writing skills.
Travel photographer
It's not necessary to get a degree in photography. But you do need to master technical skills and have a strong portfolio. It's also a good idea to build a recognizable style.
Photo by Oliver Pan on UnsplashEvent coordinator and destination marketing
Formal education in marketing, business, communications, hospitality, and/or event management are typically required. Professional certification and/or experience in social media, digital marketing, or public relations are a big plus!
Sustainable tourist consultant
A degree in sustainable tourism management, environmental science, or business administration with a focus on sustainability is often required. Some roles may want a master's degree, especially for higher-level positions.
For other job opportunities within the travel industry, it would be helpful to get a degree or certification in hospitality or tourism and/or customer service experience.
Important skills to have
For some jobs in the travel industry, you don't always need a degree, but having specific skills will definitely help you stand out!
Communication and organization for planning and guiding roles
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Social media knowledge
Languages — knowing multiple languages is a big plus!
Customer service
Tech savviness
Quiz
You want to become a tour guide in France. Which skill or education should you focus on?
Where can you find work?
Now that you have the education requirement covered, where can you grow your career in the travel industry?
Depending on your job, you can look into the following places:
Tour companies (i.e. EF Tours, Contiki, InsideJapan)
Travel companies (i.e. TripAdvisor, Expedia, Airbnb)
National parks and museums
Travel magazines (i.e. National Geographic, Lonely Planet)
Airlines and hotels
Government agencies, tourism boards, and NGOs
In some cases, you can even freelance — travel the world and take on as many or as little projects as you want.
Take Action
Take your curiosity to the next level and check out these resources to increase your chances of landing a career within the travel industry!
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