Why should you do a travel and tourism management course?

The Travel and tourism sector is one of the key foreign exchange earners of the economy of any country. Tourism industry is highly labour intensive and hence the demand for qualified students always exists. Qualified tourism professionals are in great demand in a variety of sub-industries including hospitality, airlines, cruise ships, railways, restaurants, etc.

Currency exchange, tourism boards, waterways, heritage sites, theme parks, railways and zoos are some of the areas in which students could land up with promising jobs upon successfully completing the travel and tourism course. Since this is a global industry, a world of opportunities is open for the successful students who could apply for jobs not only in India, but also in foreign countries, airlines and multinational companies.

The students undergoing travel and tourism management course develop expertise in a gamut of skills, including the key ones listed below:

• World geography with special focus on tourist destinations

• Itinerary compilation

• Effective business communication and customer service skills

• Basics of travel and transportation management and planning

• Use of computerized reservation systems

• Ability to handle emergencies

Qualified students have plenty of job opportunities for them, both in the public and private sector. Some of the job profiles available to the qualified students include:

• Operations Manager

• Sales Manager

• Travel Consultant

• Cruise Ship Professional

• Tour Operator

• Tourist Guide

• Airlines Staff

• Front Office Manager and Receptionist

• Lodging Manager

• Visitor Information Centre Professional

One can also become an independent tourism business owner-operator. There are several travel agencies that are being run successfully by those who learnt critical skills for establishing and growing a travel and tourism based venture by completing travel and tourism course from reputed and recognized institutes.

Eligibility criteria for the course

Travel and tourism management courses are available to students that could be completed both online and in the traditional physical face-to-face, classroom learning way. Blended learning options are also available to the students wherein online learning is supplemented with practical classroom learning.

Institutes offer a range of courses and one can easily get certified, diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor’s degree or even master’s degree. An interested student needs to have a high school diploma or equivalent for such certificate, diploma or degree courses. While for master’s degree in travel and tourism course, a candidate needs to have a degree in any tourism or any other related subject; one can even go for international travel and tourism courses.

A student will require a degree in travel and tourism for world tourism and business management jobs while for travel agent, tour operator, event planner or hotel manager jobs, certificates and associate degrees will also do. However, before zeroing in on any institute, ensure that it is recognized and has an impressive placement record from previous batches.