Career in Travel and Tourism

What: India is a vast country with diverse cultures and traditions. Our country offers a great fascination for those who crave to know about the splendour and magnificence of one of the oldest civilizations of the world and its scenic beauty. With the increasing globalization and unwrapping of our economy to the world, travel and tourism in India is getting a great opportunity. Technology, coupled with the growth of tourism globally, has had a large impact on transforming these jobs significantly. This forecasts a bright future for all those who choose to make a career in travel and tourism.

Tourism and Travel Management being a huge field offers bright career prospects in the industry. After learning tourism and travel management, you can find jobs in both private sector (airlines, transport, hotels, cargos, travel agencies) as well as public sector within directorates and tourism departments.

Jobs in travel and tourism industry offer good remuneration & growth. Pay scale differs at different levels, depending upon qualification and experience. As a fresher, one can start earning around Rs. 8000 to Rs. 12000 per month. However, the salary increases as experience grows. According to government estimation around 10 million people will be needed in this sector alone.

How: Career opportunities in travel and tourism exists both in the public and private sectors. As far as public sector is concerned, there are opportunities in the central and state tourism departments as tourism officers, information assistants, counter staff, marketing staff, reservation staff, tour guides, and tour planners. Other great prospects for qualified tourism professionals are in the private sector with travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, transport and cargo companies, etc. After a couple of years’ experience, professionals can start their own business and manage all travel requirements of their clients.

One can opt for a Graduate or Postgraduate course in Tourism and Travel Management. For entry into undergraduate courses, one must have passed 10+2 examination. Similarly a graduate in any discipline can pursue post graduate degree in tourism and travel. For admissions into these programs, candidates need to clear the entrance test, group discussion, and personal interview. Candidates, proficient in any foreign language, are generally preferred. Duration of these courses vary from 1-2 years, depending on the kind of course one prefers. Besides, there are many short-term certificate courses which run for less than a year’s duration. The minimum eligibility for certificate courses is 10+2 pass.

Where: Tourism is a service industry providing enough opportunities to meet lots of people if one enjoys meeting people and making them happy. As per World Travel and Tourism Council (W.T.T.C) 2001 estimates, about 207 million people are employed in Travel, Tourism, Hospitality and Allied Industry. About 8.2 % of total employed work-force in the world and 2.9 % of Total employed people in India are from the dynamic Travel and Tourism Industry. As per Government of India Ministry of Tourism, currently more than 5 million people are employed in Travel and Tourism Industry.

Institutions:

• Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh;
• National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hyderabad;
• Institute of Tourism and Future Management, Chandigarh;
• Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, New Delhi;
• Sri Venkateshwara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi;
• YWCA of Delhi Women’s Training Institute, New Delhi;
• Sophia College, Mumbai