Career in Tourism - Part 2

Ranjan K Baruah *

In last edition, we have published about tourism as a career options. In this edition we are publishing some more information related to same and in next edition we shall write more how to become tourist guides and get employed or self employed .

There is no doubt that travel and tourism is one of the world's largest foreign exchange earner among industries, provides employment directly to millions of people worldwide and indirectly through many associated service industries.

A very wide industry, it includes Government tourism departments, Immigration and customs services, travel agencies, airlines, tour operators, hotels etc and many associated service industries such as airline catering or laundry services, Guides, Interpreters, Tourism promotion and sales etc.

Travel and Tourism enterprises include major internationals with a workforce of thousands, to the small private travel agent with a handful of employees.

Some of the career options related to tourism includes:

Tourist Guides: One of the best professions in this regard is being tourist guides. A tour guide or a tourist guide is a person who provides assistance, information on cultural, historical and contemporary heritage to people on organized tours and individual clients at educational establishments, religious and historical sites, museums, and at venues of other significant interest. We shall write more about tour guides in our next issue.

Tourism Departments: Officers and other staffs are recruited in the tourism departments. All states have their own departments apart from central departments. There are corporation to deal with tourism. Officials are appointed through civil service and other selection process.

A degree in travel and tourism is preferred for operational jobs in government organizations. One of the popular designations is Tourist Information Officers and Assistant Tourist Information officer and they are also called as Tourism Officers.

Airlines: In the airlines, one can work as Traffic Assistance, Reservation and Counter Staff, Airhostess, Sales and Marketing staff, customer services, etc. A course in travel and tourism or a qualification on Hotel management helps to get in.

Tour Operators: They operate travel plans for the tourist. They organise conducted tours to the various tourist spots and manage the travel and stay of the tourists. There are many companies operating tours for the domestic as well as the international tourist.

Travel/Transport Agencies: These agencies guides and manages best travel and stay options for the tourist. They deal with bookings or travel tickets, itineraries for the comfort of the tourist. Travel agencies could be found everywhere.

IITTM: Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) is an autonomous body under Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and is one of the premier institutes in the country offering education, training, research and consultancy in sustainable management of tourism, travel and other allied sectors. IITTM is committed to developing quality human resources for tourism and allied services.

Updates: Adobe India Women in Technology Scholarship: Aspirants may apply for Adobe India Women in Technology Scholarships before 13th October.

Chulabhorn Graduate Institute's Scholarships: Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Bangkok is offering scholarships to Indian applicants for the academic year 2018 under 'Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Post -graduate Scholarships Program' for the programme leading to the master's degree in applied Biological Sciences: Environmental Health, Environmental Toxicology and Chemical Biology. Interested may apply before 31st October.