The tourism industry includes hotels, restaurants, attractions and the
travel professionals who organize family getaways, private vacations, adventure
travel, business trips, conventions and related transportation and promotions.
Think of the people you come into contact with on vacation -- many of them
work in the travel industry!
It's a large industry, and it's expected to grow even bigger. "Today's
job market is the best that it has ever been and will continue to be as the
boom generation retires," says David Martin. He is the director of a tourism
faculty.
Students can study tourism and hospitality management in four-year bachelor's
degree programs. If you want to move into high-level management positions,
you may need a master's degree. A few MBA programs offer specialties in tourism
and hospitality.
For people who want to work more directly with tourists, there are a variety
of two-year programs in recreation and tourism. If you can't decide, many
schools allow you to begin in a two-year program and transfer to a four-year
program later. You should ask in advance if this is possible.
Students can also train in specialized areas such as ecotourism.
Ecotourism aims to lessen the effects of tourism on the environment and promote
local culture. It has a focus on nature, and travel is usually to places with
a unique cultural heritage, plants and animals.
You will need to decide what interests you and narrow down the options.
"A young person has to think about where they want to be in 20 years," says
Joseph West. He is dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
at Florida International University.
"If you want to be a cook or chef in 20 years, go towards the vocational
end of the stream. If you see yourself running a restaurant or hotel or in
charge of an airline, pursue a university degree to get the skills necessary
to succeed," says West.
You could get a summer or part-time job in tourism to see if it's for you. There
are many entry-level jobs available and it's often possible to advance without
extensive educational requirements.
"That being said, earning potential, the speed at which an employee advances
and their level of advancement may be influenced by the level of education
that an employee has acquired," says Phyllis LeBlanc. She is part of the tourism
management faculty at a college.
When you choose a college or university, you will want to check some facts
before paying tuition. Find out the reputation of the program in the industry.
"The hospitality and tourism industry is facing a major labor shortage and
realizes they need to provide high school students information about careers
in this industry, and would be more than happy to discuss this with interested
students," says Martin.
Ask about what activities are available on campus. Find out how many grads
get hired and if recruiters target the program. Look at their alumni network.
"One way you'll get ahead is alumni will help you," says West, noting that
many alumni hire grads of his program.
In high school, take any tourism and food courses that are offered. English,
math, economics and accounting will also be useful. Second language studies
are often required.
"Integrate tourism into geography, economics; take field trips to tourism
attractions with a focus on relevance to economic development and quality
of life," says Victor Teye. He is a tourism professor at Arizona State University.
Any teamwork activities like sports teams, clubs or associations will
help.
You may face field trip or travel expenses. Textbooks, uniforms and professional
dress will be extra. You may want to get certifications that cost extra --
examples include food safety, responsible beverage service and first aid.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Travel
Agents
For more information related to this field of study, see: Lodging
Managers
World Travel and Tourism Council
Promoting growth in travel and tourism around the world
U.S. Trave Association
Find current news and career information