Be it white sandy beaches or the old forts, world heritage sites or natural marvels; if you have the knack to explore the unknown and help others also do the same; you might want to consider a career in the travel and tourism industry. With the rapid growth in the travel and tourism industry, the jobs and career opportunities on offer in this sector is also on the rise. But, is tourism really your life’s calling? Let’s understand more about the travel and tourism industry before you answer that question.
Why Career in Tourism?
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, India could add a whopping Rs. 8,50,000crores by the end of the year 2020 just through tourism. The tourism industry generated 8.31 lakh crore, i.e 6.3% of the nation’s GDP in 2015 and backed 3 lakhs jobs in the process, which is about 8.7% of the country’s total employment. This clearly shows the potentialof the tourism sector in Indiaand also confirms that the industry is on the path of exponential growth.
Travel and Tourism Courses & Eligibility Criteria
There are many top colleges in India offering professional courses in tourism at undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate levels. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to go for a fulltime Bachelor’s degree course in tourism right after school. A post-graduate degree in tourism will further help you to get the leadership position in travel and tourism companies.
Let’s take a look at the list of different tourism courses and their eligibility criteria:
Bachelor’s Degree Courses
The list of Bachelor’s degree courses in Tourism is as follows:
- BA in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management
- BA in Travel and Tourism Management
- BA Tourism Studies
- BA Travel and Tourism
- Bachelor of Tourism Administration
- Bachelor of Tourism Studies
- BBA in Air Travel Management
- BBA in Hospitality and Travel Management
- BBA in Travel and Tourism Management
- B.Com. Travel and Tourism Management
- B.Sc. in Hospitality and Travel Management
- B.Sc. in Travel and Tourism Management
The eligibility criteria for these undergraduate courses isa class 12th certificate in any stream. The duration of a Bachelor degree programme in tourism is 3 years.
Postgraduate Courses in Tourism
After completing any of the above Bachelor Degree Programmes, candidates can pursue Postgraduate courses such as:
- Master of Tourism Studies
- Master of Tourism Administration
- MBA in Travel and Tourism management
Postgraduateprogramme in tourism is necessary to enhance a student’s skills and find a better job in the industry. All the PG courses in Tourism are of 2 years duration and the minimum requirement to join these courses is Graduation in any discipline with minimum 50% marks.
Diploma Courses in Tourism
Diploma courses in Tourism are an ideal course for thosewho want to quickly get into the professional field. The list of diploma courses on offer is as follows:
- Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management
- Diploma in Hospitality and Travel Management
- Diploma in Tourism Studies
- Diploma in Aviation Hospitality and Travel Management
- Diploma in Tourist Guide
- Diploma in Tourism and Ticketing
- Diploma in Airfare and Ticketing
Depending on the institute and the program, course duration of these programmes could be anywhere between 1- 2 year. Some institutes also offer basic Diploma courses lasting for a period of 6 months.
The eligibility to join a Diploma course in Tourism is 10+2 passed in any stream.
Top Tourism colleges in India
The list of top Tourism colleges in India is as follows:
- Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- National Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Thomas Cook-Centre of Learning, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Kuoni Academy, New Delhi
- Garden City College, Bangalore, Karnataka
- Blue Whale Academy, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- BharatiVidyapeeth College of Hotel and Tourism Management Studies, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Amity Institute of Travel & Tourism, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
What skillsmust you possess?
The primary skills required to do well in the tourism sector include knowledge of computer reservation systems like CRS – Amadeus, Sabre & Abacus. In addition, students need to build their skills in handling money & foreign currencies, customer service, knowledge of geography and travel agency management. Some other key skills required in the tourism profession are as follows:
- Tourism students need to develop interest in knowing the global culture and all aspects of travel business
- Customer relation management while dealing with large volumes of business is also a major skill tourism students need to acquire
- In-depth knowledge of India’s History, Geography, Architecture and Monuments
- Employees in this industry should be well-groomed and possess strong interpersonal skills
- Knowledgeof a foreign language will come in handy in this profession
- Employees must keep themselves updated ofall the rules and regulations related to passports, visas, ticket booking, etc.
Job prospects in the Tourism Industry
Tourism can be highly exciting and adventurous. India as an ideal travel destination is expected to create 4.5 lakhs job opportunities by 2025. This is a clear sign that candidates who are skilled and understand how the tourism industry works will definitely grow in this profession.
Students after completing Bachelor’s degree in Tourism can find employment in private as well as public sector. In the private sector, candidates can get jobs in travel agencies, airline companies, hotels, cargo companies and transport agencies. In the public sector, one can find job opportunities with Directorates and Departments of tourism of the Centre and the State.
The good thing about the Tourism Industry is that candidates with a fair bit of experience and network can set up their own travel agency in future.
Salary package in this industry depends upon the amount of experience, skill-set and position that a candidate is holding in a respective company. For instance, the average salary of a Travel Agent is around Rs. 3 lakhs per annum whereas the average salary of a Lodging Manager is around Rs. 5 lakhs. Similarly, the average salary of a Travel Coordinator, Front Office Executive and Tour Operation Manager is around Rs. 5 Lakhs, Rs. 2.5 Lakhs and Rs. 3 Lakhs respectively.
There you have it! Everything you wanted to know about the tourism industry. If you’re planning to make a career in the field of Travel & Tourism and are looking for an adventurous job ahead, you should be well poised to make an informed decision based on the information shared in this video.
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