Career in Travel and Tourism

The tourism industry is known for career opportunities and the perks that come with it. It is one of the fastest-growing industries with opportunities that one can explore and look forward to. It not only has a lot of employment opportunities but also has interesting future prospects that involve travelling, guiding trips etc. and not to forget the well-paid job that comes with it. Students studying Travel and Tourism have opportunities available in both sectors which automatically gives you leads you to a path of a bright future. This blog will guide you through a career in Travel and Tourism and make you familiar with the various job prospects that this industry entails. 

Popular Careers in the Travel and Tourism Industry

If you are a student of Travel and Tourism or if you are planning to study in this field and are looking for the various prospects that this field entails before investing your future in it, then here are some job options for a career in Travel and Tourism.

Travel Agent

You may already have an idea of what a travel agent does, especially if you’ve interacted with one while travelling. However, their responsibilities go far beyond that. A travel agent researches, plans, and coordinates trips for both individuals and groups. Typically employed by a travel agency, they handle business and leisure travel, ensuring that tourists have a smooth journey and a comfortable stay. They also assist with key arrangements such as accommodation, visas, transportation, foreign exchange, and more.

Average Salary Per Year

INR 200,000- INR 450,000

Tour Guide

One of the most popular career options in the travel and tourism industry is that of a tour guide, someone who leads guided tours for individuals or groups. A tour guide offers insights and assistance at historical landmarks, religious sites, museums, sanctuaries, national parks, and other culturally significant places. To excel in this role, a guide must have in-depth knowledge of these locations, including their history, geography, and key facts. Aspiring tour guides should also develop strong communication skills, fluency in foreign languages, and a solid understanding of the local area.

Tourism Manager

A tourism manager promotes travel within a region by implementing various marketing strategies and campaigns. They also support and assist travellers from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Average Salary Per Year

INR 180,000- INR 350,000

PR Manager

A public relations manager oversees the reputation of a travel agency or related organisation in the market. They handle advertising efforts and share information to strengthen the agency’s public image. In the travel and tourism sector, PR managers often work with travel companies, hotel chains, and airlines. Their responsibilities include writing press releases, managing events, and coordinating between different departments. Strong communication and management skills, along with the ability to handle crises, are essential for this role. This makes PR management a promising and rewarding career in the travel and tourism industry.

Average Salary Per Year

INR 500,000- INR 900,000

Event Manager

An event manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing all logistical aspects of an event. They also act as a coordinator, ensuring that every client requirement is met. The events they handle can range from concerts to conferences.

Average Salary Per Year

INR 600,000- INR 12,000,000

Airline Ground Staff

Ground personnel play a vital role in areas such as commercial services, airport operations, and airline management. Their responsibilities span a variety of tasks, including checking in passengers, handling and storing luggage, and loading food and beverages onto the aircraft.

Average Salary Per Year

INR 200,0000- INR 450,000

Transport Officer

A transport officer is typically appointed by a state government or municipal transport authority to oversee responsibilities such as vehicle fleet maintenance, monitoring transportation initiatives, approving ground transport budgets, and related duties.

Average Salary Per Year

INR 200,000- INR 450,000

Travel Writer

A travel writer creates content on topics such as historical landmarks, holidays, adventures, the hospitality industry, local culture, and more.

Average Salary Per Year

INR 200,000- INR 600,000

Also Read: Best Self-Introduction for Cabin Crew Interview

Popular Courses for a Career in Travel and Tourism

Here are some popular courses for building a strong career in Travel and Tourism. The courses listed down below are for all individuals who wish to enter the market at different entry points.

• IATA Courses
• BA in Travel and Tourism Management
• BA in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management
• BSc. in Travel and Tourism Management
• BA Tourism Studies
• BA in Travel and Tourism
• BSc. in Hospitality and Travel Management
• BBA in Travel and Tourism Management
• BBA in Hospitality and Travel Management
• BBA in Air Travel Management
• BA/BSc in Aviation
• Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management
• Diploma in Hospitality 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

These courses are ideal for graduates and postgraduates who wish to advance in their careers:

• MBA in Hospitality Management
• MBA in Airport Management
• Master of Tourism Administration 
• Master of Tourism and Hotel Management
• MBA in Travel & Tourism
• MA/MSc Hospitality Management with Specialization in Travel, Leisure & Tourism
• PGDM in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Management

Also Read: Colleges for Aerospace Engineering in India

Top Universities Abroad

As mentioned above, there are several options worldwide one can explore when it comes to pursuing a career in travel and tourism. Here are a few renowned universities that you can consider: 

Universities	Location	Qs Ranking 2026
New York University	USA	55
King’s College London	UK	—
Boston University	USA	=88
The Chinese University of Hong Kong	Hong Kong	=32
Wageningen University	Netherlands	=153
The University of Queensland	Australia	=42
Erasmus University Rotterdam	Netherlands	=140
University of Groningen	Netherlands	=147
EHL – Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne	Switzerland	—

Top Travel and Tourism Colleges in India

1. Indian Institute of Hospitality and Management – Thane
2. Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management – Gwalior
3. Christ University – Bangalore
4. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
5. TATA Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
6. Amity Institute of Travel & Tourism – Noida
7. National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management – Hyderabad
8. Kerala Institute of Tourism & Travel Studies
9. Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management – Bhubaneswar
10. Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management – Noida
11. Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management – Goa 
12. Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management – Nellore
13. Centre for Tourism Studies, Pondicherry University
14. Indian Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management, Ghaziabad
15. Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management
16. Thomas Cook-Centre of Learning
17. Blue Whale Academy
18. Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Hotel and Tourism Management Studies
19. School of Hotel Management and Tourism
20. Academy of Business Management, Tourism, & Research

Did you know: The COVID-19 pandemic has cost the world economy more than $4 trillion loss, and tourism experts do not anticipate pre-COVID arrival levels to be restored until 2023 or later.

Skills Required for a Career in Travel and Tourism 

Professionals in the travel and tourism sector are focused on delivering great services to customers who are away from home on vacation or on business. Candidates interested in pursuing a career in the tourism sector must have a passion for travel, a desire to learn new things, and the ability to keep up with the newest news as well as global socioeconomic trends. Some of the characteristics and abilities that applicants need to possess in order to create a successful career in the travel and tourism industry are as follows:

• Confidence
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Pleasant and well-groomed personality
• Diligence
• Flexibility
• Commitment
• Enthusiasm
• Good administration and management skills
• Patience
• Good research and planning skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Organisation skills
• Time management skills
• Strong networking skills
• Teamwork
• Hardworking
• Leadership skills

Did you know: The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a prominent UN international tourism body. Its purpose is to promote tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability, and to provide leadership and assistance to the tourist industry in promoting knowledge and tourism policy across the world.

Do You Know About World Tourism Day? 

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has observed World Tourism Day on September 27 as an international event. This date was chosen since the UNWTO Statutes were created in 1970. The adoption of these Statutes is seen as a pivotal point in world tourism. The goal of this day is to promote awareness about tourism’s role in the international community and to highlight how it impacts social, cultural, political, and economic values across the world. 

Having said that, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant social and economic impact on the world’s tourism industry in both developed and developing countries. As a result, the resumption of tourism will help in the rehabilitation and expansion of the global tourist sector, allowing the fundamental advantages to be enjoyed broadly and equally. As a result, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has selected World Tourism Day 2022 as a day to emphasize ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’. This is an opportunity to look beyond tourism numbers and recognise that there is a person behind every number.

Did you know that tourism employs one out of every ten people on the planet? The epidemic threatened 100-120 million direct tourism jobs around the world.

Salary Trends

Travel and Tourism are some of the fastest-growing industries in the world. The industry encompasses diverse sectors like Airlines, Hotel and Hospitality, International Travel, Food and Catering, Entertainment, Digital Marketing Industry, Logistics and Transportation, Adventure Sports, Event Management, Hotel Management, Sales and Marketing, Public Relations, Freelancing etc. Individuals interested in cultivating a career in travel and tourism can go for these job profiles:

Job Profile	Average Salary/per annum
Hotel Manager	Rs 5- 6 lakhs
Event Manager	Rs 3-4 lakhs
Food and Beverage Director	Rs 12-16 lakhs
Front Office Manager	Rs 3 to 4 lakhs
Human Resource Manager	Rs 7- 8 lakhs
Travel Agent/Consultant	Rs 3 -4 lakhs
Conventional Manager	Rs 5-6 lakhs
Content Marketing Manager	Rs 6-7 lakhs
Tour Guide	Rs 2 – 3 lakhs
PR Manager	Rs 4-5 lakhs
Travel Writer/Blogger	Rs 3-4 lakhs
Travel Photographer	Rs 6 -7 lakhs
Corporate Travel Agent	Rs 5-6 lakhs

Top Recruiting Companies

Here are the best companies for individuals who wish to kick-start a career in Travel and Tourism:

• Cox & Kings Ltd.
• Thomas Cook (India) Ltd
• MakeMyTrip
• Travix Leisure & Travels Pvt. Ltd.
• SOTC Travel Limited
• Yatra
• ClearTrip
• NDTV GoodTimes
• Mahindra Holidays 
• Swan Tours
• Jet Airways
• India Healthcare Tourism (IHCT)
• East India Travel Co
• Goibibo
• National Geographic
• Expedia
• TravelGuru
• Air Asia
• American Express Global Business Travels

FAQs

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That’s everything you need to know about a Career in Travel and Tourism. For more such helpful and informative articles, stay connected with Leverage Edu. And if you are planning to study at a top university abroad, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.