Careers in Hospitality and Tourism

January 16th, 2008

A degree in the Hospitality and Tourism industry could be the passport to success you're looking for!

Do you have an outgoing personality, enjoy working with people, and love the excitement of travel? Perhaps a career in the Hospitality and Tourism industry is what you're looking for!

One of the keys to success in the Hospitality and Tourism industry is good training. The best way to prepare for your degree or certification is to complete a training program. There are hundreds of institutions offering these programs because the demand to fulfill Hospitality and Tourism careers is on the rise. Many institutions have Hospitality and Tourism degree programs that can be completed in an average of two years, while others are more involved and take longer to complete.

A Hospitality and Tourism degree typically involves coursework in finance, marketing, hospitality law, staffing and human resources. The real-world nature of this industry usually demands analysis of real-world cases, so getting hands-on experience is important for greater learning and success.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Satellite Account model, the Travel & Tourism industry will contribute 10.4 per cent of the Global gross domestic product in 2007, and will be responsible for 231 million jobs worldwide, representing 8.3 per cent of total employment (1 in every 12 jobs).

The Hospitality and Tourism industry includes: hotels, restaurants, resorts, and convention centers. Tourism is the world's largest industry and by the year 2017 will employ over 260 million people worldwide as reported by in the WTTC Progress and Priorities Report (2007-2008).

The scope of careers in the Hospitality and Tourism industry is enormous, including:

1. Travel Agents and Travel Guides
2. Meeting and Convention Planners
3. Food Service Managers
4. Lodging Managers and Planners
5. Caterers

An attractive salary is another benefit of finding a secure career in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. Management jobs are consistently available and median annual salaries across the United States range from approximately $32,000 to $48,000 (payscale.com), and Travel Agents reported average earnings of $40,000 (Indeed.com). No degree program can guarantee a particular salary or career, but a Hospitality and Tourism degree or certification can give you the practical skills and knowledge you need.

There are many opportunities for advancement, specialization and international placement in Hospitality and Tourism careers.

Success in this industry requires a keen understanding of a region's market and economics, including capital budgeting, ongoing staffing and overhead costs relative to potential revenue, as well as sharp logistical skills. In 2007, the Travel and Tourism demand is expected to generate some $7,060 billion in global economic activity, growing to $13,231 billion by 2017 as reported by the WTTC (2007-2008).

You can succeed in the Hospitality and Tourism industry if you are well organized, have good communications skills, are able to multitask, have a personal mission of service, and like to explore new settings.

Pursuing your education in the Hospitality and Tourism industry could be your ticket to an exciting career!