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Travel and tourism jobs

An enthusiasm for the local culture, a desire to help people make the most of the leisure time or a love of travelling are some of the passions you can explore with a job in travel and tourism

Holiday representative

Responsible for looking after groups of clients on package holidays, you'll ensure holidaymakers enjoy their break and that everything runs smoothly. You'll hold welcome meetings, handle complaints, resolve problems, manage activities and sell excursions and car hire.

While not a requirement for the job, a degree in childhood studies, hospitality/tourism management, modern languages or leisure and tourism may prove useful.

This is not a nine-to-five job. You'll often work 12 or more hours a day, six days a week, so you'll need lots of stamina and enthusiasm.

Discover what you could earn as a holiday representative .

Theme park manager

While you don't need a degree to become a theme park manager, qualifications in business or management, engineering, facilities management, hospitality or tourism management and marketing may be useful.

A theme park manager is responsible for every aspect of the day-to-day running of a park. Duties include managing the customer experience, strategic planning and development, monitoring health and safety, overseeing the park's finances and staff management.

You may also be known as a guest experience manager, rides and operations manager or attractions manager.

Few graduates start in management roles. As an operations manager, you can expect a starting salary of around £17,000 to £22,000.

Gain a more in depth understanding of the role of a theme park manager .

Tour manager

Sometimes known as a tour director, you'll organise and accompany groups of holidaymakers on tours to UK and overseas locations. You'll ensure travel arrangements run smoothly and provide practical support throughout the trip.

Starting salaries for tour managers in full-time employment typically range from £15,000 to £20,000, while experienced tour managers can expect to earn between £25,000 and £30,000.

An in-depth knowledge of a particular area or region is essential and language skills will be incredibly useful. You'll also need self-confidence, energy, stamina and enthusiasm and the ability to get on well with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Find out more about the role of a tour manager .

Tourism officer

Also known as a destination manager, you'll work for a range of employers, including public and private destination management organisations, public agencies or partnerships and local authorities.

Key areas of the job include marketing, visitor management and the development of tourism products, services and facilities.

Although open to all graduates, subjects such as journalism, tourism management, business studies, European studies and marketing will be useful.

Salaries at entry level are in the region of £15,000 to £19,000, while after two to five years you could be earning between £21,000 and £28,000.

Learn more about the responsibilities of a tourism officer .

Tourist information centre manager

Working as a tourist information centre (TIC) manager, you'll oversee services that provide information and advice on what to see and do in a particular city, town, area or country.

The work involves booking accommodation, making reservations, selling related gifts and souvenirs, running special events and generating marketing opportunities.

You can become a TIC manager with a degree in any subject. However, the following may increase your chances:

• archive and museum studies
• business or management studies
• information technology
• librarianship or information management.

Discover the skills you'll need to be a successful tourist information centre manager .

Travel agency manager

Working in retail travel outlets, you'll promote and sell holidays and travel related products.

Salaries for managers range between £25,000 and £30,000. Graduates start at the bottom of the scale, unless you have some relevant experience.

To be successful in this role, you'll need excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills, IT ability and a genuine interest in travel and tourism.

Gain an insight into the role of a travel agency manager .

Find out more

• Read about what it's like to work on a cruise ship .
• Learn more about travel and tourism courses .

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Travel agency manager

Travel agency managers work in retail travel outlets, promoting and selling holidays and travel-related products

As a travel agency manager, you may manage a small independent business or a large chain. Some agencies specialise in business travel or offer a detailed knowledge of specific locations or travel products.

Your responsibilities will usually include the daily operational management of the agency, sales targets and development, staffing and financial management.

You'll need to ensure the agency delivers specialist, professional travel advice and offers a good range of competitive travel products to meet the demands of the customer. This will usually include an online booking service and tailor-made trips.

Responsibilities

As a travel agency manager, you'll need to:

• promote and market the business, sometimes to new or niche markets
• manage budgets and maintain statistical and financial records
• sell travel products and tour packages
• source products and destinations to meet consumer demands for bespoke travel and sustainable tourism
• deliver and exceed branch performance and productivity
• take part in familiarisation visits to new destinations, to gather information on issues and amenities of interest to consumers
• liaise with travel partners, including airlines and hotels, to manage bookings and schedules, often a year in advance
• deal with customer enquiries and aim to meet their expectations
• provide sales reports to head office
• implement alternative and innovative ideas for achieving new business
• oversee the smooth, efficient running of the business
• motivate the sales team to hit and exceed their targets and ensure company profitability
• meet regularly with team leaders to give them sales figures and plan how they approach their work
• meet company directors who advise on strategy and find out about any local issues and future trends
• oversee the recruitment, selection and retention of staff as well as payroll matters and staff training
• organise incentives, bonus schemes and competitions
• deal with disciplinary matters and customer complaints.
• Starting salaries range from £20,000 to £28,000, depending on the company's size, location and market.
• With experience, travel agency managers can earn up to £40,000.
• In senior-level positions, salaries are generally between £40,000 and £50,000.

Salaries vary greatly between agencies, with larger chains normally paying higher rates. You can enhance your earnings through various incentives and performance bonuses. Concessions for personal holidays and travel are also common.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours typically include a Saturday, which is classed as a normal working day. You'll usually have to coordinate cover over seven days a week, on a five-day day rota system. Part-time work is available.

You may occasionally need to work evenings when attending promotions and conferences.

If the travel agency is located in a call centre, shift work will usually be required.

What to expect

• Jobs are available in most areas of the UK, with major travel agencies having a high street presence. Self-employment or freelance work is an option due to the rise in popularity of online bookings and tailor-made package tours.
• The industry can experience downturns and upturns in equal measure, depending on the economic climate.
• There is an emphasis on meeting sales and productivity targets.
• Uniforms and a smart appearance are required in most organisations.
• There is occasional travel within a working day, plus overseas travel.

Qualifications

Although you don't need a degree, HND or foundation degree to become a travel agency manager, subjects that include travel, business and management modules are useful, particularly if they have a practical work placement.

The following subjects may increase your chances:

• business/marketing/financial management
• business with languages
• human geography
• social/economic/business studies
• travel/tourism/leisure studies.

Employers look for relevant managerial and travel-related experience. It's usual to start in a junior role, such as travel agency clerk or travel consultant, before moving into a management role.

Some of the major travel companies provide graduate training programmes in specific areas of the business. Although you may get placed in a retail travel agency during the training period, ultimately, you'll be working in a specific business function. This tends to be at head office or other relevant locations, even overseas.

Entry into a retail travel agency without a higher education qualification is possible. You'll usually need GCSEs in maths and English, as well as experience in travel and tourism.

Large travel companies such as TUI Group offer travel apprenticeships .

You'll need to have:

• good communication skills
• sales and customer-service skills
• diplomacy and tact
• innovation and energy
• commitment to people management
• the ability to lead and motivate a team
• sound judgement with attention to detail
• competent IT skills
• strong organisational skills
• resilience to cope with long hours and pressure at peak times
• a genuine interest in travel
• an awareness of the current trends in travel (e.g. sustainable tourism) and knowledge of popular and upcoming destinations is also important.

Work experience

Vacation or temporary work experience in a sales environment, as well as experience of foreign travel (e.g. as part of a gap year or summer placement) will enhance your application. The ability to communicate effectively in different languages is also helpful.

Relevant management experience in other areas of the leisure or tourism industry, such as hotels or airlines, is likely to increase your chances. Specific functional experience, perhaps in a marketing, sales, retail or IT role, is also helpful.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Most of the brand-name travel agents are owned by a few large groups, made even larger in recent years by high-profile mergers.

However, there are a number of independent agencies, some small and some with branches throughout the UK, and other specialist agencies. Such travel agents may deal with particular destinations or products, for instance, cooking holidays, sports activity breaks or niche locations. Check the list of members on the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) website to get an idea of typical employers.

Online travel bookings play a significant role in the industry and there are job opportunities in all aspects of online travel management. Search for members of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) on their website.

Self-employment is also possible, particularly when providing specialist travel options. The internet has created many opportunities due to demand from people wanting more tailored holidays at the best prices.

TV travel shops are another source of employment, with several of the major travel agencies owning their own satellite and cable TV channels.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Travel Jobs
• Travel Weekly

You can also check websites of travel agencies, companies and tour operators.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as C&M Travel Recruitment and Jane Peirce Travel Recruitment also handle vacancies.

With larger travel companies closing more of their high street shops to cut costs and focus on online sales, there are possibilities for independent travel consultants to fill the gap.

Professional development

Training is mainly on the job, although large companies may provide off-site training, some of which may be residential. Your training may involve travelling abroad or to other parts of the UK and will include training in sales areas such as insurance and online booking systems.

Skills such as payroll can be learned on the job, as can some management skills, like dealing with staff grievances. Training in these areas may be provided as part of the handover from the departing manager.

Continuing professional development (CPD) via training from their travel industry partners is encouraged by ABTA and the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) .

NVQs and SVQs are offered at different levels and include courses relevant to managers or potential managers. There is also a Managing the Travel Business Diploma, provided by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) .

It's also possible to complete postgraduate study in areas such as leisure and business. Search postgraduate courses in leisure management .

Career prospects

Generally, the role of a travel agency manager offers a lot of scope for variety and progression. It may be necessary to relocate or switch companies in order to achieve this.

In larger companies, it's often possible to move up the management ladder to area manager roles or move into another area of the business such as PR, human resources or marketing.

Typically, as a new entrant, you'll need to gain two-to-three years' experience as a sales consultant before being able to apply for a team leader position and a further two-to-three years' experience before applying for branch management roles.

By specialising in a few chosen destinations, opportunities may arise to relocate or spend time working abroad where you could forge links with travel partners overseas. Alternatively, you could move into education tourism, helping students learn skills and gain knowledge in educational institutions around the world. Alternatively you could teach tourism at an FE college or university.

The experience you gain as a travel agency manager also opens up opportunities in the wider tourism industry including hotels and leisure facilities, airlines and cruise ships.

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Careers in hospitality and tourism: Job list of opportunities for learning and travel

Hospitality careers

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The hospitality and tourism industry is booming thanks to accessible international travel and consumers’ enthusiasm for discovering new places.

Continuing growth in the industry means there is an enticing range of career paths in hospitality and tourism you can consider when deciding on your future, such as event manager, luxury manager, marketing manager, and more.

If you’re curious about what type of role might be best for you, there are plenty of options that combine exciting opportunities for personal development and working around the world.

In this article, we’ll go over the different hospitality and tourism career pathways you could aim towards. We’ll also discuss what the different roles entail and how you can gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in hospitality and tourism.

What is a hospitality and tourism career?

Career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry include a wide range of roles and responsibilities. The hospitality field revolves around providing exceptional experiences for guests and travelers.

While the stereotype may portray hospitality as simply serving drinks or waiting tables, the reality is far more varied. Hospitality is all about providing services and amenities to guests, ensuring their comfort, satisfaction, and enjoyment during their stay. This includes accommodations such as hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals, as well as food and beverage services, event planning, entertainment, and recreational activities.

Tourism involves the travel activities of individuals and groups for leisure, business, or other purposes. It encompasses everything from sightseeing and adventure tourism to cultural exchanges and eco-tourism.

A career in hospitality and tourism can take many forms, depending on one’s interests, skills, and qualifications. You can find everything from entry-level roles to managerial and executive careers, which are ideal roles for a lot of people.

Why pursue a career in the industry?

With tourism and hospitality booming there are more reasons than ever before to consider a career path in this rewarding sector.

Hospitality venues are keen to employ skilled and qualified individuals who can help their businesses thrive. The industry itself can be an exciting and endlessly interesting area to work in.

In this field, you’ll get to work with people from all over the world. You’ll also be able to work in a range of appealing locations since hospitality is truly a global industry. It’s also a great option for people who like to challenge themselves to continuously improve.

Find your path to success: hospitality and tourism jobs list

There are plenty of different employment opportunities in tourism and the hospitality industry, meaning that there are roles that suit everyone. Explore the wide array of opportunities available in this exciting industry as we look at a list of careers in hospitality and tourism, each offering pathways to success and fulfillment.

Hotel operations

This is a catch-all term that encompasses the various departments and functions within a hotel that work together to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the establishment. From front-of-house services that directly interact with guests to back-of-house operations that support the overall infrastructure, hotel operations are essential for delivering exceptional guest experiences.

What different hotel operations jobs are there?

Hotel operations roles include everything that makes a hotel run smoothly. These include:

• Front desk agent/receptionist
• Front of house manager
• Housekeeping
• Food and beverage service
• Food and beverage management
• Revenue management
• Sales and marketing
• Engineering and maintenance management
• General manager

Every department will have a hotel management role associated with it, such as the front of house manager overseeing all front desk agents and receptionists. At the very top is the general manager or executive manager, who ensures that all these different departments run smoothly together.

What are the different departments in a hotel?

There are a range of different departments in a hotel, including:

• Front of house
• Back of house and housekeeping
• Maintenance
• Event management
• Food and beverage services
• Guest experience

Hotels also need general managers who handle the overall operations of all these departments.

What skills are required to work in hotel operations?

To work in hotel operations, you should work on building skills such as:

• Time management
• Team leadership
• Organization
• Analytical skills
• Communication

These useful transferable skills will set you up well for a hospitality and tourism career and in other areas too.

How can I start a career in hotel management?

There are two main routes to working in hotel management. You can either start working your way up from entry-level roles via other careers in the hotel industry or you can study for a hospitality degree .

Salaries in Hotel operations

Working in hotel operations can be lucrative if you aim for a hospitality management career. Some of the top salaries are:

• Assistant hotel manager: $64,993
• Hotel general manager: $118,000
• Hotel finance director: $195,241
• Housekeeping manager: $62,601

Travel and tourism

Unlike hospitality, which focuses on providing accommodation, food, and other services to guests, travel and tourism encompass a broader spectrum of experiences and activities beyond the confines of a hotel or resort. While hospitality is an integral part of the travel and tourism industry, the latter extends to include transportation, attractions, tour operators, travel agencies, and destination management organizations.

List of professions in the tourism industry

There are also a wide range of travel and tourism industry jobs, such as:

• Travel agency management
• Tour guide positions
• Event planning and coordination
• Transportation and logistics in the tourism industry
• Adventure and eco-tourism careers
• Destination marketing
• Cruise ship management
• Tourism research and analysis

These will have many of the same requirements as hotel roles. However, they can lead to working in varied environments, especially if you work in luxury management , which focuses on high-end services.

Salaries in travel and tourism

Choosing these careers in tourism and travel can lead to high salaries, such as:

• Cruise ship director: $64,267
• Travel agent: $59,263
• Destination marketer $108,782
• Tourism manager: $76,729

Restaurant and culinary services

This sector of the hospitality industry focuses on providing food and beverage services to customers, offering a diverse array of culinary experiences tailored to meet varying tastes, preferences, and occasions. From the ambiance and presentation to the quality and taste of the food, restaurant and culinary services play a pivotal role in creating memorable dining experiences for patrons. 

Interesting roles in the restaurant and culinary services

Hospitality careers also include food and beverage services work, which includes:

• Restaurant management positions
• Bar managers
• Culinary arts and chef careers
• Front-of-house and back-of-house staff for restaurants
• Sommeliers and beverage professionals
• Catering and event management

Salaries in the restaurant and culinary services

If you are looking at culinary job opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry, you could expect salaries such as:

• Restaurant manager: $58,442
• Bar manager: $76,586
• Catering manager: $53,566
• Head chef: $95,100
• Sommelier: $63,788

What skills are required to work in restaurant management?

As well as the management skills you’d need for any of these hospitality careers, you’ll also be expected to have culinary experience for a role in restaurant management. You could gain this either through specialized study or by working in a professional kitchen environment, a bar or with a catering company. The skills you will need include:

• Customer service
• Multi tasking
• Organizational skills

What is the role of a sommelier?

A sommelier is a wine expert. They are usually responsible for choosing and updating a venue’s wine list. They’ll also work with chefs to make sure dishes have suitable wine pairings and they can often give advice to customers on wines that enhance their menu selections.

Hospitality marketing and sales

This industry encompasses a range of activities, including market research, advertising, branding, digital marketing, sales campaigns, and customer relationship management. The goal of hospitality marketing and sales is to identify target markets, communicate the value proposition of hospitality offerings, and drive bookings and reservations through effective promotional strategies and sales efforts.

Roles to consider in hospitality marketing and sales jobs

amriphoto/E+ via Getty Images

Another career option in hospitality is to work in marketing and sales. This can mean being responsible for:

• Sales and revenue management
• Digital marketing strategies for hotels and travel companies
• Branding and public relations
• Customer service and guest relations

How can I pursue a career in hospitality marketing?

For one of these hospitality careers, you will need a good knowledge of both the hospitality field and marketing. You can learn the skills you need from a college or hospitality school in Switzerland to give you the best chances of success.

What skills are essential for a sales manager in the hospitality industry?

Vital skills for a marketing or sales job in hospitality and tourism, such as marketing manager, include:

• Project management
• Data analysis

Salaries in hospitality marketing and sales

Sales and marketing roles often offer salaries in the higher bands of hospitality, such as:

• Hotel sales manager: $119,726
• Director of sales: $195,525
• Marketing manager: $134,424
• Sales strategy analyst: $63,585

Event planning and management 

These roles involve the meticulous coordination and execution of various events, ranging from corporate conferences and weddings to festivals and special occasions. The responsibilities include venue selection, logistics planning, budget management, vendor coordination, and on-site supervision. Event planners and managers work closely with clients to understand their objectives, preferences, and expectations, tailoring each event to meet specific needs and create memorable experiences for attendees. 

Careers in event planning and management

There are plenty of career opportunities in event hospitality, including:

• Wedding planner
• Corporate event planner
• Event manager
• Event designer
• Event marketing specialist

What skills do I need for event planning?

In order to be successful in the field of event management and planning, you will need to build skills such as:

• Problem solving

Event management salaries

Salaries in event management often depend on which kind of events you plan, and at what venues. As a rough guide, you could earn:

• Wedding planner: $39,465
• Event planner: $63,154
• Corporate event planner: $74,119
• Event manager: $111,710
• Event marketing: $188,417

Learn more about Hospitality Careers

Hospitality Careers

Guide to career paths in hospitality

Your career guide: hospitality and tourism management jobs

Hospitality and tourism careers: how to get started.

What’s the most international career path?

Transitioning into a career in hospitality and tourism.

If you are looking to start your career in the hospitality and tourism professions, the important steps are:

• Education and training to get you the skills and qualifications needed for hospitality employment prospects
• Learning transferable skills, such as those listed in this article, to help you in whatever hospitality career you move into
• Networking and making industry connections to help you find job opportunities in tourism and hospitality
• Doing a hospitality internship or apprenticeship to give you real-world experience

What qualifications do I need to pursue a career in hospitality and tourism?

The best qualifications for hospitality careers are specialist hospitality certificates.

Whether you’re thinking about a bachelor’s degree, a diploma or an advanced qualification, these courses will give you the experience and skills necessary to compete for the most sought-after careers in the industry.

If you are looking at a career as a restaurant manager, you should also look for some culinary qualifications.

If you’re looking at degree options, you should aim to choose a course that includes internships. These will provide vital on-the-job training, as well as giving you a chance to network with professionals who are already established.

What are the job prospects and growth potential in the industry?

The hospitality and tourism industries have huge potential for growth due to the demand for quality travel experiences from a global customer base.

This means there are many opportunities for career advancement, especially in luxury management and other high-end hospitality sectors.

Once established in hospitality and tourism, there are also plenty of options to either specialize in area-specific management roles or to aim for general management or executive management roles.

All of these jobs in hospitality will have their own challenges and benefits.

What skills are important for success in hospitality and tourism?

There are many skills you can develop to improve your prospects in the  hospitality business . Some of those you should work on consolidating include:

• Communication, both written and verbal
• Time management skills
• Team leadership skills
• Analytical and data handling skills

All of these are transferable or soft skills, which you can use in any job role. You’ll also need to learn specific skills relating to the role you want.

For example, if you want to work in restaurant management, you should aim to build culinary skills alongside those listed above.

If you want to work in sales management, you should aim to develop skills in finance and marketing.

Why hospitality and tourism careers?

Working in hospitality and tourism can be a great career for people who want to challenge themselves, travel, be constantly learning and work in a truly global enterprise.

The sector is experiencing healthy growth and consumer enthusiasm for travel and new experiences is not likely to diminish. You can expect rewarding career prospects with the possibility of advancement.

There are roles to suit all talents, including front of house, food and beverage management, hotel manager, general manager and lots more.

If you want to embrace any of the roles on our hospitality job list, the most efficient route is to get a world-recognized hospitality degree that ensures you gain the skills and knowledge to succeed.

If you want to pursue any of these  hospitality careers , from hotel general manager to  becoming an event planner , getting a quality education can be the first and most essential step.

Photo credits Main image:  Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Setting the standard in hospitality degrees

Our world-leading hospitality bachelor’s degree is an intensive mix of developing skills and making priceless connections that mean access to roles at the highest levels of the hospitality industry.

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Leisure, sport and tourism

If you have a passion for health and fitness, working with the public or want to spend time travelling or working abroad, this sector has a lot to offer ambitious graduates.

This sector offers a wide variety of roles, including:

• holiday representative
• outdoor activities and education manager
• personal trainer
• sports coach
• theme park manager
• tourism officer.

Key skills required will vary by sector and role, but useful skills include:

• excellent customer service
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• organisational and planning skills
• team-working capability
• leadership ability.

For job profiles and detailed information on pursuing a career in this sector, see the Prospects website:

Leisure, sport and tourism profile

How to get a job

Finding a job.

Applying for a job

To prepare for a graduate-level career in this sector, you should research the sector carefully. You should also talk with people who are in the sector already.

Work experience is helpful for gaining employment in this sector. You can get this through part-time work experience, placements, and internships.

Make a connection

To connect with people already working in the sector, consider joining Saint Connect , the University of St Andrews’ exclusive, global, online community for networking and career mentoring.

You might also find it helpful to join one of the student societies to build your connections in this sector. Visit the Student Association website for a full list of societies . 

See more ideas for making a connection .

Work experience, placements, and internships 

• Tourism is a big industry in St Andrews. Many local employers advertise their vacancies through the Careers Centre (for example, the Old Course Hotel, Rufflets Hotel, the Russell Hotel, Dunhill, Blackhorn, the Tourist Information Office, the Adamson). Search for local vacancies for work experience opportunities in the St Andrews area.
• Apply to the University Student Ambassador Scheme .
• Some formal internships are available in this sector (for example, with large leisure, sport and tourism companies).
• Try to arrange relevant work experience by adopting a speculative approach - see networking and speculative applications for more advice.
• Get involved with University sports clubs to gain experience and network.
• Join the Institute of Hospitality – benefits include access to resources and webinars.

Find internships (Careers Centre)

Attend events

The Careers Centre often puts on events where you can talk to employers visiting St Andrews. Visit the events page for more information.

Check out our job listings for vacancies or see the resources below for jobs in this sector.

Find jobs (Careers Centre)

Jobs in the UK

• Prospects - Jobs in leisure, sport and tourism
• TARGETjobs - Jobs in hospitality, leisure and travel
• Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)
• Leisure People
• leisurejobs
• Merlin Entertainments
• SeasonWorkers
• Sport England: Careers
• Sport Scotland – jobs in Scottish sports
• UK Sport jobs
• Visit Scotland - recruitment

Graduate training schemes

A graduate training scheme is a paid, entry-level job that also acts as a training programme. Although formal graduate training schemes are rare in this sector, several larger organisations do offer relevant opportunities, including:

• British Airways
• Hilton Worldwide
• Odeon Cinemas
• P&O Cruises .

Opportunities are more likely to be found speculatively or from networking .  Many employers in this sector value relevant work experience over a 2.1 degree and will accept a 2.2. Read about graduate employers who recruit students with 2.2s in this sector (TARGETjobs) . 

Jobs outside the UK

• GoinGlobal (requires login)
• Anywork Anywhere

The recruitment process for leisure, sport and tourism jobs and graduate training schemes may vary from company to company, but is likely to consist of one or more of the following:

• online application
• selection tests
• an interview
• assessment centre .

Check employer websites as many provide details on their own individual recruitment and selection processes. Smaller organisations may be happy to accept a CV and covering letter and will have a less formal approach to the selection process. See  TARGETjobs' 'How do I get a job in hospitality, leisure and tourism?' .

If you would like personalised help on any aspect of applying for a job, you can book an appointment with a careers adviser .  

Additional resources

• British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions
• Hospitality, leisure and travel careers advice (TARGETjobs)
• Institute of Travel and Tourism
• Leisure Management magazine
• Sport Industry Group .

• Career advice
• Teaching Gateway

• Applications
• Talent Pool
• Edit profile
• Recruiting?
• Day in the Life
• Get an FE Job
• Career Development
• FE Careers Spotlight
• Application & Interview Advice
• Opinion/Comment

How to become a leisure, tourism or travel teacher

Within further education....

Check out our latest t ravel and tourism lecturer jobs.

It may seem obvious but having a passion for travel, tourism and leisure, as well as a desire to impart your wisdom to students, will be looked upon favourably by employers. The role can be very varied, making it perfectly suited for inquisitive souls who have a wanderlust one hand, to those who love interacting with others.

Jo Patel, travel and tourism lecturer at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, explains that course units typically taught include those that focus on tourism-specific units, such as event management, hospitality, hotels and restaurants and tour operators. Then there are units focussing on transferrable skills that can be used across business, employability, marketing and customer services.

Key Qualities and Skills

Jo is clear that gaining in-depth knowledge about the industry is a must. She says you’ll need to be a “sponge”. Empathy is another key skill that she highlights when dealing with the often challenging situations of students. Above all else, she states that you must “ stay motivated and enthusiastic with a smile on your face, because working in tourism is all about selling yourself as a service” .

Qualifications Required

Unlike some other teaching roles in the further education (FE) sphere, you should be able to become a leisure, tourism or travel teacher without needing a degree. You’ll be expected to hold a minimum of a Level 3 qualification in the subject and be willing to study for a teaching qualification. That said, “ possession of a teaching qualification would probably enhance your chances of appointment” . Relevant experience is also prized in this role.

Jo describes working full-time in the tourism industry as “essential” to being successful in your job application. After gaining real-life experience, you should look to gaining a part-time PGCE teaching qualification, sponsored by your institution. Taking up CPD learning is recommended to keep your skill levels topped up.

There is one sure-fire way of ensuring that your knowledge of the subject is relevant and up-to-date — when Jo was working in the tourism sector, but teaching part-time, she explains that she “ took - and passed! - the exams the students took to ensure [she] knew the syllabus [she] had to teach ”.

Career Progression to Senior Roles

A qualified and experienced leisure, tourism or travel FE teacher has the opportunity to become head of the department. The key responsibilities of the Programme Leader in Tourism, Hospitality & Events at Blackpool and The Fylde College include having control over key areas such as recruitment, curriculum content and quality indicators.

Links with Industry

As a leisure, tourism or travel FE teacher, you will be expected to forge relationships with industry. For example, West London College has built up extensive links with employers, such as British Airways, Emirates Airlines, Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5 and Swissport, with many students going on to work in the airline industry.

An unqualified FE teacher can expect to earn around £19,758 to £23,325 , while a qualified FE teacher can usually expect to earn anything between £24,702 and £37,258, depending on experience.

There are lots of FE teachers working in FE who work part-time with these roles paid at hourly rates, which are dependent on the level of course taught.

Find travel and tourism lecturer jobs here.

Sources/further reading:

https://www.aocjobs.com/career-advice/day-in-the-life-of-a-travel-and-tourism-programme-managerlecturer

https://www.aocjobs.com/job/89763/programme-leader-tourism-hospitality-and-events-at-blackpool-and-the-fylde-college

https://www.feadvice.org.uk/sites/www.feadvice.org.uk/files/001%20Information%20sheet%20revised%20April%202018_0.pdf

https://www.wlc.ac.uk/courses/travel,-leisure-tourism

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/further-education-teacher

https://www.aocjobs.com/jobs/teaching-lecturing/leisure-travel-tourism

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Career in Travel and Tourism

Thu, Mar 12, 2020 10:53 AM

Travel & Tourism in Kenya grew faster than the regional average and significantly above other economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council. In 2018, Travel & Tourism grew 5.6% to contribute KSHS 790 billion and 1.1 million jobs to the Kenyan economy. This rate of growth is faster than the global average of 3.9% and the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 3.3%, making Kenya the third largest tourism economy in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa and Nigeria both of which grew substantially less than Kenya in 2018

The travel and tourism industry in our country has aided in economic growth, creating jobs and alleviating poverty. With the industry growing and changing to accommodate the innovations technology has given way to, there is demand for capable and skilled personnel for the endless career opportunities in the fastest growing industry

This course is ideal for youth looking to charter a new career path or indulge in their interest in the travel and tourism industry. In an industry that is said to be highly exciting and adventurous, our program is designed to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and attitude required to conduct tour and travel operations in the dynamic tourism industry. This is intended to encourage self- employment while at the same time perform operational supervisory duties in the world of work.

People who work in travel and tourism have a passion for travel, and a commitment to helping tourists make lasting memories on their holiday whether in their country or abroad. A career in tourism can literally open up the world for you, especially if you want to combine work with travel. This career path is ideal for creatives as there’s such a wide range of jobs in the industry so there is never any need for you to get stuck in one niche. Tourism courses can give you access to many different scopes in your career such as a Tourist Guide, Tour Manager, Adventure Sports Activity Manager, Travel Consultant, Event and Conference Manager, Air Cabin Crew or Airport Ground staff, Holiday Rep and more.

Vocational education such as a diploma can make you more eligible to accomplish your career and life goals than a degree will.

The K.I.M (Kenya Institute of Management) organisation aims to provide excellence in organisational and business management practices so we believe we have the right inclinations to provide participants with the theory and experience they need to prepare for a general management career in the growing, exciting, and challenging tourism sector.

For more information Contact: [email protected] or Tel. +254719054101. #Futureskills #FIR #Learning #Unlearning #Relearning #Upskilling

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Perm, Russia General info on the city of Perm A short intro... Perm is the most Eastern city of Europe, and therefore its province is often referred to as Eurasia. Having a population of 1 million, Perm' is one of the largest cities in Russia and the second largest in the Urals. The city was formerly called Molotov, after the minister of foreign affairs during Joseph Stalin's ruling. Perm stretches 65 km along the impressive Kama River - Europe's 4th largest river by length. The Perm province, "Permskiy Krai", or "Prikamye", is around two-third the size of the United Kingdom and covers a great area in the very heart of the Ural Mountains. Perm is internationally known as the name for the geological period (290 - 245 million years ago) in which the Ural Mountain Range was formed. In contrary to the Urals, Perm itself is rather young. Although the first settlement of Perm dates back to 16th century, officially it got its city status in 1723. Citizens still loudly celebrate Perm's birthday on 12th of June, with street parades, concerts and fireworks throughout the whole city! In spite of being a relatively young city, Perm played an important role in the history of Russia. Not the least part of this role was played by Ermak, who was from the Perm Province. Ermak, by order of the Stroganov family, gathered an army here and led it through the Urals, later to succesfully conquer Siberia for Russia. Afterwards, when a road was needed to connect Siberia with the west, construction was started in Perm, which was at that time the capital of the Ural region. The new road, together with the construction of the Trans Siberian Railroad, allowed development of the places east of the Urals - current big cities such as Ekaterinburg, Omsk and Novosibirsk, were merely peasant or miners' towns by that time. Nowadays, Perm basically owes its existence to two factors. Firstly the large amounts of natural resources (minerals, oil and timber) that are present in the region, and secondly (but not less important): its location. The mighty Kama River, the Great Trans Siberian Railroad and main motorways from Moscow/Kazan to Siberia all cross in Perm, making Perm a main Russian transportation hub. The city is the doorway from Europe to Asia and to Siberia in particular. During Soviet times, Perm was a proper fortress because of the huge military industry in its region. All artillery and rocket vehicles, as well as (intercontinental) ballistic rocket launching systems, engines for MiG jetfighters and canons of all ranges were (and in less proportions still are) produced in Perm. The Soviets did an excellent job in hiding Perm and keeping it secret. Most people from outside the Urals simply did not know of the existence of the - at that time - 1 million citizens of Perm. Until the end of the cold war, Perm did not appear on certain Soviet-made maps, nor did the roads towards it. Nowadays, Perm is obviously accessible to all. Actually, it currently is one of Russia's fastest growing cities because of its economical prosperity. Click here for specific information for visitors: Perm sightseeing / excursions and Perm hotels . Perm - 101% Russian, yet multicultural For Russian standards, Perm is one of the most multicultural places in the whole country; it is a home of many ethnic groups who have lived together in Perm ever since its existence. While taking a walk through Perm’s huge central bazaar one can easily distinguish Russians at the many typical small kiosks, Georgians and Armenians selling their original spicy kebabs and shoarmas straight from the barbecue and Tatars operating from most of the simple but colorful jewelry stands. Furthermore, Russian orthodox churches, a mosque, a synagogue and several Catholic churches (some dating from the 17th century) all exist next to each other in Perm. The multicultural character of Perm also shows in its dining possibilities; one does never have to go far to experience the Russian, Uzbek, Georgian or Caucasian cuisine. In spite of its multicultural character, Perm is “Russian till the bone”. Wide avenues, big squares and parks, many statues, dominant Soviet architecture, countless little kiosks, huge theatres and trolley busses everywhere - all make Perm as Russian as Russian can be. Being some 1400 kilometers away from the big influential cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Perm is a relaxed place, where people have kept the typical Russian way of life and traditions. The Perm opera and ballet theatre After St. Petersburg and Moscow, Perm is Russia's leading city for opera and ballet theatre. Not only has the city got a wide range of stages and theatres, its educational bodies like the Russian Academy of Theatre Art and Institute for Culture and Art as well as its many international relations in theatre performances and education still give Perm the name of theatre city. One of the most famous stages is the Chaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre Perm. Among its repertoire are internationally known performances (for example Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra, Aida, Cinderella, Le Nozze di Figaro) as well as Russian ones: most works of Chaikovsky have been staged here. Since 1948 the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre has been on tours throughout the whole world, performing in countries such as UK, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany and China. During its history, the theatre has received numerous (inter)national prizes. Another leading stage is the Perm Academic Drama Theatre, founded in 1927. Like the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Acamedic Drama Theatre has staged the world’s most prestigious Drama plays (for instance Ostrovsky, Shakespeare, Gorky and Tolstoy) and has it won many prizes for its work. Museums The Perm Art Gallery boasts a large collection of arts. Apart from numerous paintings of Flemish, French and Italian masters, it also has modern art collections on exhibition. The museum's collection is among the very largest ones in Russia. The museum is located in a former cathedral, now a landmark of Perm in the centre of the city. For those who are interested in the history and the culture of the Urals, the Regional Museum of Local Studies and History (founded in 1890) is definitely worth to visit. The museum boasts a wide variety of armory, coinage, pottery, handicrafts, archeology and minerals. It also tells about the Permian period, the geological era in which the Urals were formed. The partly open-air artillery museum at the northern end of the city centre displays all generations of rocket and artillery (vehicles), as constructed in Perm, as well as a wide range of information of the history of the industry. Actually, the city is known for its large war industry ever since late 1800’s. All cannons and artillery of former Soviet Union as well as engines for Tupolev and MiG aircrafts were (and in less amounts still are) manufactured in Perm. The museum offers detailed information on its wide range of warfare. The outside part of the museum can be entered free of charge at any time. This museum is a part of our city excursion . “ Khokhlovka ” (Open-air museum of and Wooden Architecture and Ethnography) is in fact a collection of original structures as they existed in the 17th century. Inside the buildings, all kinds of tools, handicrafts and clothes of that time are exposed. The guide will take you around the museum, telling about the hard life 300 years ago. You will be amazed by the beauty of the site; Khokhlovka is located on a green hill and offers great views over the Kama river and nearby villages. Architecture As for architecture, most profound buildings are situated in the city centre. The heart of the city is very unlike what one can expect from a city of over one million inhabitants. It completely lacks the usual modern glass buildings and tall skyscrapers that make up for most big cities’ centres. In fact, Perm’s centre is mostly made up by colorful, classic 3-storied mansions of Soviet architecture, making the centre breath a rather relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Among the most prominent buildings in the city are the centrally located "Young people's theatre", the Feodalyevskaya Church and the Dyagiliev Mansion. Furthermore, the Perm I train station is worth a look, as it is proper ancient (17th century). In the provincial towns surrounding Perm, such as Kungur, Solikamsk, Usolye and Osa, architectural highlights are dominated by mansions and factories which were built by the Stroganovs and Demidovs in the 17th century. In similar style, a large number of remarkable churches and cathedrals can be found throughout the Perm Province. Famous people In spite of Perm being a relatively unknown city, the city and its region brought forward many famous people. Ballet impressario Sergei Dyaghilev was born in Perm and spent early years of his life here. He became a sensation in Europe during 2 decades of his "Ballets Russes". Dyaghilev's former mansion in the centre of Perm is now a museum. Chaikovsky, one of the greatest composers ever, was born in a small town just south of Perm. Furthermore, Perm was home of Popov, the inventor of radio, and of Boris Pasternak, who wrote Dr. Zhivago here. The Stroganovs, the Demidovs and Tatishchevs in Perm make up for Russia's famous industrials. Ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev wrote history when he produced the ballet sensation "The Rites of Spring" in Paris in the early years of the 20th century. Sports For those who are more into sports rather than theatre, Perm has many possibilities. Especially in weekends, the offer is large. Football games of Amkar (promoted to Russia’s premier league in 2003) and “Molot-Prikamiye” (see club logo on the right) ice hockey matches take place frequently. Click here for all matches of Perm sports teams. Shopping Shopping in Perm is an experience on its own. Like most other cities in Russia, Perm has not got obvious Western-style shopping streets, although the central “Komsomolsky Prospekt” is steadily developing into one. New and modern stores are appearing in and around this proper avenue at a fast rate, among which mostly fashion, jewelry and dining places. For daily needs, the huge central bazaar is the most popular place. For any tourist, a visit to this site of countless little stands, shops and kiosks simply cannot be missed. The whole city comes together here, making the bazaar probably the most vivid place in Perm. Fruits, vegetables, clothes, cleaning products, tools, audio, sunglasses, kebabs, carpets, almost ANYthing can be purchased here, and usually for very little money too. The large building in the centre of the bazaar is the place where all kinds of meat and milk products are sold. For those looking for cheap clothing, the Chinese-Vietnamese market is the place to go. Decent but cheap is the main subject among the mainly Chinese trade-people at the market. Furthermore, several smaller markets (“rinki”) can be found all over the city, mainly at the crossings of major streets. A number of shopping malls serve those who like to have everything in one building. The biggest one is “Univermag” on the corner of Lenina and Komsomolsky Prospekt. Just across the road are many bakeries, cafés and kebab stands for a short break and a quick snack. Public Transport Perm has an extensive public transport system, operated by busses, taxi busses, trolley busses and trams. They take you to wherever you want to go in the city, even to far outskirts. The standard fare for any means of public transport is 13 rubles, to be paid to the conductor on entrance. Taxi busses start around 6:30 am and stop at 21 pm. All the other transport starts at 5:30 am and goes until 0:30 am. Taxis, naturally, drive 24 hours. If you do not know the city well, it might be difficult for you to find your way through the complicated public transport network. The best thing you can do is to ask the hotel receptionists or your host family which bus or tram number you need. Just remember the name of the stop you departed from, so it will be easy for people to give you directions back, just in case you are not sure which one to take. It is also possible to buy a city transport map at any paper/magazine kiosk, they cost around 2 euro. Events in Perm Events in form of sports and theatre take place nearly every day, one shall not get bored! Most interesting performances of ballet, drama and opera are staged at the Drama Theatre, which is located on Lenina Street, at the central square. The Perm Academic Theatre offers all kinds of famous plays, both Russian and international, and has a full events calendar every day of the month. Matches of Molot Prikamye (ice hockey) take place at the Molot Stadium, which is loacated in the eastern part of Perm. Amkar plays Russian premier league football in stadium "Zvezda", which is in the city centre. Celebrations throughout the city often take place on Russian national holidays: December 31st, New Year January 7th, Orthodox Christmas February 23rd, Day of Defender of Motherland (fireworks) March 8th, Women's Day May 1st, Spring and Labour Day May 9th, Victory Day (military parades in city centre) June 12th, Independence Day and birthday Perm city! (huge fireworks at midnight) November 4th, National Accord Day Furthermore, several occasional as well as annual music, theatre, folklore and anniversary festivals take place in Perm and its region. There is always something to celebrate in Perm! Perm city map A map of Perm city centre, as well as a province map, you'll find on a seperate page. Click here for Perm city map . Perm Weather & Climate Russia is renowned for its long and cold winters. In case of Perm in particular, this is only partly true. Perm has a temperate continental climate: winters are by far not as harsh (average day temperature in January is -15C) when compared to the more eastern parts of the country. Summers are usually very sunny and warm, averagely +25C in July- and August day times. During those months, many citizens can be found sunbathing on the Kama beaches. Current weather:   -->

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Surrey moves up to joint 12th in Complete University Guide 2025

University of Surrey courses in ‘Information Technology and Systems’, ‘Paramedic Science’ and ‘Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies’ continue to be ranked 1st in the United Kingdom.

The University has risen one place to joint 12th in the Complete University Guide 2025 table, continuing its upward trend, with seven subjects ranked in the top five in the United Kingdom.

The overall table, published annually, aims to support prospective students in making informed decisions about their future and draws on the 2023 NSS results and Graduate Outcomes for the 2020/21 cohort, while research indicators are based on the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Surrey was ranked 13th in 2024  - its highest position in this table since 2017 - and has improved one further place for 2025.

In total, 130 universities were measured  against 10 criteria : entry standards; student satisfaction; research quality; research intensity; graduate prospects – outcomes; graduate prospects – on track; student-staff ratio; academic services spend; facilities spend; continuation.

Nine subjects ranked in top 10 in the UK

Subject tables are based on six measures (entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, continuation, graduate prospects – outcomes and graduate prospects – on track) and include 154 universities, university colleges and specialist higher education institutions.

Of the 34 subjects at Surrey that were ranked this year, 12 have improved their position with nine subjects appearing in the top 10 in the UK – an increase of two on 2024.

Seven subjects are ranked in the top five, while three are ranked first –  ‘ Information Technology and Systems’, ‘Paramedic Science’ and ‘Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies’.

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