Travel and tourism: How to pursue a career in this field after Class 12
In India, the travel and tourism industry is booming at an unparalleled rate. This is one of the largest and most profitable sectors in India, contributing significantly to the country's foreign exchange earnings. According to several projections, by 2025, the travel industry is predicted to provide over 45 million jobs in India. Whether it's white sand beaches or old forts, world heritage sites or natural wonders, students with a passion for discovering new places and assisting others in doing so, can explore a career in the travel and tourism vertical. Here’s what they need to know.
Courses available
Students interested in pursuing travel and tourism as a career can enrol for undergraduate courses after Class 12.
The undergraduate courses (3 years) include:
- BA in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management
- BA in Travel and Tourism Management
- BA in Tourism Studies
- BA in 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
- BCom in Travel and Tourism Management
- B.Sc in Hospitality and Travel Management
- B.Sc in Travel and Tourism Management
Eligibility criteria
Students aspiring to build a career in the field of travel and tourism must have completed Class 12 with 50% aggregate from Science, Humanities or Commerce stream. Some colleges also conduct their own entrance examinations for admission to these courses.
Institutes for studying travel and tourism in India
Lovely Professional University, Punjab, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, NIMS University, Jaipur, Lucknow University, Lucknow, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, New Delhi, and Delhi University offer undergraduate programmes in travel and tourism in India.
Subjects taught in travel and tourism course
Tourist resort planning, food service management, ecology, environment and tourism and inter-cultural communication are some of the prominent subjects taught to students as part of the undergraduate programme in travel and tourism.
Skills required
Professionals in the travel and tourism industry are concerned with offering high-quality services to those who are travelling for personal or business reasons. Candidates interested in pursuing a career in the tourism business should have a passion for travel, a desire to learn new things and the ability to keep up with current events and global socio-economic trends.
The following are some of the qualities and talents that candidates need possess in order to have a successful career in the travel and tourism industry:- confidence, excellent communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, a pleasant and well-groomed personality, diligence, enthusiasm, problem solving and organisational skills, teamwork, leadership and networking skills.
Career options
Having some experience is important for advancement in the travel and tourism industry. However, students can find numerous career options in both the private and public sectors after completing a course in the field. The following are some of the most common job titles in the travel and tourist industry: travel agents, tourism managers, and tourist guides and airlines staff.