A career in the Travel and Tourism Industry will require from its aspirants a certain flare and a lot of confidence along with strong interpersonal skills. Someone who is looking to be a part of the tourism industry must have the hunger to learn new things every day, along with the knack of staying update with the latest news, socio, economic trends and a strong geography.
India might be marked as flabbergasting number 41 in the top countries visited worldwide but it is sought to get better in years to come. The Tourism Sector in India might have seen a slump the previous year as compared to the previous year but it has managed to pull its weight and show an Annual Growth Rate of 4.3 per cent till June 2013.
Although it would seem all glamorous but the industry has much more to offer and requires hardworking and diligent individuals. Keeping in mind that there is no dearth of job prospects in the tourism and travel industry, on completion of, your tourism studies one can venture into the many lucrative aspects of the industry. Well groomed individuals are the need of any industry and especially ones where direct client interface is as much as this industry. The country requires more and more skilled, confident, well groomed and diligent aspirants to be a part of the travel and tourism industry.
Entering the field and Eligibility Criteria
You can opt for diploma, certificate, undergraduate or postgraduate programs to be a part of this budding industry. The minimum eligibility criterion for taking admission to a tourism course at the undergraduate level is the completion of Class XII. On the other hand if you’re looking for an admission to postgraduate programmes, you must be a graduate from a recognised institute and also appear for an entrance test and clear the group discussions and Personal Interviews. Distance Learning programs in Tourism and Travel management are also provided by many institutes along degree courses, certificate courses, PG Diploma and degree courses, etc.
Courses –
UG courses travel and tourism management
Bachelor in Tourism Studies
PG courses travel and tourism management
Master of Tourism Administration
Master in Travel Administration
A. in Tourism Management
Diploma courses travel and tourism management
PG Diploma in Travel and Tourism
Diploma in Tourism and Hotel Management
Diploma in Airline, Travel and Tourism
Some Universities/ Institutes offering Travel and Tourism Courses
Colleges / Institute –
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management- Delhi, Gwalior, Bhubaneswar, Nellore
Himachal Pradesh University- Shimla
Banaras Hindu University
Aligharh Muslim University
Punjab University
Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies- Trivandrum
National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management- Hyederabad
Dibrugarh University, Centre of Mgmt Studies (CMS) - Dibrugarh, Assam
Institute of Mgmt Sciences (University of Lucknow) - Lucknow
Institute of Management Studies (IMS) - Ghaziabad
Regional College of Management (RCM)- Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Job Roles –
Plan and sell transportations, accommodations, insurance and other travel services
Cooperate with clients to determine their needs and advise them appropriate destination, modes of transportations, travel dates, costs and accommodations
Provide relevant information, brochures and publications (guides, local customs, maps, regulations, events etc) to travelers
Book transportation, make hotel reservations and collect payment/fees
Use promotional techniques and prepare promotional materials to sell itinerary tour packages
Deal with occurring travel problems, complaints or refunds
Attend travel seminars to remain updated with tourism trends
Enter data into our software and maintain client files