Globetrotting as a Profession: 7 Best Careers in Travel and Tourism Industry

Travel and tourism isn't just an exciting job where you get to travel; it's also a big deal economically! Studies show that the travel and tourism industry makes up a whopping 7.6 percent of the total global economy.

This means there are loads of job opportunities in tourism to explore. So, if you're interested in a career in this field, we've put together a list of some cool jobs to consider. 

Check out the options that are out there and start planning your dream job in the travel and tourism industry!

Why choose to pursue a tourism occupation?

Tourism is a thriving industry with a wide range of exciting career paths. It offers the chance to travel the world, meet people from different cultures, and work in different settings, from planes to beaches and museums! 

Whether you're passionate about history, nature, or people, there's a tourism role that suits your interests. With a tourism qualification, you can pursue careers in a wide range of tourism occupations! 

Tourism is an industry that values creativity, communication skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional experiences. 

Air cabin crew

Possibly the most well-known career in travel, working as an air cabin crew member offers an exciting blend of adventure, customer service and global exploration. 

As part of the cabin crew, you become the face of the airline, providing exceptional service to passengers throughout their journey.

Requirements

• Minimum age requirement (usually 18-21 years old)
• GCSEs – with a qualification in travel and tourism also highly desirable
• Fluent in English (additional languages can be advantageous)
• Physically fit and able to pass medical examinations
• Able to reach to a minimum height of 6’2” without shoes/heels and feet flat on the floor
• Completion of airline-specific training programmes

Benefits

• Travel opportunities to various destinations worldwide
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible work schedules
• Opportunities for career advancement and promotion within the airline industry
• Discounts on air travel for you and family members

Challenges

• Irregular work hours, including weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts
• Dealing with demanding passengers and managing in-flight emergencies
• Adjusting to different time zones and spending long hours on your feet
• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance while working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment

Who would suit this role?

• Individuals who enjoy travelling and exploring new destinations
• People who thrive in a customer service-oriented role
• Those who can remain calm and composed under pressure
• Individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills
• People who are adaptable and can handle changing work environments

Tour guide

For those passionate about travel and sharing their love for exploration with others, working as a tour guide is an incredibly rewarding career choice. 

Whether leading groups through historic landmarks, natural wonders, or vibrant cities, tour guides have the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and destinations while creating unforgettable experiences for travellers.

Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of the area or destination you will be guiding in
• Strong communication and storytelling skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with people from different backgrounds
• Proficiency in languages spoken by tourists 
• First aid certification
• Completion of relevant training programmes

Benefits

• Opportunity to explore and discover various destinations as part of your job
• Flexibility to design and lead tours tailored to your interests and expertise
• Satisfaction of sharing your passion for travel and culture with others
• Potential for networking and meeting people from all over the world
• Personal and professional growth through continuous learning and exposure to new experiences.

Challenges

• Managing a diverse group of travellers with different needs and preferences
• Dealing with cultural differences and language barriers
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of tour participants at all times.

Who would suit this role?

• Individuals who have a deep appreciation for travel and cultural exploration
• People who enjoy interacting with others - sharing knowledge and stories
• Those with a knack for storytelling and engaging an audience
• Individuals who are organised, adaptable, and can think on their feet
• People who are passionate about creating memorable experiences for others.

Cruise line staff

A career in the cruise industry means you get to make money while you set sail on the oceans and seas, exploring new sights, stunning sunsets and beautiful coasts across many different countries. 

From providing exceptional service to creating unforgettable experiences for passengers, cruise line staff play a vital role in ensuring guests have an enjoyable and memorable voyage.

Requirements

• Minimum age requirement (usually 21 years old for most positions)
• GCSEs - a qualification in travel and tourism also highly desirable
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Relevant experience in hospitality or customer service
• Completion of cruise line-specific training programmes.

Benefits

• Travel to exotic destinations and ports of call around the world
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Free accommodation and meals onboard
• Access to onboard amenities and recreational facilities during off-duty hours
• Opportunities for career advancement and growth within the cruise industry.

Challenges

• Long working hours and extended periods away from home and family
• Adapting to living and working in a confined space onboard a cruise ship
• Providing excellent service to passengers while navigating demanding schedules and itineraries
• Dealing with emergencies and unexpected situations at sea
• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Who would suit this role

• Those with a passion for travel 
• People who thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment
• Those who enjoy working as part of a diverse team
• Individuals with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn and grow
• People who are adaptable, resourceful, and able to handle the challenges of living and working at sea.

Hotel staff

If you want to create a magical experience for others who are travelling, hotel staff have the opportunity to work closely with tourists. 

Whether working in reception, housekeeping, food and beverage, or management roles; hotel staff play a crucial role in creating memorable experiences for guests during their stay.

Requirements

• GCSEs – with a qualification in travel and tourism also highly desirable
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality service
• Ability to work well in a team and adapt to a fast-paced environment
• Customer service experience
• Language skills.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Potential for career advancement and professional development within the hospitality industry
• Access to training and educational programmes to upskill.

Challenges

• Dealing with demanding guests and resolving issues effectively
• Working unsociable hours, including weekends, holidays, and evenings
• Managing multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and service even during busy periods
• Balancing the needs of guests with operational requirements and deadlines.

Who would suit this role?

• Individuals who enjoy interacting with people and providing excellent service
• People who thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment
• Those who are organised, detail-oriented, and able to multitask effectively
• Individuals with a positive attitude and strong work ethic
• People who are passionate about hospitality and creating memorable experiences. 

Destination marketeer

Becoming a destination marketer involves promoting specific regions, cities, or countries to attract tourists and visitors. 

It's an exciting career that combines creativity, marketing skills, and a deep understanding of the travel industry to showcase the unique attractions and experiences of a destination.

Requirements

• A degree in marketing, communications, tourism management, or a related field
• Strong analytical and research skills to identify target markets and consumer trends
• Excellent communication and writing skills for developing compelling marketing materials
• Proficiency in digital marketing tools and platforms, including social media, SEO, and content management systems
• Knowledge of tourism industry trends, destination branding strategies, and best practices in destination marketing
• Experience in marketing or tourism-related roles, preferably with a focus on destination marketing.

Benefits

• Opportunity to promote and showcase the unique attractions, culture, and experiences of a destination
• Creative freedom to develop innovative marketing campaigns 
• Collaboration with tourism stakeholders, local businesses, and government agencies to drive tourism growth
• Networking opportunities within the tourism industry 
• Potential for career advancement into management or leadership roles.

Challenges

• Balancing the needs and interests of various stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and visitors
• Adapting to changing consumer preferences, market trends, and external factors such as economic conditions or global events
• Measuring the effectiveness of marketing efforts and demonstrating return on investment (ROI) to stakeholders
• Managing budgets and resources effectively to maximise marketing impact and reach
• Maintaining a consistent brand identity and messaging across different marketing channels and campaigns.

Who would suit this role?

• Individuals with a passion for travel, tourism, and promoting destinations
• People who are creative, innovative, and have a knack for storytelling and visual communication
• Those who enjoy working collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders
• Individuals with strong analytical skills and a data-driven approach to marketing strategy.

Holiday rep

Becoming a holiday representative, or "holiday rep," is an exciting career choice for those who love travel, meeting new people, and ensuring unforgettable holiday experiences for vacationers. 

As a holiday rep, you'll serve as the primary point of contact for guests, providing assistance, information and support throughout their holiday - and show them a good time!

Requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in languages spoken by the target audience (especially English in many cases)
• Customer service experience, preferably in a hospitality or tourism-related role
• Knowledge of the local area, attractions, and services available to guests.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work in diverse and exotic locations, including beach resorts, ski resorts, party destinations and other popular tourist destinations
• Competitive salary and benefits package, often including accommodation and meals
• Access to recreational facilities and amenities at the resort during off-duty hours
• Networking opportunities within the tourism industry
• You get to have fun while you work!

Challenges

• Irregular work hours, including weekends, evenings, and public holidays
• Dealing with demanding guests and managing expectations
• Adapting to different cultural norms and languages
• Adapting to the diverse preferences of each tourist, ensuring they have an enjoyable experience tailored to their individual desires.

Who would suit this role?

• Outgoing and energetic people who enjoy interacting with people from diverse backgrounds
• People who have a passion for travel and exploring new destinations
• People who are organised, responsible, and committed to delivering excellent customer service to guests throughout their holiday.

Travel influencer

Becoming a travel influencer is an exciting and rapidly growing career path for those who are passionate about travel, adventure, and sharing their experiences with others. 

As a travel influencer, you get to inspire and influence your audience through captivating content, including photos, videos, blogs, and social media posts, showcasing destinations, experiences, and travel tips.

Requirements

• Strong passion for travel and exploration
• Excellent storytelling and content creation skills
• Proficiency in photography, videography, and/or writing
• Active presence on social media platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or a travel blog
• Ability to engage and connect with your audience authentically
• Understanding of digital marketing strategies and social media trends.

Benefits

• Opportunity to travel the world and experience new destinations, cultures, and adventures
• Flexibility to create your own schedule and work remotely from anywhere with an internet connection
• Potential for partnerships and collaborations with travel brands, tourism boards, hotels, and other businesses in the travel industry
• Ability to monetise your influence through brand sponsorships
• Platform to share your passion for travel, inspire others, and build a community of like-minded individuals.

Challenges

• Building and growing a loyal and engaged audience takes time, effort, consistency and money
• Managing the business side of being an influencer
• Dealing with the pressure to constantly create and share content, even during downtime or personal travel
• Balancing sponsored content and partnerships with maintaining authenticity with your audience
• Navigating the competitive landscape of influencer marketing

Who would suit this role?

• Individuals who have a genuine passion for travel and enjoy sharing their experiences with others
• People who are creative and willing to experiment with different content formats and platforms
• Those who have a strong personal brand
• Individuals who are comfortable with self-promotion and building relationships with brands. 

Tourism occupations FAQ

What is the best tourism occupation for me?

The best tourism occupation for you depends on your interests and skills. If you love interacting with people and enjoy planning experiences, consider becoming a tour guide or travel agent.  For those passionate about hospitality, hotel management or event planning might be ideal.  

Remember, the tourism industry is vast, so take time to explore different roles and find the one that aligns with your passions and goals. If you’re still unsure, speak to one of our professional career advisors for personalised advice! 

How can you get paid to travel the world?

One exciting way to get paid to travel the world is by pursuing a tourism occupation. The tourism industry is full of opportunities to explore different cultures and experience new places.  

Consider becoming a tour guide, sharing your knowledge and passion with travellers. Or, one of the best ways to travel the word while getting paid is to work as cabin crew or cruise staff. You get to explore a wide range of destinations! 

Of course, your dream tourism occupation might be to become a travel influencer. Although this a difficult scene to break into due to a wide range of reasons, such as online saturation and the large investment you need before you make money, once you succeed, it can be amazing! 

What are the opportunities for career advancement in a tourism occupation

With experience and additional qualifications, you can advance into management positions, such as hotel manager, resort manager, or tour operator. You may also specialise in areas like sustainable tourism, ecotourism, or luxury travel. 

With tourism being one of the biggest industries, there are many ways to upskill and develop your career! 

Start your tourism occupation in the travel industry with TMC 

Ready to kickstart your travel industry career?

Explore TMC's travel and tourism courses now! Whether you dream of exploring the world as a travel agent or soaring through the skies as a cabin crew member, TMC offers comprehensive training to help you succeed. 

Enrol now and embark on your journey towards an exciting career in travel and tourism!