Publicity in media and developments in transport facilities have contributed substantially to the creation of an enthusiastic species called ‘tourists’ at the international as well as at the domestic levels. The phenomenon gives rise to a whole lot of interdependent service sectors such as Airlines, Hotels and Management in creating the thriving industry of tourism and hospitality. In India, luxury hotels earn 60% of their revenue from business travellers, tourists and visiting foreign dignitaries. The industry, today, is considered as one of the largest in the world and is poised to grow further generating revenue and employment opportunities in its wake.

Private and government participation in developing the potential tourist-interest areas and sites, the transport (air, rail and road), hotel and the shopping facilities, have all created enormous career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry in India.

(Career prospects in its chief support service sector of Airlines are discussed in this chapter.)

Aptitudes that help

Be it for organising meeting or conferencing facilities, staging a cultural event, guiding the tourists on a challenging trekking route, or arranging for their stay in a remote village, a career in travel and tourism asks for great enthusiasm and responsibility on the part of the professionals. They must have good interpersonal skills, an ability to handle people and situations, an interest in people and places, a flair for languages, physical fitness and willingness to work in odd hours. But then, one can always pick up these aptitudes in the process of working in the field and through training.

How to get through

Students after +2 level of education can opt for a specialised course relating to travel and tourism. But, most of the good courses in this subject are designed for post graduation studies. Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management (IITTM), its regional chapters and some other leading institutes provide travel and tourism management courses to graduates and professional skill development programmes to working executives. Language training for interpreters and training for tourist guides are available to candidates who have completed graduation in any discipline.

There is an All India Joint Entrance Examination (AIJEE) for admission to the three-year B. Sc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration in the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pusa Complex, New Delhi. There are a number of other hotel management institutes affiliated to this AIJEE test. For details, visit: www.nchmct.org and refer to the list of institutes at the end of this chapter. The institute also offers M Sc programme in the subject.

Most universities offer specialised training in travel and tourism to candidates who have completed graduation in any discipline. IATA (International Air Transport Association) and UFTAA (Universal Federation of Travel Agents’ Association) recognised institutes are highest in demand for their professional training in travel and tourism all over the world. Candidates having such trainings are generally preferred by the employers. All over the world, 240 institutes offer IATA –UFTAA recognised courses through home-based and classroom learning systems.

A candidate can always enter into this service sector at any age, provided one has the right kind of orientation for the profession.

Career avenues

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and STDCs in the state level provide good career opportunities to candidates having tourism.