While you earn your online career diploma in travel and tourism, you must be excited to know what your options are in the field, after graduation. If you love the world of travel, you will never be bored. There is always an educational opportunity to experience and a story to tell when you travel, especially outside of your comfort zone. Dalai Lama was quoted as saying, “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” As you encourage others to travel, you’ll bring joy and happiness into their lives!
In the travel industry, you can fulfill the dreams of others by helping them plan and execute a travel itinerary to get them to their dream destination. Sometimes, it’s planning a romantic honeymoon for two or it could be for a large group who has dreamed for years of visiting their family’s heritage in a foreign country. Small or large, your job is to help them through the booking process, through traveling obstacles and by reserving and confirming hotel stays and family activities.
The travel agent’s salary varies depending on many factors, however, the BLS as of May 2017, reports the average at $36,990 annually. Although travel agents are helpful when planning a trip, the position is expected to decline in job growth by 12% between 2016 and 2026. This decline is attributed to the increase in Internet services that now offer online booking opportunities for anyone to use, therefore, cutting out the middle man. However, the Internet cannot provide the personal service and attention that consumers can get by working personally with a travel agent of their choice.
Besides pursuing a career as a travel agent, with your career diploma in travel and tourism, perhaps you enjoy flying. Flight attendants earn an annual wage for $50,500 according to the BLS report of May 2017. If you would like to be a flight attendant, airlines typically provide training at their flight training center. Careers in this field can expect a job growth rate of approximately 10% between 2016 and 2026.
Would you like to share your knowledge with others by conducting tours at your favorite place of interest? Tour guides inform tourists about interesting facts within museums, cities, historical homes or amusement parks. Tour guides can expect to earn $28,100 annually. They often work in part-time positions as they pursue other career options.
Other travel and tourism careers may include positions in motels/hotels as desk clerks, as a concierge or within upper management. In addition, you can focus on managing a resort, lodge, casino or spa.
If you are interested in this career field, please see our choices for the best Online Schools for Travel and Tourism programs.