Tourism is a discipline which involves the commercial business and operation of travel for personal, professional, or recreational reasons. Professionals working in the tourism industry are educated and trained individuals who often get to visit numerous destinations and acquire first-hand experience in order to make recommendations to their customers or clients.
Professionals in the tourism industry must have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills since they spend a substantial amount of time interacting with customers and clients. They must listen to their customer’s needs with regards to their travelling plans and be able to offer their own opinions and suggestions. They must speak clearly and in a polite and courteous manner. Professionals in the tourism industry must be detail-oriented since they conduct the research for their client’s travel plans...Read More
They must be sure of costs and deadlines when booking reservations or accommodations. Professionals in the tourism industry must have organizational skills since they work with numerous clients. They must be able to keep their itineraries, client information, travel documents, and receipts in order. Professionals in the tourism industry should also have a passion for travelling and exploring new destinations. This would greatly benefit their career since they would be able to tell their clients about different areas of the world through personal experience.
Tourism Education Levels Available
Associate’s Degree in Tourism
Obtaining an associate’s degree in tourism will provide students with the knowledge and training needed to acquire entry-level positions in the tourism field. The associate’s degree program in tourism is generally a two-year program and students will take courses in areas such as geography, consumer behaviour, economics, business law, event management, destination marketing, and tourism. Upon graduation, students may obtain professional employment as a resort manager, convention center manager, or visitor information specialist.
Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism
A bachelor’s degree in tourism takes approximately four years to complete and upon graduation, students have acquired a solid groundwork of knowledge, sufficient for professional employment in the tourism field. Marketing, business, restaurant management, group tour operations, hospitality management, and economics are just a few of the subject areas covered within these four years. Occupations available to those upon graduation include travel agent, group tour operator, event planner, or hotel manager.
Admission Requirements
For most colleges and universities, the admission requirements for an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program in tourism include a high school diploma or its academic equivalent (i.e., GED), a transcript from the high school the student graduated from, SAT or ACT test scores, and an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend along with the application fee. Volunteer and/or work experience in the tourism field should be noted on the application form since this would benefit students during their application process.
Tuition and Accreditation
There are numerous factors which affect college and university tuition fees such as public versus private institutions, distance education, government funding, etc. However, below are the average ranges of tuition fees for the two degrees. An associate’s degree in tourism may vary from $ 8,085 to $ 23,871 in tuition fees. A bachelor’s degree in tourism may vary from $ 15,918 to $ 32,617 in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
It is extremely important for students to attend an accredited institution. This tells employers that the applicant graduated from a college or university which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Students who obtain an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in tourism should enroll in a college or university accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Average Annual Salary Ranges for Different Occupations in the Tourism Field
Below are a few average annual salary ranges for different occupations in the tourism field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, keep in mind that there are various aspects which determine an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. Therefore, salaries for the same profession may vary from person to person.
- tour guide $ 17,440 to $ 37,440
- travel agent $ 26,790 to $ 46,970
- event planner $ 39,830 to $ 59,830
- resort desk clerk $ 11,960 to $ 31,960
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