Unit 4. Working in tourism Group Discussion

Discuss the following issues:

1. In what way is tourism similar to most other service industries?

2. What should be the final result of efforts made by the people who work in tourism?

3. What jobs in tourism can you name?

4. Do all the jobs in tourism require special skills?

5. What are the special skills desirable in tourism?

Reading

People working in tourism jobs provide services for local and international travelers. Work in the industry may include:

• guiding people on tours or outdoor recreation activities

• developing travel packages to sell to travel agents

• helping people organise and book their travel plans.

Tourism is closely linked to hospitality (accommodation, cafés and restaurants), and air, road and water transport services.

Types of jobs you could do

People who work in tourism can do a variety of jobs including:

• active outdoor work such as teaching people snowsports;

• guiding roles;

• transporting people and telling them about tourist attractions;

• helping people plan and book travel and activities.

There is also work in tourism in areas such as sales, marketing and finance. Some of these jobs are also found in a range of other industries:

• Check-in agents check passengers onto flights and ferry crossings, take their tickets and luggage, and give them boarding passes, or assist them to use self-check systems. If they work in an airport, they may also meet and dispatch aircraft.

• Hunters and trappers find and catch or shoot animals for food, pelts (skins), fur, research, or to remove pests.

• Outdoor recreation guides and instructors teach or guide outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, diving, skiing, hunting, fishing, climbing, tramping and caving.

• Tour guides escort people on sightseeing, educational or other tours, and describe points of interest.

• Travel agents/advisers make travel arrangements and bookings for clients, and provide information about tourism attractions. They may sell airline tickets, book accommodation, tours and attractions, do ticketing, and process payments.

Skills used in this Industry

• Planning and organizational skills. Travel and information centre workers often have to plan and book visitor accommodation or activities.

• Leadership skills. Outdoor recreation guides may have to lead clients through difficult terrain or activities.

• Customer service skills. Travel agents need to be friendly and patient with their customers, and also need good sales skills.

• Local knowledge. Tour guides need to know about the area they are showing to tourists.

• Marketing. Work at a tour company can involve marketing and advertising the company's services.

Related jobs

Casino Worker

Casino workers lead and control games played at casinos, calculate winnings and losses, and pay out winning bets.

Check-in Agent

Check-in agents check passengers onto flights and ferry crossings, take their tickets and luggage, and give them boarding passes, or assist them to use self-check systems. If they work in an airport, they may also meet and dispatch aircraft.

Hunter/Trapper

Hunters and trappers find and catch or shoot animals for food, pelts (skins), fur, research, or to remove pests.

Outdoor Recreation Guide/Instructor

Outdoor recreation guides and instructors teach or guide outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, diving, skiing, hunting, fishing, climbing, tramping and caving.

Tour Guide

Tour guides escort people on sightseeing, educational or other tours, and describe points of interest.

Travel Agent/Adviser

Travel agents/advisers make travel arrangements and bookings for clients, and provide information about tourism attractions. They may sell airline tickets, book accommodation, tours and attractions, do ticketing, and process payments.