A Career in Travel & Tourism Management
A lucrative career is on the anvil for students of Travel & Tourism Management in India. The tourism sector is a key growth driver and a significant source of foreign exchange earnings for the country. Both international tourists and domestic travelers account for the voluminous business in this sector.
India is the 16th most visited country in the world. It’s not surprising given that the country has something in store to satiate the wanderlust in every visitor. While India’s rich history and vibrant culture draws lakhs of tourists every year, the tourism industry has now more offerings to boost its fanfare. India is emerging as the new hot-spot for medical tourism, eco-tourism, adventure trips, cruise holidays, film, rural and religious tourism.
What is working in favour of this sector?
Government Visa on Arrival – The availability of Visa on Arrival has been extended from 53 to 150 countries. The provision will create a massive influx of foreign tourists visiting the country. Approximately 10.6 million foreign tourists arrived in India during 2018-19 alone.
FDI – With the footfall of international tourists constantly on the rise, better facilities are in great demand. The immense potential of the market has led to a distinct increase in foreign direct investments (FDI) with more and more investors eyeing to make their entry.
The expanding industry is in need of skilled manpower to meet its multifarious needs. This is why career opportunities in travel & tourism are on a steady rise.
What are the career prospects?
Medical tourism – India is among the top 3 destinations for medical tourism in the Asia Pacific region. Quality healthcare facilities coupled with skilled medical professionals and low cost of treatment draws many from all over the world to India. This apart, alternative rejuvenative therapies like Ayurvedic healing and yoga are extremely popular among foreigners who visit the country to avail these native remedial services. Opportunity waits at organisations/ agencies that provide medical tourism services which apart from planning their treatment also plan their post therapy recuperation stay, at one of the many attractive holiday spots in the country before returning home.
Eco-tourism – As an alternative to commercial tourism, those opting for eco-tourism, visit destinations where they can experience nature, learn about ecological preservation and experience environmental conservation. India has a lot to offer to eco-tourism enthusiasts and Indian tourism department is promoting it in every way possible. A career here will have its own share of excitement and interesting opportunities to offer to its aspirants.
MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) – Events such as these are held throughout the year and keep the business rolling for the tourism & hospitality industry. A career with an event management company or agency/organisation that takes charge of conducting these can be a very good option.
Escorts or Guides – You can work independently or with a travel agency as an escort or guide to take around travellers coming to visit India. Knowledge in history and geography along with good people skills can take an aspirant a long way. Learning a foreign language or two is always an added bonus. It gives you the option of working as an interpreter and accompany the foreign delegates coming into town for meetings or vacations. You can also accompany Indian tourists travelling to a non- English speaking country on behalf of the agency. At NSHM, the curriculum includes learning French to ensure that our students have an added advantage.
Apart from these, there are other career avenues that a graduate in travel and tourism management can explore. These include working as inbound & outbound tour operators, in the airlines industry, on cruise ships, in cargo management organizations and in the accommodation sectors (Hotels, Motels and Resorts etc.).
A career that officially allows you to travel and even pays for it – can it get better than that? Not really. And the best bit is- you will get to plan holidays for people and contribute towards creating a memorable experience for them. The tourism sector will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Indian government’s Make in India campaign which is set to propel the nation forward and grab global attention. So, what if we are staying indoors for COVID, when we step out travel & tourism industry will be booming with revenue. With dedicated lessons in all of the above a course at NSHM is a safe bet for those looking for a career. Check out our course curriculum here
