Working in tourism

Like most service industries, tourism is a labour-intensive one, because it employs a high proportion of people in comparison to the number that it serves. The range of jobs is very wide. It includes unskilled jobs (like a dishwasher or kitchen helper in a restaurant), semi-skilled (like waiter) and skilled jobs (like a travel agent or a tour operator).

A majority of employee in tourism industry contact with the public. That’s why they should be patient and enjoy working with people.

Also most jobs in tourist industry require language skills and knowledge of foreign languages. Sometimes it is possible to know only special terms in catering jobs, but in most cases employees in tourism industry should speak fluently. It is an obligation, for example, for travel agents and tour guides.

The qualification, training and experience are also essential for a tourist industry. The necessary experience can be acquired differently. For example, some agents begin as clerical workers or secretaries in travel agencies or in the transportation companies.

The tourist industry involves many different jobs with different specific.

The travel agents and tour operators both must keep informed of the pricing policies of airlines and the resort hotels. They must also keep up with other developments in the industry such as new resorts, changing travel regulations and new services. The difference between them is that the tour operators package tours and can sell them by themselves or by using the help of travel agents and paying them commissions. The travel agents can only sell the already packaged tours. Also the tour operators employ more staff for advertising their product.

The sightseeing guide is one who is in charge of local sightseeing. He usually gives a prepared talk, which describes the points of interest and must be able to answer a lot of questions. He also must have an outgoing personality and language skills.

The conductor is one, who accompanying a group during all its travels and making all the arrangements for the group such as handling their luggage and making sure that they get the accommodations, food and entertainment they have paid for. Above an outgoing personality and language skills the conductor must have a deep knowledge of all regulations in tourism and organizational skills.

One more important job in tourism is a job of a social director, which can be employed by many resort hotels and cruise ships. A social director is in charge of the entertaining activities for the customer. That’s why he surely must have organizational and language skills. In addition to a social director resorts, according to their specifics, can employ golf and tennis pros or swimming, skiing and scuba diving instructors.

All jobs in the tourist industry are very demanding, because they require a lot of different skills. Also they require an ability to work with people and meet their needs. Sometimes it can be even stressful.

Travel agent

The travel agency business offers many attractions to people with experience in the tourist industry. There is no need for the storage and display of large quantities of merchandise. So, the initial cost of setting up an agency is low in comparison with other retail businesses.

A good location is an important factor in the success of an agency. Another factor involves establishing a steady clientele. The retail travel agent sells all kinds of tourist products – transportation, accommodations, sightseeing and the like. The term “retail” distinguishes him from the tour operator, who package or put together tours.

A typical travel agency has a rack of colorful brochures that illustrate the delights offered by the tours. The cost of this kind of promotion is paid almost entirely by the tour packagers, who prepare, print and distribute the brochures. The retail agencies may do some local advertising, although even it this case costs may be shared with tour packagers.

Nowadays the growth of the airlines has led to a corresponding growth in the number of retail travel agents. The agent offers the customer one-stop convenience. The traveler can make all the arrangements for his trip without having to go to separate places. The airlines offer inducements to travel agents to handle reservations for them. Airline fares have become very complex in recent years: high season and low season fares, 21-day excursions and others. The problem becomes even more complicated when the trip has several legs – different segments of the trip on different flights, what also makes a difference in the total fare.

Computerization has caused great changes as well. Many travel agencies are equipped with computer terminals that permit access to the information stored in the computer. This makes possible the immediate confirmation of reservations for airline seats, hotel rooms, etc. Also operating on a chain basis has become a recent trend among travel agents.

There is some difference in emphasis in the kind of business handled by travel agents in the major tourist markets and those in the major tourist destinations. In the market areas, the emphasis in on selling travel services and tours to people who are going to some other place. The agencies in the tourist destinations often put a great deal of emphasis on services the traveler will need while he remains in that area, like sightseeing tours, currency exchange, local entertainment, etc.

Any retail business involves a great deal of contact with the public, with all the pleasures and pains. Many of the customers expect travel agents to advise them on where they should spend their vacations, on hotels, restaurants, health problems. The successful sale of services depends on pleasing the customer. The agent must keep up with changing fares so that he can offer his customers the best bargains. Also agent must monitor changing government regulations for international travel – visa and health regulations, customs information, airport taxes – so that he can give accurate and reliable information.

The retail agent is normally paid by means of commissions – per centages of sales made through the agency. The commissions vary from country to country and from time to time. There are also many other rewards, like dealing with the public and serving their needs, or travelling themselves.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14