Jobs within the tourism industry Essay

Introduction The travel and tourism industry is one of the faster growing industries in the world with over 50,000 jobs being created every year. This shows due to amount of employment this trade has created by the year 2007 there will be another 300,000 jobs created. The industry provides a wide variety of employment both direct and indirect jobs which will cater for people of all ages, skills and abilities. The nature of the industry will mean that many companies would need staff over the high seasons known as seasonal or temporary staff. Some jobs can also involve unsociable hours such as evenings or weekends. Travel Services Jobs available Jobs within the travel services include: * Agency clerk * Tour Operator * Resort Representative * Travel agency Manager * Administration * Reservation clerks etc Job Description and Working conditions The Representative is the primary source of help and information for guests, dealing with any immediate problems arising in resort such as accident or injury. The representative is responsible for welcoming guests and briefing them on the resort, ensuring the hosting in the chalets is of the highest quality, and will accompany passengers on the transfer coach between airport and resort. The working conditions are often outdoor based travelling from airport to resort sometimes many trips can be made within one day. They are expected to work 6 out of 7 days a week. Travel agents are the link between the customer and tour operators. The travel agency clerk sells a diversity of products and holidays to cater for incoming, outbound and domestic tourists. The working conditions are very different to a resort representative because it is often office based (shop floor), staff are usually required to work on 9-5 including some weekends, similar to any other retail outlet. Skills and qualifications The skills and qualifications depend in the job and the level of employment. A resort representative employee is expected to have at least one other spoken language i.e. French (depending on where the resort is based), good communication skills and must be over the age of 21. A travel agent is required good communication skills, ICT skills and literacy and numeracy skills can be useful. Transportation Jobs available Jobs in Transportation can be divided into three types these are land, air and sea. These jobs can include: * Cabin attendant * Pilot * Air traffic control officer * Airport baggage handler * Taxi driver * Train driver etc Job Description and Working conditions Cabin attendants are responsible for the safety of passengers during flights, all aspects of the cabin management, the menu planning and catering, the organisation of professional meal-services as well as the comfort of V.I.P. passengers and their assistance before and after flights when necessary. The working conditions are mainly within the aircraft. They are expected to be away from home for long periods of time and for unsociable hours, within a confined environment. Taxi drivers transport passengers to and from their homes, workplaces, and other locations. They also help tourists and other travellers get around in a new area. They drive cars licensed as a taxi to transport passengers for a fare that is calculated on a taximeter. Taxi drivers usually work shifts involving day, evening and weekend work usually unsociable hours, within a confined environment. Skills and qualifications Cabin attendants foreign languages, a pleasant appearance, customer service skills and communicational and organisational skills. Most air companies will only employee people over the age of 21. Taxi drivers need good communication skills, able to remain calm at difficult times and a high level of driving skill. The skills and qualifications depend in the job and the level of employment. Accommodation and Catering Jobs available Jobs within Accommodation and catering can be very varied from working away in a cruise ship to working with a local pub other jobs within the area can include: * Receptionist * House keeper (manager) * Chef * Waiter * Hotel porter * Bar person etc Job Description and Working conditions The Housekeeping assistant is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Resorts Housekeeping Department. The essential duties include responsibility for the day-to-day cleaning of public areas and accommodation, laundry, bed linen, banqueting linen and staff uniforms. Working conditions include working long, irregular unsociable hours and shift work. A job as a Bar person within a resort hotel may often involve waiting on tables, bar work and cleaning within the restaurant and bar. Duties may also include organising promotions and stock control. Hours are often unsociable on evening and weekends. Skills and qualifications A housekeeping assistant should have a smart appearance, well spoken and have a pleasant character and must be able to work within a team. Minimum age of bar staff is 18 although most bars prefer 21+. Bar staff need Stamina, enthusiasm and be able to work within a team. Good communication skills are needed and customer service skills. The skills and qualifications depend in the job and the level of employment Tourist attractions Jobs available Jobs within tourist attractions can be varied depending on the type of attraction i.e. Natural (such as beaches) or purpose built (such as theme parks). Jobs within the area can include: * Advertising staff * Catering staff * Tour guides * Retail assistant * Pool lifeguard * Cleaners etc Job Description and Working conditions A job as a tour guide will involve directing a group of holidaymakers or day-trippers around an attraction or to a wide variety of locations within the UK or overseas. They will act as a guide and ensure that the itinerary, facilities and services promised are provided. Tour guides work in all weather conditions. Tour guides may work regular or irregular hours depending on the organisation they are working for. The work is seasonal, this means that they will be very busy within the summertime it also means that there will be many non-permanent jobs. Lifeguards are responsible for the supervision of swimming and a variety of recreational activities. There are key Responsibilities in which a lifeguard will have to do for example preventing accidents, respond quickly to all emergency situations and to maintain cleanliness within the pool area. Pool supervisors and lifeguards may work indoors or outdoors, and conditions are usually wet and noisy. Pool supervisors and lifeguards usually work eight hours a day. Skills and qualifications Customer care skills are needed in all types of attraction employment this is generally because they are in contact with costumers all the time. The employee would also have a willingness to work long unsociable hours especially within the high season. The skills and qualifications depend in the job and the level of employment for example a GVQ in travel and tourism may be required in a higher level of employment. Tourism Support and Information Promotion Jobs available Jobs within tourism support and information promotion include jobs within the RTB (regional tourist board), TIC (tourist information centres), and LA (local authorities) jobs within these areas can include: * Information staff * Tourist information assistant * Standards officers * Administration staff * Marketing staff * Research officers etc Job Description and Working conditions A Tourist information assistant is required to provide tourists within information about attractions etc within the area and promoting the area by giving tourists free leaflets on the attractions and facilities around the destination other responsibilities may include advising tourists about places of interest, providing directions, prices and opening times of facilities. And may often Book accommodation and tickets (e.g. theatre or football) for tourists. Working condition are Office based and often work with computers these are similar to any office work. Skills and qualifications Skills and qualifications in which are needed to work within this section are ICT skills, marketing and sales experience, customer care skills language qualifications may be required and an NVQ in travel services ad tour guides may also be required depending in the level of employment.