How to Get Tourism Jobs

Tourism is a booming business, as more people than ever are traveling and vacationing. The tourism industry is diverse and just about every type of worker is needed. Get tourism jobs by first getting your foot in the door and move up with on-the-job training and education.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check out your education options to prepare for tourism jobs. Discover that many schools, including community colleges, offer degree or certificate programs in travel, tourism and hospitality.

2. You can also find short courses to train as a travel agent, which provide a solid set of skills to those wanting to get tourism jobs. Check with travel agencies in your area to find out about training and check online. Note that airlines often provide free travel training for their entry level employees.

3. Apply for tourism related jobs in your community. For many entry-level jobs in tourism, you don't need a college degree. Have your high school diploma or GED before applying though.

4. Start with hotels to get jobs in tourism. They often have openings, and international hotels will usually let you transfer or promote you to jobs in other locations they have. Any experience you gain working in hotels, restaurants or clubs will help you get jobs in tourism.

5. Fill out and send in applications for work at resorts. Hotel and restaurant experience will help you get a resort job. Check out resorts like "Club Med." Investigate job sites online and international job boards to get tourism jobs, such as "Work Anywhere."

6. Find cruise ship jobs online. Although it's fairly competitive to get tourism jobs on cruise ships, nowadays there are so many cruise ships that are busy and sailing that more workers are needed than ever before.

7. Lead adventure tours, especially if you enjoy being outdoors, are fit and like extreme sports. See that many younger people are trekking the world on their own—they don't particularly like hanging out with the geriatric crowd and prefer adventure over sightseeing.

8. Work as a summer tour guide if you're still in school to gain experience and get tourism jobs. Look around your own neighborhood, town or city. Most areas have some sort of tourist attraction, and usually you can get a job there. Summer guide work will look good on your resume, no matter where you apply to next.

Resources

• Contract jobs around the world
• Jobs at Club Med