Lucrative jobs in travel and leisure industry

After leaving college, all of us when we are in our youth, desire to spread our wings. After spending many years in colleges and universities for education we wish a job that broadens our horizons and give us a more comprehensive viewpoint of life. Travel and leisure industry provides the exact prospects to fulfill our wishes.

Although travel and leisure industry, like all other sectors of the economy, has taken a hit due to recession, it is showing signs of recovery. This industry requires a love for travelling, creativity, excellent communication skills and an ability to understand people and their needs. The benefits of working in this industry are its lucrative pay structure based on performance, wide appeal and a more creative and fulfilling life. So if you are looking to make a career in this evergreen sector, a few career opportunities along with their requirements are mentioned below.

Tour Operations and Escorting Executive – In this position you are responsible for accompanying a group of travelers and ensure that they have a satisfying experience during all points of their tour including travel, stay and during visit to actual destinations. You should have a craving for travel, a good personality, good handling and escorting skills and strong nerves to handle difficult and unpredictable ground condition efficiently. Although some institutes provide specialized courses for this course but often companies looking to recruit a tour operator do not look for specific degrees. However prior experience in similar position is greatly valued.

Travel Writer – In this job you are required to write interestingly and correctly for newspapers, travel magazines, travel guides and travel websites. As most of the time you are writing about an already well travelled and well described destination, it is expected that you provide a fresh approach to them along with interesting anecdotes. As travel writing involves some strenuous journeys, so being well organized and ability to meet strict deadlines under pressure is desirable. You may work as freelance or on a contractual basis. This is a very competitive job so you may need to have basic training in writing as well as travelling. Some large organization while hiring at this position might specify a degree qualification in communication, journalism or English as a basic requirement for the job.

Flight attendants – Here you work for an airline as member of an airline in order to ensure safety and comfort of passengers during flight. You are also required to conduct cabin checks periodically, especially during night flights to check on the passengers, and listen for any unusual noises or situations. For getting this highly lucrative job you are required to undergo a mandatory training by the airline for a duration of six weeks to six months depending on the airline and the country of operation. A pleasing personality and knowledge of additional languages also helps. Some airlines also have a height and weight requirement.

Fitness trainers – As a fitness trainer you are employed by fitness trainers and health clubs to demonstrate various exercises to the clients and help improve their organizing technique. You are also required to motivate and keep a record of the client's exercise regime. As far as qualifications are required you need to have completed your schooling and must have undergone a certification program.

Senior Hotel Staff - whether it be bar manager, maitre'd or general manager of the entire hotel, increasingly Westerners are being attracted to job roles in hotels in places as varied as China and Jamaica!  The role will typically involve the same duties as it would in the UK or the US, but the surroundings are usually completely different!