What are Some Career Options in International Tourism Management?

<p>International tourism management offers career opportunities worldwide and chances to work with people from many cultures. The various career fields within international tourism management work together to give travelers an enjoyable holiday or business trip abroad. Some tourism management jobs only require a high school diploma and some relevant experience, although the industry is increasingly requiring a bachelor's degree for management positions. Read on for the job descriptions, education requirements, employment outlook and salary for travel agents, lodging managers and food service managers. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutCareersInInternationalTourismManagement">Important Facts About Careers in International Tourism Management</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Travel Agent </th><th> Lodging Manager </th><th> Food Service Manager</th></tr> <tr><td> Required Education </td><td> High school diploma, or equivalent </td><td> High school diploma, or equivalent </td><td> High school diploma, or equivalent</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Clear communication; attention to detail; organization; customer focused </td><td> Business acumen; leadership; active listening; problems solving </td><td> Physical stamina; attention to detail; clear communication; leadership</td></tr> <tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Travel arrangement and reservation services; management of companies and enterprises; traveler accommodations </td><td> Traveler accommodations; management of companies and enterprises; Recreational Vehicle parks and recreational camps </td><td> Restaurants and other eating places; special food services; traveler accommodations</td></tr> <tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Information clerks; meeting, convention, and event planners; secretaries and administrative assistants </td><td> Gaming service workers; human resources managers; sales managers </td><td> Bartenders; chefs and head cooks; waiters and waitresses</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---TravelAgent">Travel Agent</h3> <p>Travel agents help their clients make the best travel arrangements possible within a budget. They have to sort through a lot of information to meet their clients' expectations. Travel agents may help clients with hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, transportation and car rentals. For international tourism, travel agents advise travelers of visa requirements and immunization recommendations. </p> <p>Travel agents don't need a particular type of degree, though taking some formal classes in travel planning can improve one's chances of getting hired. Classes can be found through community colleges' continuing education options or through degree programs in tourism and travel. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook for travel agents is expected to be below average from 2021-2031, with a 20% growth in jobs. Also per the BLS, the median annual salary in 2021 was $43,810. </p> <h3 id="section---LodgingManager">Lodging Manager</h3> <p>Accommodations can make or break an experience for an international tourist. Lodging managers ensure that guests enjoy their stays at hotels and motels. Lodging managers can also work at youth hostels, boarding houses, inns, recreational parks and RV parks. The main duty of the lodging manager is to ensure that everything in the accommodation runs smoothly and that the lodging establishment is profitable. Lodging managers also oversee housekeeping, office administration, maintenance, purchasing and security. </p> <p>Most lodging managers need to hold a bachelor's degree in hotel management or hospitality to learn essential skills in billing, reservation systems, hotel maintenance and tourism marketing strategies. Growth in job outlook of 18% is forecast for the 2021-2031 decade, per BLS reports. The 2021 median salary for this profession was $59,430. </p> <h3 id="section---FoodServiceManager">Food Service Manager</h3> <p>Food service managers oversee that operations of hotel or resort restaurants, kitchens and dining rooms are well coordinated and that the customers' needs are met. Other duties that commonly fall to the food service manager include hiring all new food service personnel, ordering food and new equipment, checking the inventory and ensuring that all kitchen equipment is routinely cleaned and kept in working order. Food service managers pay attention to regional cuisine to give an authentic international tourism experience. </p> <p>A degree is not required to obtain employment as a food service manager, although restaurants are increasingly preferring to hire managers who hold a bachelor's degree and have completed internships. From 2021-2031, a 10% increase in jobs in this field is predicted; having a degree can help one stand out in the field and find work in upscale establishments. Food service managers earned a median wage of $59,440 in 2021, according to the BLS.</p>