Travel Into the Job of your Dreams
49184
Business > Careers
Oct 12, 2007
Galway
Travel Into the Job of your Dreams
Several years ago, I spent a gap year in Spain. I found work as a reception assistant for an estate agent that rented flats to mainly Spanish tourists, but also to the occasional French, German or British couple who had ventured away from the Alicante area. The town was Gandia, in Valencia, famous for stunning beaches and a favourite destination for holidaymakers from Madrid, and which boasted a university offering degree programmes in tourism and hospitality. My language skills were however limited, which meant I was destined to return to the UK for the time being. However, I had tasted something of the contrast between hard work and hedonism that is an essential part of the tourism industry. A career in the tourist industry has obvious appeal if you're looking to work overseas, but there are other ways of entering the business. If you want to work abroad, a job as a tour operator, or as support staff in a restaurant or hotel could be sensible choices if your language skills are limited, but this also depends on your previous work experience and personal strengths (if you're very outgoing, this can make up for limited language skills). If not, or if you're looking to work in a country where English is the first language or you are bilingual, then your options increase significantly, from sales to executive level, but you'll need to find out about visa requirements. You could also look for a travel recruitment company that specialises in your country or regions of interest. Language skills are useful even if you don't want to leave the UK, with demand for proficiency in languages as diverse as Cantonese and Finnish, in areas ranging from travel sales to customer service or administrative support. Knowledge of travel through personal experience is also an asset for an office-based role, as are good people skills, computer literacy and attention to detail when making complex travel bookings. One reward of working in the industry is that you may well be treated to familiarisation trips, especially if you're selling prestigious holidays or cruises, as well as discounts on holidays and accommodation. If you are planning on working for a UK travel agent, there are a number of diplomas and vocational qualifications in travel, such as the City and Guilds courses in travel and tourism and various CRS (Computer Reservation Systems) courses, which will help you with airline reservations, fares and ticketing, hotel reservations and car hire. The Guild of Travel Management (GTMC) offer specific skills for business travel. Business travel roles are often filled by people who have previous experience of travel customer service, since they will involve the challenging of fulfilling the demanding requirements of high paying, business clients. Travel recruitment companies can help you find a role in the leisure industries, from travel consultants to airline staff and car hire representatives, and provide information on the sorts of qualifications you'll need. They may also offer ways to try out new industries or roles on a temporary or contract basis: benefits of which can include up to 4 weeks' paid holiday, referral incentives, and holiday and travel offers. Perhaps if I'd planned it better, I could have ended up with a more lucrative year in the tourism industry. But in the end, perhaps I am better suited to being an arm-chair travel representative.
Shaun Parker is an expert on travel recruitment. To find out more see http://www.newfrontiers.co.uk/
send email to Galway
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
A career in the tourist industry has obvious appeal if you're looking to work overseas, but there are other ways of entering the business.
Category:
Growing interest in the medicinal and aromatic properties of essential oils has led to a growth in their production. This article examines the production of essential oils in the UK and why farmers in the UK have a head start.
Category:
There are a number of questions you need to ask yourself before you choose a chauffeur car hire company. These include what kind of impact are you looking to make, and what level of luxury are you after?
Category:
Ideas for family holidays in luxurious country hotels, in the Tuscany region of Italy.
Category:
An article providing an informative list of the various techniques available for hair transplants.
Category:
The Google revolution continues, it is now more than a decade after its conception and is increasingly part of everyday life for millions of people. However the journey is littered with casualties of the search engine wars.
Category:
Planting hedges can only be carried without disturbing the hedge when it is dormant. This article tells you the best way to plant hedges to ensure it has a long life and grows successfully.
Category:
Ayrton Senna da Silva, three times World Formula One Champion, was celebrated for his domination of the pole-position, ability to manage wet weather conditions, and ruthless driving tactics. However 1994, his first year with the Williams team, was to fore
Category:
Private investigators may carry out undercover work that is straight out of a movie, but the results can help to put a clients mind at rest, without the Hollywood drama.
Category:
Here's an article about how to choose a safe and reliable yacht charter.
Category:
An article tracing the evolutionary aspects surrounding customer service training developments
Category:
A precise guide for selection of the most appropriate venue for your needs within London area.
Category:
The surf brand O'Neill started out in less-than-glamorous conditions. Jack O'Neill's early experiments involved lining swimming trunks by stitching and gluing rubber and foam inside: unsurprisingly they didn't protect him from the cold arctic streams in t
Category:
This article will guide you through the range of products that are available to help deliver an effective exhibition presentation. It is an informative insight into Banner Stands, Pop up stands and Literature Racks and will help you achieve the impact you
Category:
An article from an industry expert explaining the tips & techniques behind laying a successful self levelling base, upon which epoxy or other systems can be used.
Category:
With so many financial institutions offering secured loan products, it is often difficult to choose which will really benefit you. This article discusses what to look for when choosing a secured loan.
Category:
Finding the right venue for your event can be a daunting prospect. Conferences should be unique, inspiring events that capture the imagination of delegates but, far too often, the host will settle for the first venue they think of.
Category:
Choosing the correct resort can be a bit of a nightmare. Read this article to see how Morzine differs from other resorts
Category:
A brief look into the upcoming british open at royal birkdale 2008, and some history of previous events held at the course.
Category:
Public speaking is something which most of us dread. The fear of becoming tongue-tied or losing one's thread is a constant fear. This article gives some great tips to help you make a memorable and charismatic presentation.
Category:
Other links at Business > Careers
There are plenty of free sample resumes on the internet to help you create your own document.
Category:
: If you have landed with an interview call with good company offering you your dream job, it is essential to clinch the position with good interview skills. Gear up for the interview with sure shot winning interview skills. Read through useful tips and s
Category:
I don?t recall exactly how many girls turned me down when I asked them to the senior prom, but there were a few. Even though that was 25 years ago, I still remember how much I wished I was one of ?the beautiful people?. Today, I?m glad I wasn?t. When I
Category:
An overview of what to expect the practice of law to be from the perspective of a litigator.
Category:
This article talks about the different of being a journalist and working for a magazine.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68200
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
