You will study the hospitality and travel industry, and its global impact. You will have the possibility to make your passion for travel your career and possibly develop your own business.
What are Travel and Hospitality?
Think about the last trip abroad you took. Many different individuals came together to create that experience for you and ensure it was as enjoyable as possible; from the pilots who got you to your destination safely, to the caterers who prepared your food and refreshments, to all the staff on hand to respond to any queries or issues you had etc. Travel and Hospitality cover the broad spectrum of courses which can prepare you for a fulfilling career serving those who are expecting the very best service.
Why study Travel and Hospitality?
Many are turned on to the idea of joining the Travel and Hospitality field because they want to travel and see the world. This is a perfectly understandable reason (though it shouldn’t be your only one!). You can travel across the globe to some of the most luxurious and out-of-this-world destinations which most can only dream of visiting. Plus you’re paid to do so – it sounds almost too perfect, right? But remember, you do have to work at the same time!
Some people are just born natural hosts, making everyone around them feel instantly comfortable and at ease. It might seem easy but it’s not! They thrive off this, as well as solving problems as they arise – it’s a real rush, akin to performing live! The Travel and Hospitality field is an ideal channel for this desire.
If you want to desperately avoid a career where you work in the same office with the same people every day, then a career in Travel and Hospitality brings you fresh faces each day. New customers and clients walk through your doors, all expecting the same high standard of service. These might include the rich and famous too! Life is never the same in the hospitality industry so you’ll feel constantly alive with each new challenge that you face.
You also have the chance to work for some of the world’s most recognizable companies and providers who have been delivering the highest service for decades. Having these names on your CV is certainly impressive, even outside of the industry.
Who would be good at studying Travel and Hospitality?
Those who take pride in their work and have a great attention to detail will revel in the Travel and Hospitality industry, where the small details which most wouldn’t notice make a good level service, truly excellent. This is the case whether you’re flying a plane or arranging a table in a restaurant. Every day is a new opportunity to prove yourself, as every customer is new.
Those for whom learning new languages comes easy will find these skills come to great use as you interact with individuals from around the world. Students who can say more than ‘Hi, how are you?’ in one or more second languages really excel in the industry as they host different nationalities and resolve complicated and unusual scenarios. Being bi-lingual would be incredibly useful, opening up an array of opportunities to work abroad which is important in an increasingly globalized world.
When working in the Travel and Hospitality industry, being able to maintain a personable and friendly demeanor with everyone – no matter how difficult or rude they may be – is key. After all the customer is always right! Keeping cool under pressure is also vital, whether in an emergency or if something trivial has gone awry.
What are the criteria for studying a Travel and Hospitality course?
Criteria to study a Travel and Hospitality course will depend on the subject you pursue. Those who wish to study Aviation will need excellent maths and science skills, while those pursuing a Management-related subject may be required to have studied Business at a high school level. High school qualifications in one or more languages can also benefit you.
However, the best piece of advice is to gain as much experience in the service industry as possible. This could simply be a weekend or part-time jobs in restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels. The important thing is to work at as many different places as possible to gain as large a wealth of experience as possible, interacting with customers from different backgrounds, in various scenarios. You’ll find that there are opportunities to move into different areas if you show initiative and a willingness to learn new skills – you just have to keep your eyes and ears open.
What Specific Courses can I Study?
Aviation
Catering
Food and Drink Production
Hospitality
Hotel Management
Leisure Management
Travel and Tourism
Requirements for a study in the field of a Travel and Hospitality related degree, you will usually need a minimum HSC (GPA 3) or A Levels – 2 principal passes including Science and Mathematics
What can you do with a Travel and Hospitality Qualification?
As we mentioned above, the Travel and Hospitality industry boasts a huge range of roles, all with the aim of providing the highest service to those traveling for work or pleasure. Here are just a few roles you can pursue if you want to join this industry:
Pilot
Air traffic controller
Chef
Hotel or resort manager
Concierge
Travel agent
Event planner
Tourism officer
