Envisioning a career in travel and tourism? Check out this quick know-how guide

The travel and tourism industry in India is witnessing tremendous growth and has undoubtedly become one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. It is brimming with career opportunities in the digital era.

Those looking to make a career in this segment should read on to get some clarity on the in-demand roles, skills and pay structure.

Roles in the travel and tourism sector
During the pandemic, the travel and tourism industry bled the most. But it has bounced back with vigour in no time. This shows its importance, says Anirban Chowdhury, GM-Human Resources, Deltin, a company specialising in hospitality and gaming.

Talking about the job roles and manpower shortage in the segment, he says corporates are looking for talent in marketing, HR, finance, IT and business development. Companies are looking for graduates and postgraduates in related fields.

Management trainees with degrees from top-tier hotel management schools (e.g. Institute of Hotel Management or IHM) or trainees (non-graduate) who come from vocational training institutes are in constant demand for positions such as customer service & retention, front office, food & beverage production & services, and housekeeping.

ClearTrip, a travel tech organisation, is always seeking individuals for roles such as engineering, category management and business development, says Ajay Sreedhara, Head-People Function.

Customer interface roles like front office sales roles in hotels and sales roles in travel companies are in high demand, says Arun Bagaria, Co-Founder & CEO, TravClan, a B2B travel platform. He says there is a significant demand for operations roles as well for managing reservations, processing bookings and providing customer support.

Must-have skills for this industry
In today’s world where a degree is not enough, the experts suggest graduates acquire a combination of technical, soft and behavioural skills to excel in various roles available in this industry.

To begin with, whether working at a travel agency or hotel property, the prime focus is always on customers and their experiences. Hence, it is essential to have strong communication skills. Employers are also keen to hire individuals who have the emotional intelligence to empathise with the needs and concerns of the guests, and problem-solving abilities to resolve their issues promptly.

Along with this, collaboration, attention to detail, negotiation, time management, and the ability to stay composed under high-pressure situations are highly valued skills in this industry. Besides, familiarity with industry basics along with a deep understanding of its various verticals like aviation, hotel and travel is crucial for a strong career foundation, according to the experts.

Trends around campus hiring and pay expectations
In the dynamic landscape of the travel and tourism industry, demand often outstrips supply of skilled talent, pushing companies to enhance their campus recruitment efforts and attract interested individuals directly from the educational institutes, says Chowdhury of Deltin.

Coming to the figures, he says, entry-level positions in areas such as marketing, HR, finance, IT and business development ensure competitive salaries starting from Rs 4 lakh per annum, complemented by a suite of benefits.

He further explains that a bunch of companies, including Deltin, have started management trainee programmes to hire individuals from renowned hotel management institutions like IHM and IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management). Owing to their specialised training and potential worth to the organisation, these trainees earn higher starting pay and get more benefits. For instance, a management trainee in F&B services might begin with an annual salary of more than Rs 3 lakh (at the senior steward level), which would include incentives and other amenities like housing and transportation.

For roles in facilities management where compensation is aligned with industry norms to promote fairness, he says, the companies offer opportunities to technical or vocational colleges through impact sourcing and apprenticeship programmes.

Cleartrip actively engages with campuses nationwide to recruit for engineering, product, marketing, business, finance and HR roles, says Sreedhara. The compensation packages for such roles are highly competitive, comprising a blend of cash and equity, complemented by a comprehensive range of benefits.

Given there are several undergraduate and diploma courses in hotel management, campus hiring has always been a crucial part of active recruitment strategy for most large travel and hospitality companies, says the Co-Founder & CEO of TravClan.

The pay structure for entry-level roles varies significantly based on specific factors but usually companies offer Rs 3-5 lakh. However, this pay package is mostly offered to those who carry an internship experience as well, he adds.

A glimpse at the freelance and contractual opportunities
With more and more industries realising the potential it holds, the gig economy is registering exponential growth, and the travel and tourism sector sure has a noteworthy contribution in boosting its expansion.

“Although a substantial majority of the workforce in travel and tourism remains on payroll, indicating a preference for a stable workforce, the strategic use of freelancers and contractual staff plays a crucial role in the industry's agility and capacity to respond to fluctuating demands,” says Chowdhury.

He lists outsourced marketing or branding-related work, F&B services & production to manage exceptional footfall during certain events, and specialised corporate or functional training as the areas with plenty of freelance opportunities.

Cleartrip offers numerous freelance positions in design, along with roles where industry veterans can deliver invaluable direction and support. Additionally, they provide a variety of contractual opportunities, particularly for roles that are either specialised or highly operational in nature, says Sreedhara.

Freelancers can also explore work opportunities in creative areas like travel writing, itinerary designing, or social media marketing, or even more dynamic roles like travel photography, tour guide and local-experience curator. With the right skills and the drive to build a freelance career, one can be part of this growing trend and carve their own path in the exciting world of travel, adds Bagaria.