For some jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry you need absolutely no training or experience while for others you will need at least a certificate if not a college degree. It comes down to what type of position you want to work and what qualifications you hold.
No Experience/Training
There are some positions which just about anyone can take in this industry, such as a hotel housekeeper or front desk employee. If you have some talents such as singing or dancing you could also find yourself on board a cruise ship earning a living basically while vacationing. Also, any business that caters to the vacation crowd will have a need for a variety of other unskilled labor. This includes small hotels or bed and breakfast establishments to the largest ski and vacation resorts.
Many people work this type of job while getting their certification or higher education to secure higher paying positions.
Certification
One step up from an unskilled labor position would be taking entry level training jobs after studying short term for certification in a particular area. For instance, bartenders go through Bartending School before applying for jobs at hotels, lounges, and a variety of other hospitality businesses. Chefs and bakers can also start working a after becoming certified.
Higher Education
If you are seriously considering training manager jobs which pay a lot higher and put more responsibility on your shoulders than mixing up a drink or changing the linen, then a college degree directly related to your interest will get you going. For instance, if you want to manage a hotel or even run your own bed and breakfast a degree in Hotel Management would be essential.
You can also seek out training manager jobs while you are seeking this education, that way you have some experience to go along with your knowledge.
The hospitality and tourism field is just like any other in that the more qualifications and skills you possess, the more you can expect to be paid. Yet, a lot of it comes down to personal skills as well. Training manager jobs in this industry will demand excellent communication and organization skills since you will be required to interact with the public in a variety of situations and any business relies upon solid organization to remain functional.
Those who are personable and able to get along well with others are in demand in this industry, but you also must be able to problem solve on the spot and clear up problems as they arise.
No matter what your current level of experience or education may be or what you plan on doing in the future, training jobs could be your first step to an exciting career in the hospitality and tourism industry!
