World Tourism Day: Know More About The Travel and Tourism Industry

September 27 has been observed as World Tourism Day since 1980, as an initiative by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The primary aim of this day is to increase awareness about travel and tourism industry and its role in the international community, while also highlighting the impact it has on the social, cultural, political, and economic values globally. This year, UNWTO has chosen this day to emphasize ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’, as an opportunity to look beyond tourism numbers and recognize the fact there is a person behind every number.

Now that the pandemic is slowly becoming a thing of the past, the travel and tourism industry is starting to boom again, and this is a great time to contribute to the rehabilitation and expansion of the global tourism sector, by pursuing career prospects in this industry if you have the passion for the same. Here are a few universities in India and abroad, that can help you pursue a career in the tourism industry. 

Top travel and tourism colleges in India:

• Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Noida

• Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

• Christ University, Bangalore

• National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hyderabad

• Centre for Tourism Studies, Pondicherry

Top travel and tourism colleges abroad:

• New York University, United States of America

• King’s College London, United Kingdom

• University of Queensland, Australia

• EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland

• Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands

Travel, tourism, and hospitality are some of the fastest growing industries globally, and it’s because it covers a variety of diverse sectors including airlines, international travel, food and catering, hotels and hospitality, entertainment, event management, hotel management, public relations, adventure sports, sales and marketing, and freelancing, among many. 

Job profiles of people who do pursue a career in these industries include travel consultants, travel writers, travel photographers, event planners, tour guides, P.R. managers, hotel managers, and airline ground staff. 

The opportunities for a career in travel and tourism are vast which makes it difficult for students to choose something specific and build a career in it, so make sure you do plenty of research and talk to people already in the field to get some practical advice.