Travel and Tourism • Chapter 12 1 Learning Outcomes • Recall advice from professionals working in travel and tourism professions • Remember key terms, sectors, and specializations applicable to the travel and tourism industry • Recognize and explain concepts and models related to professional practice in travel and tourism professions 2
Learning Outcomes cont. • Recall facts about the passions, pay & perks, possibilities, preparation related to travel and tourism careers in general and the specific career areas of: ‣ Destination Management Organizations ‣ Theme and Amusement Parks and Local Attractions ‣ Ecotourism, Cultural Tourism, Heritage Tourism and Wine Tourism Industries • Summarize future opportunities and challenges facing travel and tourism professionals 3 Wish You Were Here: Going Places in Travel and Tourism • Tourism jobs focus on the creation and provision of travel products and experiences, ranging from goods to services • The most unique aspect of these careers is that tourism professionals are often working at the crossroads of business, environment, culture, and government • People are traveling more, both domestically and internationally • Tourism organizations are responsible for planning and creating travel experiences for tourists 4
Wish You Were Here: Going Places in Travel and Tourism • Tourism organizations are responsible for planning and creating travel experiences for tourists • Tourism organizations consist of both for-profit and non-profit enterprises. • They provide specialized amenities in a wide variety of areas. • Travel and tourism contributes significantly to economic development in many locations 5 Travel and Tourism Today • Today, travel and tourism is considered a specialized discipline and professional area that provides experiences that are customized based on the specific interests of tourists. For example: ‣ Cultural tourism refers to providing experiences to those interested in cultural enrichment ‣ Ecotourism refers to providing environmental education opportunities ‣ Business tourism o ff ers products and services for business-related travelers ‣ Agritourism refers to products and experiences related to regional cuisines, local agriculture and wine 6
Travel and Tourism Today • Tourism industry sectors include hospitality, theme parks, cultural attractions, environmental attractions, heritage sites, nature parks, zoos/aquaria, destination management organizations, government agencies, sporting venues, specialty tour companies, travel supply stores and so on (see related chapters for more details on specific areas) • Professionals in the industry continue to develop and o ff er innovative tourism experiences and opportunities. To succeed in this industry, you’ll need: ‣ In-depth knowledge of the various components of tourism ‣ To be creative while developing new tourism opportunities for travelers 7 Major Career Areas in Travel and Tourism • Tourism professionals are often involved in jobs and projects that combine technological, economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions • Tourism jobs require collaborations with people from various sectors: ‣ attractions ‣ hospitality services ‣ transportation ‣ visitor information ‣ tourism marketing ‣ governance, and ‣ non-governmental groups 8
Diverse Job Opportunities • Professional opportunities within tourism appeal to individuals from almost all academic backgrounds: ‣ Individuals interested in business-oriented jobs may find management careers in tourism to be the best match ‣ Those interested in history are a match for jobs related to heritage attractions, curating and interpretation ‣ Those interested in culture would be suitable for cultural interpretation and exhibition careers with cultural attractions, and ‣ Those interested in environmental issues would find conservation-related careers with ecologically-oriented tourism sectors to be most rewarding 9 Growing Possibilities in Travel and Tourism • Tourism is the world’s largest industry • In the United States, it is among the top three industries in almost every state • Growing investment in tourism development across the globe • New, innovative tourism products and services • Organizations involved in the provision of tourism attractions, products, and services ‣ private-sector ‣ public sector ‣ private-public partnerships, and ‣ non-governmental organizations 10
Career Areas in Travel and Tourism • Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) can be local, regional or national-level agencies that coordinate the growth of tourism within their areas • Theme and Amusement Parks and Local Attractions vary in scope and can be significant at the local, regional, national or even international, level • Ecotourism and Cultural Tourism Industries are based on the principle of sustainable tourism, whereby ecological and cultural resources of destinations are conserved, protected, and enhanced. Adventure tourism, agritourism and heritage tourism are relatively new and rapidly growing areas. 11 Destination Management Organizations • Passions: Marketing, tourism economics, travel research and trends analysis, innovation, coalition building among diverse groups, partnerships, working with people and traveling. • Pays & Perks: Entry-level salaries will be those of a typical 4-year college grad up to executive levels. Professional development opportunities. • Preparation: 4-year college degree (Bachelor’s) in tourism or hospitality management. • Possibilities: Director of a convention or visitors bureau, convention services, sales and services, destination management specialist, and tourism manager. 12
Theme and Amusement Parks and Local Attractions • Passions: Working with people, guest services and entertainment, service innovation, new technology, partnerships, marketing, and economics. • Pay & Perks: Entry-level salaries will be those of a typical 4-year college grad up to executive levels. • Preparation: High-school diploma to 4-year college degree. Tourism, hospitality and/or commercial recreation and business courses are recommended • Possibilities: Event manager, visitor information, rides and/or operations manager, media relations, project manager, promotions and hospitality. 13 Ecotourism and Cultural Tourism Industries • Passions: Conservation, environmental ethics, social ethics, cultural diversity, biodiversity, languages, economics, business, fund-raising, technology, innovation, education, regular travel and collaboration with other professionals • Pay & Perks: Entry-level salaries will be those of a typical 4-year college grad up to executive levels • Preparation: 4-year college degree (Bachelor’s) in natural resources or sustainable tourism management; minor in environmental sciences • Possibilities: Interpretation Specialist, Conservation Exhibit Developer, Museum Director, Nature Tour Coordinator; Adventure Guide, Seasonal jobs (see also chapters on Outdoor Recreation and Commercial Recreation) 14
Heritage Tourism Industries • Passions: Historic preservation, traveling with work, research, hosting/event planning, history, educating, training, working with the public, presenting, fund-raising, working with professionals from various disciplines and fields, relationship building • Pay & Perks: Management level jobs o ff er competitive rates for college graduates, although students typically begin working at a lower supervisory level • Preparation: Full-time jobs require 4-year degree; degree in recreation, tourism or hospitality management should be accompanied by a minor in public history or historic preservation • Possibilities: Tourism director (with state government), docent, tour guide, event planning 15 Wine Tourism Industries • Passions: Making wine a part of everyday life for visitors, creating unity in the workplace, understanding policy, resolving visitor complaints, implementing new technology and social networking, maintaining partnerships, marketing, learning about wine and viticulture • Pay & Perks: New employees can begin working in tasting rooms, but as with many other front-line hospitality jobs, promotions can be rapid • Preparation: 4-year college degree (hospitality or tourism); knowledge of wine or wine certification very beneficial • Possibilities: Jobs related to wine tourism exist at wineries, with destination marketing, and in resorts and restaurants 16
Future Opportunities, Issues and Challenges • Global economic significance of tourism and the widespread prevalence of tourism resources and new employment opportunities • Social concern for responsible practices maks “green” travel and tourism a priority ‣ Awareness—e ff orts and strategies to address ecological (environmental) concerns, in response to changing/evolving societal priorities ‣ Responsibility—making a di ff erence in the industry by encouraging positive environmental changes in the business landscape ‣ Sustainability—community development tool with significant economic, environmental, socio-cultural and political ramifications ‣ Balance—business profitability with quality of life in host communities 17 Future Opportunities, Issues and Challenges • Sustainable tourism management underlies the interdependence of the environment with the economy and society • The triple bottom line framework refers to “people, planet, profit” and encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, including: ‣ Natural, economic, social and cultural diversity ‣ Equity and human rights ‣ Corporate and individual responsibility and citizenship ‣ Globalization and localization issues 18
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