Travel jobs London
According to the Tourism Review and Implementation Group, the United Kingdom’s tourism industry is currently experiencing a significant skills shortage, particularly at a junior management level. Thus, it stands to reason that a large number of employment opportunities exist for individuals entering the travel and tourism sector, as well as those considering a career in this field. Over the next five years, major sporting events, as well as a massive overhaul of the UK’s Standsted Airport, are expected to greatly boost tourism in Britain. Travel jobs in London are not particularly difficult to find, and even a cursory online job search yields encouraging results for travel vacancies and related positions in and around London.
Tourism in the UK
The UK’s travel and tourism industry has taken quite a knock over the last few years. Health scares and politically-motivated attacks have shaken travellers’ confidence in the country, and the UK has seen a decrease in the number of American tourists visiting the country. However, there has been marked increase in the number of visitors from countries outside the USA and Western Europe, prompting analysts to predict major growth for the industry and an upsurge in travel jobs for the foreseeable future. Moreover, national tourism agency VisitBritain is currently extending its reach to several new and developing markets, ensuring global marketing of the country and the enrichment of England’s tourism economy.
Despite the negative effect that recent socio-political incidents may have had on the British tourism industry, the market is expected to boom in the near future, particularly as the country prepares to host the London Olympics in 2012. Not only is the event expected to attract half a million visitors to the country, but an estimated 12 000 jobs will be created in the run-up to the games. Furthermore, VisitBritain predicts that the value, as well as the volume, of inbound tourism will increase by about 4 percent during 2007. Clearly, the outlook for the industry is positive, and individuals entering the travel and tourism trade should have many travel jobs in London to choose from.
Qualifications and skills required for travel jobs in London
The travel sector has long been viewed as a glamorous one that offers its employees the chance to ascend the ranks swiftly – and to travel around the world. A significant percentage of individuals working in the industry hold formal qualifications, including university degrees in Tourism Management and Tourism Development, for example, or International Air Transportation Association (IATA) diplomas. The latter focuses on practical knowledge of airlines, reservation systems and cabin crew training. However, it is also important to bear in mind that a large portion of training takes place on the job, and many employers in the tourism industry prefer experience over qualifications when recruiting for travel jobs in London.
While some recruitment consultants believe that having a degree shows an individual’s commitment to the profession (i.e, that they are not merely entering the travel industry on a “whim”), others maintain that experience is crucial for attaining a job. According to Alan Flook, the Secretary General of the Federation of Tour Operators, “More than courses, many tour operators want experience and common sense. The “tourism” side can be learnt on the job.”
However, people of university age wanting to study towards a tourism qualification are urged to opt for a marketing, accountancy, law, financial or business administration degree instead, as these qualifications are broader in their scope and often favoured by employers. Students are also encouraged to take the course in a foreign country, or to learn another language while studying, as this will stand them in good stead when they begin hunting for travel jobs in London. Of course, degrees are always highly regarded by employers, although the extent to which the qualification will counts towards securing a job is largely dependent on the specific type of role you intend to fill.
Practical skills required for travel jobs in London are also determined by the type of job you wish to do. Cabin crew members, for example, are required to be physically fit and fluent in English and other languages, while travel consultants need excellent communication skills and a good working knowledge of the Computer Reservation System (CRS). There are also a number of skills essential to the majority of travel or tourism jobs, such as customer service experience and marketing expertise. And, while it is advantageous to have travelled, employers usually rate sales experience as the most important skill for any travel job in London or elsewhere.
Types of travel jobs in London
The travel sector is a diverse one and a variety of vacancies exist within it. Currently, some of the more popular positions include those of Hotel Manager, Tourism Officer, Information Officer, Theme Park Manager, Air Cabin Crew, Travel Agency Manager and Travel Consultant, and jobs are often available in most of these areas. Those with formal training may be successful in their applications for managerial positions, while others may find that they have to “work their way up” from more junior positions. Hard-working, talented individuals often find themselves moving up the ranks fairly quickly.
There is room for growth in most entry-level and intermediate travel jobs in London, and many jobs offer good remuneration packages and incentives such as commission and travel concessions. Benefits, as well as salary packages, are usually commensurate with age and expsenioerience. Trainee Reservations Consultants, for example, can earn up to £17 000 yearly plus commission, while Senior Travel Consultants could bring home up to £25 000 per annum, as well as a hefty commission.
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