jobs in tourism

99 Exciting jobs in travel and tourism- the ultimate travel job list!

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If you are looking for jobs in travel and tourism then you have come to the right place! This article is the the ultimate guide that will teach you all about the different jobs in travel and tourism AND it provides you with relevant resources and links to places where you can find jobs that are being advertised right now!

If you know anything about the travel and tourism industry you will know that it is HUGE! You can read this article if you want to learn more about the structure of the travel and tourism industry and the different areas in which you can work. Because the travel and tourism industry is soooo big, it means that the opportunities are, well… endless! In this article I teach you about a wide range of jobs in travel and tourism- some of these jobs involve physically travelling, some involve living and working overseas and some involve working in travel but not actually travelling.

Note- If you are looking for jobs that allow you to travel specifically (but are not necessarily in the travel and tourism industry), you may find my article on jobs that allow you to travel the world more helpful. You may also be interested in my article explaining where to find jobs in travel and tourism , which has some helpful links for job searching.

What are the different jobs in travel and tourism?

Entertainer (singer, dancer, sports etc), sports instructor (skiing, diving, surfing etc), water sports operator, event planner, event security, theme park operative, resort representative/ holiday rep, events risk manager/ assistant, events sales manager, venue finder, tour operator, travel agent, ticketing agent, business and development manager/ assistant, bureau de change cashier, travel consultant, destination specialist (research and development), souvenir sales person, travel insurance sales person, travel writer, travel blogger, travel vlogger, travel influencer, social media manager, travel journalist, visitor information officer/ manager, travel photographer, holiday brochure producer, train driver, train assistant, driver (taxi, lorry, car), customer/ passenger service agent, ground handling agent, baggage handler, airport security officer, border force agent, flight planner, air traffic controller, flight dispatcher, airfield operator, transport engineer, car hire salesperson, cruise ship doctor/nurse/ paramedic/ healthcare assistant, children’s entertainer/ cabaret/ entertainer, production managers/assistants/ stage crew, food and beverage assistant/ manager/ chef, housekeeping/ cleaner, technical engineer, environmental officer, deck officer, security officer, human resources, computer system specialist, public health officer, marketing- photographer, videographer etc, casino staff/ spa staff/ salon staff, steward/stewardess, retail manager/assistant, housekeeper, nightclub staff/ bar tenders/ cleaners/ dj, casino workers/ cashiers/ operatives, front desk operative, receptionist, food and beverage workers, airbnb host, guest relations manager, tourism consultant, project manager, conservation specialist, tourism economist, tourism researcher, legal consultant, policy analyst, smart tourism developer, corporate social responsibility officer, teacher/ trainer, tourism development officer, human resources assistant/ manager, recruitment manager, marketing assistant/ manager, administrative assistant/ virtual assistant, finance/ account manager, contracting manager, jobs in travel and tourism.

There are so many jobs in travel and tourism- it is the biggest industry in the world after all! When most people think of jobs in travel and tourism they think of working as Cabin Crew, a Holiday Representative or on a cruise ship. And yes, these are popular jobs in travel and tourism, but there are actually many more opportunities as well!

This article provides you with a comprehensive overview of many of the jobs in travel and tourism. As much as I would love to claim that I have included all jobs here, this just isn’t possible because the travel and tourism industry is so big- but please do let me know of any that I might have missed in the comments at the end!

In order to make this article easier to navigate, I have organised the jobs in travel and tourism into 8 main categories, these are:

• Jobs in events activities
• Jobs in ticketing and sales
• Jobs in marketing and promotion
• Transport-based jobs
• Cruise industry jobs
• Hospitality jobs
• Jobs in tourism development
• Back office jobs

Please note that the list of jobs is not exhaustive and that some jobs may fall into more than one of the above categories.

Jobs in travel and tourism- Events and activities

There are many different jobs in travel and tourism that involve events and activities. Here are some of the most common-

There are a range of jobs in travel and tourism in the entertainment sector. Whether you are good at singing, making balloon animals, ballet or trampolining, there are many jobs in travel and tourism that will suit you!

Requirements- Specific skills according to entertainment method (e.g. singing or dancing)

Salary range- £12,000+ per annum

Useful resource- Entertainers Worldwide

If sports is your thing then you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a job in travel and tourism! Sports tourism is a big deal and there are lots of opportunities to teach your chosen sport to others, from running surf lessons in Portugal to offering ski instructing in Japan to yoga teacher training courses in Costa Rica, there are lots of opportunities available.

Requirements- Skilled at your chosen sport, specific training qualifications may be necessary

Salary range- £15,000+ per annum

Useful resource- Indeed

Water sports is very popular at many seaside destinations and there are a range of opportunities for jobs ranging from renting out jet skis, to running speed boat tours to selling tickets for banana boat rides.

Requirements- Customer service and first aid training, ability to swim

Salary range- £12,000-£15,000 per annum

Useful resource- Water Sports Staff

A tour guide is a very popular job in travel and tourism. A tour guide is responsible for running tours of a particular area or attraction. This could range from day tours around Rome to month long tours across multiple countries in Africa. Some tour guides are employed by a travel organisation and other work independently. Recently, many travel bloggers have started to run tours too.

Requirements- Knowledge of the local area, customer service skills

Salary range- £15,000-£40,000 per annum

An event planner is someone who plans events! They will coordinate all aspects of professional meetings and events, such as weddings, sporting events, concerts, conferences etc. They often choose meeting locations, arrange transportation, and coordinate many other details.

Requirements- Experience in event planning

Salary range- £22,000-£40,000 per annum

Useful resource- Caterer

There is usually some degree of security that is required at events, especially big events such as football matches or concerts. Typically at such events there will be a whole team of security staff, this might include: general security guards, bodyguards, gatekeepers, crowd control, mobile patrol, and armed guards.

Requirements- Security training

Salary range- £15,000+ per annum depending on position

Useful resource- e4s

Theme parks are big places, meaning that they have lot of jobs in travel and tourism! The most obvious job is operating rides, however there are also lots of other opportunities within a theme park working as an entertainer, food and beverage assistant, ticket sales, cleaning and more.

Requirements- Customer service experience

Salary range- £12,000+ per annum depending on position

Most tour operators will hire Resort Representatives, also known as Holiday Representatives, to represent the holiday company in destination. These representatives will usually have accommodation provided for them in resort and this work is often seasonal (i.e. you will work during winter for a ski resort and during summer for a summer sun resort).

Their main responsibilities are to provide customer service to holiday makers, deal with any problems that might occur, conduct welcome meetings and to sell excursions. There are also Airport Representatives who are responsible for airport transfers and Children’s Representatives who work with children and run children’s clubs and activities.

Requirements- Customer service skills

Salary range- £15,000-£22,000 per annum

Useful resource- TUI Reps Guide

A risk manager is an important job in travel and tourism. A Risk Manager will be responsible for managing the risk to an organisation, its employees, customers, reputation, assets and interests of stakeholders. Their job is to identify and assess threats to an organisation, put plans in place for if things go wrong and decide how to avoid, reduce or transfer risk.

Requirements- Knowledge of risk management

Salary range- £30,000- £45,000 per annum

Useful resource- Prospects

An Events Sales Manager is responsible for sales related to events. This includes: account management, business development, market research, sales prospecting, public relations, customer relationship management, event planning and coordination, logistics oversight, revenue management, and communications. Event Sales Managers also prepare proposals for clients and maintain event records. 

Requirements- Management and events experience

Salary range- £30,000-£45,000 per annum

Finding appropriate venues is a very important part of organising an event! For some large companies they may hire a member of staff specifically for this purpose.

Requirements- Knowledge of events and venues

Salary range- £15,000-£35,000 per annum

Useful resource- Event Job Search

Jobs in travel and tourism- Tickets and sales

There are many jobs in travel and tourism that involve tickets and sales- in fact, some might argue that selling tickets to attractions, accommodation options, transport etc is at the heart of the travel and tourism industry! Here are some jobs in travel and tourism that fall under this category-

A Tour Operator is a person who comes up with ideas for holidays. Tour Operators will conduct research into this, design the holiday itinerary and content, prepare contracts, organise accommodation and transport and make arrangements for necessary guides, tour leaders or resort reps etc. They will then market the package and sell to travel agents .

Requirements- Knowledge of the travel industry

Salary range- £25,000- £40,000 per annum

Useful resource- Travel Trade Jobs

Being a travel Agent is one of the most popular jobs in travel and tourism. A Travel Agent sells holidays to tourists . This could be from a desk in a high street travel agent, phone the phone in a call centre or from behind a computer for online travel agents.

In recent times we have seen many independent travel agents starting up their own businesses too- these usually work from home and are small businesses.

Requirements- Knowledge of GDS systems and inventories

Salary range- £25,000-£40,000 per annum

Useful resource- Travel Weekly

There are many Ticket Agent jobs in travel and tourism found in different sectors including: rail, airlines, bus companies, cruise lines and tourist attractions . Ticketing agents are responsible for making and confirming travel arrangements for passengers. They are employed by railroads, airlines, bus companies, and cruise lines. Ticketing Agents will typically sell tickets in terminals, plan routes using computers and manuals, and calculate ticket costs.

Salary range- £12,000-£24,000 per annum

Every business needs a person or people behind the scenes who are responsible for business development and growth and whilst you might not see these people very often (because they often work behind the scenes), this is actually one of the most important jobs in travel and tourism! Business Development Managers develop a network of contacts to attract new clients, research new market opportunities and oversee growth projects. They also make sales projections and forecasting revenue, in line with projected income.

Requirements- Knowledge of businesses, preferably a degree or higher level qualifications

Salary range- £40,000+ per annum

Bureau de Change cashiers process cash transactions from customers in national and foreign currencies. They provide information on the conditions and exchange rates for buying and selling foreign currencies, make deposits of money, record all foreign exchange transactions and check for money validity.

Salary range- £12,000-£18,000 per annum

Useful resource- Travel Trade Recruitment

Consultants (in travel and tourism as well as other industries) are generally there to provide advice and guidance- they are seen an experts in their field. Therefore, Travel Consultants are responsible for providing advice and guidance on- you guessed it- travel. They will often meet with clients to discuss and learn about their travel requirements and then advise the clients about suitable travel options in accordance with their needs, wants and capabilities.

Requirements- Expert level knowledge in travel and tourism

Salary range- £40,000-£55,000 per annum

Useful resource- Travel Counsellors

A destination specialist is exactly as it sounds- a specialist of a particular destination. This person will be responsible for providing advice and guidance relevant to a particular destination. They will assist the Business Development Manager and may also work closely with Tour Operators and Travel Agents, depending on their specific role.

Requirements- Expert knowledge of a specific destination

Salary range- £40,000- £55,000 per annum

Useful resource- Flight Centre Travel Academy

One of the jobs in travel and tourism that people often forget about is a souvenir sales person. Most of us will purchase some souvenirs on our travels and therefore there is a need for someone to sell these souvenirs.

Souvenir sales people range from independent people who may sell ice creams on the beach, to high street shops to duty-free chains. Some people sell souvenirs online too.

Requirements- sales skills, customer service skills

Salary range- £12,000- £18,000 per annum

Having adequate travel insurance is essential when we travel, and because most people will buy travel insurance, there needs to be lots of sales people to sell it to them! A Travel Insurance Sales Person will often work in an office or from home, making sales from their phone or computer. They will often be paid commission- meaning that the more travel insurance they sell, the more money they earn.

Requirements- Sales skills

Salary range- £15,000- £25,000 plus commission per annum

Jobs in travel and tourism- Marketing and promotion

There are many jobs in travel and tourism that fall within the marketing and promotion category, after all, it’s all good and well creating amazing products and services, but if nobody knows about then then they won’t sell! Here are some of the major jobs in travel and tourism that involve marketing and promotion-

Travel writing is an important job in travel and tourism. Whether you are writing a travel-based novel, an informative blog post, an article for a magasine or a guidebook, there is a big demand for travel writing.

Many travel writers work on a freelance basis, meaning that they are self-employed and they contract their work to various parties such as magasines or websites.

Requirements- Excellent writing skills, experience and qualifications in journalism

Salary range- £15,000- £50,000 per annum

Useful resource- Smart Blogger

Travel blogging has become increasingly popular (and competitive!) and recent years. A travel blogger may have their own blog or they may write for other blogs, or both. Travel blogging isn’t just about writing- it is about developing a brand, maintaining a website, managing social media and promotion, selling things (online courses, merchandise, affiliate products (e.g. cameras, tickets to tourist attraction, hotel bookings) etc). It can take years to grow a travel blog to a point where you can make a reasonable income.

Requirements- Ability to manage your own time, writing skills

Salary range- £0- £100,000 per annum

Useful resource- Wanderlust

A travel vlogger is someone who creates video diaries of their travels, they will often post content on YouTube, although they can also use alternative platforms if they choose to do so. This job requires technical filming equipment and video editing skills. As with blogging, it can take years for a vlogger to build a big enough audience to make money. Money is usually made from paid sponsorships and adverts as well as products sales (e.g. online courses, merchandise, affiliate products (e.g. cameras, tickets to tourist attraction, hotel bookings), Patreon membership etc)

Requirements- Video editing skills, ability to present yourself appropriately on camera

Useful resource- Career Pilot

A Travel Influencer is essentially any person who has ‘influence’. This is usually related to people who have large followings on their social media or websites. Being a Travel Influencer can take a lot of time (it can take years to build a social following) or a person could reach fame overnight when a post goes viral or when they attract the attention of mainstream media or other major Influencers. An Influencer will usually make money by collaborating with brands to promote their products and services- this could be hotels, clothing companies, tourist boards and tourist attractions to name just a few.

Requirements- Some knowledge of social media marketing, ability to develop a brand and willingness to be in the public eye

Useful resource- Unchartered Backpack

There are also ‘behind the scenes’ jobs in the social media scene too- major Influencers and organisations will often hire social media managers and administrative staff to help manage their workload. These roles will involve conducting research into trends, hashtags etc and analysing which posts work well, which times of day are best to post etc. They will be responsible for scheduling social media and responding to comments.

Requirements- Social media expertise, qualifications in marketing

Salary range- £15,000- £35,000 per annum

Useful resource- Digital Marketing Institute

A Travel Journalist is a journalist who focusses their writing on travel-related content. Journalists will usually work for a newspaper, magasine or other media outlets, such as a website or for a TV production company. Their main job is to research and report on a particular issue or subject, this could include interviewing people, looking through data archives and reviewing existing literature. May journalists work on a freelance basis and will write proposals for projects that they would like to work on before being accepted.

Requirements- Journalism qualification, writing and research skills

Salary range- £23,000-£45,000 per annum

Useful resource- The Guardian

All visitors to an area will require some kind of information, whether that is a tourist map, appropriate signage, guidebooks or recommendations. Therefore, it is important that there are staff who can help to provide this information! Tourist information centres are a popular place for tourists to visit and staff who work here will provide information and guidance, conduct research, help tourists to make bookings and act as an ambassador for the local area.

Requirements- Knowledge of the local area

Useful resource- National Careers

Many people do not think of photographers when they think of jobs in travel and tourism, but it is actually a very important and common role! Travel photography is big business- there are jobs for professional photographers to take photos for art purposes as well as for marketing- from Instagram posts through to holiday brochures.

Requirements- Photography skills

Salary range- £18,000- £39,000 per annum

Useful resource- The Wandering Lens

Whilst we get most of our information from the Internet these days, there is still a place for holiday brochure…. and somebody has to produce them! Well, actually there is a whole team of people who work to produce a holiday brochure including graphic designers, copywriters, photographers, researchers and the printing and distribution team.

Requirements- Knowledge of graphic design/ copywriting/ printing

Salary range- £15,000+ per annum depending on specific role

Useful resource- Pitched

Jobs in travel and tourism- Transport

Transport is a fundamental part of the tourism industry, and as such it is no surprise that there are many jobs in travel and tourism that are connected to transport. Here are some of the most common transport-based jobs in travel and tourism-

A Pilot is responsible for the safe operation of an aircraft. He/she will plan the route and communicate with Flight Traffic Control to safely navigate the aircraft from one destination to another. There are different ranks for pilots, most will begin as a First Officer and some will then work towards becoming a Captain.

Training to be a pilot is a barrier for many people as the costs to do so are very expensive (£100,000+). There are no student loans available for such training.

Requirements- Be a fully qualified pilot with current license to fly

Salary range- £40,000-£80,000 per annum

Useful resource- Aviation Job Search

Cabin Crew, also referred to as Flight Attendants, are responsible for the safety of passengers onboard an aircraft. Cabin Crew will undertake intense training on how to deal with accidents and emergencies and will be tested on their knowledge regularly. They are also responsible for providing customer service to passengers and will assist with boarding and disembarkation, serving food and drinks and selling duty-free items.

Requirements- Customer service skills and experience

Salary range- £15,000-£35,000

Useful resource- All Flying Jobs

A Train Driver is responsible for the safe passage of people on the train.

Requirements- Train driving license

Salary range- £40,000-£60,00

A Train Assistant is someone who undertakes general duties onboard a train, including providing customer service to passengers, selling food and drink and dealing with any onboard issues that may arise.

Salary range- £14,000-£18,000 per annum

While some people may not think about drivers when they think about jobs in travel and tourism, drivers are actually very important! From lorry drivers who transport the goods that are used for tourism to taxi and Uber driver, the travel and tourism industry would not function without them!

Requirements- Driving license

Salary range- £12,000-£35,000 per annum

Useful resource- Day Insure

Working as a Ticketing Agent is one of the most important jobs in travel and tourism- because there are many tickets that need to be sold! Ticketing agents could be based at the airport, in a travel agency or in an office selling tickets online.

Salary range- £15,000- £25,000 per annum

A Customer Service Agent is another one of the most important jobs in travel and tourism. This is a customer-facing role that involves providing customer service. Customer Service Agents can work in different parts of the travel and tourism industry but this title is most commonly used in the airport as the title used for staff who work in the check in area.

Salary range- £15,000-£25,000 per annum

Useful resource- Menzies Aviation

A Ground Handling Agent is another job title that is used at airports. These are the people who work facilitate the smooth operation of airline services on the ground. Their main responsibilities are to accept, handle, load, unload, transfer, or otherwise processing cargo, passengers or baggage.

Requirements- Customer service experience, organisation skills

Salary range- £18,000- £30,000 per annum

Useful resource- British Airways

A Baggage Handler is responsible for loading and unloading baggage from the aircraft. They will drive vehicles that carry large amounts of baggage and check outgoing baggage against flight lists, transport it, and load it onto the aircraft using lifting equipment.

Requirements- Physical ability to lift heavy luggage

Salary range- £15,000- £22,000 per annum

Useful resource- Aviation Jobs

Airport Security Officers are responsible for making sure that everyone obeys the rules and regulations in relation to security at the airport. This includes checking passengers, baggage and cargo for any potential security threats.  

Requirements- Relevant security training

Useful resource- Heathrow Airport

A Border Force Agent checks that all passengers meet the criteria for entry into the country. They will check passports and travel documents of all passengers arriving into the country, this could be by sea, air or rail . They are also responsible for detecting and intercepting prohibited goods.

Requirements- Relevant Border Force training

Salary range- £22,000- £32,000 per annum

Useful resource- Gov.uk

A Flight Planner is responsible for the strategic planning of fleets, routes and staff for an airline or airport.

Requirements- Experience with airport or airline planning

Salary range- £30,000- £40,000 per annum

Useful resource- Careers in Aerospace

It can be argued that working as an Air Traffic Controller is one of the most stressful jobs in travel and tourism! Members of ATC are responsible for the safe navigation of aircraft in the skies. They are required to use radar, computers, or visual references to monitor and direct the movement of the aircraft in the skies and ground traffic at airports.

Requirements- A degree, Air Traffic Control training

Salary range- £40,000- £100,000 per annum

Useful resource- NATS

A Flight Dispatcher is responsible for making sure that the aircraft is ready for departure. They will undertake a number of checks to ensure that the aircraft is fit to fly and provide the Pilots and Cabin Crew with the relevant information (e.g. weather reports, flight plans, passenger list).

Requirements- Ability to work under pressure, good organisation skills

Salary range- £20,000- £35,000 per annum

A Loadmaster is required to plan how items and people should be loaded into the aircraft. This includes mathematically planning the correct placement of both cargo and passengers whilst also ensuring passenger comfort and safety and securing cargo.

Requirements- Relevant training, mathematical skills

Salary range- £25,000- £38,000 per annum

An Airfield Operator is responsible for ensuring the safe take off and landing of aircraft, maintaining navigational aids, performing inspections and communicating with air traffic control.

Requirements- Aviation experience and knowledge

Useful resource- AOPA

A Transport Engineer will undertake any relevant maintenance and repair work on the mode of transport. This include motor vehicles, trains, ships, boats and aircraft.

Requirements- Engineer training and qualifications

Salary range- £35,000- £50,000 per annum

Useful resource- Transport Engineer

Car hire is big business and there are a number of positions for jobs in travel and tourism in this sector. This includes Car Hire Salespersons, Car Hire Managers and the relevant administration positions that are connected with the car hire business.

Requirements- Sales training

Useful resource- Enterprise

Jobs in travel and tourism- Cruise industry jobs

Cruise tourism is BIG business and it is no wonder that there are so many jobs in travel and tourism that are based in the cruise sector. There are thousands of cruises that travel around the world each year, each with their own style and types of passengers. Some cruise ships are as big as small cities, with everything onboard from restaurants and bars and swimming pools to theme park rides, casinos and beauty salons. Because of this, there are a job of jobs in travel and tourism that fall within the cruise sector.

If you are looking for cruise ship jobs that are being advertised now, I recommend visiting the All Cruise Jobs website .

Here are some of the main jobs in the cruise sector-

If anybody needs medical attention onboard a cruise ship, there will be a team of medical professionals ready to help. This includes doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and paramedics.

Requirements- You will need to be trained in these roles before you apply for a job on a cruise ship.

Salary range- £12000+ per annum

Useful resource- Cruise ship medicine

The Pursers department is the centre of hotel operations onboard a cruise ship. This involves a variety of roles and management of hotel accounts, shore excursions, and shipboard personnel operations such as the Crew Office. This is usually a customer-facing role that involves providing high levels of customer service guests, assisting with account inquires, resolving customer service issues, and answering telephone calls.

Requirements- Managerial experience or training, experience of working on a cruise ship

Salary range- £35,000- £60,000 per annum

Useful resource- Cruise ship jobs

There are a range of jobs in travel and tourism that fall under the entertainment category. On a cruise ship there are positions in children’s entertainment, taking part in cabaret activities (e.g. singers, dancers, actors) and other general entertainment such as comedy shows or magicians.

Requirements- experience in the entertainment industry

Useful resource- Entertainers Worldwide Jobs

These are the people who are involved in the behing-the-scenes side of entertainment onboard a cruise ship. The Production Manager will coordinate productions and members of their team will have a range of specific tasks relating to the smooth running of the entertainment onboard the cruise ship.

Requirements- Experience in entertainment production

Useful resource- All Cruise Jobs

There are many jobs in travel and tourism that involve working with food and beverages in the cruise sector and other areas too. This ranges from bar staff, waiters and glass collectors to managers and chefs.

Requirements- customer service experience, chef experience/training

Useful resource- Cruise Ship Job

Housekeeping and cleaning is one of the most important jobs in travel and tourism and is found in every sector, including cruise! There will usually be a team and some members of the team will hold leadership responsibilities.

Requirements- none

Technical engineers are responsible for the efficient and cost-effective operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment onboard the cruise ship. This covers a wide range of areas including power generation and propulsion; heating and air conditioning; and deck, hotel, and entertainment support systems.

Requirements- Technical training

Salary range- £25,000+ per annum

The Environmental Officer is responsible for ensuring that the procedures concerning the environmental aspects of the ship and pest control are implemented correctly. They are also involved with environmental audits and monitoring the proper management of chemicals on board.

Requirements- Environmental management training/ qualifications

Salary range- £30,000+ per annum

Useful resource- P&O Cruises Environmental Overview

The primary responsibilities of the Deck Officer is to ensure the safe navigation of the cruise ship. They will also be responsible for health and safety and security aspects of the ship’s operations, including guests, officers, crew and staff members.

The head of the department is the Captain, the highest ranking person aboard. This is then followed by 1st, 2nd, 3rd Officers; Safety Officer; Security Officer; Deck Cadet and Deck Ratings – Boatswain/Bosun, Carpenter, Able Seaman Unlimited, Ordinary Seaman Entry Level and Deckhand.

Requirements- Relevant training/ qualifications and experience

Safety and security is another important area of jobs in travel and tourism. Onboard a cruise ship there are a number of jobs that focus on the safety and security of passengers onboard, such as Security Officer, Security Guard and Surveillance Officer.

Requirements- Relevant training and experience

Salary range- £15,000 + per annum

Many people forget about the essential jobs that are required on a cruise ship! If a pipe leaks or a toilet gets blocked, a plumber is in need!

Requirements- Plumbing training and qualifications

The onboard Human Resources team works in conjunction with the shoreside Employee Relations team to implement and uphold all HR policies and initiatives. Responsibilities of HR staff include overseeing Crew Welfare, creating an effective work environment and supporting shipboard and shoreside management teams.

Requirements- HR training and qualifications

The IT Officer is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and support of onboard computer systems, mobile devices, physical and virtual servers, networks, point-of-sale terminals, network equipment, and peripherals.

Requirements- IT training and experience

Salary range- £20,000+ per annum

Useful resource- All Cruise jobs

The Computer System Specialist is responsible for all onboard computer systems. This includes installing and configuring new PC system hardware, upgrading existing hardware, and supporting mobile devices. The Computer System Specialist works closely with the IT Officer to ensure all onboard systems perform at optimum levels.

Requirements- Customer service skills, IT/computer skills

Useful resource- Princess Cruise Jobs

A Public Health Officer will monitor shipboard public health and infection control procedures. They ensure compliance and implementation of procedures associated with communicable diseases, illnesses and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic- this has become a very important job in travel and tourism over the past couple of years!

Requirements- Relevant public health qualifications and experience

Salary range- £35,000+ per annum

Every cruise ship will have a marketing department. Within this department there are a range of roles ranging from general marketing managers to photographers and videographers.

Requirements- Training and qualifications in marketing/ photography and videography skills and experience

There are a range of hospitality-based staff that can be found onboard a cruise ship too. This includes people who work in the casino (e.g. money change, game assistants etc), and staff who work in a spa or salon (e.g. masseuses, hairdressers, beauty technicians).

Requirements- Relevant skills and qualifications for the post (e.g. hairdressing qualification)

The Deckhand is responsible for maintenance/cleaning of the interior/exterior of the cruise ship. The deckhand will also assist with bridge watch/navigation, perform hourly security patrols including nightly engine room inspections, and will assist with general boat operations.

Requirements- Mechanical skills

Cabin stewards/ stewardesses are responsible for keeping passengers’ cabins clean and tidy. Duties include vacuuming, changing sheets, washing windows, cleaning bathrooms etc.

There are many jobs in travel and tourism that involve retail. Onboard a cruise ship there will be a range of shops that will need staff- from retail assistants to retail managers.

Requirements- retail experience, good customer service skills

Jobs in travel and tourism- Hospitality

Whilst the hospitality industry is an industry in itself, many of the jobs that are classified as being hospitality can also be in the travel and tourism industry- tourists need to eat, sleep and be entertained after all! So here are some of the major jobs in travel and tourism that come under the hospitality umbrella-

Housekeepers are responsible for cleaning and reporting any safety hazards to the person in charge. They will undertake duties such as hoovering, polishing, emptying bins, changing bed sheets etc.

Requirements- None

Salary range- £12,000- £15,000 per annum

There are several jobs in travel and tourism that are related to the nightlife scene- this includes DJs, Bar Staff, Glass Collectors, Cleaners, General Manager etc. All of these members of staff will have their own individual responsibilities.

Salary range- £12,00+ per annum depending on experience

Casinos are popular places for tourists to visit, especially in destinations such as Las Vegas or Monaco. There are a number of jobs that workers can do within a casino, including people who help to run and operate the games/machines, security guards, customer service representatives, cashiers and cleaners.

Salary range- £12,000+ per annum depending on experience

A Front Desk Operative is a person who is the first point of contact for all customers of a business. Their responsibilities will general include greeting and welcoming guests, receiving and delivering all incoming and outgoing mail and packages, answering all calls and directing as needed, scheduling meetings, and coordinating office activities.

A Receptionist is usually the first person that you will meet when entering a business, for example a hotel. Their main responsibilities include greeting visitors, answering telephones, taking messages, scheduling appointments, filing and maintaining documents, providing information to various people, making travel arrangements, running errands and performing various administrative tasks.

Salary range- £15,000- £20,000 per annum

If you are working in food and beverage, you have one of the most important jobs in travel and tourism…. because we all need to eat! There are plenty of jobs related to food and drink, from Waiters and Bar Staff to Chefs and General Managers.

Requirements- Customer service skills, specialist skills e.g. culinary

Airbnb isn’t just a place for tourists to stay, it is a travel and tourism business for property owners! Many people have bought properties in recent years with the intention of renting them out to tourists for a profit. This can be a great way to make money and to run your own business. There are also jobs in cleaning Airbnb properties, managing Airbnb properties and marketing Airbnb properties. There are also a range of alternatives to Airbnb that work on the same or similar business models.

Requirements- Must have the initial capital to purchase a property

Salary range- Varies depending on how many Airbnb properties you have and where they are located

Useful resource- Airbnb

A Chef is in charge of organising and preparing food in the kitchen. This includes studying recipes, setting up menus and preparing dishes.

Requirements- Culinary skills

Salary range- £18,000+ per annum depending on quality of the restaurant

Useful resource- Chef jobs

A Guest Relations Manager is responsible for facilitating open lines of communication between staff and guests. They will oversee other team members including receptionists, concierges, housekeepers, and wait staff.

Requirements- Managerial experience and training

A Concierge is a person who works for a building or hotel undertaking receptionist duties and assisting guests with checking in and moving luggage etc. They will also provide information and deal with guest queries.

Jobs in travel and tourism- Tourism development

There are many jobs in travel and tourism that focus on tourism development. Tourism development is very important- we need to make sure that tourism is planned in a way that will make money for local businesses, whilst not having a negative impact on the environment, economy and society. Jobs in travel and tourism in this sector will usually play a key role in ensuring sustainable tourism .

A Tourism Consultant is a person who will provide expert guidance and advice. they are very knowledgeable in their field and can command high salaries as a result. Tourism Consultants may work for Governments or for specific organisations.

Requirements- Expert knowledge in the relevant field

Useful resource- Acorn Tourism

Many jobs in travel and tourism are related to various projects, and each project will require a manager! This could be managing the opening of a new restaurant, managing team training and development or managing the development of a new resort to give a few examples.

Requirements- Expert knowledge in specific field, management experience

Conservation is one of the most important jobs in travel and tourism, this is because if we do not protect the things that we are going to see (the beach, the mountain, the animals etc) then there will be no tourism in that destination in the future! Conservation Specialists will have expert knowledge in the environmental impacts of tourism and will usually have a specific focus e.g. turtle conservation or sloth rehabilitation.

Requirements- Expert knowledge of conservation, degree or higher

Salary range- £35,000- £50,000 per annnum

Useful resource- Responsible Travel

Every industry needs economists, and travel and tourism is no different! The duties of a Tourism Economist is varied, but some common tasks include researching economic issues related to the tourism industry; conducting surveys and collecting data; analysing data using mathematical models, statistical techniques, and software; presenting research results in reports, tables, and charts; interpreting and forecasting market trends and advising businesses and governments.

Requirements- Expert in economics, degree or above

Salary range- £40,000- £80,000 per annum

Useful resource- Economist

Conducting research is another one of the most important jobs in travel and tourism that often goes unnoticed. In order to make sure that the tourism industry is built on a strong platform and that it will be sustainable, it is imperative that Researchers are employed. Tourism Researchers may focus on specific niches or they may conduct more general research. Some Researchers will work in the field and other may work in academia.

Requirements- Excellent research skills, higher level degree or PhD

Salary range- £35,000- £45,000 per annum

Useful resource- TTRA

There is also the need for Legal Consultants and representatives in travel and tourism in just the same way that these are needed in any other industry. This will include consultancy roles as well as legal professions such as lawyers and solicitors.

Requirements- Legal training and qualifications

Salary range- £40,000- £60,000 per annum

Useful resource- The Lawyer

There is also the need to have staff who specialise in policy. Travel and tourism businesses have to abide by policies and laws of the destinations in which they are located as well as the destinations in which they operate (e.g. a hotel business may be based in the UK but have hotels all over Europe).

Requirements- Expert in policy. Degree or above.

Useful resource- The Johnson Group

As I explain in my article about the biggest jobs in travel and tourism in 2022 and beyond , smart tourism is an integral part of our tourism industry and it is set to grow. Smart tourism is when we use technology to enhance productivity and to enhance the tourist experience. If technology is your thing, then this job in travel and tourism is set to boom in the coming years!

Requirements- Skilled in IT and technology, degree

Salary range- £25,000- £45,000 per annum

Useful resource- Tourism Teacher

A Corporate Social Responsibility Officer is responsible for planning and implementing business strategy. This may often has a specific focus on social responsibility- the concept that a business has a responsibility to do good. It could involve putting together and implementing practices such as environmental impact reports, liaising with and working with members of the local community and developing an overall responsible business.

Requirements- Knowledge of CSR, business degree or equivalent

Useful resource- Guardian

We all need to learn! Therefore Teachers and Trainers are some of the most important jobs in travel and tourism! This could include a classroom Teacher or Lecturer who teaches students about sustainable tourism management or somebody who provides practical workplace training, such as a Cabin Crew trainer.

Requirements- Teaching/ training qualification

A Tourism Development Officer if responsible for ensuring that tourism development takes place in an appropriate way. They will review relevant policy and regulation, ensure the correct documentation and procedures are followed and plan for the most appropriate way to develop tourism provision in a given area.

Requirements- Expert knowledge in tourism development, a degree

Useful resource- UNWTO

Jobs in travel and tourism- Back office jobs

Last but not least, we must not forget about the behind-the-scenes jobs in travel and tourism! Here are some of the most common-

Members of the Human Resources team are responsible for the daily administrative and HR duties of an organisation. They assist with recruitment and record maintenance for payroll processing as well as provide clerical support to all employees.

Requirements- Administrative Capabilities

Whilst recruitment may be undertaken by the HR team in smaller organisations, many large travel and tourism organisations will employ staff members to work specifically with recruitment, for example airlines. A Recruitment Manager will oversee all of the recruitment process, contracts and onboarding process for new staff.

Requirements- Managerial experience

Salary range- £35,000- £55,000 per annum

Useful resource- Aero Professional

As I mentioned earlier in this article, marketing is big business in travel and tourism and there are many jobs in this field. Many people will start off as a Marketing Assistant, preparing and managing marketing material and conducting analysis on marketing campaigns, and they will progress on to become a Marketing Manager.

Requirements- Marketing experience/ degree

Salary range- £18,000+ per annum depending on position

There are many administrative jobs in travel and tourism. These have traditionally been office-based jobs, whereby staff will undertake various tasks such as taking notes, recording information, completing spreadsheets etc. However, recent years have seen a number of administrative positions that are undertaken remotely arise, often referred as as a Virtual Assistant.

Requirements- Ability to conduct administrative tasks

Useful resource- Upwork

All business have books that they need to manage and many businesses will hire staff especially to do that. Finance or Account Managers are responsible for monitoring income and expenditure and ensuring that all finances are adequately recorded. They will also undertake/facilitate annual tax returns and any other relevant documentation.

Requirements- Financial knowledge/ qualifications

It is inevitable that travel and tourism businesses will have to create and sign relevant contracts and it some cases it is necessary to employ a Contracts Manager to do this. They are responsible for administering and managing contracts and ensuring that contracts move quickly and smoothly from creation to negotiation to execution.

Requirements- Contracting knowledge

Now that you have seen all of the jobs in travel and tourism that are available to you, it’s time to brush up on your subject knowledge and employability skills! Here are some articles that you may find helpful-

• Where to find a job in travel and tourism
• 10 jobs in travel and tourism that will BOOM in the coming years
• Digital nomad jobs- A complete list
• How to earn £30,000 per month as an influencer

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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WORK WITH US

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Posts within the UN Tourism are filled following a careful competitive selection process that takes into account the candidates’ academic qualifications, international experience and language skills, among others.

Employment Conditions at UN Tourism

Basic facts, living in madrid, employment opportunities.

• Internship Opportunities

Officials on Loan

Junior professional officer (jpo) programme at un tourism, competencies, values, diversity and inclusion.

We endeavor to achieve personal and professional growth for our personnel.

Remuneration : we offer an attractive and competitive remuneration package.

Onboarding : we facilitate your arrival at UN Tourism by offering valuable information on the conditions of service and your arrival at the UN Tourism Secretariat. Newly appointed members of personnel will undergo an induction training to assist them to settle down quickly in the new work environment.

Global health care : we offer a comprehensive medical insurance coverage, covering medical and dental expenditures globally for our staff members and service contract holders.

Holidays : we offer up to 30 days of annual leave per year, giving our personnel the work-life balance that is needed to recharge.

Pension : staff members of the Organization participate in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund while service contract holders are covered by specific provisions for their pension contributions. 

Tax-free salaries in Spain : salaries of staff members are normally exempt from national income taxes in Spain.

• Human Resources Report 2020

UN Tourism is headquarted in one of the major tourism hubs in the world – Madrid, Spain. It is a forward-looking, modern city that embraces innovation and diversity. Moving to a new city, even to a new country, for a new job is exciting but it can also be challenging. As an international organization, UN Tourism is committed to looking after the needs of its personnel, not only in the workplace but also for assisting in the transfer to Madrid. To facilitate their relocation, new personnel will have access to a practical guide which includes basic information about Spain, accommodation, health care, public transportation, social activities, etc.

Interested applicants are requested to follow the specific instructions listed in each vacancy notice or call for expression of interest. 

UN Tourism will only accept applications received through our web-based system. Applications sent by other means (e.g. post, email, etc.) or received after the deadline indicated for each employment opportunities, will not be taken into consideration.

Only candidates short-listed will be contacted . Short-listed candidates may be requested to take a competitive exam and/or competency-based interview as part of the final phase of the selection process.

Please note that receipt of applications will not be acknowledged, and any further correspondence will be initiated by UN Tourism. Roster/open applications are retained by UN Tourism for a maximum period of two years from the date of receipt.

Internship opportunities

Join our team and make a difference.

To be eligible for the UN Tourism Internship Programme, candidates are required to be enrolled in a university programme or have recently completed one. Internship participants do not received a remuneration from UN Tourism but may be eligible for a monthly stipend of EUR 500 to cover transportation expenses. Interns must be in possession of an all-risk insurance, valid for the duration of the internship. When necessary, the Organization may provide visa assistance, however, Interns are responsible for all other aspects related to their stay at the duty station for the duration of their internship. 

Build your skills and get hands-on experience. Impact tourism globally. We welcome diversity.

UN Tourism may at times consider accepting Interns, depending on the student's qualifications and the demands of the work programme of the Organization. As a general rule, roster internship applications are retained by UN Tourism for a maximum period of one year from date of receipt. Candidates wishing to be considered for inclusion in the roster of Interns should complete the application form below. 

UN Tourism will only accept applications received through our web-based system. Applications sent by other means (e.g. post, email, etc.) or received after the deadline indicated for each employment opportunities, will not be taken into consideration. 

Please note that receipt of applications will not be acknowledged, and any further correspondence will be initiated by UN Tourism. 

UN Tourism Member States may send tourism experts and officials through the capacity-building option of the Organization, on a non-reimbursable loan basis, to participate in the activities of the Organization for a set period of time. This arrangement is formally being done through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

The UN Tourism JPO Programme is a donor-funded programme that provides young professionals the opportunity to gain professional experience at UN Tourism. The UN Tourism JPO Programme is administered under an agreement established with UNDP in 2016.

Interested candidates should contact the relevant donors in their respective countries directly. More information about the  UN Tourism JPO programme can be found on the official website .

To find various solutions to tourism issues, we need to ensure diversity and geographical balance so that the best solutions are put forward.

Our core competencies

Commitment to UN Tourism

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Technological Awareness

Client-Orientedness

Planning and Organizing

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Promote Tourism for the Benefit of People and the Planet

Respect for Diversity

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UN Tourism is committed to gender equality and inclusion. Our aim is to create and foster a more diverse, inclusive and gender-balanced workplace.

Conservation Careers

Putting the people into conservation, careers in ecotourism | your conservation adventure awaits.

Do you have an overzealous case of wanderlust AND a burning passion for conservation? Why not fuse them in an ecotourism career that offers the best of both worlds?

“Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel” – The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Ecotourism can give participants the opportunity to see conservation research and projects first hand – such as mist-netting to monitor bird species. Credit: Andy Young / Wildimages.org .

In many ways, careers in ecotourism have it all: the opportunity to make a difference for wildlife, habitats and local communities; the adventure and excitement of travel; meaningful global connections; and perhaps even a chance to explore your entrepreneurial side. 

Careers in ecotourism can also offer more opportunities (and pay) than other highly-competitive Conservation Job Types that rely primarily on donor funding.

We’ve designed this Ultimate Guide like a travel guidebook – to give you a glimpse of some of the exciting adventures in store if you embark on a career in ecotourism.

Feel free to explore everything cover to cover, or travel straight to the section you need.

Table of Contents

Download this ultimate guide to read later!

This is a detailed review of careers in ecotourism, and takes a little time to digest. Download your copy of Careers in Ecotourism  to read and reference anytime!

What is ecotourism? | Conservation through experience

Ecotourism generates benefits for conservation and local communities and involves education and interpretation. Credit: NATUCATE.

A leading definition of ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. That last bit is for both guests and staff.

Another useful way to think about ecotourism is sustainable tourism (which strives for social, cultural, economic and environmental sustainability), which takes place in natural areas and focuses on providing benefits for conservation and local communities.

Ecotourism can be a powerful way to achieve conservation impact by making conservation part of a successful business model. In some parts of the world – like African parks and conservancies, for instance – it’s often the best tool we currently have to protect wildlife and habitats.

While we’re on the topic of definitions, it’s worth mentioning that there are other related types of tourism out there. These include nature- and nature-based tourism, sustainable tourism , responsible travel , conservation tourism , wildlife tourism and protected area tourism, to name a few.

Many volunteer and internship opportunities in conservation also encompass aspects of ecotourism within their programmes.

What types of ecotourism jobs exist?

Experiencing the Serengeti, Tanzania. Credit: Hu Chen on Unsplash.

Before we do a deep dive into the conservation job market, let’s quickly touch on what we define as an ecotourism job. For Conservation Careers, an ecotourism job is any role where your activities aid the conservation or enhancement of wildlife or habitats through ecotourism.

This includes jobs which directly benefit conservation like a Community Liaison Officer who helps local communities engage with and benefit from ecotourism in Africa. It also includes roles which indirectly benefit conservation efforts, such as a Sales Manager, who ensure guests continue to visit to provide reliable alternative livelihood opportunities for local people.

If the role aids conservation efforts through tourism, it’s an ecotourism job.

Ecotourism is a broad theme of work, encompassing most of the 15 key conservation job types . But ecotourism is also uber-diverse, encompassing many areas of focus – such as protected areas, guiding and certification.

If you’re worried about whether your skillset is needed in careers in ecotourism, you can put that fear to rest!

15 Key Conservation Job Types

• Animal Welfare Ecotourism Jobs | Caring for animals . Examples of early career job titles: Veterinarian, Programme Manager – Breeding. Examples of employers: Macaw Recovery Network.
• Communications & Marketing Ecotourism Jobs | Raising the profile of conservation Examples of early career job titles: Communications Officer/Specialist, Marketing Officer, Social Media Assistant, Magazine Editor, TV Assistant, Writer, Wildlife Journalist, Presenter or Blogger. Examples of employers: The world’s your oyster! Almost every organisation needs support with this. Some examples include Audley Travel, African Impact, African Conservation Experience, Ecotourism Australia. Note: Some ecotourism companies hire communications experts to train aspiring students in these skills.
• Community-based Ecotourism Jobs | Helping people to be part of the solution Examples of early career job titles: Community Outreach Officer, Local Empowerment Officer Examples of employers: Blue Ventures, Global Vision International (GVI), Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon, Fauna Forever, MAD Travel. Note: because “ ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel ,” many ecotourism jobs have elements of community-based conservation.

Credit: Aivar Ruukel via Flickr .

Ranger Ecotourism Jobs | Saving key sites for nature Examples of early career job titles: Assistant Ranger, Park Ranger. Examples of employers: Ol Pejeta Conservancy, African Parks.

• Ecotourism Jobs | Helping people experience the natural world Congrats! You’re already here!
• Environmental Economics & Ecosystem Assessment Ecotourism Jobs | Putting a value on nature Examples of early career job titles: Economics Programme Officer, Junior Environmental Economist. Examples of employers: Fauna Forever.
• Environmental Education Ecotourism Jobs | Increasing awareness and support for nature Examples of early career job titles: Environmental Educator, Field Guide, Tour Guide, Naturalist. Examples of employers: NATUCATE, Lindblad Expeditions, Fuze Ecoteer.
• Fundraising & Development Marine Ecotourism Jobs | Raising money to save nature Examples of early career job titles: Fundraising Officer, Development Officer. Examples of employers: Any organisation that needs funding! Note: Many ecotourism ventures combine donations and profits as part of their business model – sometimes within two complementary organisations.
• Marine Ecotourism Jobs | Protecting the blue planet . Examples of early career job titles: Marine Program Officer, Marine Assistant, Assistant Marine Ecologist, Scuba Instructor. Examples of employers: Blue Ventures, Love The Oceans.

Environmental education doesn’t have to start and stop in the field. Photographers can capture images that engage a much wider audience. Credit: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab via Flickr.

Photography and Film-making Ecotourism Jobs | Storytelling for change Examples of early career job titles: Freelance Photographers, Photo-journalists, Film-makers, Editors, Producers, Nature Photography Coordinator. Examples of employers: NATUCATE, GVI, African Conservation Experience, Fauna Forever. Note: Some companies hire photographers and filmmakers to help teach volunteers, interns and tourists.

• Policy & Advocacy Ecotourism Jobs | Saving wildlife through law Examples of early career job titles: Varies (often combined within other roles). Examples of employers: Fauna Forever. Note: Many ecotourism organisations provide data to local governments to help inform decision making. Tip: look for organisations that partner with local agencies.
• Programme & Project Management Ecotourism Jobs | Saving the world one project at a time Examples of early career job titles: Project Officer, Project Assistant, Programme Officer and Programme Assistant, Project Manager, Programme Manager. Examples of employers: GVI, Blue Ventures, African Conservation Experience.
• Science & Research Ecotourism Jobs | Answering the key questions to tackle biodiversity loss Examples of early career job titles: Field Assistant, Research Assistant, Science Officer. Examples of employers: Operation Wallacea, Para La Tierra, British Exploring Society, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.

In practice, it’s very common to find ecotourism jobs that combine several different job types – such as Science & Research, Environmental Education and Community-based Conservation.

Sector-specific ecotourism jobs

Let’s explore some of the sub sectors within ecotourism. We’ve compiled some of the most common – but the possibilities are endless. You might even create your own!

Nature and field guides play an important role in environmental education and interpretation. Credit: Rock Staar on Unsplash.

Guides are responsible for helping tourists and other visitors create the experience of a lifetime. Whether you’re seated at a bird hide, guiding a group through the rainforest at night in search of amphibians, or pointing out wildlife as a diver , you’re an educator, storyteller, organiser and conversationalist all in one. 

Your conservation superpower: Helping people discover or deepen their connection with nature.

Tip: Wildlife may be the star attraction, but guiding usually relies on excellent people skills.

Guiding Ecotourism Jobs | Career Stories & Advice – Search for the latest here .

• Adventurer at heart: exploring the marine world with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic’s Alyssa Adler
• James Lowen | Wildlife Photographer, Author & Travel Guide
• From intern to inspiration story: landing an adventure job in the Peruvian Amazon
• Sail to the Ecotourism Job of Your Dreams
• How to Scuba Dive Into an Epic Ecotourism Job

Consulting / Certification 

Consultants, Certification Coaches and Managers help guide ecotourism destinations and businesses move towards sustainability and more responsible practices. You might even guide a destination or business through the process of becoming certified at global or national standards. This might involve everything from wildlife practices, through to waste management, business plans and benefits for local staff. 

Your conservation superpower: helping destinations or businesses operate in a way that minimises negative impacts and maximises positive benefits for wildlife and habitats.

Tip: There is a growing focus on sustainable destinations and certifications for destinations.

Consulting & Certification Ecotourism Jobs | Career Stories & Advice – Search for the latest here .

• Sustainable tourism ecopreneurs: transforming the way the world travels

Don’t see your ideal job here? Don’t worry! Careers in ecotourism are open to everyone from boat drivers and sustainable agriculture experts to gender specialists and CEOs. Photo by Nareeta Martin on Unsplash.

Lodge / Base Camp / Research Station Manager  

These managers are responsible for managing a lodge, research station or base camp – from guest safety and satisfaction, to sustainable operations, to construction and staffing. Sometimes these posts are offered on a temporary basis for singles or couples. 

Your conservation superpower: being a jack of all trades and a problem solver. On any given day you might need a combination of customer service, carpentry, communications and conservation skills!

Other ecotourism jobs

In practice there are many other ecotourism jobs available, such as:

• Volunteer Coordinator
• Sales Manager
• Destination Manager
• Business Owner

What are the different types of ecotourism employers?

Photo by Chastagner Thierry on Unsplash.

Understanding the main employer types can help you navigate careers in ecotourism. They are:

• Academia – Help create the research base that ecotourism practitioners need to maximise the positive impacts and minimise the negative impacts of tourism. Employers are typically universities and colleges, such as the University of Kent  (UK), the University of Queensland (Australia) and the University of Victoria (Canada).
• Charity – Contribute to not-for-profit and non-governmental conservation activities through ecotourism with the Charity, NGO or ‘Third Sector.’ Examples include WWF, Fauna & Flora International, Blue Ventures and Love The Oceans .
• Business – Work with for-profit private companies or consulting firms that practice or support ecotourism, such as Audley Travel or African Conservation Experience.
• Government – Help set regional, national or international policies, and enforce best practice with the public sector or civil service. Examples of government institutions and agencies include the Department of Tourism (South Africa), the Ministry of Tourism (Canada), Tourism New Zealand and the Guyana Tourism Authority.
• Enterprise – Join the start-up, social enterprise or innovation movement, applying commercial strategies to maximise improvements in environmental and human well-being. Examples include Blue Ventures , GVI and Fuze Ecoteer .

Note: many ecotourism organisations have a business and charity arm – to ensure their conservation work has the resources it needs to run year-round. 

What kind of people suit careers in ecotourism?

Wading through tropical rivers is good fun, but if fieldwork isn’t your thing, there are a wealth of other job types in ecotourism. Credit: KAL VISUALS on Unsplash.

Do you think careers in ecotourism are just for extroverted adventure-lovers? Many field-based guiding and environmental education roles do require an adventurous spirit and excellent people skills.

But this diverse sector has plenty of space for all personality types and working preferences. For example, you might choose a desk-based job focussed storytelling and marketing, or become a veterinarian at a rescue centre who prefers spending most of their time with animals, rather than people. 

Ecotourism can employ people with a diversity of skills, from front line people skills, to business acumen, to planning, communications and marketing. Ecological expertise is not necessarily a prerequisite and switching careers into ecotourism is a great option!

If you research the ecotourism sector and know your niche , chances are you can find the right fit for you!

What top skills, education and experience are in demand in ecotourism?

You might be surprised to discover that the most in-demand skills in ecotourism are easily transferable from other sectors. Credit: NATUCATE.

To give you a snapshot of the education, experience and skills needed to work in the ecotourism sector, we analysed a sample of 30 ecotourism jobs posted on Conservation Careers in the past 3 years.

Alyssa Adler used her dive experience to work for Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic as an Undersea Specialist .

These jobs came from 28 different employers from around the globe. Among them were African Wildlife Foundation , Audubon, BirdLife South Africa , Department of Conservation, Lindblad Expeditions, Love The Oceans , Macaw Recovery Network, Project Biodiversity , RSPB , The Wildlife Trusts and WWF.

Would you like to discover more ecotourism organisations in your region of interest?

As a Conservation Careers Academy member you can access every job ever posted on Conservation Careers on our Expired Conservation Jobs Board . It’s the perfect place to find organisations that match your interests and explore the types of opportunities available!

Here’s a quick overview of the types of education, experience and skills required for ecotourism jobs (and their frequency). Keep in mind that this is just a tiny sample of the thousands of ecotourism jobs available worldwide every year!

Over half of all roles required a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (or an equivalent combination of work and education). None of the jobs specifically required a master’s degree.

Industry experience (very frequent)

• Interest in, passion for or commitment to conservation (very frequent)
• Experience in the tourism or travel industry, or a specific sector such as nature-based tourism, sustainable tourism (frequent)

Some field stations are so remote, it can take 2 to 4 days just to get to work!

Experience in a relevant environment (very frequent)

• Experience living or working in a relevant setting, such as the developing world, a multicultural or cross-cultural setting, the tropics, Africa, an NGO or a specific country (frequent)
• Physical capability to work outdoors and walk long distances, sometimes in challenging conditions, such as heat and humidity (frequent)
• Ability to work in remote / isolated areas, often with limited support and/or logistical challenges (occasional)
• Ability to work flexible / irregular hours and/or travel for work (frequent)

Career switcher and career-starter alert: you’ll notice that the top skills in demand for ecotourism careers can come from any sector, not necessarily conservation!

They include the 15 Key Conservation Job types , as well as more general (but very important!) competencies such as leadership and communication skills.

Interpersonal skills are likely to make you a stronger candidate for a career in ecotourism. Credit: Wade Lambert on Unsplash.

Interpersonal skills (very frequent)

• Leadership and/or people management, such as leading groups, developing a team or managing volunteers (very frequent)
• Teamwork (frequent)
• Customer service (occasional)
• Building and maintaining relationships (occasional)
• Experience working with groups (occasional)
• Being friendly / approachable (occasional)
• Experience working with youth (occasional)
• Facilitation (occasional)
• Other skills: collaboration, influencing people, working with the public (occasional)

IT skills (very frequent)

• MS Office (very frequent)
• Other software / applications – e.g. Microsoft Teams, Google online suite (occasional)

Are you comfortable working independently? This ability could be an asset in an ecotourism career. Credit: Ulrike Langner on Unsplash.

Communication skills (very frequent)

• Oral communication (very frequent)
• Written communication (very frequent)
• Presenting to groups (occasional)

Working independently (frequent)

• (Self) motivation (frequent)
• Time management (frequent)
• Organisation (frequent)
• Problem solving (occasional)
• Resourcefulness (occasional)
• Responsibility, dependability (occasional)

Organisational management (frequent)

• Accounting and finance
• Business development (e.g. owning or running a company, developing business plans, generating income)
• Administrative experience

Local communities are a core component of true ecotourism. Credit: Julia Rubinic on Flickr .

Community conservation (occasional)

• Specific skills and experience varied by role but included things such as: community organising, facilitation, empowerment, knowledge transfer, safeguarding and social policies (e.g. gender, human rights), community development and alternative livelihoods.

Communications & Marketing (occasional)

• Social media
• Campaigning
• Other: press, branding, graphic design 

Project and Programme management (occasional)

Environmental Education (occasional)

Science & Research (occasional)

Sector-specific and other skills (occasional)

• Guiding experience 
• Logistics 

Personal attributes

• Flexibility / adaptability (frequent)
• Positive attitude and/or sense of humour (occasional) 
• Patience (occasional)
• Open-mindedness and/or cultural sensitivity (occasional)
• Maturity (occasional)

Qualifications

• Driver’s licence (frequent)
• Second language (frequent)
• First Aid (occasional)
• CPR (occasional)
• PADI certification (occasional)

How do I know if ecotourism is doing good?

Did this jeep drive too close to a herd of elephants, or was it parked at a safe distance while the elephants approached? Credit: redcharlie on Unsplash.

Ecotourism has enormous potential to conserve some of the world’s most biodiverse places – and there are many success stories of ecotourism benefiting conservation and local communities around the world

But like any sector, a few bad apples can spoil the bunch. It is an unfortunate reality that some companies mislabel themselves as ecotourism, making people wary of all companies.

If words like ‘eco’ and ‘green’ send your ethical radar flashing, the good news is that some quick research will usually confirm if a company is ethical. Here are a few great suggestions and questions:

• Research their reputation. What does online research say about the organisation? Check out their website and social media platforms; look for project updates, results and outcomes; and read reviews. What do past participants have to say?
• Check for partners. Good organisations rarely work in isolation. A good ecotourism operator will usually collaborate with others, such as local community organisations, government agencies, conservation organisations, etc. Many share data and results with in-country NGOs as a minimum. If the organisation is stand alone, you may want to question why.
• Look for true sustainability. Look for evidence that the company is actively working to minimise negative impacts and maximise positive impacts (rather than just highlighting a few green initiatives for marketing purposes). These can include environmental, social, economic and cultural impacts.
• Consider conservation impact. A good ecotourism company will know what problems it’s working to solve. A great question to ask is if the conservation is there purely for the tourists, or if the tourists are contributing to conservation?
• Ask questions. Want to know what percentage of tourist dollars go to conservation? Ask. Want to know what the organisation accomplished for conservation in the past year? Ask. Most organisations will be more than happy to answer. Check out this Ethical Ecotourism Code of Conduct by Terra Incognita for key principles that should be part of ethical ecotourism.

Take home messages for careers in ecotourism

Careers in ecotourism are diverse, accessible to conservationists and career switchers alike, and can create positive impact for wildlife, people and the landscapes they share. Credit: Greg Girard/CIFOR via Flickr .

If you enjoy skimming to the bottom of posts, or sharing what you’ve learnt with your friends and family, here’s a summary in seven bullet points:

• Ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” – The International Ecotourism Society .
• Ecotourism can be a powerful tool for achieving conservation impact by making conservation part of a successful business model that benefits local people.
• Ecotourism is a broad theme of work, encompassing most of the 15 key conservation job types , plus specific areas of focus – such as protected areas, guiding and certification.
• Ecotourism employers span the Academic, Business, Charity, Government and Enterprise sectors.
• There are careers in ecotourism to suit people from all backgrounds, including people switching careers into conservation . 
• Many of the skills and experience in demand for careers ecotourism can be easily transferred from other sectors.
• Ecotourism has enormous potential to conserve some of the world’s most biodiverse places, and there are many success stories from ethical organisations. Asking a few key questions can help ensure you’re supporting one of the good guys.

Need some help finding an ecotourism job?

Not sure which direction to head in next? Credit: Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash.

Phew! That was a lot of information and well done if you made it this far. And hello those who skim to the bottom of blog posts.

Understanding the job market is so important in your quest to find an ecotourism job . Unless you fully understand all your options, you won’t be able to find your niche, and without that you’re far less likely to be happy, impactful and competitive.

A big part of this also is to understand yourself. What do you love doing? What are you great at? What are your biggest needs right now?

At Conservation Careers we’ve helped hundreds of people just like you to get clarity on your career options, form a plan of action, and secure your dream job.

The ecotourism sector is ready to be explored! If you need our help, we’re here for you.

Useful links and free stuff

Bottoms up! It’s time to take the plunge into your dream career! Credit: Krabiman via Flickr .

To help you navigate your options, please select which best describes you:

• You want to work in conservation but you’re feeling lost, disillusioned or confused?!? Check out our Kick-Starter training designed to help you understand the job market, to navigate your career options, and to get hired more quickly. It’s designed for students, graduates, job-seekers and career-switchers. We’re proud to say it also has 100% satisfaction and recommendation ratings. We know you’ll love it. Find out more about our Kick-Starter – Online Course and Kick-Starter – UK Workshop .
• You need answers to top questions about working in conservation? Check out our free Ultimate Guides covering topics like the 15 Key Conservation Job Types , Top Conservation Internships | Paid or Free and  Marine Conservation Jobs , and answering questions like How to Switch Careers into Conservation , Do I need a Master’s Degree?  and much more!
• You feel ready to be applying for jobs in conservation? Check out our membership packages for job seekers which provide access to the world’s biggest conservation job board – with over 8,000 conservation jobs shared each year – plus a range of other benefits. Check out our monthly memberships here .

• You’ve got an interview (well done!) and would like our help to prepare for it? We know what employers want, and have helped many people prepare for and deliver successful interviews. Check out our practice interviews here .

JOIN THE CONSERVATION CAREERS ACADEMY!

Supercharge your career with support, jobs, community and resources from the leading experts in the wildlife conservation sector..

START YOUR FREE TRIAL

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

Travel, tourism sector expected to add 5.82 cr jobs in india by 2033: nlb services.

The travel and tourism sector is poised for significant growth, expected to create 5.82 crore jobs in India by 2033. Despite challenges, the sector saw a quick recovery post-pandemic. In 2020, it accounted for 39 million jobs, constituting 8% of the nation's workforce. Talent demand in tourism surged by 44% in August 2023, with 1.6 million additional jobs expected in 2023. This growth trend is projected to continue, with the sector set to add 58.2 million jobs by 2033.

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Singapore’s Hospitality & Tourism Sector: In-Demand Skills to Gun for a Successful Mid-Career Switch

Want to make a mid-career switch to the hospitality and tourism sector uncover the in-demand skills that will give you the edge to seize job opportunities..

Are you considering a mid-career switch into the vibrant hospitality and tourism sector? Good news: The sector is currently on the rise, and there are plenty of job opportunities for you to explore. However, job abundance doesn’t necessarily mean landing a job in the sector is a sure thing. 

As the saying goes, failure to plan is planning to fail. The hospitality and tourism sector is transforming and is influenced by digitalisation and emerging trends. So, if you’re keen to up your chances of snagging a role and have a flourishing career in this rising sector, it’s essential to equip yourself with the right skills. 

What are the in-demand skills for the hospitality and industry sector now?

The hospitality and tourism sector is a huge sector, and it can be challenging to identify the specific skills to upskill for. The NTUC LearningHub’s Industry Insights Report 2024 provides a comprehensive analysis of hiring trends, training preferences, and in-demand skills based on a survey of 167 business leaders in the tourism sector. 

Looking for a new role? Explore over 100,000 jobs available on MyCareersFuture now!

Key challenges faced by the sector

Before delving into the sought-after skills of the sector, it’s imperative to grasp its challenges. While Singapore’s tourism sector holds promise for growth, it also encounters significant hurdles. 

Familiarising yourself with these challenges provides insight into how you can strategically position yourself to meet the sector’s talent requirements and advance your career effectively. Here are the top three challenges identified by the business leaders surveyed in the sector:

Top emerging trends of the hospitality and tourism sector

The report also explores the sentiments towards emerging trends within the tourism sector. These trends shape the kind of talent that companies in the sector are hiring for. Here are the top four emerging trends identified by the business leaders surveyed in the sector:

In-demand job roles in the hospitality and tourism sector

While the challenges and emerging trends may seem discouraging at a glance, the majority of tourism leaders (94%) believe these trends will generate more job opportunities in the industry . Consequently, 77% are eager to hire new talent to address these emerging needs. The most sought-after positions include:

What are the key skills employers in the tourism sector are looking for?

A notable 79% of leaders express interest in training their employees in digital and technological skills , considering the widespread adoption of technologies in business operations. Below are the key areas of upskilling that they are keen to send their employees for:

Subsequent training areas encompass:

• Service engagement (77%)
• Sustainability (41%)
• Holistic wellness travel and regenerative tourism (26%)

Regarding service excellence, 70% of leaders strongly advocate for upskilling to enhance the service experience among tourism professionals. Surprisingly, only 3% of leaders perceive the quality of service in Singapore’s tourism sector as excellent. Conversely, over half of tourism leaders (52%) rate it as average or below.

Lastly, 75% of tourism leaders are committed to integrating sustainability into their business offerings and operations . This commitment underscores a growing awareness and acknowledgement within the industry of the importance of adopting environmentally responsible practices and meeting the expectations of environmentally conscious consumers.

Ready to take charge of your career? Polaris is tailored exclusively for you and designed to match your unique aspirations and ambitions. Sign up today!

If you’re keen to work in a role that specialises in sustainability, below are the measures of focus for companies in the sector: 

Need support in making a mid-career switch?

If you’re thinking of upskilling yourself to enhance your career or, make a mid-career switch but unsure of where to start, fret not. 

For mid-career individuals who desire to undergo skills conversion and move into new occupations or sectors that have good prospects and opportunities for progression. WSG offers Career Conversion Programmes to support mid-career individuals in career conversion. 

Jobseekers or mid-career switchers who are keen on joining the hospitality and tourism sector can get support and On-the-Job Training by signing up for the following Career Conversion Programme for Tourism Professionals by Workforce Singapore:

• CCP for Tourism Professionals (New Hires RnF)
• CCP for Tourism Professionals (New Hires PMET)

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Advancing social justice, promoting decent work ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations

Helping communities with high tourism potential to benefit from green tourism through “green jobs” is a new initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, supported by the UN Indonesia’s Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE).

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - Last week, over 30 government officials, university lecturers and community representatives from across Indonesia’s super priority tourism destinations participated in a training of trainers event organized by the Ministry and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to learn about how to better prepare communities and tourism graduates for green economy opportunities.

“Green jobs are good for people, good for the environment and good for the economy – but it requires a mindset change: moving from consumption to conservation of resources,” said Martini M. Paham, Deputy Minister for Human Resources and Institutions at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Participants said that they will incorporate what they have learned into their work.

“The participatory approach combined with the principles of green and blue economy can inject sustainability principles into training more effectively,” said Endang Komesty Sinaga, a lecturer from the Bandung Tourism Polytechnic, who also supports dedicated tourism villages in West Java. 

Running green meetings is good for the environment and also for business, since many companies are looking to organize more environmentally friendly corporate events, said Muhammad Arfin from the Makassar Tourism Polytechnic. “By transmitting this understanding and the related know how to those working in tourism as well as to students studying tourism will create real opportunities for them to meet demand for green corporate tourism,” he explained.

Ana Tri Astuti from Kabondalem Kidul tourism village near Yogyakarta said that her community tourism project, focused on providing traditional food catering, has benefitted from green tourism already. “Customers in the high-end market segment appreciate and are willing to pay extra for the use of traditional packaging materials rather than plastic,” she said. “Being able to offer it has helped our competitiveness.”

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy expects that this collaboration initiative can be continued to support the development of sustainable and inclusive tourism in Indonesia, Deputy Minister Martini explained. 

The initiative scales up a previous ILO pilot project, which ended in 2023, and which capacitated tourism lecturers at higher education institutions in North Sulawesi to work with coastal communities and prepare them to become green and blue tourism entrepreneurs. Read more about the impact of that project on the livelihoods of the communities here .  It also builds on a regional meeting that took place late last year “ Transitioning to a Green and Blue Economy. Learning from the lessons of North Sulawesi .”

“The ILO, alongside others in the UN family, remains committed to supporting the Government of Indonesia as it works to expand green tourism through innovation and partnerships,” said Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste. “We are very pleased to see the commitment of the Ministry to scale up our earlier pilot initiatives. These will lead to decent job creation throughout the ecosystem of this vital sector, having a positive spill over impact for the people of Indonesia as well as for our fragile planet”.

UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, UNITAR

Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in Asia

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Here are six things proposed Brightline train station could bring to Cocoa, Brevard County

Cocoa officials say having a Brightline train stop in Cocoa will bring major benefits to the city and Brevard County.

Brightline operates 32 trains a day — 16 in each direction — from early morning to late evening on the roughly 3½-hour route between Orlando International Airport and Miami. But it has no stop in Brevard.

The proposed Cocoa station would be built on a part of a 90-acre-plus site near Clearlake Road/U.S. 1 and State Road 528. Some of that land is owned by Brightline and some is owned by Cocoa.

"I'm thrilled that this station is potentially coming," Brevard Zoo CEO Keith Winston, a member of the Brevard County Tourist Development Council, said during a TDC discussion last week of the station and a proposed county grant for the project.

Another TDC member, Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina, in supporting the proposed grant, said: "This is the right thing to do and the right time for this community."

County grant clears hurdle: Tourism board recommends $5 million Brevard grant to help fund Brightline station in Cocoa

Here are six things that the station could bring to Cocoa and the rest of Brevard County:

Boosting residential, commercial development

Samantha Senger, Cocoa's director of communication and economic development, said she expects a surge in both residential and commercial development near the station, including new restaurants and hotels, creating new jobs in the area, in what will become "an urban, mixed-use destination."

Adding more tourism revenue to Space Coast

Senger said the station could generate anywhere from 78,055 to 160,961 nights a year of room rentals at hotels and vacation-rental properties. She said Brightline passengers generally are relatively high-earners, and are more inclined to spend money at more expensive hotels and restaurants.

Bringing more jobs to Cocoa

All this development could increase job opportunities in the area at hotels, restaurants and retail shops, as well as in construction jobs for these new developments. The station itself is expected to have at least 20 full-time employees.

Additional tax revenue for Cocoa, Brevard

Senger said having the station would create "a prime opportunity for development and growth surrounding the station, including the increase in tax base, not only for the city of Cocoa, but for the county, through property taxes and tourism taxes."

Creating transportation hub

The station will become a "multimodal transportation hub" for tourists that also will include buses to Port Canaveral, to hotels and to attractions; ride-hailing services; and bike-sharing.

Developing 500-space parking lot

Cocoa City Manager Stockton Whitten said initial plans call for about 5.3 acres of the site to be transferred from Brightline to the city of Cocoa for use as a 500-space parking lot. He said details on operations of the parking facility ― including how the parking revenue would be distributed — still are being worked out.

Brightline now has stops at Orlando International Airport, and in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami. Brightline carried 1.62 million passengers in 2023, and its goal is to have 4 million passengers in 2024.

The rail company announced in March that it also will have a stop in downtown Stuart, after selecting a proposal for a $60 million rail station project there. The station could open as soon as late-2026.

Brightline has plans to extend its route west from Orlando to Tampa in the future, and also could extend service north from Cocoa to Jacksonville.

Dave Berman is business editor at  FLORIDA TODAY.  Contact Berman at  [email protected] , on X at  @bydaveberman  and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54