6. The tourist industry

Tourism has been one of the fastest growing industries in recent years. Tourism necessarily involves travel; a tourist is usually defined as a person who is visiting some place other than residence for more than 24 hours. A tourist is distinguished by the length of his trip from an excursionist, who is away from his usual residence for less than 24 hours, or weekend. Many people travel entirely for recreational purposes or pleasure; they are people on holiday. Other people travel for reasons of health. Other people travel to visit friends or relatives, a reason that has become more important because of increased mobility throughout the world. Still others travel in order to educate themselves because travel is broadening. All of these people are generally considered tourists since the primary reason for their trips is recreation. Most tourist statistics also include people who traveling for business. Among them are businessmen and government officials on specific missions, as well as people attending meetings or conventions. Many people among those traveling on business often combine pleasure with their work. They also use the same transportation, accommodations, and catering facilities as the holiday tourists.

7. Working in tourism

From the locals’ point of view in the tourist destination, foreign tour operators employ foreign staff to look after foreign holidaymakers who pay for most of their holiday in foreign currency. There is some trickle down to the local community but not nearly as much as there would be if it provided the services to travelers and tourists. On the other hand, packaged tourists can be better controlled, and if the company looking after them is sensitive to local concerns, this can be more beneficial than a mass invasion of independent travelers. Anyone who enjoys looking after people, has stamina and the will to work hard even under pressure has a good chance of finding work in tourism. There are jobs in tourism for young and old, male and female, school leavers and university graduates, people of all nationalities. And ability to crack jokes and solve practical problems knows no limits of age, nationality, sex or background. It is one of the few industries where sex discrimination is minimal. Many heads of companies are women particularly in conference organizing.

Different kinds of jobs in tourism

The term guide is used for one m charge of local sightseeing and “conductor” is the one accompanying a group throughout its travel and making all the arrangements for the group. The sightseeing guide must be familiar with the points of interest that he showing to the visitors. He usually gives a prepared talk that describes the points of interest, but he must also be prepared to answer a lot of questions. And he has to deal with any problems that occur during the tour or excursion, such as bad weather, sudden illness, an accident. A sightseeing guide needs two qualities above all- an outgoing personality and language skill. The conductor or the guide who stays with a group throughout its trip needs the same two qualities. He also needs to have a thorough knowledge of all regulations and red tape that tourists will meet when going from one country to another. These are the aspects of travel that are likely to cause the most problems and create the most irritation when they go wrong: handling the luggage of the group, easing them through government formalities, making sure they get the kind of accommodations, food and entertainment they have paid.