World of Opportunity

Careers guide

World of Opportunity

Working in the travel industry opens up a host of new job prospects both at home and abroad
Triff/Shutterstock

The travel industry is booming, with a projected global value of over $18 trillion by 2032 – so there are plenty of ways to kick-start a career in this exciting sector.

Ask anyone who works in the travel industry if they’ll ever leave, and the answer is probably ‘no’. There are few industries in the world that offer quite the same opportunities as this vibrant, fun-loving sector – and whether you’re jetting off as cabin crew, travelling overseas to craft cruise itineraries or making dreams happen from behind the scenes, this diverse, dynamic industry offers amazing opportunities.

Last year, the global tourism industry created 27 million new jobs, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, contributing 9.1% – more than $9.9 trillion – to the global economy. And roles stretch well beyond the ones that are immediately obvious to anyone who’s ever gone on holiday.

While you could be a pilot taking to the skies or a tour leader guiding groups across the world, you could also be harnessing the power of AI, arranging industry events or helping travel companies work towards their sustainability goals.

You could be booking clients on holidays of a lifetime as a travel agent or moving countries as a resort manager for an international hotel brand; but you could also find your passion in smashing sales targets for a tour operator or developing creative social media campaigns for a tourist board.

Diverse roles

There are chances to work behind-the-scenes in everything from HR to data analysis, law to finance, purchasing to insurance and plenty of professional roles beyond; check out our A-Z guide for more inspiration.

While working in travel definitely doesn’t mean getting paid to go on holiday, many roles open up opportunities to travel or even live abroad. And in the UK, it’s a sociable industry that relies on people skills as much as a passion for travel – so you might find yourself networking at black-tie balls or catching up with old colleagues at a training event.

Business travel

Cruise, aviation and technology are just some of the major fields to consider, and it’s not just about travelling for holidays – the business travel market opens up a whole raft of other opportunities too, from planning conferences and corporate getaways to booking trips for business clients.

What unites everyone in the industry is a passion for what they do, and a desire to help bring the world within reach for those who love to explore. And whether you’re an avid explorer or just intrigued by this ever-evolving industry, this guide is designed to show you the many opportunities out there, and to provide advice, insight and inspiration from those who’ve forged careers in this sector.