Work in the travel and tourism industry is essentially concerned with providing services for people who are away from home, on business or holiday.

Nature Of Work

Work at every functional level in the industry involves dealing directly with people, whether with clients, on a one-to-one basis over the counter while helping them plan their itinerary or providing ticketing services to company executives, while trying to procure business; or with airline, railway, road, shipping and transport company staff; passport and visa officials; suppliers; hotel personnel and various other agents. 

A great deal of mobility is also required in certain jobs where contact must be maintained with representatives of the myriad services provided to clients or individuals or groups that are to be accompanied to and around their destinations. 

In areas like cargo, ticketing and passports, visas, etc., travel company personnel must be up-to-date on current rules and regulations and documentation required so as to correctly advise their clients, and to take care of the paperwork when necessary. 

Besides this, it is vital that all tourism staff in marketing, counter sales, or guide services, be knowledgeable about the places their clients visit, in terms of general background; air, road and rail connections and facilities available.

Major Tasks Performed

TRAVEL AGENTS

Main tasks in a travel agency include:

Counter Work 

Involving helping clients plan itineraries; working out travel routes; providing information on destinations; selling tickets for air, rail and coach trips; arranging passports and visas; making hotel reservations; car and coach hire; and organizing cargo transport. 

In larger agencies, these duties may be separated into specific departments, with personnel specializing in one area of work only. In smaller concerns, tasks overlap, with one or two people taking care of all clients needs. 

Counter clerks must be able to quickly access information regarding timetables, routes, reservation positions and costs-and need to be extremely accurate in their work, as minor errors can lead to disastrous consequences for clients.

Management

Is concerned mainly with administration of the agency. Manager's co-ordinate the work of clerks, and select brochures on packages or places that they think their clients would be interested in.

Marketing

Includes advertising and promoting agency services to existing and potential clients to procure business for the company.

TOUR OPERATORS

Functions of tour operator's cover:

Planning

Usually done by tour directors and experienced counter clerks. It involves checking out local accommodation and other facilities including food and entertainment; consulting with tourist officials; checking timetables and maps; conferring with transport service suppliers; and working out costings for the tour, well in advance of its schedule.

Sales

Involves visiting travel agencies to ensure that brochures are on display; or meeting with representatives of schools, colleges, clubs or other professional clients to promote the company's tours. 

Reservations

Staff in this department takes bookings from individuals or travel agents. 

Representatives / Couriers

Often work freelance for companies. Their job involves accompanying tourists to their destinations, taking care of their needs while traveling and organizing and participating in activities on location. Knowledge of different languages is useful for this work, as is a general awareness of the places being visited. This is not a career as such, and can be done by students, office workers or others with an interest in travel and people, who are good organizers. 

Guides

Usually work at the site or destination, and must know everything about the history and culture of the place they are showing to the visitor. Professional guides are often employed by tour operators or local tourism departments though it is also a source of part-time work, particularly for students of history and related disciplines.

Specialist Areas

The specialist areas in this field have not been well defined as yet in India. However, those who wish to may specialize in areas such as adventure tourism, beach tourism, mountain holidays etc.