15 Reasons to Explore and Start a Career in Tourism or Hospitality
DID YOU KNOW…
that in tourism and hospitality, these professions also exist?
Barista · Cocktail Master · Wine Sommelier · Beer Sommelier · Cheese Sommelier · Event Manager · Catering Manager · Animator · Pastry Chef · Creator of Tourist Products · Expert in Marketing of Tourist Products or Destinations · Expert in Digital Marketing · Wellness Therapist · Travel Organizer · Guide
1. Discovering New Cultures and Places
Travel is one of the greatest benefits of working in tourism, and employees in the tourism sector travel on average about 30% more compared to workers in other sectors. Data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that during 2019, tourism workers traveled on average 12 times a year, which is more compared to workers in other industries.
2.Tourism is an Industry with a Large Number of Different Market Segments
Tourist spending can stimulate the growth of numerous other branches of the economy, such as hospitality, trade, transportation, and entertainment, which means that tourism has countless opportunities to develop its segments according to the needs of different target groups. This allows for diverse career development and advancement opportunities in various segments of this industry.
3. You Can Turn a Hobby into a Job
Working in tourism can be fun and dynamic, with many opportunities to meet new people and discover new tourist experiences. The entertainment sector in tourism can include various activities. The goal is to turn what you love to do into a tourist experience. According to 2019 data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the entertainment sector in tourism accounted for about 10% of the total tourism sector.
4. Diversity of Jobs and Flexible Working Hours
Tourism and hospitality is an industry that operates all day, which can provide flexibility in working hours and schedules. In addition, this industry offers a diverse range of jobs, from administrative jobs, cooking jobs, receptionists, tourist guides, travel agents, to jobs in the entertainment and culture sectors. This means that you have many opportunities to choose a job that best suits you and in which you can advance.
5. Potential for Good Income
Tourism is globally one of the fastest-growing industries and can provide good earnings. According to UNWTO forecasts, tourism will continue to grow faster than the global economy as a whole and will represent about 11% of global GDP by 2028, playing an important role in creating new jobs. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, work in tourism is beginning to be valued both financially and reputationally. Advancement, earnings, and benefits in this industry depend solely on personal motivation and willingness to learn.
6. Being the Best or Among the Best
If you decide to seriously engage in one of the segments of tourism – becoming the first or being among the first in Bosnia and Herzegovina is quickly achievable. There is a wide range of self-employment opportunities, and specialization in a particular field is possible in a very short time. Successful tourism workers claim that being the best in Bosnia and Herzegovina in one of the segments is not difficult. Developing tourism segments or niches in tourism almost has no limits, and considering that it is a relatively unexplored area in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a little effort you can be among the best.
7. A Good Choice for Long-Term Career Development
Tourism is an industry with the greatest and fastest vertical and horizontal mobility. Opportunities for advancement are large and frequent. The quality and ability of workers are valued and new opportunities open up; from waiter to head of the room or shift or even a food and beverage manager, the key factor is personal effort and commitment, especially at this moment when the industry is struggling globally with a shortage of labor.
8. Tourism Offers Excellent Seasonal/Student/Part-Time Jobs that Contribute to Developing Transferable Skills
The high demand for labor in the tourism industry makes it relatively easy and quick to find engagements aligned with your personal preferences. This is an opportunity for excellent earnings during studies or during holidays, and it allows you to gain transferable skills. If you are interested in profiling and perfecting knowledge of a foreign language, communication and social skills, sales and organizational skills, or problem-solving skills, tourism is the right place for you.
9. The Opportunity to Work with Different People
Tourism is an industry that attracts people from different countries and cultures, which can be an extremely interesting and enriching experience. Communicating with different people can also help in developing empathy and understanding different perspectives, managing cultural differences, multilingual communication, and adapting to different business cultures.
10. Contributing to Guest Satisfaction and Sustainable Development of Tourism
Having the opportunity to be part of something that contributes to improving the well-being of others through excellent service, delicious food, and beautifully decorated interiors is a multi-enriching experience. By engaging in tourism, you can have the opportunity to encourage and influence sustainable tourism or work on the development of tourism products based on environmental principles.
11. Developing Creativity
Tourism is an industry based on creating experiences for travelers and guests. This requires creativity and innovation in devising new ways to provide travelers with unforgettable experiences. As creativity has no limits, so are the possibilities of preparing creative dishes, drinks, and developing marketing strategies, experiences, offers, and tourist destinations.
12. High Demand for Labor
Research conducted by the USAID Turizam project shows that by 2027, the tourism sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina will lack 8,100 workers. Also, according to a report by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) published in October 2021, the annual growth rate of demand for tourism services is expected to be 3.3% until 2030. This could lead to the creation of an additional 5-7 million new jobs in tourism each year on a global level.
13. Relatively Quick Entry into the World of Work
Entering tourism and jobs that offer income is relatively quick. With short training and certification or with relatively short formal education of 3 to 4 years, you already have a paid position in the tourism sector, and with the help of learning through work, you progress further – horizontally or vertically.
14. Incentive for Skill Development
Tourism and hospitality offer an excellent space for first work experience. Some jobs in tourism do not require previous work experience, but rather good will, a desire to work, and readiness to learn. In some segments, formal education is not required, and you acquire transferable skills, including time management, communication, presentation skills, and teamwork. In the future, this experience will make it easier for you to apply for positions that require previous work experience.
15. Longevity
Tourism and hospitality have a long-term future, and people are at the center of that future. The work environment is conditioned by the extremely rapid development of the digital world, which threatens the extinction of many occupations. However, jobs in tourism and hospitality have long-term stability. In a world conditioned by rapid technological development, tourists are increasingly seeking unique experiences where people are at the center.
