Job Hunting as a Tourism Graduate - My LSBU

FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Job Hunting as a
Tourism Graduate
1. Who employs graduates in tourism?
Graduates are employed throughout the tourism
industry, which is very fragmented. Tourist
boards and strategic authorities provide an
important focal point for marketing the thousands
of small enterprises offering travel services to
tourists. Large commercial companies such
as Thomson and Thomas Cook continue to
dominate the outbound travel market, although
small specialist operators may also fl ourish,
especially with the current demand for bespoke
travel options.
VisitBritain www.visitbritain.co.uk is the
national tourism agency, with links to tourist
agencies and attractions throughout the UK.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
www.abta.com provides details of local
accredited travel companies.
Tourism is a fast-growing industry, but with the
credit crunch in 2008, fi gures have dropped
as people have less money to spend and
companies are unable to expand as rapidly.
There are a number of issues that tourism
businesses need to overcome such as
increased air ticket prices due to fl uctuating
oil prices and people reducing their travel by
air due to concerns over their carbon footprint
and terrorism.
Despite this, the industry is still producing good
fi gures. A report commissioned by VisitBritain
and Tourism Alliance, states that the UK tourism
industry is worth just over £110 billion and
employs more than 1.3 million people. Many
organisations have graduate training schemes,
which can be competitive and so it is an area
where having experience can be very benefi cial.
With the London Olympics in 2012, there is
expected to be an increase in the number of
tourism-related jobs available.
The majority of roles within the tourism sector
are non-graduate. Graduate schemes are not
common, though some do exist within the larger,
multinational companies. For example, most of
the major hotel groups offer graduate schemes.
Thomas Cook offers a graduate training scheme
and TUI will re-launch its scheme in 2011.
These schemes are open to all graduates and
competition is very strong. AA Appointments
operate a graduate recruitment scheme in
conjunction with The Institute of Travel and
Tourism. Further details can be found on their
respective websites.
2. What are employers looking for?
Application forms, CVs and covering letters
need to refl ect the mix of subject specifi c and
technical skills that you have developed during
your degree. They should demonstrate an
understanding of products within the tourism
industry and its structure the role of tourism in
the communities and environments it affects
and the nature and characteristics of tourists.
Employability & Careers
Department of Student Services

Tourism
Other skills and aptitudes
In addition, employers look for evidence of IT,
analytical and problem solving skills, as well
as team work and leadership skills, perhaps
developed through group work on your course.
You will also need to give evidence of your
communication skills, demonstrated through
report writing and presentations, or customer
service roles.
However, you need to be aware that in today's
competitive world you need much more than
just qualifi cations. Employers are increasingly
asking for graduates who have relevant work
experience. It will help to have experience of
other countries and time spent travelling can
be an investment. Language skills can also
increase your employment opportunities in
the tourism industry.
3. What kind of work can I do?
You can choose between a wide variety of jobs
that are degree-related or those that appeal
because they use other interests or elements
of your degree. Large tour operators employ
graduates in a range of functions, including
marketing, operations, sales, administration,
IT, contracts, and product development.
In 2008, six months after graduation, 66% of
graduates with travel and tourism degrees
had entered full-time paid work, with a further
8% working part time and an additional 4%
combining work and study. Of those who had
found employment, 19% were in commercial,
industrial and public sector management, which
includes careers in hotel, travel and tourism
management, 14% had started as business
and fi nance professionals, and almost 9% had
entered marketing, sales and advertising, which
possibly includes signifi cant numbers working
with travel agencies.
Just under 30% had taken clerical or secretarial
jobs or were working in retail, catering, waiting
and bar work, showing a continuing trend
for graduates needing to gain experience to
combine with their qualifi cations.
Tourism often provides opportunities to travel
and it is possible to have an international career
with major leisure travel groups. Some offer
training on the job and most expect you to start
at the bottom and work your way up.
Travel Agency Manager – usually works from
a retail outlet offering travel products and may
be involved in sales development and
operational management. For more detailed
information read the occupational profi le at
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/travelagencyman.
Tour Manager/Holiday Representative –
organises and accompanies groups of holiday
makers on package tours in the UK and abroad.
Resort representatives often spend the summer
season in one country and winter in another.
For more detailed information read the
occupational profi le at
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/tourmanager.
Tourist Information Centre Manager –
manages all aspects of the tourist information
centre, or visitor centre, providing information
to the public about local attractions, events,
and facilities in the region. For more detailed
information read the occupational profi le at
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/tourinfocen.
Tourism Offi cer – develops and promotes
tourism in order to attract visitors and produce
economic benefi ts for a site or region. For more
detailed information read the occupational profi le
at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/tourismoff.

Tourism
Other options – jobs where your degree would
be useful include hotel manager, customer
services manager, outdoor pursuits manager,
and event organiser. It is also worth noting that
many graduate vacancies do not specify
a particular degree, so do not restrict your
thinking to jobs listed here.
4. Where can I fi nd information about
employers to approach?
Most of the information about employers is found
online. Jobs are advertised on company or
specialist websites.
• TARGETjobs
targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/
hospitality-leisure-and-tourism
• Institute of Travel and Tourism,
(AA Appointments) www.itt.co.uk
• Links to Tourist Boards and Tourist
Information Centres (most recruit locally)
www.visitbritain.com
• Local authority (Tourism Offi cers)
www.jobsgopublic.com
• My Travel (part of Thomas Cook)
www.mytravelcareers.co.uk
• Travel Weekly
www.travelweekly.co.uk/jobs
• Thomas Cook
www.thomascook.com/recruitment
• Thomson (part of the TUI group)
www.thomson.co.uk
• Travel Trades Gazette
www.ttglive.com
• TUI
www.tui-group.com
• Visit London
www.visitlondon.com
As well as responding to advertised job
vacancies, it can also pay to apply speculatively
to companies by sending a copy of your CV with
a covering letter detailing your interest and the
type of position that you are seeking. Remember
to research the organisation carefully in advance
and to send your letter to a named person. For
more tips refer to the CV and Covering Letter
guide which you can view at
www.lsbu.ac.uk/clsd/careers.
The “Creative job hunting and networking in a
changing market” guide will help you to make
speculative applications. You can view a copy at
www.lsbu.ac.uk/clsd/jobshopandcareers.
5. What help can I get from
Employability & Careers?
• Information regarding careers,
employers, part-time and full-time
vacancies, postgraduate study, etc.
• Advice and assistance with CV and covering
letter preparation, application forms,
psychometric tests, interview techniques and
assessment centres.
• Careers guidance.
15 minute quick query sessions are
available on a fi rst come fi rst served basis for
CV checking or careers queries. For times
see: www.lsbu.ac.uk/clsd/careers
Longer pre-booked careers interviews are
also available on request.
Alternative formats of this leafl et are
available. Any special requirements should
be requested in advance.

Tourism
Location: Ground Floor, Technopark
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00
(19:00 on Wednesdays during term-time)
Tel: 020 7815 6710/6431
Email: careers@lsbu.ac.uk
Website: www.lsbu.ac.uk/clsd/careers
Updated by EB Mar 2010