Athithi Devobhava!
ATHITHI DEVOBHAVA! This has, since time immemorial, been one of the loftiest tenets of the Indian ethos. The world over, people, tired of life's monotony, take a break in the form of a getaway to an exotic locale. And that in turn, provides a bread winning option for scores of youngsters absorbed into that adventurous, interesting industry called TOURISM.
The number of international tourists worldwide has increased from 70 million in 1960 to 700 million by the year 2000. As per World Tourism Organisation estimates, it is going to hit 1.5 billion in the next 20 years. India's share of that, however, was abysmally low at half a percent , but not anymore. In 1999, India received 2.5 million international tourists and the number is expected to rise to six million by 2010.
With SARS followed recently by the outbreak of bird flu, a large chunk of tourist traffic, which would otherwise have headed for South- East Asia, has suddenly found itself without an interesting destination.
This is an opportunity that the Indian tourism industry can exploit to the hilt. With its myriad cultures, culinary delights, nature's bounty in "God's own country", golden stretches of Goan beaches, regal structures of Rajasthan, to name a few, Indian tourism has more than wooed the itinerant.
Annually then, the industry earns Rs 14,000 crore in foreign exchange for the exchequer.
Meanwhile, it is not just international tourism that is on the rise; with a change in the average Indian's perspective about lifestyle, even domestic tourism(which was earlier confined to families taking an annual LTC trip) has hit it big too.
Travel and Tourism is the world's largest industry in terms of employment and second only to oil industry as for turnover is concerned.
It is a service-based industry and requires professionals and specialists skilled in various disciplines. The industry broadly covers the following areas:
Hotels, restaurants and tourist complexes;
Travel agencies and tour operators;
Transport facilities;
Amusement, entertainment and sports facilities;
Units providing cultural, adventure and wildlife experiences;
Airlines and related services; and
Banking services.
Some of the areas where careers can be made are detailed here:
Travel Agencies: These agencies offer travel and related services. Travel-related jobs suit individuals who enjoy meeting people and making them comfortable. They require people to deal with customers, guide them as they plan holidays and finally offer tickets for the best routes. They also help out with the foreign exchange and visa requirements. To join a travel agency, one can do a diploma in travel and ticketing from a polytechnic or an institute. This is usually a short-term course (3-6 months) and will help one gain entry into a travel agency.
Tour Operators: There are many companies operating tours for the domestic as well as the international tourist. Some focus on the usual destinations like hill stations, but others are interested in luring tourists to adventurous activities like river rafting, hang gliding, rock climbing and camping. Tour operators need people for selling the concept and then to accompany the groups to the destinations. Again, the qualities required are a pleasing and outgoing personality, knowledge of the activities and the zeal to accompany the tourists.
Tourist guides: The Ministry of Tourism grants licenses to three categories of tourist guides: regional, state level and monument guides. This is a three-month course followed by a test, after which the license is granted. For 12 years after 1984, no licenses were granted as the license holders had taken a court stay. People have therefore been working even without a license. A guide gets about Rs 1,600 per day for outstation tours. Guides must be in touch with foreign agencies that send groups to India.
Holiday consultants: This is a new concept; the idea is to provide the tourist all the details of travel and itineraries at one source. The holiday consultant will sell holiday packages, plan out itineraries, help chalk out travel plans and arrange for ticketing, accommodation and other needs. Knowledge of destinations and the activities available is a pre-requisite. As people have little time and expertise to make all the travel arrangements on their own, the services of such consultants come handy in making the holiday enjoyable.
Banks: Foreign banks and dealers in foreign exchange require people to assist their clients in their travel requirements. The idea is to provide services under one roof. Usually, MBAs from premier institutes are preferred.
The bank helps with hotel bookings, ticketing and all travel-related services. Indian banks failed to excel in the field. With foreign companies of late taking keen interest in India, the need for such services is poised for a rise.
Hotel management: They need people who can put in long hours of work, with a flair for service and a pleasing personality. Those who join as managers or kitchen trainees get about Rs 7,000 plus per month. The national council for hotel management and catering technology (NCHMCT) in association with IGNOU conducts a joint entrance examination for admission to its BSc course in hospitality and hotel administration programmes offered in 24 institutes across the country.
About 80% of the students are absorbed through campus placements.
Meanwhile, any graduate with the requisite personal attributes can gain entry into this industry.
However, with the growing professionalism in every field, including travel and tourism, aspirants for a career in this field should take specialised training, so as to give themselves an edge in the job market.
MALLIKA JAYASHEELA
faqs@cnkonline.com
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