DON’T MISS THE BOAT: Tourists take in the sights of the Kerala backwaters. It’s all happening in India and it would pay not to miss out on the opportunities in the country’s booming travel industry

Twenty-five-year-old Girish Kumar was bitten by the travel bug early in life. From backpacking around unknown destinations to exploring places near his home town Delhi, Kumar was always ready to take a trip. So when it came to choosing a career, he did not have to ponder over it much. A tour guide seemed like a good idea for it satisfied two of his passions in life ?? travel and meeting people. Today, he is on the panel of several travel agencies in Delhi.

A career in travel and tourism could satisfy your wanderlust too. Imagine getting paid for lazing around on the beaches of Goa or skiing on the high slopes of Auli or enjoying the breathtaking views of the backwaters in Kerala.

The tourism industry too has never had it so good. In 2005, four million international tourists visited India. Low-cost airlines, a booming economy and greater purchasing power have unleashed the hunger for travel in Indians too. All this translates into tremendous job opportunities in this sector. “The tourism industry is booming in India. In fact, we are unable to meet the demand generated today. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council there will be a demand for 10 million jobs in the tourism sector by 2010,” says Ashok Bhatnagar, head, Kuoni Academy of Travel, Delhi.

From policy making to organising tours to guiding tourists, this industry offers a gamut of job opportunities. The government is itself a big employer in this sector. Moreover, there are openings in the tourism departments of both central and state governments. Recruitment to government departments is done through the Union Public Service Commission and the State Public Service Commissions.

Travel agencies and tour operators are the other major employers. In a travel agency you could work at the ticketing counter or in operations, accounts, or the marketing department. In the ticketing department your basic work would involve booking tickets for international and domestic tourists. “To work in the ticketing department you need to do a basic ticketing course offered by institutes approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Universal Federation of Travel Agents' Association (UFTAA),” says Richa Goyal, director, group business development, Stic Travels, Delhi.

Those in the operations department manage the travel details for tourists. The job involves making itineraries, arranging for transport and sightseeing and chalking out a budget.Lessons in hospitality

From arranging transport for tourists to ensuring that they have a comfortable stay in the hotel, a tour operator has a crucial role to play.

To work in the operations department or as a tour operator you need a diploma or a degree in travel and tourism. Besides private institutes, the government-approved Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management (IITTM) with its six branches all over India offers diploma, degree and management courses in travel and tourism.

“Educational qualifications apart, we look for a candidate’s interest in travel and his or her geographical knowledge. When we interview people, we find many applicants with very poor knowledge of geography. You need to know enough about India as a destination to be able to give the necessary insight to tourists,” says Goyal.

Rightly so, for a tour guide can make or break your dream holiday. A knowledgeable and understanding guide is an asset for a tourist. “This job requires a high level of social interaction. You should be someone who considers relationships important and enjoy doing things for people. You also need to be enterprising and ready to solve problems,” explains Kumar.

Tour guide test

To be a tour guide, you need to appear for the test conducted by the department of tourism. The test assesses a candidate’s knowledge of history, communication skills and grasp of English. Knowledge of a foreign language is not an asset but a necessary pre-requisite if you want to broaden your horizons. German, French, Spanish, Japanese and Italian are the sought after language courses in this field.

Besides, working in travel firms you could also consider the option of starting off on your own. Mandip Singh Soin did that 25 years ago. It was Soin’s deep interest in adventure travel that made him take the plunge and set up Ibex Expeditions which conducts eco-tours, safaris and adventure journeys.

“In addition to a love for travel, you need skills in client handling, marketing and other areas that are required to run a business,” cautions Soin.

In the initial few years it would be tough to break even. But once you do, the sky is the limit. In a travel firm you can start with a salary of Rs 7,000 to 8,000 and can reach up to Rs 25,000 and beyond.

If you become a guide, you will be paid according to ministry guidelines. For a group of one to five persons, a full-day fee for a tour guide is Rs 500, which increases to Rs 975 for a larger group of 15 to 35 people. Along with this, a conveyance amount is also given.

However, the tourism industry is vulnerable to political events, climatic changes and natural disasters. A tsunami, a bomb blast and an epidemic can result in immediate cancellations.

Nevertheless, it’s a sector on the rise ? and one should strike while the iron is hot. After all, it’s a career that is sure to take you places.