Have you ever fantasized about breaking free of the 9-5 grind, and taking off in the exciting world of tourism? Have you ever wondered that it would be like to work as a flight attendant, wedding planner, tourism marketer, or adventure tour organizer? If you have, then a career in travel and tourism could be what you're looking for.
Geared to people who love to travel and who enjoy interacting with the public, Travel and Tourism Diploma programs give students the knowledge and practical experience they need in order to pursue careers in the tourism industry. Unlike many diplomas or certificates that train students for a specific career path - for example as a Travel Agent - Travel and Tourism Diploma programs provide a more general knowledge, and consequently, wider career horizons. Think of the program as your ticket to an exciting career where you're the master of your own destination.
When choosing a school, try and find an institution that is authorized by IATA (the International Air Transport Association) and endorsed by Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC). This will ensure that your school will have a reputation that you can lean on when looking for a job. No matter which school you choose, however, you can rest assured that almost all of them offer programs that offer both classroom instruction and hands-on training to ensure that students graduate with a well-rounded skill set. As you'll see below, courses tend to be diverse, and cover the full range of the industry. This makes
Travel and Tourism Diploma programs both challenging and rewarding. A typical program would include the following courses:
-Introduction to tourism
-Basics of accommodation, including AHLA (American Hotel Lodging Association)
-Administration of client bookings and tours
-The airline industry and airline fare structures
-Management of client needs
-Cruise lines and marine transportation
-Professional selling skills
-The SABRE system overview
-Understanding IATA
-Design and marketing of group travel experiences
-Guiding tours
-World destinations
In order to ensure that
Travel and Tourism Diploma program graduates are immediately employable, most schools will have students complete at least 600 hours of classroom training, and at least 160 hours of on-the-job training over a period of approximately 8 months. The practical training aspect of the diploma is invaluable, as it gives students the opportunity to interact with travel industry veterans, learn real-life skills, and develop important contacts. Many students also use the practical experience as a way to test the waters and try different branches of the travel and tourism industry to find the best fit for their personality and skills.
So if you're interested in taking off in the challenging and exciting field of travel and tourism, a Travel and Tourism Diploma program might be what you're looking for.
