Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Careers in Tourism
All of the foregoing segments, sectors, and organizations require people to make the various processes
work and to make the broad range of activities and experiences available to travelers. It is these
''experiences'' that are the tourism product, the intended outcome of the tourism phenomenon. The
people in the tourism industry who provide these experiences, as in any industry, must perform a vast
number of organizational functions. These functions range from relatively simple jobs to highly
sophisticated and demanding tasks (see Chapter 3). All are important in providing a truly memorable
vacation experience or ef
cient business travel.
The tourism industry is often characterized by the large number of front-line service jobs that must
be performed for tourism to function effectively. For example, the accommodation sector requires bell
staff, front desk staff, and room maintenance staff. The food services sector requires cooks, waitstaff,
bartenders, and kitchen maintenance staff. The attractions sector requires facilitation and equipment
operators, as do the entertainment, event, and transportation sectors. The adventure and outdoor
recreation sector needs guides and group leaders. The travel trade and tourism services sectors must
have the personnel to assist travelers as they plan their trips and then to meet their many needs for
information and assistance throughout their travel experiences. As can be surmised, the performance
of the many tasks identi
ed requires many thousands of individuals who are trained to perform each
specialized task in an effective and friendly manner.
But this is only the
that encompasses the many service jobs for which tourism is
sometimes criticized, and even ridiculed. Behind this face (which, incidentally, provides many essential
part-time and
first-time jobs for students and less-skilled members of our society) are an extremely
large number of highly attractive career positions that require sophisticated technical skills and/or
managerial training. These career positions are attractive in two very different ways. First, they provide
challenges equal to those in virtually any other industry. Second, the nature of tourism means that
many of these careers are pursued in very attractive physical settings and among people who generally
like to see others enjoy life. The career path of the manager of a large vacation resort, while just as
challenging as the path of those in many other sectors, offers both an attractive income and a lifestyle
that is simply not available in many other sectors or professions.
''
face of tourism
''
BASIC APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF TOURISM
The study of tourism is commonly approached through a variety of methods. However, there is little or
no agreement on how it should be undertaken. The following are several methods that have been used.
Institutional Approach
The institutional approach to the study of tourism considers the various intermediaries and
institutions that perform tourism activities. It emphasizes institutions such as the travel agency.
This approach requires an investigation of the organization, operating methods, problems, costs, and
economic place of travel agents who act on behalf of the customer, purchasing services from airlines,
rental car companies, hotels, and so on. An advantage of this approach is that the U.S. Census Bureau
conducts a survey every
five years on selected services that includes travel agents and lodging places,
thus providing a database for further study.
Product Approach
The product approach involves the study of various tourism products and how they are produced,
marketed, and consumed. For example, one might study an airline seat
—
how it is created, the
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