Travel and Tourism Management career : Paths, Opportunities & Earnings

Travel and Tourism Management career presents diverse and interesting job opportunities by covering the planning, organization, and management of travel and tourism activities, catering to the diverse needs of travelers. A popular and versatile role is that of a Tour Manager or Travel Consultant. Tour managers lead groups on tours, ensuring smooth operations and positive experiences, while travel consultants advise clients on destinations, create itineraries, and handle bookings. 

Beyond tour management and consulting, other career paths include Event Manager, Hotel Manager, Airline Ground Staff, Tourism Officer, and Travel Writer/Blogger.

Travel and Tourism Management salaries vary based on roles and experience, ranging from INR 2 to 5 LPA for entry-level positions, INR 4 to 8 LPA for mid-level roles, and INR 8 to 15 LPA for senior management positions. 

Top recruiters include travel agencies such as Thomas Cook, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, and Cox & Kings, as well as tour operators, domestic and international airlines (for ground staff and related roles), hotels and resorts, government tourism departments, and online travel platforms. 

Travel and Tourism Management Quick Facts

Here are some quick facts you can consider reading to know about the scope of Tourism and Travel Industry:

• Based on the external reports, domestic travel spending is estimated to rise by 7.8% per annum to INR 13,305.5 billion in 2026. 
• Hospitality industry in Indian tourism is expected to produce revenue of more than $59 billion by the year 2028. Moreover, the number of foreign tourists is also expected to reach 30.5 million by 2028.
• According to external reports, India's travel and tourism sector is expected to contribute significantly to the country's GDP, which is almost INR 21.15 TN an increase of 21% from 2019. The industry is projected to create 2.4 million jobs (equivalent to one in 11 jobs in India) and drive economic growth.

Top Travel and Tourism Management Careers

After completing a degree in Tourism Management, a plethora of career opportunities open before aspirants. Some job profiles that aspirants can pursue after securing a degree in Travel and Tourism Management are listed below: 

Click to read Top Management Schools in India.

Job Profiles	Descriptions	Annual Average Salary (in INR)
Tour Operator	Tour operators design, plan, and execute tour packages for individuals and groups.	2.5-6 lakh
Airlines/Ground Staff	This is a broad category encompassing several roles within the airline industry.	5-8 lakh
Front Office Executive	Front office executives are the first point of contact for guests in hotels, resorts, and other hospitality establishments.	1.5-3 lakh
Transport Officer	Transport officers are responsible for managing and coordinating transportation logistics for organizations.	4-7 lakh
Travel Coordinator	Travel coordinators handle the logistics of business or leisure travel for individuals or groups.	3.5-5 lakh
Lodging Manager	Lodging managers oversee the day-to-day operations of hotels, motels, resorts, and other lodging establishments.	4.5-6 lakh
Travel Executive	Travel executives work in travel agencies or online travel platforms, assisting customers with their travel arrangements.	2-4 lakh

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Travel and Tourism Management Emerging Trends

Travel and tour management professionals need to adapt to these changes by offering innovative services, embracing technology, and prioritizing customer needs and preferences. Here are some key emerging trends:

Sustainable and Responsible Tourism:

• Eco-consciousness: Travelers are increasingly aware of their environmental impact and seek eco-friendly travel options. This includes choosing sustainable accommodations, minimizing waste, and respecting local ecosystems.
• Community-based Tourism: There's a growing interest in experiences that benefit local communities, such as staying in locally owned guesthouses, supporting local businesses, and engaging in cultural exchange.

Experiential Travel:

• Immersive Experiences: Travelers are moving away from traditional sightseeing tours and seeking authentic and immersive experiences that allow them to connect with local culture, history, and people.
• Personalized Itineraries: There's a demand for customized travel plans that cater to individual interests and preferences, rather than generic tour packages.

Technology Integration:

• Mobile Technology: Mobile apps are becoming essential tools for travelers, providing information, booking services, navigation, and communication.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is being used to personalize travel recommendations, provide customer support through chatbots, and optimize travel planning.
• Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR): VR and AR technologies are being used to offer virtual tours of destinations and enhance the travel experience.

Wellness and Health Tourism:

• Focus on Well-being: Travelers are increasingly prioritizing their physical and mental well-being, seeking travel experiences that promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and healthy living.
• Wellness Retreats and Spas: There's a growing demand for wellness retreats, spa vacations, and activities like yoga and meditation.

Bleisure Travel:

• Blending Business and Leisure: The trend of combining business trips with leisure activities is becoming more common, with travelers extending their business trips to explore the destination.

Rise of Niche Tourism:

• Specialized Interests: Travelers are increasingly pursuing niche interests through their travels, such as adventure tourism, culinary tourism, historical tourism, and wildlife tourism.

Focus on Safety and Hygiene:

• Enhanced Safety Measures: Travelers are prioritizing safety and hygiene, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel providers are implementing enhanced safety protocols and hygiene standards.

Travel and Tourism Management Scope in India: Jobs, Salary, and Further Education

Here's a table outlining industries and sectors where Travel and Tour Management graduates can find employment, along with potential job roles and brief industry descriptions:

Industry/Sector	Description	Job Roles
Travel Agencies	Businesses that sell travel products and services to customers, including flights, hotels, tours, and cruises.	Travel Consultant, Reservation Agent, Travel Agent Manager
Tour Operators	Companies that create and manage tour packages for individuals and groups.	Tour Manager/Leader, Tour Planner, Operations Manager
Airlines	Companies that provide air transportation services to passengers and cargo.	Ground Staff (Customer Service, Baggage Handling), Airline Ticketing Agent, Cabin Crew (with additional training)
Hotels and Resorts (Hospitality)	Establishments providing accommodation, food, and other services to travelers.	Hotel Manager, Front Desk Manager, Guest Relations Manager, Concierge
Transportation Companies	Companies providing ground transportation services, such as bus, train, and car rental companies.	Transport Manager, Operations Coordinator, Fleet Manager
Government Tourism Departments/Tourism Boards	Government agencies responsible for promoting and developing tourism at the national, state, or local level.	Tourism Officer, Tourism Development Manager, Destination Marketing Specialist
Event Management Companies	Businesses that plan and execute events, conferences, and festivals.	Event Planner, Event Coordinator, Event Manager
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)	Online platforms that sell travel products and services directly to consumers.	Online Travel Agent, Customer Service Representative, Content Writer (Travel)

Courses after Travel and Tourism Management

Here's a table outlining potential courses to pursue after completing a Travel and Tourism Management degree, along with their descriptions and benefits:

Course	Description
MBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management	A postgraduate business degree focusing on management principles within the tourism and hospitality industry, covering areas like marketing, finance, human resources, and strategic management.
Master's in Tourism Management/Studies	A postgraduate academic degree focusing on advanced tourism concepts, research methodologies, sustainable tourism, and destination management.
Master's in Hospitality Management	A postgraduate degree focused specifically on the hospitality sector, covering hotel operations, food and beverage management, event management, and customer service.
Diploma in Sustainable Tourism Development	A focused program on the principles and practices of sustainable tourism, including environmental conservation, community development, and responsible tourism management.
Diploma in Event Management	A program focused on the planning, organization, and execution of events, conferences, and festivals.
Diploma in Travel Writing/Journalism	A program focusing on writing skills for travel publications, blogs, and online platforms.
Specialized Certifications (e.g., Destination Management, Digital Marketing for Tourism)	Short, focused programs that provide specific skills and knowledge in a particular area of tourism.

Top Travel and Tourism Management Recruiting Industries

Here is a list of top recruiting industries for Travel and Tourism Management students in India and around the globe as well.

Top Recruiting Industries for Travel and Tourism Management
Airline Industry	Resorts
Car Rental	Restaurants
Hotels	Water Transport
Cruise	Spacecraft
Coach Services	Airports

Top Recruiters in Travel and Tourism Management

Some of the top recruiters in Travel and Tourism Management are as follows. After attaining specialised education, students bag the opportunity to work in some of the renowned hotels and travel agencies in India.

Top Recruiters
Jet Airways	Hyatt
Oberoi Hotels and Resorts	Hilton Hotels and Resorts
Ramada	Renaissance
Club Mahindra Holidays	East India Travel Co
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts	Taco Bell
ITC	J W Marriott
Make My Trip	Cox & Kings Ltd

Best Travel and Tourism Management Colleges for Placements

Here are the top travel and tourism management colleges with their salary package offered to students at placements:

Top 10 Travel and Tourism Colleges in India	Salary
Banaras Hindu University	INR 8 LPA
Maharshi Dayanand University	NA
NITHM	NA
Kurukshetra University	NA
IGNOU	NA
Chandigarh University	NA
Amity University, Noida	NA
Christ University	NA
D.Y. Patil, School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Navi Mumbai	NA
Galgotias University	NA

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Following are the top exams for Travel and Tourism Management. Students interested in pursuing a career on Travel and Tourism Management, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Following are the most popular Travel and Tourism Management Colleges in India. Learn more about these Travel and Tourism Management colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Travel and Tourism Management courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Travel and Tourism Management.

Following are the most popular Travel and Tourism Management UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Travel and Tourism Management PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.