A STUDY ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN TOURISM INDUSTRY

Ms. Misbah Siddique & Ms. Megha Tamang

Department of Travel & Tourism, Mount Carmel College, Autonomous, Bengaluru

Abstract
Tourism is an industry capable of changing the socio-cultural, economic and environmental face
of the world .Tourism is one of the largest and fast growing industries in the world. It has the
potential to influence the living pattern of communities. It is one of the most important channels
of cultural exchange which breaks down the barriers between people of different parts of the
world. It is the collection of activities, services and industries that deliver a travel experience
including transportation, accommodation, eating and drinking establishments of retail shops,
entertainment, business and other hospitality services provided for individuals or groups of
travelling away from home. In developing countries like India tourism has become one of the
major sectors of the economy, contributing to a large proportion of the National income and
generating huge employment opportunities. It has become the fastest growing service industry in
the country with great potentials for its further expansion and diversification. Tourism industry
is capable to generate employment to both skilled and unskilled workers, directly and
indirectly.Tourism can only flourish if the industry can employ qualified staff or sustainable
workforce which is the heart for excellent and prompt service delivery system. Thus, this review
made to give summarized information about challenges and opportunities of tourism and
hospitality employment. Narrative review was used where selected and related articles, reports
and studies of the topic are compared and summarized. Tourism and hospitality creates
diversified employment opportunities in different sectors like accommodation, food and beverage
establishments, transportation services, travel agencies, tour operation companies, natural and
cultural attractions sites. The challenges are poor pay and working conditions, sexual
harassment, discrimination, unequal treatment, low education and training, undemocratic and
rigid corporate culture, seasonality and political instability which drastically reduce the number
of visitors which in turn brings high employees’ turn over.

Key words: Tourism, Employment, World Economy, Opportunities, Location.

1
 1. INTRODUCTION
Tourism has been a major social observable fact of the all the societies. Tourism is termed as an
instrument for employment generation, poverty alleviation and sustainable human resource
development. It is motivated by the natural urge of every human being for new experience,
adventure, wellbeing, education and entertainment. The motivations for tourism also include
social, religious and business interests. Tourism is an industry capable of changing the socio-
cultural, economic and environmental face of the world. Tourism is one of the largest and fast
growing industries in the world, it has the potential to influence the living pattern of
communities. It is one of the most important channels of cultural exchange which breaks down
the barriers between people of different parts of the world. It is the collection of activities,
services and industries that deliver a travel experience including transportation, accommodation,
eating and drinking establishments of retail shops, entertainment, business and other hospitality
services provided for individuals or groups of travelling away from home.

In developing countries like India tourism has become one of the major sectors of the economy,
contributing to a large proportion of the National income and generating huge employment
opportunities. It has become the fastest growing service industry in the country with great
potentials for its further expansion and diversification. The spread of education has promoted an
aspiration to know more about different parts of the world. The basic human desire for new
experience and knowledge has become stronger, as technological advances are overcoming
communication barriers. Progress in air transport and development of tourist facilities has
encouraged people to venture out to the foreign lands. Tourism’s coined its importance, as an
instrument for economic development and employment generation, particularly in remote and
backward areas, rural areas has been well recognized the world over. That’s reason only rural
tourism popularizing and got much share in Economic development. Tourism gaining more
popularity in world over, there has been focus in recent years on rural tourism and eco tourism.

The properly planned, developed and managed tourism can change the living standards of the
local people, by supporting the conservation of natural ecosystem and people. It is the largest
service industry globally in terms of gross revenue as well as foreign exchange earnings.
Tourism can play an important and effective role in achieving the growth with equity objectives,
which we have set for ourselves.

2
Tourism is one economic sector in India that has the potential to grow at a high rate and can
ensure consequential development of the infrastructure at the destinations. It has the capacity to
capitalize on the country’s success in the services sector and provide sustainable models of
growth. Tourism sector’s contribution in creating a global and regional socio-political
environment for peaceful co-existence of the cultures and societies has been equally established
at various levels. This realization took many advocators to position tourism as one of the biggest
‘peace industries’, a means to strike equilibrium of global peace process though development.
Because, tourism practiced in responsible and sustainable manner bring about the peace and
prosperity of the people and that its stakeholders share benefits in fair manner, which is a
necessary condition for the equilibrium of sharing to sustain.

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 SintayehuAynalem(2016),Tourism and hospitality sectors are today one of the biggest
contributors to the economy of the world. So bringing in light to the employment opportunities in
tourism industry, there are jobs creates both directly and indirectly. Direct employment
opportunities like employment provided by hotels, travel agency, aircrafts, cruise lines, etc. and
indirect employment which include activities like restaurant suppliers, building infrastructure,
accounting services, marketing strategies, etc. So with this we understand that tourism industry
in expanding and growing rapidly due to which there is a vast need for employment.Hence, high
number of workforces are required to provide services for the tourists. Due to this facts, tourism
and hospitality sectors with supporting industries provide a diversified employment
opportunities.

2.2Pallavi S(2014), Tourism has a huge amount of potentiality in development of a country’s

diversity and the natural and the cultural richness each place holds with the help of a good
experience provided by the tourism facility which embraces in different sectors like adventure,
religious, wildlife , etc. Tourism also its very effective for its country’s economy. Due to which
there is huge amount of job creations with different sectors coming up with every new inventions
in the industry.

3
2.3 Lateef Ahmed Mir (2014), The tourism industry is definitely playing an important role
in the economy if the country and also providing employment opportunities for the skilled and
the unskilled labor force and also improving the living standards, fee structure, etc. Tourism is a
limitless industry with various opportunities in different sectors which also has a positive impact
in the economic development of the country.

2.4Subhash T(2012), there has been a tremendous growth in the tourism industry from a few
years and is growing rapidly due to which there are a lot of variety for an individual to offer and
explore themselves from. It helps significantly in providing job opportunities to different
qualifications and degrees of people. Due to the growing popularity the tourism industry has
contributed largely in increasing the GDP of the country and has become a source of world
economy as a major contributor.

2.5 Vethirajan C & S Nagavalli (2014), it emphasis that tourism industry is growing
rapidly and has already helped in increasing the GDP of the country and will still continue to
grow more and more in the coming years. Its very effective in joining the employment industry
as the industry is set to grow even more in the coming years. There is employment available in
various sectors of the tourism sector like hotel, travel, airport,etc to name a few.

2.6Anne- Mette Hjalager(2013), there are various national and international opportunities
in tourism and hospitality industry. Especially with a study and research done in employment
opportunities and the interests about tourism among students it is noticed that there is a lot of
scope for further increase in tourism industry which is why there is growing interest everyday.

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

Primary Data- A questionnaire was prepared which consisted of around 20 questions related
to the topic and the responses were recorded, analyzed and interpreted.

3.2 SAMPLE SIZE

Number of responses - 102

4
 3.3 SAMPLING TOOL
Questionnaire

4. OBJECTIVES

 To study about the employment opportunities in tourism industry.

 To comprehend about the types of tourism and the different kind of jobs creates.
 To analyze the challenges the in tourism industry
 To study about the growth of the tourism industry in the world
 To study about how tourism industry is making an impact on the world economy.
 To analyze the sector wise employment
 To assess the share of tourism employment in the overall employment of the world.

5. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers about the employment opportunities in tourism industry and how jobs are
created in each sector of the tourism industry. An analysis of the direct and indirect employment
opportunities that are available in the tourism industry.

6. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study to do get an idea of the employment opportunities that are prevailing in
the tourism industry. Since this wasn’t a sector which everyone were aware of before its
beneficial to do such a study now so that everyone gets to know about the various opportunities

5
that are available in the tourism sector aswell. Now tourism industry is one of the fastest growing
industry and also contributes largely in the world economy.

7. IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

8. As travel and tourism

is a labor-oriented job
sector, it offers
employment
opportunities even to the
low
9. skilled working people
who are less educated in
many ways.
There is a huge amount of percentage of unemployed people in the world and travel and tourism
is a labor- oriented job sector, it offers employment opportunities to various people with different
qualifications and talents. So its important to bring awareness to the public the opportunities
available and garner the benefits that come along. It also promotes the tourism sector of the
industry and shows the benefits and opportunities that are available with the growing popularity
of the tourism industry.

6
 8. DURATION OF THE STUDY

The duration of the study was from November 2019- March 2020.

9. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

 Not direct and major number of reports and findings
 Time consuming
 Late responses
 The people who answered might have misunderstood the questions

10.HYPOTHESIS

There is positive correlation between tourism development and economic growth.

11.FINDINGS

Table 11.1 Age group of the people who have answered the survey

AGE NO OF RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

15-25 70 68.6
26-35 20 19.6
35-45 7 6.9
Above 45 5 4.9
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.2 Frequency of the people travelling

Frequency No. of responses PERCENTAGE

YES 74 72.5
NO 26 2
OCCASIONALLY 2 25.5
TOTAL 102 100

7
Table 11.3 Type of tourism preferred

Types of tourism No. of responses Percentage

Recreational Tourism 34 32.4
Wildlife Tourism 33 33.3
Cultural Tourism 28 27.5
Religious Tourism 5 4.9
Leisure 2 1.9
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.4 Bases on which a destination is chosen

Options No. of responses Percentage

Word of mouth 33 32.4
General reputation 20 19.6
Travel bloggers, 20 19.6
magazines,etc
Social media 18 17.6
Advertisements 7 6.9
Consultation with a travel 3 32.4
agent
Others 1 0.9
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.5 People aware of the current scenario in tourism industry

Suggstions No. of responses Percentage

Yes 49 48
No 26 25.5
Maybe 34 34
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.6 Tourism industry affects economy

Opinion No. of responses Percentage

Yes 77 75.5
No 12 11.8
Maybe 14 13.7

8
 TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.7 Rating the tourism industry service

Ratings No. of responses Percentage

1 1 1
2 7 6.9
3 38 37.3
4 33 32.4
5 23 22.5
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.8 Understanding of the service industry

Suggestion No. of responses Percentage

Yes 53 52
No 27 21.6
Maybe 22 26.5

Table 11.9 Willingness to work in a tourism industry

Suggestion No. of responses Percentage

Yes 38 37.3
No 37 26.5
Maybe 27 36.3
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.10 Strenghts of an organization

Suggestions No. of responses Percentage

Excellent customer service 40 39.2
Good leadership 17 16.7
Strong employee attitude 14 13.7
Personal relationship with 16 15.7
customers
High integrity 15 14.7
TOTAL 102 100

9
Table 11.11 What a travel agency is recommended for?

Suggestions No. of responses Percentage

Service 59 57.8
Offers, deals 18 17.6
Pricing 13 12.7
Popularity 12 11.8
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.12Employee turnover in tourism industry

Reasons No. of responses Percentage

Minimal growth opportunities 33 32.4
Unclear job expectations 29 28.4
Lack of recognition 19 18.6
Working hours 11 10.8
Lack of flexibility 10 9.8
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.13 Tourism industry providing employee’s development and opportunities

Suggestion No. of responses Percentage

Yes 43 42.2
No 19 18.6
Maybe 40 39.2
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.14 Working in a tourism industry

Response No. of responses Percentage

Yes 19 18.6
No 53 52
Maybe 33 32.4
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.15 Employee’s find a purpose in their jobs

Suggestions No. of responses Percentage

YES 50 49

10
 NO 17 16.7
MAYBE 35 34.3
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.16 Essential for an employee

Opinion No. of responses Percentage

Salary, wages, etc 21 20.6
Recognition 15 14.7
Incentives 7 6.9
All of the above 59 57.8
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.17 Essentials for an organization

Important No. of responses Percentage

Customer satisfaction 78 76.5
Employee retention 24 23.5
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.18 Preferences

Do you prefer: No. of responses Percentage

Domestic travel 7 6.9
International travel 31 30.4
Both 66 64.7
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.19 Current situation affecting tourism of a country

Suggestion No. of responses Percentage

Yes 76 75.5
No 26 25.5
Maybe 1 0.9
TOTAL 102 100

Table 11.20A’s essential for a traveller

11
 Description No. of responses Percentage
Accessibility, Accommodation 39 38
and Attraction
Accessibility, Attractions and 31 30.4
Accommodation
Activities, Accommodations 30 29.4
and Attraction
TOTAL 102 100

12. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

The travel and tourism industry is one of the largest and most dynamic industries in today's
global economy. It is expected to generate about 9 per cent of total GDP and provide more than
235 million jobs in 2010, representing 8 per cent of global employment. In order to know about
what the people where not all are really studying about travel and tourism think about the
employment in tourism industry for which we created a questionnaire of about 20 questions for
which we got around 102 responses. The analysis of the data collected from the primary data was
that: most of the people who took up the survey were of age 15- 25 years with a percentage of
68.6% and then second most was the age of 26-35 years with 19.6% and then followed by age
25-45 and above 45 with percentages of 6.9% and 4.9% respectively. So by this we can clearly
tell that they are mostly students or freshly graduated or have just started working. This data
would be beneficial for a long run as they are the future and to get their opinion is more
important for a long term from now. Then when asked about if they liked travelling around
72.5% of them said yes, 25.5% said occasionally but a very less percentage actually said yes. By
which we get to know that most of them like travelling and some occasionally and a handfull of
them said no. The most preferred tourism when asked was Wildlife tourism with a percentage of
about 33.3% and then followed by Recreational tourism with not a much difference and the
percentage was 32.4%. Then next in line was cultural tourism with 27.5% and then religious and
in others 1 or 2 of them said leisure. With a percentage of 32.4% people choose their destination
on the basis of word of mouth and then followed by travel bloggers and general reputation with
the same percentage of 19.6% each. When asked if they are aware of the current scenario of the
tourism industry around 48% said yes which tells that tourism industry is definitely attracting the

12
general public and it is garnering the interests of the people. When asked about their opinion if
the tourism industry helps in the economy of the nation around 75.5% said yes and 13.7% said
maybe but only 11.8% said no. When asked to rate the tourism industry ona scale of 1-5 37.3%
rated 3, 32.4% rated 4 and 22.5% said 5 which tells that it is good. A majority of 52% said yes
when asked if they have an idea and understanding of the working of the tourism industry and
26.5% maybe and 21.6% said no. When asked if offered would they take up the job offer in a
tourism sector around 37.3% said yes and around 36% said maybe, which tells that they are
ready to take up the job based on a certain criteria but there is a good possibility for them to work
in a tourism industry. The greatest strengths in an organization is excellent customer service with
the highest percentage of about 37%. Especially tourism industry is a service industry so a good
service is what every customer expects. A travel agency is best recommended by people to others
for its service with more than half of them voting for service with a percentage of 57.8% among
others like offers, popularity, etc. When asked what maybe the reason for employee turnover in a
tourism industry the highest was minimal growth opportunities with a percentage of about 32.4%
and then second highest reason was unclear job expectations with a percentage of 28.4%. When
asked if tourism would give great opportunities and development for a long run most people said
yes with a percentage of 42.2%. When asked if they see themselves working in a tourism sector
in the near future most people said no with a percentage of 52% and the followed by maybe with
a percentage of 32.4% .Around 34.3% said maybe people do find a meaning in their jobs but
49% said yes they do find a meaning/purpose in their jobs. For an employee when asked what is
important for them in an organization they said all of the salary, recognition, incentivs is
important with a majority percentage of 57.8%. According to the survey with a percentage of
76.5% customer satisfaction is more important for an organization than employee retention.
Around 64.7% of them prefer both international and domestic travel. When asked if a current
situation of a country effects tourism around 75.5% said yes and 25.5% said no. Which means
that the situation prevailing in a country does affect the way tourism industry is doing at a
current point including the weather, climate, disease, threats, etc. The most apt three words for
tourism is accessibility, accommodations and attractions with a vote of 38%

13. SUGGESTIONS

With study of employment opportunities in tourism industry we come to suggestion that:

13
  There should be more awareness about the opportunities available
 Should be introduced to all the various different sectors in the tourism industry
 More programs relating to awareness and interests in tourism should be made.

14. SCOPE FOR FURTHER STUDIES

Since it’s an ongoing and a constantly growing industry and still establishing itself everyday in
something new everyday, there is definitely a scope for further studies about this topic. There
can be more awareness and research papers can be created with more new numbers and data
collection with the growing environment. Classes can be conducted to give the students an idea
of the opportunities and benefits acquired.

15. CONCLUSION

Today, Tourism and Hospitality sectors are the foremost sectors of the world economy. It
improves balance of payments as well as income creation and employment opportunities.
Besides, tourism can be also nurturing sociocultural amplification of the people, empowering
women and disabled communities by creating favorable job options. Due to this, both developed
and developing countries give due attention for creating quality staff for quality tourism and
hospitality industries to step on the sectors contribution for the country’s development. Based on
the review, tourism and hospitality industries have creating many job opportunities for millions
of people in the world in different areas like accommodation, food and beverage (restaurants,
dining rooms, cafes, fast food outlets,etc.

Political stabilities, reduced working hours, technological advancement, increased income and
conducive climate are the major favorable conditions for the development of the stated tourism
and hospitality establishments to create millions of jobs.

16. REFERENCES

14
Aynalem, S., Birhanu, K., &Tesefay, S. (2016). Employment Opportunities and Challenges in
Tourism and Hospitality Sectors. Journal Of Tourism & Hospitality, 05(06). doi: 10.4172/2167-
0269.1000257

Kusugal, D. (2012). Opportunities For Employment in Tourism Sector: an Analysis. Paripex -

Indian Journal Of Research, 3(2), 43-45. doi: 10.15373/22501991/feb2014/12

Cukier-Snow, J., & Wall, G. (1993). Tourism employment. Tourism Management, 14(3), 195-

201. doi: 10.1016/0261-5177(93)90020-l

K.C, D. (2014). Tourism and Employment: Opportunities and Challenges in Karnataka- Special
Reference To Kodagu District. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 19(11), 01-11.
doi: 10.9790/0837-191140111

Hjalager, A. (2003). Global Tourism Careers? Opportunities and Dilemmas Facing Higher
Education in Tourism. The Journal Of Hospitality Leisure Sport And Tourism, 2(2), 26-38. doi:
10.3794/johlste.22.35

15