Tourism and Travel Industry

Tourism and travel industry is today one of the fastest growing and flourishing trades all over the world. India attracts tourists from abroad in large numbers, thanks to its rich heritage of snow-covered mountains, deserts, beaches, lakes, forests, flora and fauna, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, ancient monuments, prospects of hiking and trekking, adventure sports like boating, surfing, swimming, skiing, etc. Besides, it has on offer to rich variety of dance, drama, music, foods of different regions. International tourist and tourism industry is the second largest foreign exchange earner.


Career Opportunities

As a results, there has not only been a manifold increase in employment and business opportunities in the field but it has opened up opportunities to get rich quick. Not surprisingly, success stories abound in the industry. Experts are of the opinion that tourism as an industry is expected to double in the coming decade. Which means that job potential in this sector is excellent.


Region Guides

A regional guide gets a two year renewable license from the Ministry of Tourism, endorsed for life by the Archeological Survey of India. Three types of guides are recognized by the Ministry of Tourism - regional, state and local. Their earnings normally follow in descending order, with regional guides earning the most. Licensed guides do not get full time employment with travel agents, but are put on their rolls as freelancers, since rules require that one cannot be a full time guide and work with a travel agency as an employee too. The job is so lucrative that even gazetted officers in the ministry of tourism are known to have left their jobs to work as regional guides. Knowledge of India history and languages is of great advantage in this line as also ability to deal with people.

The travel and tourism industry now prefers professionally trained manpower to ensure better holiday and leisure management. The industry can be devided into two parts- travel and tourism. In the travel sector, one can become a travel operator or a retail travel agent. As a manager one can look after the department and functions of travel agencies.

What special attributes are needed for a successful career in this field? A pleasing personality, a smartly-turned out demeanor are an asset to succeed in this line. Working knowledge of a foreign language is an advantage. At the same time you should preferably have a good knowledge of English and communication skills. With everything having been automated, more so in tourism industry, computer friendliness helps a lot.

Courses

Since Tourism happens to be the highest net foreign exchange earner for India and as it also promotes national integration though discovery, Government of India decided to boost Tourism Management by establishing 5 centers of Excellence to serve as nadal points for the development of Tourism and allied industries through Education, Training, Research and Consultancy.

In order to develop the managerial talent which would meet the felt-need and the requirement of tourism and allied industries, Two year full time Post Graduate
Programme leading to the degree of Master of Tourism is being envisaged as a sunrise industry, career prospectus in it are bright. The programme is approved by Govt. of India , Ministry of Tourism, under the network arrangement of the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management. The MTA programme is the first of its kind in India, designed by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with World Tourism Organisation to create Human Resource to meet the personnel requirements in the Tourism.


The following universities offer Master in Tourism Administration (M.T.A) course for graduates.

Awadesh Pratap Singh University , Rewa (M.P) offers admission to the 2 year (four semester) MTA.
Eligibility- 10+2+3 Graduate/Post Graduate degree (with 50% marks)
Selection- is made through a written test.
Notification- May,
Last Date- June

Centre for Tourism and Travel Management Studies, Jiwaji University , Gwalior 474001 offers 4 semester Master's Degree in Tourism Administration and 2 semester of PG Diploma in Tourism Management.
Eligibility- Graduate (10+2+3) or Post Graduate in any discipline with 50 % marks.
Age- 20-28 yrs.
Application form can be had from the Registrar, Jiwaji University, Gwalior on payment of prescribed charges.

Centre for Tourism Studies :

Pondicherry University, Pondichery 605014 offers 2 year full time Master of Tourism Administration (MTA) programme.

Application form and prospectus can be had from the Dean, School of Management, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014.

Last Date - January
Entrance Test : February, Notification - December.

Department of Business Management , Punjabi University, Patiala 147002 offers 2 year Regular Master of Tourism Administration (MTA) at Punjabi University Campus Patiala (seats 12). There is a provision for 25 % additional seats for NRI/NRI sponsored / Industry sponsored candidates.
Eligibility - First Degree Examination ( 50 % marks), Candidates appearing in the final year degree examination may also apply.


Prospectus-cum-application from can be obtained from the Head, Publication Bureau , Punjabi University, Patiala 147002 on payment of requisite charges.
Notification : May . Last date - June.


HNB Garhwal University - , Department of Tourism, Srinagar(Garhwal) 246174 offers 2 year full time Master of Tourism Administration and 1 year Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Hoteliering Managememnt.

Eligibility - For MTA, Bachelore's degree form any recognized University(with 50% marks) Candidates appearing in the final year degree examination may also apply.

Himachal Pradesh University, International Institute of management studies, Summer Hill, Shimla 171005 offers 2 year MTA course.
Eligibility- Bachelor's degree(50% marks), (45 % in the case of SC/ST).
NRI sponsored candidates- One-Third of seats in all the Programmes are meant For NRI, NRI sponsored and foreign students on self-financing basis.
Application form and prospectus can be had from the Admission Officer, International Institute of Management Studies, H.P.University Shimla 171005 on payment of requisite charges, during March.
Last date - April