Let your career take you places
From five-star beachfront hotels to world-class ski resorts, the tourism industry offers exciting opportunities to build a career in places the rest of the world dreams of vacationing.
Here are the top five reasons to consider launching a career in this thriving industry.
The business of fun
While tourism businesses can be found in some of the most desirable places to live and work, a tourism career is more than a lifestyle. Behind every resort, attraction or adventure guiding company is a team of professionals developing new products, managing teams, designing tourism experiences, growing sales, and working to ensure clients become repeat customers. The work is interesting and challenging, and the opportunities are endless.
Meet new people
One of the best parts of the tourism industry is the people you meet. The profession tends to attract social, active and creative people who enjoy spending time with others and creating an amazing guest experience. When the work day is over, the social activities begin.
A portable skill-set
It's rare to find a career that offers so much mobility across organizations, industries and the world. The foundation of skills you develop with a tourism degree, in areas such as management, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship and event planning, are transferable to any business. And once you get your foot in the door, there are plenty of opportunities to move to new departments, positions or even countries.
Lots of jobs
Tourism is big business in B.C., and the demand for qualified tourism professionals increases every year. According to the BC Tourism Labour Market Strategy, there are an estimated 18,000 tourism-related businesses across the province, with 300 to 500 new tourism businesses starting each year.
Hours and compensation
While the very nature of tourism requires industry professionals to work while others play, careers offer flexible hours that fit your lifestyle. Curious about salaries? Youll find details about compensation on the go2hr.ca website, a resource for information about the industry.
How do you get started?
Capilano University is recognized as a leader in tourism education, and is the only public post-secondary institution in the Lower Mainland that offers a Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) degree. Students can earn the standard BTM degree, or choose to specialize further with a Hotel and Resort or Adventure concentration.
Classes are hands-on and experiential, incorporating field trips to popular destinations, industry networking events, work experience and case competitions along with classroom lectures. In the third year of study, you also have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester.
Submitted by: Shannon Colin, Communications & Marketing