THE TRAVEL industry’s glamourous image means there is no shortage of people who consider a career as an air steward, chalet girl or travel agent.
But finding out the best way to get into the business, which qualifications are needed, and information such as how much money is likely to be in your pay packet at the end of the first month is not easy.
Help is at hand in the form of a new book, called the Insider Career Guide to Travel and Tourism, which gives a warts-and-all insight into the industry.
The author, Karen France, knows what she’s talking about. She has previously worked as a tour guide and ski rep.
France said:”My first job was as a guide leading tours through Europe from London to Athens. It was fun and very educational, but I got thrown in at the deep end and found Ihad to have good communication and organisational skills -Êand patience.
“One of my most vivid memories of my experience as a tour guide is sitting on the steps of a hotel in Florence trying to get a party of 110 people into 88 beds. All the other hotels were full and then an electrical fault started a fire in the dining room. But we survived.”
To research the book, France interviewed people specialising in a variety of fields -Êfrom travel agents to directors of large companies, resort reps to airline pilots. The book is filled with humourous experiences.
For example, one tourist information centre manager said: “I’m expected to know everything – the opening times of every attraction within 50 miles, what the weather will be like next Tuesday and where they left their shopping because they can’t find it.”
A cabin-crew attendant gave the following advice: “It helps if you like flying. You would be amazed how many applications we get from people who have never been on an aircraft and discover on take off they are petrified.”
France said the book is suitable for school-leavers and older people looking for a career change.
She said: “It gives an idea of the opportunities available, giving a broad overview of the market. It is a good starting point and although it doesn’t talk in depth it does point you to where you can find more information.”
The book includes a series of fact boxes, called myth busters, which stress that, although some jobs in the travel industry may appear idyllic, the reality can be very different.
“Resort reps are on call 24hrs a day and conditions can be gruelling,” said France. “You will be provided with basic accommodation which you will have to share – one tour operator guarantees that its resort representatives will not have to share a room with more than six people!
“The travel industry is perceived as being very glamourous but it is actually very hard work.”
It can also mean low wages and the book offers examples of starting salaries such as £6,000-£8,000 for resort reps or £8,000-£11,000 for cabin crew. It also gives an idea of the sort of qualifications required to become a resort chef or hotel manager and there is a section devoted to advice about CVs and interviews.
France concluded:”If you enjoy travelling and people it is a great career. There are some good long-term prospects if you want to work your way up the ladder but I also know of people who are 70 and still working as a guide – they just love it so much they don’t want to retire.”
The Insider Career Guide to Travel and Tourism costs £9.99 and is available by telephoning 0870 400-1000.