Choosing a career after 12th or graduation is not always easy. Students often know they want to work with people in a hands-on way, but they’re not sure where they’ll fit in best.

Travel and tourism can be one such option.

This industry is much larger than holiday bookings. Travel professionals work in a range of areas including reservations, ticketing, tour operations,travel planning, destination management, customer service, travel documentation, airline services and travel technology.

A travel and tourism management course can help students understand how this industry operates and gain the practical skills needed to pursue these career paths.

What Will You Learn in a Travel & Tourism Management Course?

A good travel and tourism course should offer students a blend of industry knowledge and practical exposure.

Depending on the program students may learn:

• Destination knowledge and travel geography

• Airfares and ticketing

• Planning a journey

• Ticket Reservations

• Travel Documentation

• Customer Service

• Travel sales

• Global Distribution System (GDS)

•  Ticket Alterations

The goal should not be the completion of a syllabus. Students should know the path of a real travel inquiry from a customer request to a confirmed booking.

What is GDS and why should we care?

Travel professionals use a Global Distribution System (GDS) to check availability and to make bookings.

 Widely used GDS systems are Amadeus, Galileo and Sabre.

Students interested in reservations and ticketing should know how activities like checking flights, creating PNRs, pricing itineraries and making booking changes are handled.

Therefore a practical introduction to GDS can be an important part of training in the travel industry.

Who can do a Travel and Tourism Course?

Many travel and tourism courses are available to students who have passed Class 12, from different academic backgrounds can explore this field.

Graduates and working professionals interested in entering or upskilling in the travel industry may also explore suitable programs.

Before taking admission students and parents should always check the exact eligibility, syllabus, duration and certification offered by the institute.

What are the career options for students?

As a consequence of their training, skills and the requirements of their employer, students may seek entry-level employment in roles such as:

• Travel Consultant

• Reservation Executive

• Ticketing Executive

• Tour Operations Executive

• Holiday Advisor

• Customer Service Executive

• Visa Documentation Executive

• Travel Sales Executive

• Airport or ground customer service roles

A course can be helpful in developing the relevant skills but it is important to be realistic. No course will guarantee you a job.

The career opportunities depend on the knowledge of the student, communication skills, interview performance and the needs of the employer.

What should students and parents look out for before choosing a course?

This is probably the most important part.

Do not select an institute on the basis of advertisements or placement promises.

       Ask a few basic questions:

• What is the student actually going to learn?

• Is it practical GDS training?

• Who issues the certificate?

• Is this an IATA program or an academy program?

• Is the course covering fares and ticketing?

• Will students receive practical exposure? 

• Is interview preparation and career guidance provided?

• Who is teaching the course?

Parents also need to ask themselves if their child really likes to communicate, deal with customers, plan and learn about destinations.

A student’s best path should be guided by their interests, not the newest career trend.

Learning Travel and Tourism at SAACH Academy 

SAACH Academy is an IATA-authorized training center in Mumbai for travel & tourism, airline fares & ticketing, IATA and  practical GDS learning.

The emphasis is on helping students understand how travel operations work in practice and to develop the communication and professional skills needed in the industry.

Students interested in a career in travel and tourism don’t necessarily need to start off by making an admissions decision.

Students and parents can talk to the SAACH Academy counselling team, find out about the programs available, visit the academy and decide which course best suits the student’s interests and career goals.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study travel and tourism after Class 12?

Yes. Many entry-level travel and tourism programs are open to students who have completed Class 12.

Do I need to be from a particular academic stream?

For many entry-level programs, students from arts, commerce and science backgrounds can apply.

Is GDS training important?

It can be useful for students who want to understand reservations, airfares and ticketing.

Does a travel and tourism course guarantee a job?

No. Training can build knowledge and skills, but employment depends on the student's performance, interviews and employer requirements.

Is travel and tourism mainly about becoming a travel agent?

No. The industry includes reservations, ticketing, tour operations, corporate travel, customer service, airline-related services, travel sales and several other areas.