Tourism Tourism includes accommodation, meetings and events, travel agencies and tourism operators.  The tourism and hospitality industry is a major generator of employment and regional economic development.  Recent industry data shows that the tourism industry accounts for 4.5 per cent of GDP (more than $25 billion) and was Australia’s largest export industry.  The sector directly employed an estimated 513,000 people representing 6 per cent of total employment.  Characteristics and trends There are three main sectors that make up the tourism industry including accommodation, meetings and events sector and travel agencies and operators: The accommodation industry consists of hotels, motels, caravan parks and similar businesses mainly engaged in providing short term accommodation; The meetings, conference, exhibitions and events industry include businesses involved in the delivery of services for domestic and international conferences and meetings, destination and incentive management and special management.  They also manage attractions, purpose built convention and exhibition centres, and a range of hotel, boutique and special/unique locations for meetings, conventions and exhibitions.  Convention, visitor and tourist organisations are included; Travel agencies and tourism operators supply travel and tourism services to both domestic and international travellers.  They also provide information to clients and develop travel plans, including itineraries, health requirements and travel documents. Tourism operators provide tourist experiences and activities.   Because the industry overlaps so much with other sectors, it is difficult to clearly characterise employment.  Employment in the accommodation sub-sector is clear where there are approximately 6,500 businesses operating employing more than 97,000 people.  Most employees are female (59%).    We also know that there are about 1800 retail travel outlets in Australia.  Generally, industry employment can be described as diverse, employing more women than men, often involves part-time, seasonal and out of hours employment and people primarily in the age groups of 20 – 35 years of age. Employment Opportunities in tourism are variable depending on the type of job being sought.  Jobs in the industry are often perceived as glamorous and fun and so there is generally high demand for available jobs particularly by people who are on working holidays or who are full time students.  The industry is also heavily affected by seasonal conditions and events.  The staging of the Olympics, for example, created greater employment while other world events that affect tourism such as the SARS virus scare lead to downturns in tourist numbers and less jobs.  Specific qualifications are helpful but not essential and job seekers can enter from a range of backgrounds and experience.  There are varied career paths and the following table attempts to describe some of the main job titles for entry level positions. Hotels and motels  Receptionist, Front office clerk, Room attendant, Cleaner, Hotel Service Manager  For reception and clerical positions, it is helpful to have an AQF Certificate II level qualification in business administration or tourism operations or at least one year’s experience.   Higher level management training will be important to progress to management positions. Caravan parks or Camping grounds   Park attendant, Office clerk, Receptionist, Cleaner, Handyperson, Caretaker, Caravan park management  Entry is usually through completion of secondary education.  To progress, training and qualifications are necessary.   For administration jobs, a Certificate II level qualification. Travel agencies or Tourism operator  Travel Consultant, Regional guide, Tour escort, Tour leader, Tourist Adviser, Tourist Information Officer, Travel Consultant  To gain a job in these fields, it is helpful to have an AQF Certificate II or higher qualification or at least one years relevant experience.   Travel consultant positions require good organisational and IT skills. Events management  Event administrator, Conference organiser, Ticket seller, Security guard  Certificate level III qualifications in events management would help a prospective applicant for many jobs in this industry.  Certificates I – IV can be undertaken in Asset Security for qualifications to work in crowd control or security guard positions. Related jobs and skills  Public relations officer, Recreation leader, Interpreter, Child care worker, Outdoor recreation leader, Fitness instructor/sports instructor, etc.   There are many skills and backgrounds that are valued in the tourism industry.  Fluency in major tourist languages such as Japanese for example, is highly valued.  People with skills in specific recreation activities, such as swim, ski or diving instruction, running children’s activities, etc. are all useful.  Also specialised licences or qualifications such as a First Aid Certificate, Life Saving Certificates or a being the holder of a bus driver’s licence can all be very useful.   What an employer might ask Because of the range of types of employment in the tourism industry, there is a wide range of skills and attributes required depending on the job type and the characteristics of the employer.  Generally, important attributes include: Good communication skills and the ability to provide information; An enjoyment of working with people and a friendly, helpful manner; Ability to assist guests/tourists with a limited understanding of English; Ability to record information accurately; Ability to work as part of team; Good presentation skills and the ability to project a professional manner; Flexibility; The ability to stay calm in difficult situations; Specific technical skills depending on the job such as administration, IT, buildings maintenance and cleaning, writing skills or recreation leadership.    Experience in the industry is highly valued by many tourism employers as well as a willingness to learn and gain further qualifications.  Employers are likely to ask questions that require applicants to demonstrate these relevant skills such as, ‘Describe a time where you have had to respond to an angry customer.  How did you react and how did you resolve the situation?’ Employment wages and conditions A range of award conditions apply to this industry due to the diversity of jobs that are undertaken.  According to the ABS, in 2003, the average wage for tourism and hospitality industry employees ranged from $420 - $570 per week, before tax. Much employment in tourism requires working nights, weekends, public holidays and peak holiday periods.  Work is often very seasonal and can take place in a range of conditions.  Diverse careers can be undertaken and the attraction of the industry for many is the opportunity to work in a field that people enjoy and in a variety of locations and places.  Important issues for working in this industry include those that relate to casual and precarious employment where employees may be subject to unreliable and unpredictable working requirements. Training Useful qualifications for work in the tourism industry overlap with almost all vocational sectors including hospitality, manufacturing, retail and business services.  There are, however, specialist qualifications that are defined within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) within the tourism training package.  These range from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level: Certificate I Tourism (Australian Indigenous Culture) Certificate II Tourism (Operations) Certificate III Tourism (retail travel sales, international retail travel sales, tour wholesaling, visitor information services, attractions and theme parks, guiding and meetings and events) Certificate IV Tourism (Guiding, natural and cultural heritage, sales and marketing, operations) Diploma Event management Diploma Tourism (Marketing and product development, operations management) Advanced diploma Tourism management Top   Back