Twenty lively professions featuring continuous travel (and the approach for acquisition)
Exploring the World While Earning a Living: Travel-Related Careers Across Industries
Traveling the world and earning a living has never been more accessible, with various industries offering exciting opportunities for those seeking adventure and professional growth. Here's a roundup of some key travel-related jobs across sectors like fitness, education, and hospitality.
Fitness
Fitness enthusiasts can find rewarding roles as fitness trainers on resorts, cruise ships, or wellness retreats. To secure these positions, it's essential to obtain fitness certifications, such as personal trainer licenses.
Education
For those with a passion for teaching, opportunities abound as English teachers abroad or educational tour guides. To qualify, obtain teaching certifications like TEFL/TESOL and apply at international schools or tour companies.
Hospitality
The hospitality sector offers a wealth of travel-centric roles, such as hotel managers, event managers, and tour guides. Pursue degrees or diplomas in hospitality or tourism, gain experience through internships, and build a strong portfolio to increase employability.
Travel & Tourism
Roles within the travel and tourism industry include flight attendants, travel consultants, and travel bloggers. A strong background in customer service and a deep understanding of various destinations are crucial for success in these roles.
Seasonal/Entry-Level
For those seeking a more casual approach, working in hostels, hotels, or retail in popular travel destinations can be an accessible way to gain experience and network within the industry.
Pursuing Travel-Related Careers
To pursue these opportunities, consider the following pathways:
- Education and Training Studying relevant programs, such as a B.Sc. in Airlines and Tourism or Hospitality and Tourism Management, can provide industry-specific knowledge and practical training.
- Certifications and Skills Development For fitness and education roles, obtaining certifications like personal trainer licenses or TEFL/TESOL for teaching abroad enhances employability.
- Starting in Entry-Level or Seasonal Jobs Working in hostels, hotels, or retail in popular travel destinations can be an accessible way to gain experience and network in the travel industry.
- Networking and Gaining Experience Internships, volunteering, or freelance opportunities (such as travel blogging or tour guiding) can help build both resume strength and personal connections.
- Use Industry-Specific Job Boards and Agencies Websites and boards focused on travel and tourism jobs can help identify openings worldwide, from cruise lines to resort management and education programs.
In addition, international sales representatives manage overseas accounts, pitch products, and attend trade shows, often traveling to Europe, Asia, or North America. A business-related degree is required, with CIM courses providing valuable skills.
Resort managers oversee guest services and operations in hotels or holiday destinations, ensuring the smooth daily running of departments like housekeeping, catering, and events. To work on a cruise ship, you'll need a STCW certificate from an accredited provider.
By combining relevant education, hands-on experience, and industry certifications, you can position yourself for travel-centric careers across fitness, education, and hospitality sectors that provide both professional fulfillment and the chance to explore the world.
- Fitness trainers can find jobs on resorts, cruise ships, or wellness retreats, requiring them to hold fitness certifications like personal trainer licenses.
- English language teachers and educational tour guides are available for those passionate about education, needing TEFL/TESOL certifications to qualify for international schools or tour companies.
- The hospitality sector offers roles like hotel managers, event managers, and tour guides, requiring degrees or diplomas in hospitality or tourism, and internships for better employability.
- Flight attendants, travel consultants, and travel bloggers are roles within the travel and tourism industry, requiring customer service skills and a deep understanding of various destinations.
- Seasonal jobs in hostels, hotels, or retail in popular travel destinations can provide entry-level experience and networking opportunities within the travel industry.
- To pursue travel-related careers, consider studying relevant programs, obtaining certifications, starting in entry-level or seasonal jobs, networking and gaining experience, and utilizing industry-specific job boards and agencies.
- International sales representatives and resort managers can be part of travel-centric careers, needing a business-related degree for the former and STCW certificates for the latter to work on cruise ships.