Who doesn’t love a good vacation?
If you’re living in the beautiful twin-island state of Trinidad & Tobago, you may have at some point bragged to your international friends that, “I live where you vacation”.
And rightfully so. We live in a beautiful country that offers visitors an exciting rhythm of rich revelry in Trinidad or rest and relaxation in rustic Tobago.
Despite the fact the we are still heavily dependent on oil and natural gas; the hospitality and tourism industry provides exciting career opportunities for those seeking to earn their livelihood by showcasing the natural and cultural beauty of Trinidad & Tobago.
The Hospitality & Tourism Industry
The hospitality and tourism industry refer to those activities centred around providing a service to individuals for the purposes of entertainment, comfort or enjoyment. Hospitality is an umbrella term involving restaurant services, cruise ships, amusement parks, transportation, accommodation and customer service. Hospitality workers operate in a variety of establishments and capacities such as chefs in hotels, restaurants, casinos, cruise ships, tour guides such as those in Caroni Bird Sanctuary or Buccoo Reef, event planners, managers and as entrepreneurs in their own private firms such as car rentals.
Individuals pursuing a career in these fields can earn a tourism management degree or business degree with a focus on tourism, marketing or human resources from the University of West Indies, COSTATT and other business schools. This is a service industry and the quality of customer service determines your profitability and reputation. Therefore, any degree program that is people-centric and gives you an appreciation for service would prepare you for the hospitality and tourism industry.
Career Path in Hospitality and Tourism
Tourism focuses on travel of foreigners to local shores, earning foreign exchange as well as the management and development of the industry within Trinidad & Tobago. Tourism workers seek to promote the diversity of Trinidad & Tobago to the world. They operate in private companies such as travel agencies as well as state corporations such as InvesTT which promotes investment tourism opportunities for foreign investors in various sectors within Trinidad and Tobago.
Tourism development and marketing career paths are also available through the Ministry of Tourism. Career options include travel planning & booking, tour guides, marketing and management where representatives for companies to travel abroad and promote the interests of Trinidad & Tobago.
If you’re leaning more towards a career in Tourism Management as opposed to Hospitality, you can also pursue a bachelor’s in Tourism Management. You can undertake courses in customer service, hotel management, catering or event planning, depending on your career goals. Post graduate studies in leadership, communications, business management or marketing can assist you when in advancing from a restaurant employee to manager, for example.
Trinidad & Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) offers comprehensive world-class training, career guidance and internships in a variety of disciplines. Persons wishing to develop or refine their culinary, management, mixology and customer service etiquette skills can enrol in one of many degree, diploma or certificate programs. The education received at TTHTI opens students to a multitude of career paths through internships, working in private or state companies or even venturing into entrepreneurship.
Benefits of a Career in Hospitality & Tourism
Nevertheless, if you truly have a passion for making people feel welcomed, there are amazing opportunities available to you in the hospitality and tourism sector. These careers often give you the opportunity to showcase your creativity or talents. Whether you work as a chef, travel photographer, event planner, crafts or entrepreneur, working in this field allows you to use innovation to create exciting products or services to thrill your customers or guests.
If you represent a company, work in transport or a cruise liner, you have opportunities to travel to exotic locations and meet a variety of people. As a hospitality or tourism worker, sometimes the places you get to work are in upscale, luxurious hotels, restaurants, bars and other establishments. Surroundings are often beautiful, and you encounter a variety of people of different cultures.
Employment Opportunities
Given that the hospitality and tourism industry is so diverse, there are multiple job opportunities available to you. Hotels, cruise ships, restaurants, entertainment centres whether local, regional or global are always in need of hardworking, friendly, professional staff to give their guests the best customer service experience possible. If you have the skills and experience, you can access employment across many cultures around the globe.
Apply for more Hospitality & Tourism Jobs
Skills for the Hospitality & Tourism Industry
Being in a service industry that thrives on innovation and high quality, you will have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills and capabilities. If you’re training at TTHTI, you can develop culinary skills. If you’re travelling, it allows you to experience different cultures, learning different languages and having adventures and stories from various parts of the world. Additionally, as hospitality and tourism is based on positive and professional energy, you will be working with highly motivated and enthusiastic people who take pride in their work and can inspire a sense of discipline and confidence in you.
Additional Considerations
Perhaps more than any industry, professionalism and friendliness are crucial. Not only is the company’s reputation on the line, but also that of the country. Negative publicity about Trinidad & Tobago can jeopardise its trustworthiness and reputation to foreign visitors. The country can become blacklisted or foreign governments may persuade their citizens not to visit, so this may mean going beyond the typical 9-5 workhour and consistent positive energy to keep your guests comfortable.
If you are pursuing career opportunities in this field, you often will have to go above and beyond for the sake of your customers. Therefore, if you are considering building a career in this industry, ensure it is something you truly want to do. If you’re not passionate about providing the best experience possible for your guests, you may want to reconsider another career.
