Ask anyone around the world what they think about the Caribbean and you are guaranteed to hear the words “vacation”, “holiday”, or “cruise” move pass their lips. For those living in the islands these words, no matter how you string them together, form part of the travel industry vocabulary that many of the governments rely on for revenue. The tourism industry is very dynamic and it does offer different career choices to accomplish your professional goals.
Why to look for a job in the Caribbean Hospitality or Tourism industry?
The Hospitality and tourism space afford several career opportunities to professionals in the region looking for service-oriented work. The work is wide and varied in the travel industry and individuals can seek out various career paths. Before we dive into these crystal-clear waters of opportunity, let’s look at some stats from the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
● Over 30+ million international tourists traveled to the Caribbean in 2017
● Tourist visits peaked in April 2017 at a percentage of 11.2 %
● Despite two of the most devastating hurricanes, the region’s global share of arrivals dipped from 2.4% to 2.3% in 2017, when compared to 2016s arrivals.
So, it is safe to say that jobs in tourism for the Caribbean are a viable option for professionals seeking out travel industry related positions. Listed below are the eight main areas of opportunity in the wide world of tourism:
• Food and Beverage
• Transportation
• Attractions
• Travel
• Accommodations
• Adventure
• Events and conventions
• Tourism Services
All the areas above need health care providers, language specialists, accountants, computer experts, lawyers, managers, sports educators, etc. So, whatever you’ve been studying, you can catch the Caribbean career wave at any time. Use the list below to see how much of what tourism offers matches up to your standards.
• Openings at every level
• Enormous opportunity
• Great earning potential
• World-class skill development
• Unequalled diversity
• Career flexibility
• Personal challenge
• Creative freedom
• Constant social contact
• Great sense of pride
To secure a proper job in the region’s stable industry, work in tourism management, tourism and travel education, hospitality etc. must be supported with the proper credentials. There are several tourism courses, hospitality degrees, and various training programmes available throughout which aspiring employees can navigate. Like most professional sectors, it is crucial for those desirous of a long-lasting career to invest time in the necessary training and education. This emphasis on education helps candidates secure suitable roles and fosters an environment for growth in which many can thrive.
Travel and tourism educational path.
Schools such as TTHTI, UWI, USM, and Monroe College, are affiliated with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. Though courses in this industry are numerous, there are several appropriate bachelor’s degrees that are preferred by hiring firms and businesses. Degrees can include BBAs in: Hospitality and Tourism Management, Culinary Arts, Health and Safety, Food Science, Event Management, Project Management, and Foreign Languages or Cultural Studies. Interviewees with these letters on their resume will oftentimes be placed atop the pile of resumes for the shortlist.
Travel and Tourism Job opportunities within the Industry.
So, what are the official careers in this space? There is Food and Beverage, transportation, Adventure, Events and Conventions just to name a few. One is spoilt for choice, to be honest. To dive deeper, other careers that also have a space in the travel industry include but are not limited to: lawyers, accountants, sports therapists, computer experts, and language specialists.
Although not suited for everyone, tourism job opportunities are abundant. And, with the right tourism graduate degrees, from the right hospitality schools and affiliates, these jobs can be highly rewarding. Once this understanding of the tourism industry is applied in any candidate’s search for work, a host of career paths open.
This article may contain 3rd party information which CaribbeanJobs.com has approval to use
