What Can You Do With a Minor in Tourism?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you considering a minor in tourism, but not sure what career opportunities it can offer? A minor in tourism can be a valuable addition to your degree, no matter what field you’re pursuing. In this article, we’ll explore the various career paths and opportunities that a minor in tourism can open up for you.

What is Tourism?

Before we dive into the career opportunities, let’s first define what tourism is. Tourism is the practice of traveling for pleasure or business purposes and involves the organization and management of travel-related activities such as transportation, accommodation, and entertainment.

Career Opportunities with a Minor in Tourism

A minor in tourism can be beneficial for those who are interested in working within the travel and hospitality industry. Here are some of the exciting career opportunities that you can pursue with a minor in tourism:

1. Travel Agent

As a travel agent, you would be responsible for helping clients plan their trips by providing recommendations on destinations, accommodations, transportation options, and activities. With a minor in tourism, you will have an understanding of different cultures and tourist destinations which will help you provide better recommendations to your clients.

2. Hotel Manager

With a minor in tourism, hotel management is another great option for you. You could work as a manager at hotels or resorts where you would oversee operations such as staff management, guest services, housekeeping, maintenance, and budgeting.

3. Event Planner

Tourism minors may also be interested in event planning careers such as organizing conferences or festivals. An event planner coordinates all aspects of an event from venue selection to catering services while ensuring that everything runs smoothly throughout the event.

4. Tour Guide

As a tour guide, your role would be to provide information about local landmarks or tourist attractions to groups of visitors. Your knowledge of different cultures, languages, and history from your minor in tourism would come in handy in this role.

5. Travel Writer

If you have a passion for writing, then becoming a travel writer may be the perfect career for you. With a minor in tourism, you will have experience in writing about travel-related topics such as destinations, cultural experiences, and different types of travel.

The Benefits of a Tourism Minor

In addition to the career opportunities mentioned above, there are several benefits to pursuing a minor in tourism. Firstly, it gives you an understanding of different cultures and customs which is important when working with people from diverse backgrounds.

Secondly, it exposes you to the business side of the travel industry which can be useful if you want to start your own business or work in management positions. Lastly, it enhances your communication skills by teaching you how to interact with people from different backgrounds.

Conclusion

A minor in tourism can open up many exciting career opportunities for students who are passionate about travel and hospitality. Whether it’s becoming a tour guide or hotel manager or pursuing other careers like event planning or travel writing, having a minor in tourism can give you an edge over other candidates. So why not consider adding this minor to your degree program?