The global travel and tourism industry is booming presently. Number of domestic as well as international arrivals has more than tripled. The tourism industry accounts for more than $1000 billion and is expected to grow by 200% in next five years. India’s travel and tourism industry is one of them most profitable industries in the country, and also credited with contributing a substantial amount of foreign exchange. Tourism industry is contributing nearly 6.8% of the GDP and it is providing employment to nearly 41 million people. India received nearly 4.9 million foreign tourists in 2007 and the total earnings from them have been a whooping US$12 billion. By 2020, Tourism in India could contribute Rs 8,50,000 crores to the GDP. (Source- WTTC). Economic growth has added millions annually to the ranks of India’s middle class, a group that is driving domestic tourism growth. Disposable income in India has grown by 10.11% annually from 2001-2006, and much of that is being spent on travel. Tourist arrivals are projected to increase by over 22% per year through till 2010. The tourism industry has helped growth in other sectors as diverse as horticulture, handicrafts, agriculture, construction and even poultry. A new growth sector is medical tourism. It is currently growing at around 30% per annum. Medical tourist arrivals are expected to reach one million soon. Travel & tourism industry in India is marked by considerable government presence. Each state has a tourism corporation, which runs a chain of hotels/ rest houses and operates package tours, while the central government runs the India Tourism Development Corporation.

The minimum qualification to pursue a career in this industry is a candidate is required to obtain passing marks in 10+2 or HS or equivalent exam. Professional courses in travel and tourism are available for both undergraduate and graduate level. A candidate should have fluency in one foreign language. Graduates with the knowledge of Indian history, art and architecture are eligible for the Job of Information assistants at Tourism departments. They are selected on the basis of the results of competitive exam conducted by Staff Selection Commission. Officers in the Directorate and Departments of Tourism are recruited from among the candidates interested in civil service, drawn from the Civil/administrative services of the State and Central governments.

The outlook for travel industry in India looks extremely bright. India as a tourism destination is the toast of the world at the moment. Employment opportunities exist in both the public and the private sector in this industry. In the public sector, you can work in the Directorates and Departments of tourism of the center and the state, guides etc. In the private sector, on the other hand you can secure a job in a travel agency, hotel, airline, transport agency or a cargo company. The particular areas you may work in are:

Various institutes and universities offer courses on travel and tourism. Some of them  are: