Travel and tourism: Career areas

Just under 29,000 people work in the tourist services industry in the UK (People 1st).

A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, nearly 65% of graduates with travel and tourism degrees had entered paid work. Demonstrating the wide-ranging and complex nature of the industry, 16% of graduates were in commercial, industrial and public sector management (including hotel, travel and tourism management), 9% were in business and finance professions, 1% found work in art, design, culture and sport professions and almost 4% were working in marketing, sales and advertising.

Additionally, around 20% of travel and tourism graduates were working in clerical or secretarial jobs and 26% working in retail and catering. These numbers show students working to gain experience or using the first position as a 'stepping stone' within the industry.

Where are the jobs?

Travel and tourism comprises many different industries and sub-industries. These include:

• services such as retail travel, currency exchange, tour operators and tourist boards; 
• passenger transport including coach, aviation, rail and waterways; 
• visitor attractions such as museums, theme parks, zoos and heritage sites; 
• conferences and events;
• accommodation services, including hotels and holiday parks.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

For an insight into potential employment areas, see the hospitality, tourism and sport job sector.

For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors. 

Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?