Careers in travel
in hospitality, tour operations and cultural guiding, often in collaboration with local resorts and tour operators. Japan has expanded tourism focused university programmes; institutions such as Rikkyo University offer bilingual degrees in Global Hospitality Management, while private sector partnerships (including internships with major hotel brands) ensure students apply theory in real world settings. In Australia, the government’s Tourism and Hospitality Skills Taskforce identifies young people as a priority for sector growth. As an incentive, industry led apprenticeships and certifications via the TAFE system enable students to earn while they learn. The Tourism Careers Campaign, part of the broader Skills for Jobs initiative, is repositioning tourism as a stable, rewarding long term profession. Africa & the Americas: local talent, global horizons In South Africa, the National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE), organised by the Department of Tourism with the Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA), brings thousands of students together for exploration, workshops, exhibition booths and mentorship, showcasing the sector’s breadth. In Kenya, Utalii College remains a cornerstone of hospitality training with diplomas and certificates that lead to domestic and international employment, and recent collaborations with Chinese and European institutions are broadening global outlooks. Across Latin America, Peru’s Cenfotur is among the region’s most respected tourism schools, offering specialisations in gastronomy, tour guiding and sustainable tourism. Government backed regional scholarships, especially in Indigenous communities, are ensuring inclusive industry participation. In Canada, institutions such as Ryerson University and George Brown College have long-standing hospitality programmes in place. In line with industry trends and skills gaps, recent curriculum upgrades reflect digital transformation and ESG priorities. Tourism HR Canada supports the effort with micro credentials and employer toolkits that ease onboarding and retention.
Work-life balance is a priority for the next generation of industry professionals
and English. Over in Dubai in the UAE, the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) – established by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) – has become a regional leader in vocational training. DCT offers courses in tourism, hospitality, events and culinary arts, alongside Medyaf, which prepares Emirati youth through mentorship and on the job training. In 2024, DCT launched international pathways so students can top up diplomas with UK degrees, while online modules delivered via the Dubai Tourism Dirham platform expanded access across the UAE. These efforts support Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the city’s GDP by 2033, with tourism as a central pillar, underpinned by a future ready and multicultural workforce. “Tourism is a key pillar of Dubai’s economy and our role is to provide the skills and a clear pathway into the industry either studying full time classes or via the UAE’s first apprenticeship programmes in Culinary Arts and Hospitality,” says Jeff Strachan, Associate Vice President, DET. Asia Pacific: practical pathways to Tourism career success Across Asia Pacific, countries are taking pragmatic steps to engage youth in tourism careers. Thailand has embedded tourism education within technical and vocational colleges (supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports), delivering market aligned training
€443 bn / 6.3 mn jobs WTTC’s forecast for Germany’s 2025 travel and tourism contribution and employment €840 mn & 2027 Cost and target opening year for Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality at Qiddiya
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