Where To From Here?

After completing this training course and checking out some of the websites suggested you will have determined whether this is the right job for you, and whether you are likely to meet the company entry criteria.

a)    If you believe you meet the entry criteria you are then ready to make your application directly to the company of your choice

b)    If you do not meet the entry criteria, and need to improve your potential for selection for interview, you should start acquiring qualifications and experience that are relevant to a career as a flight attendant, ground crew, travel agent, or another role you have seen that you’d like to do.
Studying a general travel and tourism program which includes flight attending workshops will help you to build your qualifications ready for the day that you make your application. Learning about the travel and tourism industries, aviation and international air travel will provide you with a huge range of career opportunities around these exciting industries!

Only around 4% of applicants to companies succeed in their dream to become a flight attendant.  With that in mind it’s a good idea to prepare for a wider career in aviation, travel and tourism. Equip yourself with skills, knowledge and abilities that will help you into other jobs and career paths in and around companies/airports, and these could lead into your dream job in the future.

The International Travel College of New Zealand can help you! They are one of the Top Ten Company Training Colleges in the world, and a leader in provision of training for the company, travel and tourism industries. As a Tourism Award Winner, ISO accredited, Edexcel [UK], IATA and Microsoft accredited, they can provide you with the right training course and employment assistance to establish your career goals and dreams.

Contact them on 0800 TOURISM [0800 868 747] or college@itc.co.nz [website: www.itc.co.nz)  for further information on courses and programs that include Aviation training at campuses in Auckland City and Botany Town Centre, and by Distance Online Learning.

ITC programs include flight attending workshops conducted by experienced former flight attendants in the innovative Airport Training Centres complete with simulated aircraft cabins.

Where To From Here?

After completing this training course and checking out some of the websites suggested you will have determined whether this is the right job for you, and whether you are likely to meet the company entry criteria.

a)    If you believe you meet the entry criteria you are then ready to make your application directly to the company of your choice

b)    If you do not meet the entry criteria, and need to improve your potential for selection for interview, you should start acquiring qualifications and experience that are relevant to a career as a flight attendant, ground crew, travel agent, or another role you have seen that you’d like to do.
Studying a general travel and tourism program which includes flight attending workshops will help you to build your qualifications ready for the day that you make your application. Learning about the travel and tourism industries, aviation and international air travel will provide you with a huge range of career opportunities around these exciting industries!

Only around 4% of applicants to companies succeed in their dream to become a flight attendant.  With that in mind it’s a good idea to prepare for a wider career in aviation, travel and tourism. Equip yourself with skills, knowledge and abilities that will help you into other jobs and career paths in and around companies/airports, and these could lead into your dream job in the future.

The International Travel College of New Zealand can help you! They are one of the Top Ten Company Training Colleges in the world, and a leader in provision of training for the company, travel and tourism industries. As a Tourism Award Winner, ISO accredited, Edexcel [UK], IATA and Microsoft accredited, they can provide you with the right training course and employment assistance to establish your career goals and dreams.

Contact them on 0800 TOURISM [0800 868 747] or college@itc.co.nz [website: www.itc.co.nz)  for further information on courses and programs that include Aviation training at campuses in Auckland City and Botany Town Centre, and by Distance Online Learning.

ITC programs include flight attending workshops conducted by experienced former flight attendants in the innovative Airport Training Centres complete with simulated aircraft cabins.

Where To From Here?

After completing this training course and checking out some of the websites suggested you will have determined whether this is the right job for you, and whether you are likely to meet the company entry criteria.

a)    If you believe you meet the entry criteria you are then ready to make your application directly to the company of your choice

b)    If you do not meet the entry criteria, and need to improve your potential for selection for interview, you should start acquiring qualifications and experience that are relevant to a career as a flight attendant, ground crew, travel agent, or another role you have seen that you’d like to do.
Studying a general travel and tourism program which includes flight attending workshops will help you to build your qualifications ready for the day that you make your application. Learning about the travel and tourism industries, aviation and international air travel will provide you with a huge range of career opportunities around these exciting industries!

Only around 4% of applicants to companies succeed in their dream to become a flight attendant.  With that in mind it’s a good idea to prepare for a wider career in aviation, travel and tourism. Equip yourself with skills, knowledge and abilities that will help you into other jobs and career paths in and around companies/airports, and these could lead into your dream job in the future.

The International Travel College of New Zealand can help you! They are one of the Top Ten Company Training Colleges in the world, and a leader in provision of training for the company, travel and tourism industries. As a Tourism Award Winner, ISO accredited, Edexcel [UK], IATA and Microsoft accredited, they can provide you with the right training course and employment assistance to establish your career goals and dreams.

Contact them on 0800 TOURISM [0800 868 747] or college@itc.co.nz [website: www.itc.co.nz)  for further information on courses and programs that include Aviation training at campuses in Auckland City and Botany Town Centre, and by Distance Online Learning.

ITC programs include flight attending workshops conducted by experienced former flight attendants in the innovative Airport Training Centres complete with simulated aircraft cabins.

Interview tips

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

Be it face-to-face, over the phone, via fax, e-mail or video conference, it is very important to come across in a positive light, especially the first time.  You only get once chance to make a first impression!

We’ve all met people that we instantly “like” and want to get to know more or do business with. Most of the time, these people follow a few basic rules that make their first impression a GREAT one.

Dress to impress: Dress modestly and appropriately, clothing must be clean and fit well.

Speak clearly:  Volume, tone, clarity, pace, correct grammar & no slang, polite and courteous

Use the person’s name: Friendly greeting, memorise their name and use it appropriately

Avoid jokes:  Humour is generally a good thing — if used prudently, an off-colour joke will have the opposite effect

Be a good listener: Ask and answer questions maturely, never interrupt when someone else is speaking, pay close attention to the conversation; those little details may be useful in the future

Let the other person be the centre of attention: Avoid hogging the spotlight. Let the other person be the centre of attention, don’t talk incessantly about yourself.

Check out this website from Air New Zealand. It has general information of the expectations this airline has of its flight attendants, including information on requirements, qualifications, preferred skills, personal aspects, and more:

https://careers.airnz.co.nz/explore-our-careers/career-areas/more-about-becoming-a-flight-attendant

Interview tips

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

Be it face-to-face, over the phone, via fax, e-mail or video conference, it is very important to come across in a positive light, especially the first time.  You only get once chance to make a first impression!

We’ve all met people that we instantly “like” and want to get to know more or do business with. Most of the time, these people follow a few basic rules that make their first impression a GREAT one.

Dress to impress: Dress modestly and appropriately, clothing must be clean and fit well.

Speak clearly:  Volume, tone, clarity, pace, correct grammar & no slang, polite and courteous

Use the person’s name: Friendly greeting, memorise their name and use it appropriately

Avoid jokes:  Humour is generally a good thing — if used prudently, an off-colour joke will have the opposite effect

Be a good listener: Ask and answer questions maturely, never interrupt when someone else is speaking, pay close attention to the conversation; those little details may be useful in the future

Let the other person be the centre of attention: Avoid hogging the spotlight. Let the other person be the centre of attention, don’t talk incessantly about yourself.

Check out this website from Air New Zealand. It has general information of the expectations this airline has of its flight attendants, including information on requirements, qualifications, preferred skills, personal aspects, and more:

https://careers.airnz.co.nz/explore-our-careers/career-areas/more-about-becoming-a-flight-attendant

Interview tips

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

Be it face-to-face, over the phone, via fax, e-mail or video conference, it is very important to come across in a positive light, especially the first time.  You only get once chance to make a first impression!

We’ve all met people that we instantly “like” and want to get to know more or do business with. Most of the time, these people follow a few basic rules that make their first impression a GREAT one.

Dress to impress: Dress modestly and appropriately, clothing must be clean and fit well.

Speak clearly:  Volume, tone, clarity, pace, correct grammar & no slang, polite and courteous

Use the person’s name: Friendly greeting, memorise their name and use it appropriately

Avoid jokes:  Humour is generally a good thing — if used prudently, an off-colour joke will have the opposite effect

Be a good listener: Ask and answer questions maturely, never interrupt when someone else is speaking, pay close attention to the conversation; those little details may be useful in the future

Let the other person be the centre of attention: Avoid hogging the spotlight. Let the other person be the centre of attention, don’t talk incessantly about yourself.

Check out this website from Air New Zealand. It has general information of the expectations this airline has of its flight attendants, including information on requirements, qualifications, preferred skills, personal aspects, and more:

https://careers.airnz.co.nz/explore-our-careers/career-areas/more-about-becoming-a-flight-attendant

During The Interview Process

Communication with People You Meet

• From the minute you arrive at the interview you will be assessed by the recruitment team. Your appearance, your welcoming behaviour and warm disposition will be crucial at this stage as first impressions are vital.
• Make use of the time you have available prior to starting to get to know the other candidates attending the interview. Try to memorise names and other information you may find out from the other candidates.
• Remember to always address people in a friendly and courteous way.
• Never try to be someone you are not. Be yourself. Recruitment personnel are highly trained and will spot anyone who tries to impress by being someone they are not.
• Your body language will be vital during the whole recruitment event, and you must maintain open body language to make you appear welcoming and receptive to the recruitment team and fellow candidates.

Body Language

• Your body language will be vital during the whole recruitment event, and you must maintain open body language to make you appear welcoming and receptive to the recruitment team and fellow candidates.

Team Work & Exercises

• At almost all company interviews you will be required to take part in team work exercises. Ensure that you are an open communicator with all team members, and participate in all discussions and exercises.

• You should make yourself aware of current affairs and news relating to the company industry, so read newspapers and online stories about travel and companies. Some exercises or questions may involve these topics.
• Remember to demonstrate open and friendly attitudes and behaviour to other candidates.
• Don’t try to hog the conversation! Allow other people to contribute – demonstrate you are a good listener as well as a good talker!

Examples of areas discussed during interviews

During the interview process you may be asked questions and have to complete exercises on the following subjects:

• Team Work
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Safety
• Current Affairs
• Company Industry

Have examples prepared on the above subjects as the interviewing panel may ask you to give examples of previous experience and/or knowledge on the above.

Questions

• Think of good questions to ask about at the interview. You will normally be given the opportunity to ask the recruitment team any questions you may have.
• Questions must be relevant to the company and the job. Avoid asking questions on issues that have been covered during any presentations given to you by the recruitment team. Here are some classic questions NOT to ask at interview:

1.  How much is the salary?
2. When could I take some holiday?
3. How soon could I take a cheap flight?
4. What perks come with the job?
5. When will the next pay review be?

Listed below is a list of ‘Don’ts’. Please don’t do these things at Interview unless you Don’t Want the Job!

If these seem extreme, you’ll be surprised to learn that at some time the author of this course has seen all of these things happen at interview!

DON’T:

• Be late.
• Turn up clutching your dry cleaning or bags of groceries
• Bring your boyfriend to the interview
• Wear a skirt that is shorter than your jacket
• For the guys ~ don’t arrive ‘tie-less’
• Wear dirty shoes
• Wear heaps of make up and stacks of fashion jewellery
• Paint each nail a different colour
• Get a large visible tattoo the previous day
• Leave in all your facial piercings
• Wear the blouse with the red wine stain on
• Look bored and disinterested
• Spend a lot of time looking at the floor or gaze out of the window
• Speak in a low monotonous voice tone and use lots of ehums & aahs
• Be expressionless or grumpy faced
• Sit on the edge of your chair nervously
• Just make up answers as you go
• Waffle
• Pretend to be someone you’re not
• Give one-word answers to questions
• Come with no prepared questions
• Criticise your previous employer, school, life in general
• Tell them your hobbies are socialising and watching TV
• Fiddle constantly with your hair, underwear, earrings, fingernails and other body parts
• Say you have no strengths or weaknesses
• Know anything out about the company
• Use slang words like ‘youse’
• Slouch

After the interview

• Remember to thank the recruitment team for inviting you to attend an interview. Recruitment teams in companies work hard during such events and your genuine appreciation will be welcomed.
• Remember that in some companies the recruitment process may be divided into different sessions. This may be completed in one day or in some cases you will be invited to attend on a later date.
• Don’t ask for feedback on your performance as companies never provide such information. In addition, after you have left the interview the recruitment team will still be discussing your performance and assessing your qualities.

If you don’t get the job it’s worth reviewing how you conducted yourself at interview in order to learn from the event and do better next time!

During The Interview Process

Communication with People You Meet

• From the minute you arrive at the interview you will be assessed by the recruitment team. Your appearance, your welcoming behaviour and warm disposition will be crucial at this stage as first impressions are vital.
• Make use of the time you have available prior to starting to get to know the other candidates attending the interview. Try to memorise names and other information you may find out from the other candidates.
• Remember to always address people in a friendly and courteous way.
• Never try to be someone you are not. Be yourself. Recruitment personnel are highly trained and will spot anyone who tries to impress by being someone they are not.
• Your body language will be vital during the whole recruitment event, and you must maintain open body language to make you appear welcoming and receptive to the recruitment team and fellow candidates.

Body Language

• Your body language will be vital during the whole recruitment event, and you must maintain open body language to make you appear welcoming and receptive to the recruitment team and fellow candidates.

Team Work & Exercises

• At almost all company interviews you will be required to take part in team work exercises. Ensure that you are an open communicator with all team members, and participate in all discussions and exercises.

• You should make yourself aware of current affairs and news relating to the company industry, so read newspapers and online stories about travel and companies. Some exercises or questions may involve these topics.
• Remember to demonstrate open and friendly attitudes and behaviour to other candidates.
• Don’t try to hog the conversation! Allow other people to contribute – demonstrate you are a good listener as well as a good talker!

Examples of areas discussed during interviews

During the interview process you may be asked questions and have to complete exercises on the following subjects:

• Team Work
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Safety
• Current Affairs
• Company Industry

Have examples prepared on the above subjects as the interviewing panel may ask you to give examples of previous experience and/or knowledge on the above.

Questions

• Think of good questions to ask about at the interview. You will normally be given the opportunity to ask the recruitment team any questions you may have.
• Questions must be relevant to the company and the job. Avoid asking questions on issues that have been covered during any presentations given to you by the recruitment team. Here are some classic questions NOT to ask at interview:

1.  How much is the salary?
2. When could I take some holiday?
3. How soon could I take a cheap flight?
4. What perks come with the job?
5. When will the next pay review be?

Listed below is a list of ‘Don’ts’. Please don’t do these things at Interview unless you Don’t Want the Job!

If these seem extreme, you’ll be surprised to learn that at some time the author of this course has seen all of these things happen at interview!

DON’T:

• Be late.
• Turn up clutching your dry cleaning or bags of groceries
• Bring your boyfriend to the interview
• Wear a skirt that is shorter than your jacket
• For the guys ~ don’t arrive ‘tie-less’
• Wear dirty shoes
• Wear heaps of make up and stacks of fashion jewellery
• Paint each nail a different colour
• Get a large visible tattoo the previous day
• Leave in all your facial piercings
• Wear the blouse with the red wine stain on
• Look bored and disinterested
• Spend a lot of time looking at the floor or gaze out of the window
• Speak in a low monotonous voice tone and use lots of ehums & aahs
• Be expressionless or grumpy faced
• Sit on the edge of your chair nervously
• Just make up answers as you go
• Waffle
• Pretend to be someone you’re not
• Give one-word answers to questions
• Come with no prepared questions
• Criticise your previous employer, school, life in general
• Tell them your hobbies are socialising and watching TV
• Fiddle constantly with your hair, underwear, earrings, fingernails and other body parts
• Say you have no strengths or weaknesses
• Know anything out about the company
• Use slang words like ‘youse’
• Slouch

After the interview

• Remember to thank the recruitment team for inviting you to attend an interview. Recruitment teams in companies work hard during such events and your genuine appreciation will be welcomed.
• Remember that in some companies the recruitment process may be divided into different sessions. This may be completed in one day or in some cases you will be invited to attend on a later date.
• Don’t ask for feedback on your performance as companies never provide such information. In addition, after you have left the interview the recruitment team will still be discussing your performance and assessing your qualities.

If you don’t get the job it’s worth reviewing how you conducted yourself at interview in order to learn from the event and do better next time!

During The Interview Process

Communication with People You Meet

• From the minute you arrive at the interview you will be assessed by the recruitment team. Your appearance, your welcoming behaviour and warm disposition will be crucial at this stage as first impressions are vital.
• Make use of the time you have available prior to starting to get to know the other candidates attending the interview. Try to memorise names and other information you may find out from the other candidates.
• Remember to always address people in a friendly and courteous way.
• Never try to be someone you are not. Be yourself. Recruitment personnel are highly trained and will spot anyone who tries to impress by being someone they are not.
• Your body language will be vital during the whole recruitment event, and you must maintain open body language to make you appear welcoming and receptive to the recruitment team and fellow candidates.

Body Language

• Your body language will be vital during the whole recruitment event, and you must maintain open body language to make you appear welcoming and receptive to the recruitment team and fellow candidates.

Team Work & Exercises

• At almost all company interviews you will be required to take part in team work exercises. Ensure that you are an open communicator with all team members, and participate in all discussions and exercises.

• You should make yourself aware of current affairs and news relating to the company industry, so read newspapers and online stories about travel and companies. Some exercises or questions may involve these topics.
• Remember to demonstrate open and friendly attitudes and behaviour to other candidates.
• Don’t try to hog the conversation! Allow other people to contribute – demonstrate you are a good listener as well as a good talker!

Examples of areas discussed during interviews

During the interview process you may be asked questions and have to complete exercises on the following subjects:

• Team Work
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Safety
• Current Affairs
• Company Industry

Have examples prepared on the above subjects as the interviewing panel may ask you to give examples of previous experience and/or knowledge on the above.

Questions

• Think of good questions to ask about at the interview. You will normally be given the opportunity to ask the recruitment team any questions you may have.
• Questions must be relevant to the company and the job. Avoid asking questions on issues that have been covered during any presentations given to you by the recruitment team. Here are some classic questions NOT to ask at interview:

1.  How much is the salary?
2. When could I take some holiday?
3. How soon could I take a cheap flight?
4. What perks come with the job?
5. When will the next pay review be?

Listed below is a list of ‘Don’ts’. Please don’t do these things at Interview unless you Don’t Want the Job!

If these seem extreme, you’ll be surprised to learn that at some time the author of this course has seen all of these things happen at interview!

DON’T:

• Be late.
• Turn up clutching your dry cleaning or bags of groceries
• Bring your boyfriend to the interview
• Wear a skirt that is shorter than your jacket
• For the guys ~ don’t arrive ‘tie-less’
• Wear dirty shoes
• Wear heaps of make up and stacks of fashion jewellery
• Paint each nail a different colour
• Get a large visible tattoo the previous day
• Leave in all your facial piercings
• Wear the blouse with the red wine stain on
• Look bored and disinterested
• Spend a lot of time looking at the floor or gaze out of the window
• Speak in a low monotonous voice tone and use lots of ehums & aahs
• Be expressionless or grumpy faced
• Sit on the edge of your chair nervously
• Just make up answers as you go
• Waffle
• Pretend to be someone you’re not
• Give one-word answers to questions
• Come with no prepared questions
• Criticise your previous employer, school, life in general
• Tell them your hobbies are socialising and watching TV
• Fiddle constantly with your hair, underwear, earrings, fingernails and other body parts
• Say you have no strengths or weaknesses
• Know anything out about the company
• Use slang words like ‘youse’
• Slouch

After the interview

• Remember to thank the recruitment team for inviting you to attend an interview. Recruitment teams in companies work hard during such events and your genuine appreciation will be welcomed.
• Remember that in some companies the recruitment process may be divided into different sessions. This may be completed in one day or in some cases you will be invited to attend on a later date.
• Don’t ask for feedback on your performance as companies never provide such information. In addition, after you have left the interview the recruitment team will still be discussing your performance and assessing your qualities.

If you don’t get the job it’s worth reviewing how you conducted yourself at interview in order to learn from the event and do better next time!

Before your Interview

• Check that you are aware of the exact location where the interview is being held.
• Plan your route or journey and allow yourself an extra half hour in case of any unforeseen delays. Under no circumstances arrive late!
• If you are driving make sure you check for parking facilities, and the location of these.

Dress Code & Grooming

Recruitment decisions are based on several different factors, but it is worth remembering that first impressions really do count! You should dress appropriately for a flight attending position, such as:

• Office style smart attire to wear for your interview – a businesslike suit in a conservative colour
• Ensure that you are well groomed, with clean tidy hair, make up (if applicable) and clean, smart shoes.
• Your clothes must be tidy, clean, and crisply ironed
• Hair should be clean and neatly styled
• Visible body piercings should be removed
• Makeup should be neat and natural in appearance
• Jewellery should be minimal and unobtrusive
• Make sure that you feel comfortable with your appearance.
• Do one final check of your overall appearance prior to arriving at the interview venue and during break times.

Documentation

• If you are required to take documents/certificates etc with you, ensure that you have them all laid out in a smart folder and available for the interviewers to see.
• Always prepare your documents a few days before the interview to ensure that you have all the necessary certificates and paperwork that you are required to take.

Research and Preparation

• Find out as much as possible about the company you have applied to. You may be asked at the interview to provide information about the company that demonstrates your background knowledge and interest. Typical information to research includes history of the company, aircraft in the fleet, route network and special features of their services.

Nerves

• It is perfectly normal to feel nervous before and during the interview process! Prior to attending the interview ensure that you spend some time relaxing and that you get a good night’s sleep before.
• To help your nerves take deep breaths and remember that the recruitment team will make allowances for the fact that people are nervous.
• Prior preparation will help to ease nerves.

Before your Interview

• Check that you are aware of the exact location where the interview is being held.
• Plan your route or journey and allow yourself an extra half hour in case of any unforeseen delays. Under no circumstances arrive late!
• If you are driving make sure you check for parking facilities, and the location of these.

Dress Code & Grooming

Recruitment decisions are based on several different factors, but it is worth remembering that first impressions really do count! You should dress appropriately for any job position, such as:

• Office style smart attire to wear for your interview – a business-like suit in a conservative color
• Ensure that you are well groomed, with clean tidy hair, make up (if applicable) and clean, smart shoes.
• Your clothes must be tidy, clean, and crisply ironed
• Hair should be clean and neatly styled
• Visible body piercings should be removed
• Makeup should be neat and natural in appearance
• Jewelry should be minimal and unobtrusive
• Make sure that you feel comfortable with your appearance.
• Do one final check of your overall appearance prior to arriving at the interview venue and during break times.

Documentation

• If you are required to take documents/certificates etc with you, ensure that you have them all laid out in a smart folder and available for the interviewers to see.
• Always prepare your documents a few days before the interview to ensure that you have all the necessary certificates and paperwork that you are required to take.

Research and Preparation

• Find out as much as possible about the company you have applied to. You may be asked at the interview to provide information about the company that demonstrates your background knowledge and interest. Typical information to research includes history of the company, aircraft in the fleet, route network and special features of their services.

Nerves

• It is perfectly normal to feel nervous before and during the interview process! Prior to attending the interview ensure that you spend some time relaxing and that you get a good night’s sleep before.
• To help your nerves take deep breaths and remember that the recruitment team will make allowances for the fact that people are nervous.
• Prior preparation will help to ease nerves.

Before your Interview

• Check that you are aware of the exact location where the interview is being held.
• Plan your route or journey and allow yourself an extra half hour in case of any unforeseen delays. Under no circumstances arrive late!
• If you are driving make sure you check for parking facilities, and the location of these.

Dress Code & Grooming

Recruitment decisions are based on several different factors, but it is worth remembering that first impressions really do count! You should dress appropriately for any job position, such as:

• Office style smart attire to wear for your interview – a business-like suit in a conservative color
• Ensure that you are well groomed, with clean tidy hair, make up (if applicable) and clean, smart shoes.
• Your clothes must be tidy, clean, and crisply ironed
• Hair should be clean and neatly styled
• Visible body piercings should be removed
• Makeup should be neat and natural in appearance
• Jewelry should be minimal and unobtrusive
• Make sure that you feel comfortable with your appearance.
• Do one final check of your overall appearance prior to arriving at the interview venue and during break times.

Documentation

• If you are required to take documents/certificates etc with you, ensure that you have them all laid out in a smart folder and available for the interviewers to see.
• Always prepare your documents a few days before the interview to ensure that you have all the necessary certificates and paperwork that you are required to take.

Research and Preparation

• Find out as much as possible about the company you have applied to. You may be asked at the interview to provide information about the company that demonstrates your background knowledge and interest. Typical information to research includes history of the company, aircraft in the fleet, route network and special features of their services.

Nerves

• It is perfectly normal to feel nervous before and during the interview process! Prior to attending the interview ensure that you spend some time relaxing and that you get a good night’s sleep before.
• To help your nerves take deep breaths and remember that the recruitment team will make allowances for the fact that people are nervous.
• Prior preparation will help to ease nerves.

Email Etiquette

An Email is not a text message! It’s an electronic letter, so apply the same writing standards that you would to a letter, especially when applying for a job.

Address the message appropriately using Dear (Name of person) and close the e mail with ‘Yours sincerely’, (your full name)

Use the subject window effectively – people get so many Emails these days that they often trash them based on what’s in the subject window..

Do’s

Be careful about the message’s tone! No voice and visual means that your word choice is especially important

Write proper English. Note-form language may be quicker to write, but actually it’s harder to read

Proof-read and edit your Email before you click send

Don’ts

Don’t write in capitals. IF YOU DO IT IS KNOWN AS SHOUTING!

Don’t Email when you really ought to phone or meet. Don’t use writing to avoid talk when talk is needed.

I repeat. Don’t Use Text Language!

Interviews

Once you have applied for a position you may be invited to interview and should prepare well for that event.

You will need to prepare yourself fully so that you perform to the best of your ability.

But first,

DID YOU KNOW?

• If you get to interview you have a 33% chance of getting the job.
• Of those who are offered an interview at least 40% lose the job before they even speak!
• The person interviewing you may not have had training, and you may very well be better skilled at interviewing
• Don’t expect all interviews to be the same. Everyone has their own preferred interviewing style.
• Interviews may be conducted one to one, or several people may interview you.  Companies and bigger companies may even conduct group interviews.
• Interviewers WANT you to be the right candidate for the job!

 
Interviews for flight attendants/cabin crew normally includes a panel or group interview which involves you and a number of other candidates meeting together with company assessors.

The process may take the form of a group discussion, with opportunities for each candidate to talk about themselves and their career goals, followed by participation in group tasks or activities. During these activities the assessors will evaluate how well you get along with other people, how easy you find it to work with new people, what kind of personality you have etc.  You may be asked to perform practical tasks such as making morning tea for another group, solving a puzzle or debating a topical issue.

After the group interview there may be an opportunity for you to meet the interviewer/assessor on a one-on-one basis. Most companies make a selection of people from this process to move forward to the next stage and you will be notified if you have made it through to the second stage. If it’s starting to sound a lot like American Idol, it’s because it’s the same formula!

The second stage varies from company to company, but may involve individual interviews, written assessments or personality profiles/questionnaires. Candidates who make it through the second stage may then be invited to the final process, which may also involve a medical check. The process may seem quite lengthy – but if you make it through you’ll have a fantastic job!

Email Etiquette

An Email is not a text message! It’s an electronic letter, so apply the same writing standards that you would to a letter, especially when applying for a job.

Address the message appropriately using Dear (Name of person) and close the e mail with ‘Yours sincerely’, (your full name)

Use the subject window effectively – people get so many Emails these days that they often trash them based on what’s in the subject window..

Do’s

Be careful about the message’s tone! No voice and visual means that your word choice is especially important

Write proper English. Note-form language may be quicker to write, but actually it’s harder to read

Proof-read and edit your Email before you click send

Don’ts

Don’t write in capitals. IF YOU DO IT IS KNOWN AS SHOUTING!

Don’t Email when you really ought to phone or meet. Don’t use writing to avoid talk when talk is needed.

I repeat. Don’t Use Text Language!

Interviews

Once you have applied for a position you may be invited to interview and should prepare well for that event.

You will need to prepare yourself fully so that you perform to the best of your ability.

But first,

DID YOU KNOW?

• If you get to interview you have a 33% chance of getting the job.
• Of those who are offered an interview at least 40% lose the job before they even speak!
• The person interviewing you may not have had training, and you may very well be better skilled at interviewing
• Don’t expect all interviews to be the same. Everyone has their own preferred interviewing style.
• Interviews may be conducted one to one, or several people may interview you.  Companies and bigger companies may even conduct group interviews.
• Interviewers WANT you to be the right candidate for the job!

 
Interviews for flight attendants/cabin crew normally includes a panel or group interview which involves you and a number of other candidates meeting together with company assessors.

The process may take the form of a group discussion, with opportunities for each candidate to talk about themselves and their career goals, followed by participation in group tasks or activities. During these activities the assessors will evaluate how well you get along with other people, how easy you find it to work with new people, what kind of personality you have etc.  You may be asked to perform practical tasks such as making morning tea for another group, solving a puzzle or debating a topical issue.

After the group interview there may be an opportunity for you to meet the interviewer/assessor on a one-on-one basis. Most companies make a selection of people from this process to move forward to the next stage and you will be notified if you have made it through to the second stage. If it’s starting to sound a lot like American Idol, it’s because it’s the same formula!

The second stage varies from company to company, but may involve individual interviews, written assessments or personality profiles/questionnaires. Candidates who make it through the second stage may then be invited to the final process, which may also involve a medical check. The process may seem quite lengthy – but if you make it through you’ll have a fantastic job!

Email Etiquette

An Email is not a text message! It’s an electronic letter, so apply the same writing standards that you would to a letter, especially when applying for a job.

Address the message appropriately using Dear (Name of person) and close the e mail with ‘Yours sincerely’, (your full name)

Use the subject window effectively – people get so many Emails these days that they often trash them based on what’s in the subject window..

Do’s

Be careful about the message’s tone! No voice and visual means that your word choice is especially important

Write proper English. Note-form language may be quicker to write, but actually it’s harder to read

Proof-read and edit your Email before you click send

Don’ts

Don’t write in capitals. IF YOU DO IT IS KNOWN AS SHOUTING!

Don’t Email when you really ought to phone or meet. Don’t use writing to avoid talk when talk is needed.

I repeat. Don’t Use Text Language!

Interviews

Once you have applied for a position you may be invited to interview and should prepare well for that event.

You will need to prepare yourself fully so that you perform to the best of your ability.

But first,

DID YOU KNOW?

• If you get to interview you have a 33% chance of getting the job.
• Of those who are offered an interview at least 40% lose the job before they even speak!
• The person interviewing you may not have had training, and you may very well be better skilled at interviewing
• Don’t expect all interviews to be the same. Everyone has their own preferred interviewing style.
• Interviews may be conducted one to one, or several people may interview you.  Companies and bigger companies may even conduct group interviews.
• Interviewers WANT you to be the right candidate for the job!

Interviews for flight attendants/cabin crew normally includes a panel or group interview which involves you and a number of other candidates meeting together with company assessors.

The process may take the form of a group discussion, with opportunities for each candidate to talk about themselves and their career goals, followed by participation in group tasks or activities. During these activities the assessors will evaluate how well you get along with other people, how easy you find it to work with new people, what kind of personality you have etc.  You may be asked to perform practical tasks such as making morning tea for another group, solving a puzzle or debating a topical issue.

After the group interview there may be an opportunity for you to meet the interviewer/assessor on a one-on-one basis. Most companies make a selection of people from this process to move forward to the next stage and you will be notified if you have made it through to the second stage. If it’s starting to sound a lot like American Idol, it’s because it’s the same formula!

The second stage varies from company to company, but may involve individual interviews, written assessments or personality profiles/questionnaires. Candidates who make it through the second stage may then be invited to the final process, which may also involve a medical check. The process may seem quite lengthy – but if you make it through you’ll have a fantastic job!

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Education History usually follows your personal details:

• Start with what you did most recently, making sure you describe it accurately.
• Only include details of Tertiary or Secondary schooling – nobody needs to know where you went to kindergarten! Include details of years attended and brief details of qualifications achieved. Provide the name of the College or school, the years you attended, and the names of key qualifications you gained. Information on Grades is not essential.

Employment History follows next:

• As with the previous section, work backwards from the most recent position you held. You can be selective here and leave out temporary or short-term positions that are not relevant to the job. i.e. 2 months spent kiwi fruit picking when you were 16 may be excluded!
• Give the years you were employed in each position, together with the name of the company (in bold), job title, and a brief description of key responsibilities or roles. Only one or two sentences are required, or you could use bullet points.
• Remember to provide information on career gaps – showing the years and one line description of what you were doing at that time, e.g. 2000 -2004  Time out to raise a family

You should now provide basic/brief details of your interests/activities:

• List one or two hobbies or interests, remembering that employers are looking for people who are well balanced, and you should take care to paint a picture of both physical activity and mental agility! Don’t list too many as it suggests that your life is too busy to fit work in!
•  Be careful here – socialising, going out and relaxing are not hobbies – but lifestyles!

Special Awards and Achievements fit well on this page – giving you the opportunity to highlight aspects of your life that suggest honesty, integrity, team skills, leadership ability, commitment and dedication. This includes achievements at school (if you are under 25!), at work, or within the community.

Personal Referees should always be included within the CV as the final section:

• Include details of two people who will say good things about you! These should preferably be former employers. If you have little or no work experience you may use a school teacher, sports group manager or organiser, church or voluntary work organiser etc. Referees cannot be family members or friends!
•  Give their name and job title, together with their contact details. This should include phone or email contact as most references are sought in this way.

Lastly, spellcheck, double spellcheck, print it out and proof read it really carefully before sending it to anybody!

If you are not completing an online application you might be e-mailing your CV to the HR department. Be careful with email, You should take the same care with an e mail as you would a letter or CV, so follow these tips and you won’t go too far wrong!

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Education History usually follows your personal details:

• Start with what you did most recently, making sure you describe it accurately.
• Only include details of Tertiary or Secondary schooling – nobody needs to know where you went to kindergarten! Include details of years attended and brief details of qualifications achieved. Provide the name of the College or school, the years you attended, and the names of key qualifications you gained. Information on Grades is not essential.

Employment History follows next:

• As with the previous section, work backwards from the most recent position you held. You can be selective here and leave out temporary or short-term positions that are not relevant to the job. i.e. 2 months spent kiwi fruit picking when you were 16 may be excluded!
• Give the years you were employed in each position, together with the name of the company (in bold), job title, and a brief description of key responsibilities or roles. Only one or two sentences are required, or you could use bullet points.
• Remember to provide information on career gaps – showing the years and one line description of what you were doing at that time, e.g. 2000 -2004  Time out to raise a family

You should now provide basic/brief details of your interests/activities:

• List one or two hobbies or interests, remembering that employers are looking for people who are well balanced, and you should take care to paint a picture of both physical activity and mental agility! Don’t list too many as it suggests that your life is too busy to fit work in!
•  Be careful here – socialising, going out and relaxing are not hobbies – but lifestyles!

Special Awards and Achievements fit well on this page – giving you the opportunity to highlight aspects of your life that suggest honesty, integrity, team skills, leadership ability, commitment and dedication. This includes achievements at school (if you are under 25!), at work, or within the community.

Personal Referees should always be included within the CV as the final section:

• Include details of two people who will say good things about you! These should preferably be former employers. If you have little or no work experience you may use a school teacher, sports group manager or organiser, church or voluntary work organiser etc. Referees cannot be family members or friends!
•  Give their name and job title, together with their contact details. This should include phone or email contact as most references are sought in this way.

Lastly, spellcheck, double spellcheck, print it out and proof read it really carefully before sending it to anybody!

If you are not completing an online application you might be e-mailing your CV to the HR department. Be careful with email, You should take the same care with an e mail as you would a letter or CV, so follow these tips and you won’t go too far wrong!

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Education History usually follows your personal details:

• Start with what you did most recently, making sure you describe it accurately.
• Only include details of Tertiary or Secondary schooling – nobody needs to know where you went to kindergarten! Include details of years attended and brief details of qualifications achieved. Provide the name of the College or school, the years you attended, and the names of key qualifications you gained. Information on Grades is not essential.

Employment History follows next:

• As with the previous section, work backwards from the most recent position you held. You can be selective here and leave out temporary or short-term positions that are not relevant to the job. i.e. 2 months spent kiwi fruit picking when you were 16 may be excluded!
• Give the years you were employed in each position, together with the name of the company (in bold), job title, and a brief description of key responsibilities or roles. Only one or two sentences are required, or you could use bullet points.
• Remember to provide information on career gaps – showing the years and one line description of what you were doing at that time, e.g. 2000 -2004  Time out to raise a family

You should now provide basic/brief details of your interests/activities:

• List one or two hobbies or interests, remembering that employers are looking for people who are well balanced, and you should take care to paint a picture of both physical activity and mental agility! Don’t list too many as it suggests that your life is too busy to fit work in!
•  Be careful here – socialising, going out and relaxing are not hobbies – but lifestyles!

Special Awards and Achievements fit well on this page – giving you the opportunity to highlight aspects of your life that suggest honesty, integrity, team skills, leadership ability, commitment and dedication. This includes achievements at school (if you are under 25!), at work, or within the community.

Personal Referees should always be included within the CV as the final section:

• Include details of two people who will say good things about you! These should preferably be former employers. If you have little or no work experience you may use a school teacher, sports group manager or organiser, church or voluntary work organiser etc. Referees cannot be family members or friends!
•  Give their name and job title, together with their contact details. This should include phone or email contact as most references are sought in this way.

Lastly, spellcheck, double spellcheck, print it out and proof read it really carefully before sending it to anybody!

If you are not completing an online application you might be e-mailing your CV to the HR department. Be careful with email, You should take the same care with an e mail as you would a letter or CV, so follow these tips and you won’t go too far wrong!

CV Layout and Content

If you’re producing a hard-copy, the front cover needs to be eye catching. This is a great place for a photograph and for personal details. Try an attractive ‘hand writing’ style font for your name, but don’t be tempted into fonts which are so exotic that they can’t be read easily.  Any boxes or lines need to be carefully thought through – aim always for a crisp, professional, uncluttered look.

Please note that a front cover is not customary if you are emailing an electronic copy.

The second page starts with your Personal Details. These should include:

• Your full name
• Your e mail address (preferably within the area you are intending to work)
• Your contact phone number, including a daytime number. You must ensure you can  be easily contacted when job hunting – don’t make it difficult for potential employers to find you!
• Your  mailing address
• Date of  birth is optional, but useful to show, particularly if you are a recent  school leaver, as this will explain lack of extensive work experience.
• Nationality  is important so describe your status, i.e. permanent resident, citizenship.
• Driver’s licence. Indicate what type of licence you have.
• Health.  Jobs as flight attendants require you to be in good health, and a full      medical will form part of the recruitment process.
• Languages.  List any spoken, including level. i.e. Conversational French, Fluent      Spanish.

Listing your smoking status, marital status, numbers of children etcare unnecessary and take up valuable space and reading time!

Travel Experience

Travel experience can be included here, particularly if you are well travelled. List places visited on page one. You can use a bullet point format, or sentence style, including information on length of time you visited the countries, and how extensively you know an area. If you haven’t yet travelled outside the place you live in then keep this to yourself for now!

Personal Statement/Key Skills/Core Strengths/Special skills: Use the remainder of the first page to ‘sell yourself:

• Personal statements can be difficult to write, but if you use one you MUST have written it yourself (or at least drafted it!) and it should accurately reflect the type of person you are. There is a current trend away from these statements and you might like to use this area on the CV to summarise your key or greatest strengths in bullet point format.

• This is an opportunity to bring out previous work experience, qualifications or interests you have that make you a great candidate for this position. Write one good paragraph that will make the reader want to meet you. Remember – the CV is not the place to be modest about yourself! Use positive statements or phrases.

CV Layout and Content

If you’re producing a hard-copy, the front cover needs to be eye catching. This is a great place for a photograph and for personal details. Try an attractive ‘hand writing’ style font for your name, but don’t be tempted into fonts which are so exotic that they can’t be read easily.  Any boxes or lines need to be carefully thought through – aim always for a crisp, professional, uncluttered look.

Please note that a front cover is not customary if you are emailing an electronic copy.

The second page starts with your Personal Details. These should include:

• Your full name
• Your e mail address (preferably within the area you are intending to work)
• Your contact phone number, including a daytime number. You must ensure you can  be easily contacted when job hunting – don’t make it difficult for potential employers to find you!
• Your  mailing address
• Date of  birth is optional, but useful to show, particularly if you are a recent  school leaver, as this will explain lack of extensive work experience.
• Nationality  is important so describe your status, i.e. permanent resident, citizenship.
• Driver’s licence. Indicate what type of licence you have.
• Health.  Jobs as flight attendants require you to be in good health, and a full      medical will form part of the recruitment process.
• Languages.  List any spoken, including level. i.e. Conversational French, Fluent      Spanish.

Listing your smoking status, marital status, numbers of children etc are unnecessary and take up valuable space and reading time!

Travel Experience

Travel experience can be included here, particularly if you are well travelled. List places visited. You can use a bullet point format, or sentence style, including information on length of time you visited the countries, and how extensively you know an area. If you haven’t yet travelled outside the place you live in then keep this to yourself for now!

Personal Statement/Key Skills/Core Strengths/Special skills: Use the remainder of the first page to ‘sell yourself:

• Personal statements can be difficult to write, but if you use one you MUST have written it yourself (or at least drafted it!) and it should accurately reflect the type of person you are. There is a current trend away from these statements and you might like to use this area on the CV to summarise your key or greatest strengths in bullet point format.

• This is an opportunity to bring out previous work experience, qualifications or interests you have that make you a great candidate for this position. Write one good paragraph that will make the reader want to meet you. Remember – the CV is not the place to be modest about yourself! Use positive statements or phrases.

CV Layout and Content

If you’re producing a hard-copy, the front cover needs to be eye catching. This is a great place for a photograph and for personal details. Try an attractive ‘hand writing’ style font for your name, but don’t be tempted into fonts which are so exotic that they can’t be read easily.  Any boxes or lines need to be carefully thought through – aim always for a crisp, professional, uncluttered look.

Please note that a front cover is not customary if you are emailing an electronic copy.

The second page starts with your Personal Details. These should include:

• Your full name
• Your e mail address (preferably within the area you are intending to work)
• Your contact phone number, including a daytime number. You must ensure you can  be easily contacted when job hunting – don’t make it difficult for potential employers to find you!
• Your  mailing address
• Date of  birth is optional, but useful to show, particularly if you are a recent  school leaver, as this will explain lack of extensive work experience.
• Nationality  is important so describe your status, i.e. permanent resident, citizenship.
• Driver’s licence. Indicate what type of licence you have.
• Health.  Jobs as flight attendants require you to be in good health, and a full      medical will form part of the recruitment process.
• Languages.  List any spoken, including level. i.e. Conversational French, Fluent      Spanish.

Listing your smoking status, marital status, numbers of children etc are unnecessary and take up valuable space and reading time!

Travel Experience

Travel experience can be included here, particularly if you are well travelled. List places visited. You can use a bullet point format, or sentence style, including information on length of time you visited the countries, and how extensively you know an area. If you haven’t yet travelled outside the place you live in then keep this to yourself for now!

Personal Statement/Key Skills/Core Strengths/Special skills: Use the remainder of the first page to ‘sell yourself:

• Personal statements can be difficult to write, but if you use one you MUST have written it yourself (or at least drafted it!) and it should accurately reflect the type of person you are. There is a current trend away from these statements and you might like to use this area on the CV to summarise your key or greatest strengths in bullet point format.

• This is an opportunity to bring out previous work experience, qualifications or interests you have that make you a great candidate for this position. Write one good paragraph that will make the reader want to meet you. Remember – the CV is not the place to be modest about yourself! Use positive statements or phrases.

CV Preparation

CVs and Letters

If you are preparing a curriculum vitae (CV) – or resume– to send to a company rather than use an online application process, ensure that the CV meets the highest standards of professional presentation. The content must include, as a minimum, all your personal details, education and qualifications, work history, interests, and recent references.

Letters accompanying CVs should match the font and style of your CV, and should be professionally laid out, grammatically correct and error free. The internet is an excellent source of examples of both CVs and application letters, and your local library will also contain reference books to help you.

What is a CV?

• An up to date and concise summary of all the information about you that will interest an employer.
• A short account of your career and qualifications RELEVANT to the position you are applying for or for the position you are seeking to find.
• An advertisement for you.
• A positive picture of what you have done and can do.

What is its purpose?

• To get you an interview! An employer’s decision to interview you, or not, is usually based on the quality and content of your CV (if you get to interview, you usually have a 33% chance of getting the job)
• The CV creates an impression of you in the mind of the employer. First impressions are very resistant to change. Do all that you can do to make yours a good one.

When is a CV used?

• When applying for a position advertised that you are interested in.
• When carrying out a ‘mail out’ to prospective employers
• During an interview – by both yourself and the interviewer. You will take one with you in case the interviewer doesn’t have one, and the interviewer will refer to it to refresh their memory, and to compare you with the other candidates they have in mind.
• To represent where you are at with regard to industry skills training & experience

Top Tips to a Great CV!

• The CV must be error free! Any spelling mistakes, typos, poor layout problems will ensure it ends up in the reject pile!!
• A clear layout is important – so use one simple font, keep your layout simple, evenly spaced and uncluttered. Use titles in bold or capitals or larger font size. Avoid borders or ornate layouts – these look unprofessional.
• Size is important!! Keep things brief and to the point! Latest research tells us that employers have less and less time to spend reading documents – so don’t turn them off with your life story! Three pages maximum – two pages is even better.
• Use bullet points to keep the CV brief, punchy, and easy to read, especially for interests and job tasks. Don’t use bullet points where a short sentence is informative and necessary.
• Orderly layout will ensure it flows well.  Make sure your important and critical information is on the first page, e.g. your contact information and a summary of key skills or experiences.
• When listing your education and work experiences, start with your most recent jobs or education then work backwards in date order.
• Always put your higher qualifications first – this will make the most impact and encourage the reader to keep reading.
• If you have gaps in your career (maybe because of taking time out to raise a family, travel or anything else that prevented you from working) explain them within the CV. Unexplained gaps create suspicion in the mind of the employer.
• Make the reader want to read on! As you are applying for a company position make sure you phrase any work experience in positive, service industry language. Tell employers what you’ve done, where you’ve been, what you’ve studied, what you’ve achieved that is relevant and of interest to them and their company.
• Leave out stuff that won’t interest them, or at least minimise it!
• Be honest! There’s no point in saying you speak fluent French when you can only order a meal or say good morning and good night! Honestly is the best policy – but always phrase things positively.
• Avoid references to hobbies or interests that may make you seem eccentric, a loner, or are totally irrelevant to the industry you’re applying to work in. Also avoid exaggeration! If you’ve sky-dived once, that’s an experience, not a hobby!

CV Preparation

CVs and Letters

If you are preparing a curriculum vitae (CV) – or resume– to send to a company rather than use an online application process, ensure that the CV meets the highest standards of professional presentation. The content must include, as a minimum, all your personal details, education and qualifications, work history, interests, and recent references.

Letters accompanying CVs should match the font and style of your CV, and should be professionally laid out, grammatically correct and error free. The internet is an excellent source of examples of both CVs and application letters, and your local library will also contain reference books to help you.

What is a CV?

• An up to date and concise summary of all the information about you that will interest an employer.
• A short account of your career and qualifications RELEVANT to the position you are applying for or for the position you are seeking to find.
• An advertisement for you.
• A positive picture of what you have done and can do.

What is its purpose?

• To get you an interview! An employer’s decision to interview you, or not, is usually based on the quality and content of your CV (if you get to interview, you usually have a 33% chance of getting the job)
• The CV creates an impression of you in the mind of the employer. First impressions are very resistant to change. Do all that you can do to make yours a good one.

When is a CV used?

• When applying for a position advertised that you are interested in.
• When carrying out a ‘mail out’ to prospective employers
• During an interview – by both yourself and the interviewer. You will take one with you in case the interviewer doesn’t have one, and the interviewer will refer to it to refresh their memory, and to compare you with the other candidates they have in mind.
• To represent where you are at with regard to industry skills training & experience

Top Tips to a Great CV!

• The CV must be error free! Any spelling mistakes, typos, poor layout problems will ensure it ends up in the reject pile!!
• A clear layout is important – so use one simple font, keep your layout simple, evenly spaced and uncluttered. Use titles in bold or capitals or larger font size. Avoid borders or ornate layouts – these look unprofessional.
• Size is important!! Keep things brief and to the point! Latest research tells us that employers have less and less time to spend reading documents – so don’t turn them off with your life story! Three pages maximum – two pages is even better.
• Use bullet points to keep the CV brief, punchy, and easy to read, especially for interests and job tasks. Don’t use bullet points where a short sentence is informative and necessary.
• Orderly layout will ensure it flows well.  Make sure your important and critical information is on the first page, e.g. your contact information and a summary of key skills or experiences.
• When listing your education and work experiences, start with your most recent jobs or education then work backwards in date order.
• Always put your higher qualifications first – this will make the most impact and encourage the reader to keep reading.
• If you have gaps in your career (maybe because of taking time out to raise a family, travel or anything else that prevented you from working) explain them within the CV. Unexplained gaps create suspicion in the mind of the employer.
• Make the reader want to read on! As you are applying for a company position make sure you phrase any work experience in positive, service industry language. Tell employers what you’ve done, where you’ve been, what you’ve studied, what you’ve achieved that is relevant and of interest to them and their company.
• Leave out stuff that won’t interest them, or at least minimise it!
• Be honest! There’s no point in saying you speak fluent French when you can only order a meal or say good morning and good night! Honestly is the best policy – but always phrase things positively.
• Avoid references to hobbies or interests that may make you seem eccentric, a loner, or are totally irrelevant to the industry you’re applying to work in. Also avoid exaggeration! If you’ve sky-dived once, that’s an experience, not a hobby!

CV Preparation

CVs and Letters

If you are preparing a curriculum vitae (CV) – or resume– to send to a company rather than use an online application process, ensure that the CV meets the highest standards of professional presentation. The content must include, as a minimum, all your personal details, education and qualifications, work history, interests, and recent references.

Letters accompanying CVs should match the font and style of your CV, and should be professionally laid out, grammatically correct and error free. The internet is an excellent source of examples of both CVs and application letters, and your local library will also contain reference books to help you.

What is a CV?

• An up to date and concise summary of all the information about you that will interest an employer.
• A short account of your career and qualifications RELEVANT to the position you are applying for or for the position you are seeking to find.
• An advertisement for you.
• A positive picture of what you have done and can do.

What is its purpose?

• To get you an interview! An employer’s decision to interview you, or not, is usually based on the quality and content of your CV (if you get to interview, you usually have a 33% chance of getting the job)
• The CV creates an impression of you in the mind of the employer. First impressions are very resistant to change. Do all that you can do to make yours a good one.

When is a CV used?

• When applying for a position advertised that you are interested in.
• When carrying out a ‘mail out’ to prospective employers
• During an interview – by both yourself and the interviewer. You will take one with you in case the interviewer doesn’t have one, and the interviewer will refer to it to refresh their memory, and to compare you with the other candidates they have in mind.
• To represent where you are at with regard to industry skills training & experience

Top Tips to a Great CV!

• The CV must be error free! Any spelling mistakes, typos, poor layout problems will ensure it ends up in the reject pile!!
• A clear layout is important – so use one simple font, keep your layout simple, evenly spaced and uncluttered. Use titles in bold or capitals or larger font size. Avoid borders or ornate layouts – these look unprofessional.
• Size is important!! Keep things brief and to the point! Latest research tells us that employers have less and less time to spend reading documents – so don’t turn them off with your life story! Three pages maximum – two pages is even better.
• Use bullet points to keep the CV brief, punchy, and easy to read, especially for interests and job tasks. Don’t use bullet points where a short sentence is informative and necessary.
• Orderly layout will ensure it flows well.  Make sure your important and critical information is on the first page, e.g. your contact information and a summary of key skills or experiences.
• When listing your education and work experiences, start with your most recent jobs or education then work backwards in date order.
• Always put your higher qualifications first – this will make the most impact and encourage the reader to keep reading.
• If you have gaps in your career (maybe because of taking time out to raise a family, travel or anything else that prevented you from working) explain them within the CV. Unexplained gaps create suspicion in the mind of the employer.
• Make the reader want to read on! As you are applying for a company position make sure you phrase any work experience in positive, service industry language. Tell employers what you’ve done, where you’ve been, what you’ve studied, what you’ve achieved that is relevant and of interest to them and their company.
• Leave out stuff that won’t interest them, or at least minimise it!
• Be honest! There’s no point in saying you speak fluent French when you can only order a meal or say good morning and good night! Honestly is the best policy – but always phrase things positively.
• Avoid references to hobbies or interests that may make you seem eccentric, a loner, or are totally irrelevant to the industry you’re applying to work in. Also avoid exaggeration! If you’ve sky-dived once, that’s an experience, not a hobby!

Company Recruitment Processes

Air New Zealand

For this section we are using Air New Zealand as our example airline. The notes on applications and interviews are equally relevant to all companies, but individual companies may differ in some of their requirements, operation and processes. We recommend that you conduct up to date online research on the company most relevant to your current situation.

Air New Zealand, the national flag carrier of New Zealand, is the largest employer of flight attendants within New Zealand. As with all national airlines, their recruitment standards are rigorous and competition for a position within the organisation is tough!

We have provided here the latest information on their application process, entry criteria, and career paths, current at the time of publication.

Air New Zealand posts its job vacancies online and you are invited to apply from their website. This means that letters and hard-copy CVs are almost a thing of the past!

You will be asked to register as a new user, with e-mail address, username, and password. This will provide you with access into their recruitment database and you can build a personal profile online, which Air New Zealand will use to assess your suitability for vacancies.

You must complete a comprehensive online ‘CV’ which includes your qualifications, career history, achievement, references, health and other key details.

The process will take an hour or so, so we recommend that you prepare yourself for the application, gathering together your CV and other information you may need [qualifications, education history etc.], set aside plenty of time and give it your full attention!

• After you submit your application, the Air New Zealand HR Services team reviews the details you have provided.
• Candidates whose details closely match the requirements of the position are then contacted for a telephone interview. This could occur several weeks after the original application has been submitted.
• Within 10 days of the telephone interview, candidates are notified whether they will progress through the remainder of the selection process.
• At times, there may not be an immediate need to recruit for Flight Attendant or other positions, however, the airline continuously maintains a ‘candidate pool’ of successful candidates from the telephone interview stage.
• These candidates are reassessed when a need for new Flight Attendants is established, and at that point candidates whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the position are contacted and invited to an assessment centre.
• At the assessment centre, candidates attend a one on one interview as well as participating in a number of group activities and assessments.
• Candidates who are successful from the assessment centre have verbal referees contacted, and attend a pre-employment medical check, as well as obtaining Aviation Security clearance.
• Offers are extended to successful candidates based on operational requirements.

Company Recruitment Processes

Air New Zealand

For this section we are using Air New Zealand as our example airline. The notes on applications and interviews are equally relevant to all companies, but individual companies may differ in some of their requirements, operation and processes. We recommend that you conduct up to date online research on the company most relevant to your current situation.

Air New Zealand, the national flag carrier of New Zealand, is the largest employer of flight attendants within New Zealand. As with all national airlines, their recruitment standards are rigorous and competition for a position within the organisation is tough!

We have provided here the latest information on their application process, entry criteria, and career paths, current at the time of publication.

Air New Zealand posts its job vacancies online and you are invited to apply from their website. This means that letters and hard-copy CVs are almost a thing of the past!

You will be asked to register as a new user, with e-mail address, username, and password. This will provide you with access into their recruitment database and you can build a personal profile online, which Air New Zealand will use to assess your suitability for vacancies.

You must complete a comprehensive online ‘CV’ which includes your qualifications, career history, achievement, references, health and other key details.

The process will take an hour or so, so we recommend that you prepare yourself for the application, gathering together your CV and other information you may need [qualifications, education history etc.], set aside plenty of time and give it your full attention!

• After you submit your application, the Air New Zealand HR Services team reviews the details you have provided.
• Candidates whose details closely match the requirements of the position are then contacted for a telephone interview. This could occur several weeks after the original application has been submitted.
• Within 10 days of the telephone interview, candidates are notified whether they will progress through the remainder of the selection process.
• At times, there may not be an immediate need to recruit for Flight Attendant or other positions, however, the airline continuously maintains a ‘candidate pool’ of successful candidates from the telephone interview stage.
• These candidates are reassessed when a need for new Flight Attendants is established, and at that point candidates whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the position are contacted and invited to an assessment centre.
• At the assessment centre, candidates attend a one on one interview as well as participating in a number of group activities and assessments.
• Candidates who are successful from the assessment centre have verbal referees contacted, and attend a pre-employment medical check, as well as obtaining Aviation Security clearance.
• Offers are extended to successful candidates based on operational requirements.

Company Recruitment Processes

Air New Zealand

For this section we are using Air New Zealand as our example airline. The notes on applications and interviews are equally relevant to all companies, but individual companies may differ in some of their requirements, operation and processes. We recommend that you conduct up to date online research on the company most relevant to your current situation.

Air New Zealand, the national flag carrier of New Zealand, is the largest employer of flight attendants within New Zealand. As with all national airlines, their recruitment standards are rigorous and competition for a position within the organisation is tough!

We have provided here the latest information on their application process, entry criteria, and career paths, current at the time of publication.

Air New Zealand posts its job vacancies online and you are invited to apply from their website. This means that letters and hard-copy CVs are almost a thing of the past!

You will be asked to register as a new user, with e-mail address, username, and password. This will provide you with access into their recruitment database and you can build a personal profile online, which Air New Zealand will use to assess your suitability for vacancies.

You must complete a comprehensive online ‘CV’ which includes your qualifications, career history, achievement, references, health and other key details.

The process will take an hour or so, so we recommend that you prepare yourself for the application, gathering together your CV and other information you may need [qualifications, education history etc.], set aside plenty of time and give it your full attention!

• After you submit your application, the Air New Zealand HR Services team reviews the details you have provided.
• Candidates whose details closely match the requirements of the position are then contacted for a telephone interview. This could occur several weeks after the original application has been submitted.
• Within 10 days of the telephone interview, candidates are notified whether they will progress through the remainder of the selection process.
• At times, there may not be an immediate need to recruit for Flight Attendant or other positions, however, the airline continuously maintains a ‘candidate pool’ of successful candidates from the telephone interview stage.
• These candidates are reassessed when a need for new Flight Attendants is established, and at that point candidates whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the position are contacted and invited to an assessment centre.
• At the assessment centre, candidates attend a one on one interview as well as participating in a number of group activities and assessments.
• Candidates who are successful from the assessment centre have verbal referees contacted, and attend a pre-employment medical check, as well as obtaining Aviation Security clearance.
• Offers are extended to successful candidates based on operational requirements.

Career Preparation

Overview

Having studied all the previous lessons you should now be well prepared for your job applications and interviews for a role in travel, tourism or aviation.

Each company has a unique application procedure and these changes from time to time, so we provide here some general guidelines on applications, CV preparation and preparation for interviews.

Some companies use external recruitment agencies to conduct pre-screening and selection of candidates, then carry out the interviews themselves. Or the agency may carry out initial interviews and presents the final selection to the company for a final interview.

Most companies now provide online applications which make it much easier to apply for a position,  but it’s important to not rush through that process just because its’ online as it doesn’t make it less important!

In all cases interviews will be stringent, often involving a panel or several people who will be evaluating your appearance, your communication skills, your ability to mix and work with others, and your general attitude.

There may also be ‘psychometric testing’ – these are written or online tests that are designed to assess your personality and your ‘fit’ with the organisation. You cannot easily prepare for those and just have to accept them as they come!

Use this Lesson as a preparation for the application and interview process. If you’re serious about flight attending as a career you will find the notes here relevant and helpful, and the interview preparation could make the difference between success and failure on the day!

Good luck – and best wishes in your industry career!

Company Research

The first task in your career preparation is to conduct research on the companies that operate in your area, or those who you have an interest in working for.

You may live in a regional town with a small airport so the choices of companies may be limited, but if you live in a major city with a large international ‘hub’ airport, the choices will be much greater.

We recommend that you use the internet to check out which companies are located in your town or city, and which airlines operate from your local airport. Google the airport name in a phrase such as ‘companies operating from xxx airport’ and make a list of the airlines that feature flights from that airport.

Consider each company: Is this the type of organisation you would like to work for? What kind of flights do they operate? How large is the company? How many staff work for them? Are they recruiting at the moment? If so, how?

All companies have a section on their website which outlines career options with them.

Career Preparation

Overview

Having studied all the previous lessons you should now be well prepared for your job applications and interviews for a role in travel, tourism or aviation.

Each company has a unique application procedure and these changes from time to time, so we provide here some general guidelines on applications, CV preparation and preparation for interviews.

Some companies use external recruitment agencies to conduct pre-screening and selection of candidates, then carry out the interviews themselves. Or the agency may carry out initial interviews and presents the final selection to the company for a final interview.

Most companies now provide online applications which make it much easier to apply for a position,  but it’s important to not rush through that process just because its’ online as it doesn’t make it less important!

In all cases interviews will be stringent, often involving a panel or several people who will be evaluating your appearance, your communication skills, your ability to mix and work with others, and your general attitude.

There may also be ‘psychometric testing’ – these are written or online tests that are designed to assess your personality and your ‘fit’ with the organisation. You cannot easily prepare for those and just have to accept them as they come!

Use this Lesson as a preparation for the application and interview process. If you’re serious about flight attending as a career you will find the notes here relevant and helpful, and the interview preparation could make the difference between success and failure on the day!

Good luck – and best wishes in your industry career!

Company Research

The first task in your career preparation is to conduct research on the companies that operate in your area, or those who you have an interest in working for.

You may live in a regional town with a small airport so the choices of companies may be limited, but if you live in a major city with a large international ‘hub’ airport, the choices will be much greater.

We recommend that you use the internet to check out which companies are located in your town or city, and which airlines operate from your local airport. Google the airport name in a phrase such as ‘companies operating from xxx airport’ and make a list of the airlines that feature flights from that airport.

Consider each company: Is this the type of organisation you would like to work for? What kind of flights do they operate? How large is the company? How many staff work for them? Are they recruiting at the moment? If so, how?

All companies have a section on their website which outlines career options with them.

Career Preparation

Overview

Having studied all the previous lessons you should now be well prepared for your job applications and interviews for a role in travel, tourism or aviation.

Each company has a unique application procedure and these changes from time to time, so we provide here some general guidelines on applications, CV preparation and preparation for interviews.

Some companies use external recruitment agencies to conduct pre-screening and selection of candidates, then carry out the interviews themselves. Or the agency may carry out initial interviews and presents the final selection to the company for a final interview.

Most companies now provide online applications which make it much easier to apply for a position,  but it’s important to not rush through that process just because its’ online as it doesn’t make it less important!

In all cases interviews will be stringent, often involving a panel or several people who will be evaluating your appearance, your communication skills, your ability to mix and work with others, and your general attitude.

There may also be ‘psychometric testing’ – these are written or online tests that are designed to assess your personality and your ‘fit’ with the organisation. You cannot easily prepare for those and just have to accept them as they come!

Use this Lesson as a preparation for the application and interview process. If you’re serious about flight attending as a career you will find the notes here relevant and helpful, and the interview preparation could make the difference between success and failure on the day!

Good luck – and best wishes in your industry career!

Company Research

The first task in your career preparation is to conduct research on the companies that operate in your area, or those who you have an interest in working for.

You may live in a regional town with a small airport so the choices of companies may be limited, but if you live in a major city with a large international ‘hub’ airport, the choices will be much greater.

We recommend that you use the internet to check out which companies are located in your town or city, and which airlines operate from your local airport. Google the airport name in a phrase such as ‘companies operating from xxx airport’ and make a list of the airlines that feature flights from that airport.

Consider each company: Is this the type of organisation you would like to work for? What kind of flights do they operate? How large is the company? How many staff work for them? Are they recruiting at the moment? If so, how?

All companies have a section on their website which outlines career options with them.

Which jobs exist in the Tourism Industry?

There is a huge variety of jobs in the tourism industry. Here are a few, but this is by no means a complete list!

Tour Guide – at an attraction

Tour Guide – at a destination

Tour Guide – on a tour bus visiting a number of cities

Tour Driver

Interpreter

Visitor Information Centre Consultant

Holiday Representative (in resort)

Sports or Activity Instructor

Ski Guide

River Rafting Guide

Horse Trek Leader

Airport Transfers

Airport Meet & Greet Ambassador

Gaming dealers or hosts (in casinos)

Conference or Special Events Host

Conference or Special Events Co-ordinator

Resort Host in theme park, attraction or hotel

Front desk agent

Concierge

Hotel manager

Customer service

Sales co-ordinator

Tour organiser

Spa Receptionist

Health Club attendant

Beauty therapist

Resort ‘cast’ with Disneyworld

Here is a great site to get an idea of the range of jobs, and details of current tourism jobs around the world:

http://www.resortjobs.com/

Disney jobs site:

http://careers.disneyparks.jobs/

Which jobs exist in the Travel Industry?

In this part of the industry there are also a large number of job options. Here is a list to get you thinking:

Leisure travel consultant

Business/Corporate Travel Consultant

Business Development executive

Branch Manager

Wholesaler or Tour Operator

Marketing executive or assistant

Sales consultant

Call centre agent

Reservations sales agent

Customer Service assistant

Check-in agent

Baggage handler

Catering specialist

Airline Sales Representative

Inbound travel consultant

Product manager or assistant

Brochure production

Website administrator

CRS Trainer

Field sales executive

Ticketing consultant

Documentation consultant

Administrative assistant

Receptionist

This is a good Australian site with general info on careers in travel and tourism careers: http://www.travelindustrycareers.org/why-travel-and-tourism

ATTTO site for careers: http://www.attto.org.nz/about-attto/working-in-our-sectors

Personality test – good UK site: http://careersthatmove.co.uk/A-Career-in-Passenger-Transport-and-Travel/Personality-Test

Same site – Career Map: http://careersthatmove.co.uk/A-Career-in-Passenger-Transport-and-Travel/Career-Map

Which jobs exist in the Tourism Industry?

There is a huge variety of jobs in the tourism industry. Here are a few, but this is by no means a complete list!

Tour Guide – at an attraction

Tour Guide – at a destination

Tour Guide – on a tour bus visiting a number of cities

Tour Driver

Interpreter

Visitor Information Centre Consultant

Holiday Representative (in resort)

Sports or Activity Instructor

Ski Guide

River Rafting Guide

Horse Trek Leader

Airport Transfers

Airport Meet & Greet Ambassador

Gaming dealers or hosts (in casinos)

Conference or Special Events Host

Conference or Special Events Co-ordinator

Resort Host in theme park, attraction or hotel

Front desk agent

Concierge

Hotel manager

Customer service

Sales co-ordinator

Tour organiser

Spa Receptionist

Health Club attendant

Beauty therapist

Resort ‘cast’ with Disneyworld

Here is a great site to get an idea of the range of jobs, and details of current tourism jobs around the world:

http://www.resortjobs.com/

Disney jobs site:

http://careers.disneyparks.jobs/

Which jobs exist in the Travel Industry?

In this part of the industry there are also a large number of job options. Here is a list to get you thinking:

Leisure travel consultant

Business/Corporate Travel Consultant

Business Development executive

Branch Manager

Wholesaler or Tour Operator

Marketing executive or assistant

Sales consultant

Call centre agent

Reservations sales agent

Customer Service assistant

Check-in agent

Baggage handler

Catering specialist

Airline Sales Representative

Inbound travel consultant

Product manager or assistant

Brochure production

Website administrator

CRS Trainer

Field sales executive

Ticketing consultant

Documentation consultant

Administrative assistant

Receptionist

This is a good Australian site with general info on careers in travel and tourism careers: http://www.travelindustrycareers.org/why-travel-and-tourism

ATTTO site for careers: http://www.attto.org.nz/about-attto/working-in-our-sectors

Personality test – good UK site: http://careersthatmove.co.uk/A-Career-in-Passenger-Transport-and-Travel/Personality-Test

Same site – Career Map: http://careersthatmove.co.uk/A-Career-in-Passenger-Transport-and-Travel/Career-Map

Which jobs exist in the Tourism Industry?

There is a huge variety of jobs in the tourism industry. Here are a few, but this is by no means a complete list!

Tour Guide – at an attraction

Tour Guide – at a destination

Tour Guide – on a tour bus visiting a number of cities

Tour Driver

Interpreter

Visitor Information Centre Consultant

Holiday Representative (in resort)

Sports or Activity Instructor

Ski Guide

River Rafting Guide

Horse Trek Leader

Airport Transfers

Airport Meet & Greet Ambassador

Gaming dealers or hosts (in casinos)

Conference or Special Events Host

Conference or Special Events Co-ordinator

Resort Host in theme park, attraction or hotel

Front desk agent

Concierge

Hotel manager

Customer service

Sales co-ordinator

Tour organiser

Spa Receptionist

Health Club attendant

Beauty therapist

Resort ‘cast’ with Disneyworld

Here is a great site to get an idea of the range of jobs, and details of current tourism jobs around the world:

http://www.resortjobs.com/

Disney jobs site:

http://careers.disneyparks.jobs/

Which jobs exist in the Travel Industry?

In this part of the industry there are also a large number of job options. Here is a list to get you thinking:

Leisure travel consultant

Business/Corporate Travel Consultant

Business Development executive

Branch Manager

Wholesaler or Tour Operator

Marketing executive or assistant

Sales consultant

Call centre agent

Reservations sales agent

Customer Service assistant

Check-in agent

Baggage handler

Catering specialist

Airline Sales Representative

Inbound travel consultant

Product manager or assistant

Brochure production

Website administrator

CRS Trainer

Field sales executive

Ticketing consultant

Documentation consultant

Administrative assistant

Receptionist

This is a good Australian site with general info on careers in travel and tourism careers: http://www.travelindustrycareers.org/why-travel-and-tourism

ATTTO site for careers: http://www.attto.org.nz/about-attto/working-in-our-sectors

Personality test – good UK site: http://careersthatmove.co.uk/A-Career-in-Passenger-Transport-and-Travel/Personality-Test

Same site – Career Map: http://careersthatmove.co.uk/A-Career-in-Passenger-Transport-and-Travel/Career-Map

How to get into the Tourism Industry?

There are job opportunities in a huge range of tourism businesses, from small owner-operator businesses where you’ll work in a small team, maybe on a seasonal basis, through to working overseas with large international corporations such as Disney or at a large resort hotel. Tourism jobs are fun and exciting and whilst they may not be the best paid they offer great opportunities to travel and work in a fast paced and interesting sector.

If you want to work in the tourism business you must have excellent people skills. Employers are looking for people who like people, and who project positivity and enthusiasm! You should have a strong customer focus and really want to deliver excellent customer service: first time & every time.

Experience/Skill

Depending on the specific job role, such as river rafting, guide or tour bus driver, you are often required to have relevant prior experience in similar roles. Many tourism jobs require no prior experience but applicants should be hospitable, friendly, outgoing and with a strong interest in sharing their knowledge, stories and information about the tourism area in which they are working.

Experience in a retail or service industry role would be invaluable for entry roles, or prior experience in the tourism industry even if it was on a seasonal basis.

Qualifications

Industry specific qualifications are available in adventure tourism, museum operations, diving, winter sports and a range of tourism activities. Check your local tourism training board/association for more information.

Within New Zealand a National Certificate in Tourism or Travel will prepare candidates for a wide range of entry level roles and is a good foundation for a tourism career.

Would I be a good ‘fit’ for these industries?

The tourism industry is often seasonal with peaks and troughs of demand. The hours may be erratic, long, and the working conditions varied and sometimes tricky! You will need to be in good health and be flexible, adaptable, and a good team player.

Great communication skills are essential to both the travel and tourism industries as it’s all about the people! In the tourism industry you may be working as a tour guide where public speaking is a key part of the role as you guide your group on the bus, or around attractions. Problem solving and trouble shooting will be a key ingredient for tourism roles as you may be working ‘in the field’ with no direct supervision so should be able to solve any problems that arise, calm down any difficult situations and keep the customers happy and enjoying themselves.

The travel industry is steadier and many of the roles are office based with conventional work hours, although weekend work is common as travel agencies are often located in shopping malls with seven day a week operating patterns.

Attention to detail is critical particularly in the travel industry where large amounts of money are at stake along with customers’ holiday plans! A travel consultant doesn’t just sell holidays – you are expected to be able to handle a transaction from A-Z, including conducting product research to find the right travel product for the customer, through to making the booking, taking payments, helping with visa and passport requirements, issuing tickets and related documents, and all reporting requirements on the travel agency booking systems.

Looking the part is important in both travel and tourism – travel consultants typically look quite ‘corporate’, usually wearing uniform and expected to project a professional image to potential customers.

Personal presentation will vary in a tourism role but many jobs in tourism also feature some kind of uniform – from the fleece jackets and track pants of bridge climb operators to the ski suits worn by operators on the ski lifts high up the Alps.

How to get into the Tourism Industry?

There are job opportunities in a huge range of tourism businesses, from small owner-operator businesses where you’ll work in a small team, maybe on a seasonal basis, through to working overseas with large international corporations such as Disney or at a large resort hotel. Tourism jobs are fun and exciting and whilst they may not be the best paid they offer great opportunities to travel and work in a fast paced and interesting sector.

If you want to work in the tourism business you must have excellent people skills. Employers are looking for people who like people, and who project positivity and enthusiasm! You should have a strong customer focus and really want to deliver excellent customer service: first time & every time.

Experience/Skill

Depending on the specific job role, such as river rafting, guide or tour bus driver, you are often required to have relevant prior experience in similar roles. Many tourism jobs require no prior experience but applicants should be hospitable, friendly, outgoing and with a strong interest in sharing their knowledge, stories and information about the tourism area in which they are working.

Experience in a retail or service industry role would be invaluable for entry roles, or prior experience in the tourism industry even if it was on a seasonal basis.

Qualifications

Industry specific qualifications are available in adventure tourism, museum operations, diving, winter sports and a range of tourism activities. Check your local tourism training board/association for more information.

Within New Zealand a National Certificate in Tourism or Travel will prepare candidates for a wide range of entry level roles and is a good foundation for a tourism career.

Would I be a good ‘fit’ for these industries?

The tourism industry is often seasonal with peaks and troughs of demand. The hours may be erratic, long, and the working conditions varied and sometimes tricky! You will need to be in good health and be flexible, adaptable, and a good team player.

Great communication skills are essential to both the travel and tourism industries as it’s all about the people! In the tourism industry you may be working as a tour guide where public speaking is a key part of the role as you guide your group on the bus, or around attractions. Problem solving and trouble shooting will be a key ingredient for tourism roles as you may be working ‘in the field’ with no direct supervision so should be able to solve any problems that arise, calm down any difficult situations and keep the customers happy and enjoying themselves.

The travel industry is steadier and many of the roles are office based with conventional work hours, although weekend work is common as travel agencies are often located in shopping malls with seven day a week operating patterns.

Attention to detail is critical particularly in the travel industry where large amounts of money are at stake along with customers’ holiday plans! A travel consultant doesn’t just sell holidays – you are expected to be able to handle a transaction from A-Z, including conducting product research to find the right travel product for the customer, through to making the booking, taking payments, helping with visa and passport requirements, issuing tickets and related documents, and all reporting requirements on the travel agency booking systems.

Looking the part is important in both travel and tourism – travel consultants typically look quite ‘corporate’, usually wearing uniform and expected to project a professional image to potential customers.

Personal presentation will vary in a tourism role but many jobs in tourism also feature some kind of uniform – from the fleece jackets and track pants of bridge climb operators to the ski suits worn by operators on the ski lifts high up the Alps.

How to get into the Tourism Industry?

There are job opportunities in a huge range of tourism businesses, from small owner-operator businesses where you’ll work in a small team, maybe on a seasonal basis, through to working overseas with large international corporations such as Disney or at a large resort hotel. Tourism jobs are fun and exciting and whilst they may not be the best paid they offer great opportunities to travel and work in a fast paced and interesting sector.

If you want to work in the tourism business you must have excellent people skills. Employers are looking for people who like people, and who project positivity and enthusiasm! You should have a strong customer focus and really want to deliver excellent customer service: first time & every time.

Experience/Skill

Depending on the specific job role, such as river rafting, guide or tour bus driver, you are often required to have relevant prior experience in similar roles. Many tourism jobs require no prior experience but applicants should be hospitable, friendly, outgoing and with a strong interest in sharing their knowledge, stories and information about the tourism area in which they are working.

Experience in a retail or service industry role would be invaluable for entry roles, or prior experience in the tourism industry even if it was on a seasonal basis.

Qualifications

Industry specific qualifications are available in adventure tourism, museum operations, diving, winter sports and a range of tourism activities. Check your local tourism training board/association for more information.

Within New Zealand a National Certificate in Tourism or Travel will prepare candidates for a wide range of entry level roles and is a good foundation for a tourism career.

Would I be a good ‘fit’ for these industries?

The tourism industry is often seasonal with peaks and troughs of demand. The hours may be erratic, long, and the working conditions varied and sometimes tricky! You will need to be in good health and be flexible, adaptable, and a good team player.

Great communication skills are essential to both the travel and tourism industries as it’s all about the people! In the tourism industry you may be working as a tour guide where public speaking is a key part of the role as you guide your group on the bus, or around attractions. Problem solving and trouble shooting will be a key ingredient for tourism roles as you may be working ‘in the field’ with no direct supervision so should be able to solve any problems that arise, calm down any difficult situations and keep the customers happy and enjoying themselves.

The travel industry is steadier and many of the roles are office based with conventional work hours, although weekend work is common as travel agencies are often located in shopping malls with seven day a week operating patterns.

Attention to detail is critical particularly in the travel industry where large amounts of money are at stake along with customers’ holiday plans! A travel consultant doesn’t just sell holidays – you are expected to be able to handle a transaction from A-Z, including conducting product research to find the right travel product for the customer, through to making the booking, taking payments, helping with visa and passport requirements, issuing tickets and related documents, and all reporting requirements on the travel agency booking systems.

Looking the part is important in both travel and tourism – travel consultants typically look quite ‘corporate’, usually wearing uniform and expected to project a professional image to potential customers.

Personal presentation will vary in a tourism role but many jobs in tourism also feature some kind of uniform – from the fleece jackets and track pants of bridge climb operators to the ski suits worn by operators on the ski lifts high up the Alps.

How to get into the Travel Industry?

Travel industry job opportunities are centred mostly in travel agencies and tour operators, and these tend to be office based roles with reasonably regular hours and work patterns. Larger tour operators are generally based in major towns or cities, but travel agencies can be found in main streets and shopping malls in most towns and suburbs.

However large or small the travel business, employers consistently place high value on applicants having great communication skills, along with, prior sales and travel experience.

Experience/Skill

Many travel agents look for personal travel experience as important entry level criteria. This means that you will have travelled overseas to more than one country, or maybe to one country many times and know it really well so could become a specialist! For some travel agents, (e.g. Flight Centre) this is a critical deciding factor in working as a consultant with them. Travel agents are, after all, expected to be knowledgeable, and first hand knowledge makes a real difference to clients wanting information and advice.

It’s helpful if you’ve had service industry experience and are used to dealing with customers.

Travel agents need to have a strong sales focus and be good at establishing and maintaining relationships with customers and suppliers.

Qualifications

Travel consultants generally need a travel industry qualification, such as a National Certificate in Tourism or Travel, or an international qualification such as the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Diploma or Certificate.

How to get into the Travel Industry?

Travel industry job opportunities are centred mostly in travel agencies and tour operators, and these tend to be office based roles with reasonably regular hours and work patterns. Larger tour operators are generally based in major towns or cities, but travel agencies can be found in main streets and shopping malls in most towns and suburbs.

However large or small the travel business, employers consistently place high value on applicants having great communication skills, along with, prior sales and travel experience.

Experience/Skill

Many travel agents look for personal travel experience as important entry level criteria. This means that you will have travelled overseas to more than one country, or maybe to one country many times and know it really well so could become a specialist! For some travel agents, (e.g. Flight Centre) this is a critical deciding factor in working as a consultant with them. Travel agents are, after all, expected to be knowledgeable, and first hand knowledge makes a real difference to clients wanting information and advice.

It’s helpful if you’ve had service industry experience and are used to dealing with customers.

Travel agents need to have a strong sales focus and be good at establishing and maintaining relationships with customers and suppliers.

Qualifications

Travel consultants generally need a travel industry qualification, such as a National Certificate in Tourism or Travel, or an international qualification such as the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Diploma or Certificate.

How to get into the Travel Industry?

Travel industry job opportunities are centred mostly in travel agencies and tour operators, and these tend to be office based roles with reasonably regular hours and work patterns. Larger tour operators are generally based in major towns or cities, but travel agencies can be found in main streets and shopping malls in most towns and suburbs.

However large or small the travel business, employers consistently place high value on applicants having great communication skills, along with, prior sales and travel experience.

Experience/Skill

Many travel agents look for personal travel experience as important entry level criteria. This means that you will have travelled overseas to more than one country, or maybe to one country many times and know it really well so could become a specialist! For some travel agents, (e.g. Flight Centre) this is a critical deciding factor in working as a consultant with them. Travel agents are, after all, expected to be knowledgeable, and first hand knowledge makes a real difference to clients wanting information and advice.

It’s helpful if you’ve had service industry experience and are used to dealing with customers.

Travel agents need to have a strong sales focus and be good at establishing and maintaining relationships with customers and suppliers.

Qualifications

Travel consultants generally need a travel industry qualification, such as a National Certificate in Tourism or Travel, or an international qualification such as the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Diploma or Certificate.

Tour Operators/Wholesalers

Tour operators are the ‘wholesalers’ of tourism products. They put together the relative parts of a holiday, such as an air flight, hotel accommodation, airport transfer, and local excursions, and sell them onto customers.

Tour operators buy in bulk from the providers or suppliers of these services. These providers could be airlines, hoteliers, local bus companies and tourist attraction owners. These suppliers may also be known as ‘principals.’

Because tour operators buy or contract these products in volume, they are able to obtain reduced rates, cheaper than a customer booking each product directly with the supplier.

The tour operator adds on a ‘mark-up’ to the costs in order to ensure they make a business profit, and markets their ‘packaged holiday’ for sale. They may use a conventional brochure, online marketing and website, and may also choose to sell via travel agents who will be paid a commission for selling their product on their behalf. Some tour operators choose not to sell though travel agents and instead sell directly to the customer, either online or via their own chain of travel shops.

The way that a travel product is organised and made available to customers is known as the ‘chain of distribution’.

Tour operators often specialise in a particular type of product – either to a particular destination or in a particular sector of the travel industry, such as cruising, skiing or short city breaks.

As with travel agents, many tour operators belong to a trade association that offers consumer protection, or are protected through travel agents bonding schemes that extend protection to any travel products purchased by customers.

Such consumer protection is often not available for direct bookings with suppliers. Travel agents and wholesalers can offer this consumer protection, which is a major reason for people to continue to book through travel agents and wholesalers: to ensure if something goes wrong, they have some to go back to [for a refund or to complain]!

For further information on wholesalers and tour operators, and to see if you can book with each directly (or have to go through a travel agent), have a look through these sites:

Go Holidays – http://www.goholidays.co.nz/portal/travel/index.asp

Adventure World – http://www.adventureworld.co.nz/

Infinity Holidays – http://www.infinityholidays.co.nz/

Top Deck – https://www.topdeck.travel/

Contiki – http://www.contiki.com/

Trafalgar Tours – http://www.trafalgar.com/nz?gclid=CLL1o9X0g7oCFc3CpAodJWwABQ

Insight Vacations – http://www.insightvacations.com/nz/treasures-of-turkey-2013?tab=2

Tour Operators/Wholesalers

Tour operators are the ‘wholesalers’ of tourism products. They put together the relative parts of a holiday, such as an air flight, hotel accommodation, airport transfer, and local excursions, and sell them onto customers.

Tour operators buy in bulk from the providers or suppliers of these services. These providers could be airlines, hoteliers, local bus companies and tourist attraction owners. These suppliers may also be known as ‘principals.’

Because tour operators buy or contract these products in volume, they are able to obtain reduced rates, cheaper than a customer booking each product directly with the supplier.

The tour operator adds on a ‘mark-up’ to the costs in order to ensure they make a business profit, and markets their ‘packaged holiday’ for sale. They may use a conventional brochure, online marketing and website, and may also choose to sell via travel agents who will be paid a commission for selling their product on their behalf. Some tour operators choose not to sell though travel agents and instead sell directly to the customer, either online or via their own chain of travel shops.

The way that a travel product is organised and made available to customers is known as the ‘chain of distribution’.

Tour operators often specialise in a particular type of product – either to a particular destination or in a particular sector of the travel industry, such as cruising, skiing or short city breaks.

As with travel agents, many tour operators belong to a trade association that offers consumer protection, or are protected through travel agents bonding schemes that extend protection to any travel products purchased by customers.

Such consumer protection is often not available for direct bookings with suppliers. Travel agents and wholesalers can offer this consumer protection, which is a major reason for people to continue to book through travel agents and wholesalers: to ensure if something goes wrong, they have some to go back to [for a refund or to complain]!

For further information on wholesalers and tour operators, and to see if you can book with each directly (or have to go through a travel agent), have a look through these sites:

Go Holidays – http://www.goholidays.co.nz/portal/travel/index.asp

Adventure World – http://www.adventureworld.co.nz/

Infinity Holidays – http://www.infinityholidays.co.nz/

Top Deck – https://www.topdeck.travel/

Contiki – http://www.contiki.com/

Trafalgar Tours – http://www.trafalgar.com/nz?gclid=CLL1o9X0g7oCFc3CpAodJWwABQ

Insight Vacations – http://www.insightvacations.com/nz/treasures-of-turkey-2013?tab=2

Tour Operators/Wholesalers

Tour operators are the ‘wholesalers’ of tourism products. They put together the relative parts of a holiday, such as an air flight, hotel accommodation, airport transfer, and local excursions, and sell them onto customers.

Tour operators buy in bulk from the providers or suppliers of these services. These providers could be airlines, hoteliers, local bus companies and tourist attraction owners. These suppliers may also be known as ‘principals.’

Because tour operators buy or contract these products in volume, they are able to obtain reduced rates, cheaper than a customer booking each product directly with the supplier.

The tour operator adds on a ‘mark-up’ to the costs in order to ensure they make a business profit, and markets their ‘packaged holiday’ for sale. They may use a conventional brochure, online marketing and website, and may also choose to sell via travel agents who will be paid a commission for selling their product on their behalf. Some tour operators choose not to sell though travel agents and instead sell directly to the customer, either online or via their own chain of travel shops.

The way that a travel product is organised and made available to customers is known as the ‘chain of distribution’.

Tour operators often specialise in a particular type of product – either to a particular destination or in a particular sector of the travel industry, such as cruising, skiing or short city breaks.

As with travel agents, many tour operators belong to a trade association that offers consumer protection, or are protected through travel agents bonding schemes that extend protection to any travel products purchased by customers.

Such consumer protection is often not available for direct bookings with suppliers. Travel agents and wholesalers can offer this consumer protection, which is a major reason for people to continue to book through travel agents and wholesalers: to ensure if something goes wrong, they have some to go back to [for a refund or to complain]!

For further information on wholesalers and tour operators, and to see if you can book with each directly (or have to go through a travel agent), have a look through these sites:

Go Holidays – http://www.goholidays.co.nz/portal/travel/index.asp

Adventure World – http://www.adventureworld.co.nz/

Infinity Holidays – http://www.infinityholidays.co.nz/

Top Deck – https://www.topdeck.travel/

Contiki – http://www.contiki.com/

Trafalgar Tours – http://www.trafalgar.com/nz?gclid=CLL1o9X0g7oCFc3CpAodJWwABQ

Insight Vacations – http://www.insightvacations.com/nz/treasures-of-turkey-2013?tab=2

Types of Travel Agencies Businesses

Multiples: These often belong to a larger organisation, usually a tour operator engaged in the packaging and selling of inclusive tours. A multiple travel agency will be one of several, even of several hundred agencies that operate under the same name in the same country. A good example of this is the UK based tour operator Thomson Holidays who have a chain of ‘Thomson’ travel agencies.

Miniples: These are small chains of travel agents, usually covering a region of a country.

Independent travel agencies usually cater to the needs of a local area with a regular loyal clientele and often specialize in specific types of travel such as cruises or sports tours, or they may specialize in destinations such as Australia or South Africa, and become known for their knowledge in the particular market. They are often run by their owner and a small team.

Travel agents often operate within a consortium. This is made up of a group of independent travel agencies that work together in the marketing of travel products, sharing ideas and expenditure in marketing and promotion. They can benefit from cost savings and can often gain higher commission levels because of their ‘buying power’ as a group.

Increasingly popular is the idea of being a sole travel agent/consultant, working from home and linked into an established travel agency. This is generally referred to as being a ‘travel broker’ and is a good option for experienced travel consultants who want the flexibility of hours and location that being home-based can offer. Prestige Travel Systems in the USA, for example, offer a setup and training programme for those wishing to join them as travel brokers.

http://www.ptstravel.com/

Americas Host Agency is an organisation that is made up of home based travel consultants:

http://www.homebasedtravelexperts.com/
In the United States, there are four different types of agencies: mega, regional, consortium and independent agencies.  Regional travel agents are popular because of the size of the country and the benefit of dealing with a travel agent in your own area/time zone. Regional travel agents will often be a small chain operating only in one state or area.

American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are examples of mega travel agencies – large organisations who offer travel consulting in addition to other business services.

Because of the size of the USA travel agencies operate in two distinct sectors: 1) either traditional, multi-destination, outbound travel agencies, based in the originating location of the traveller,

b) or destination focused, inbound travel agents based in the destination and delivering expertise on that location.

The traditional outbound travel agencies tend to be large multiples such as Thomas Cook, whilst the inbound destination based agents tend to be smaller independents operating only in that one destination.

Most travel agents now have an online presence and can offer their customers a personal experience through their ‘brick-and-mortar’ shops or an ease-of-access experience through their website.

New Zealand Travel Agents

The largest group of travel agents in New Zealand is Flight Centre with around 130 branches around New Zealand. Flight Centre is owned by an Australian owned retail travel group with more than 1500 shops and businesses throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, India and the UK.

Flight centre has a range of travel products in its travel portfolio, including the business travel agency Corporate Traveller, a luxury travel company called Travel Associates, retail cruise specialist Cruiseabout and Campus Travel aimed at the academic and university markets. Read more here: http://www.flightcentre.co.nz/about-us/about/about-us

New Zealand’s travel agency networks include a large proportion of franchised travel agents, such as House of Travel or Harvey World Travel.

Under a franchise system each agency is privately owned and the owner pays a fee to the organisation for central support services and marketing.

Harvey World Travel is one of the longest established retail travel agencies in Australasia, with the first Harvey World Travel agency having been opened in May 1951. It has now grown to having over 500 travel agencies throughout Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom and New Zealand. Harvey World Travel is backed by Stella Travel Services, the largest travel group in New Zealand, a company that spans the globe.

The House of Travel is another large New Zealand Travel Agency franchise group. For more information, check: http://www.houseoftravel.co.nz/about-us.htm

In addition to Flightcentre and franchised travel agencies, there is a network of independent travel agents such as well established Pukekohe Travel who provide services for the leisure, corporate and group travellers. Read more about this agency here: http://www.pukekohetravel.co.nz/

The Future for Travel Agents

In additional to conventional booking methods, such as travel agents, customers are increasingly turning to the internet to browse through travel products to compare prices, check availability, and make bookings. Easy-to-use and reliable online booking systems have led to tourism products now being one of the most traded items on the internet.

The role of travel agents has changed significantly over the past decade, and will continue to provide new and exciting challenges. New technology is making online bookings easier and more reliable, and many travel agents are embracing this technology and offering online booking systems to secure bookings that might otherwise be lost to airlines or other suppliers.

Expanding the product range and becoming specialists in destinations or niche travel will help travel agents to diversify and lessen their reliance of traditional products and income sources.  Investing in technology will be key to travel agents success in the future: iPhone and iPad apps will help put the travel agent into the client’s hand.

Types of Travel Agencies Businesses

Multiples: These often belong to a larger organisation, usually a tour operator engaged in the packaging and selling of inclusive tours. A multiple travel agency will be one of several, even of several hundred agencies that operate under the same name in the same country. A good example of this is the UK based tour operator Thomson Holidays who have a chain of ‘Thomson’ travel agencies.

Miniples: These are small chains of travel agents, usually covering a region of a country.

Independent travel agencies usually cater to the needs of a local area with a regular loyal clientele and often specialize in specific types of travel such as cruises or sports tours, or they may specialize in destinations such as Australia or South Africa, and become known for their knowledge in the particular market. They are often run by their owner and a small team.

Travel agents often operate within a consortium. This is made up of a group of independent travel agencies that work together in the marketing of travel products, sharing ideas and expenditure in marketing and promotion. They can benefit from cost savings and can often gain higher commission levels because of their ‘buying power’ as a group.

Increasingly popular is the idea of being a sole travel agent/consultant, working from home and linked into an established travel agency. This is generally referred to as being a ‘travel broker’ and is a good option for experienced travel consultants who want the flexibility of hours and location that being home-based can offer. Prestige Travel Systems in the USA, for example, offer a setup and training programme for those wishing to join them as travel brokers.

http://www.ptstravel.com/

Americas Host Agency is an organisation that is made up of home based travel consultants:

http://www.homebasedtravelexperts.com/
In the United States, there are four different types of agencies: mega, regional, consortium and independent agencies.  Regional travel agents are popular because of the size of the country and the benefit of dealing with a travel agent in your own area/time zone. Regional travel agents will often be a small chain operating only in one state or area.

American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are examples of mega travel agencies – large organisations who offer travel consulting in addition to other business services.

Because of the size of the USA travel agencies operate in two distinct sectors: 1) either traditional, multi-destination, outbound travel agencies, based in the originating location of the traveller,

b) or destination focused, inbound travel agents based in the destination and delivering expertise on that location.

The traditional outbound travel agencies tend to be large multiples such as Thomas Cook, whilst the inbound destination based agents tend to be smaller independents operating only in that one destination.

Most travel agents now have an online presence and can offer their customers a personal experience through their ‘brick-and-mortar’ shops or an ease-of-access experience through their website.

New Zealand Travel Agents

The largest group of travel agents in New Zealand is Flight Centre with around 130 branches around New Zealand. Flight Centre is owned by an Australian owned retail travel group with more than 1500 shops and businesses throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, India and the UK.

Flight centre has a range of travel products in its travel portfolio, including the business travel agency Corporate Traveller, a luxury travel company called Travel Associates, retail cruise specialist Cruiseabout and Campus Travel aimed at the academic and university markets. Read more here: http://www.flightcentre.co.nz/about-us/about/about-us

New Zealand’s travel agency networks include a large proportion of franchised travel agents, such as House of Travel or Harvey World Travel.

Under a franchise system each agency is privately owned and the owner pays a fee to the organisation for central support services and marketing.

Harvey World Travel is one of the longest established retail travel agencies in Australasia, with the first Harvey World Travel agency having been opened in May 1951. It has now grown to having over 500 travel agencies throughout Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom and New Zealand. Harvey World Travel is backed by Stella Travel Services, the largest travel group in New Zealand, a company that spans the globe.

The House of Travel is another large New Zealand Travel Agency franchise group. For more information, check: http://www.houseoftravel.co.nz/about-us.htm

In addition to Flightcentre and franchised travel agencies, there is a network of independent travel agents such as well established Pukekohe Travel who provide services for the leisure, corporate and group travellers. Read more about this agency here: http://www.pukekohetravel.co.nz/

The Future for Travel Agents

In additional to conventional booking methods, such as travel agents, customers are increasingly turning to the internet to browse through travel products to compare prices, check availability, and make bookings. Easy-to-use and reliable online booking systems have led to tourism products now being one of the most traded items on the internet.

The role of travel agents has changed significantly over the past decade, and will continue to provide new and exciting challenges. New technology is making online bookings easier and more reliable, and many travel agents are embracing this technology and offering online booking systems to secure bookings that might otherwise be lost to airlines or other suppliers.

Expanding the product range and becoming specialists in destinations or niche travel will help travel agents to diversify and lessen their reliance of traditional products and income sources.  Investing in technology will be key to travel agents success in the future: iPhone and iPad apps will help put the travel agent into the client’s hand.

Types of Travel Agencies Businesses

Multiples: These often belong to a larger organisation, usually a tour operator engaged in the packaging and selling of inclusive tours. A multiple travel agency will be one of several, even of several hundred agencies that operate under the same name in the same country. A good example of this is the UK based tour operator Thomson Holidays who have a chain of ‘Thomson’ travel agencies.

Miniples: These are small chains of travel agents, usually covering a region of a country.

Independent travel agencies usually cater to the needs of a local area with a regular loyal clientele and often specialize in specific types of travel such as cruises or sports tours, or they may specialize in destinations such as Australia or South Africa, and become known for their knowledge in the particular market. They are often run by their owner and a small team.

Travel agents often operate within a consortium. This is made up of a group of independent travel agencies that work together in the marketing of travel products, sharing ideas and expenditure in marketing and promotion. They can benefit from cost savings and can often gain higher commission levels because of their ‘buying power’ as a group.

Increasingly popular is the idea of being a sole travel agent/consultant, working from home and linked into an established travel agency. This is generally referred to as being a ‘travel broker’ and is a good option for experienced travel consultants who want the flexibility of hours and location that being home-based can offer. Prestige Travel Systems in the USA, for example, offer a setup and training programme for those wishing to join them as travel brokers.

http://www.ptstravel.com/

Americas Host Agency is an organisation that is made up of home based travel consultants:

http://www.homebasedtravelexperts.com/
In the United States, there are four different types of agencies: mega, regional, consortium and independent agencies.  Regional travel agents are popular because of the size of the country and the benefit of dealing with a travel agent in your own area/time zone. Regional travel agents will often be a small chain operating only in one state or area.

American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are examples of mega travel agencies – large organisations who offer travel consulting in addition to other business services.

Because of the size of the USA travel agencies operate in two distinct sectors: 1) either traditional, multi-destination, outbound travel agencies, based in the originating location of the traveller,

b) or destination focused, inbound travel agents based in the destination and delivering expertise on that location.

The traditional outbound travel agencies tend to be large multiples such as Thomas Cook, whilst the inbound destination based agents tend to be smaller independents operating only in that one destination.

Most travel agents now have an online presence and can offer their customers a personal experience through their ‘brick-and-mortar’ shops or an ease-of-access experience through their website.

New Zealand Travel Agents

The largest group of travel agents in New Zealand is Flight Centre with around 130 branches around New Zealand. Flight Centre is owned by an Australian owned retail travel group with more than 1500 shops and businesses throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, India and the UK.

Flight centre has a range of travel products in its travel portfolio, including the business travel agency Corporate Traveller, a luxury travel company called Travel Associates, retail cruise specialist Cruiseabout and Campus Travel aimed at the academic and university markets. Read more here: http://www.flightcentre.co.nz/about-us/about/about-us

New Zealand’s travel agency networks include a large proportion of franchised travel agents, such as House of Travel or Harvey World Travel.

Under a franchise system each agency is privately owned and the owner pays a fee to the organisation for central support services and marketing.

Harvey World Travel is one of the longest established retail travel agencies in Australasia, with the first Harvey World Travel agency having been opened in May 1951. It has now grown to having over 500 travel agencies throughout Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom and New Zealand. Harvey World Travel is backed by Stella Travel Services, the largest travel group in New Zealand, a company that spans the globe.

The House of Travel is another large New Zealand Travel Agency franchise group. For more information, check: http://www.houseoftravel.co.nz/about-us.htm

In addition to Flightcentre and franchised travel agencies, there is a network of independent travel agents such as well established Pukekohe Travel who provide services for the leisure, corporate and group travellers. Read more about this agency here: http://www.pukekohetravel.co.nz/

The Future for Travel Agents

In additional to conventional booking methods, such as travel agents, customers are increasingly turning to the internet to browse through travel products to compare prices, check availability, and make bookings. Easy-to-use and reliable online booking systems have led to tourism products now being one of the most traded items on the internet.

The role of travel agents has changed significantly over the past decade, and will continue to provide new and exciting challenges. New technology is making online bookings easier and more reliable, and many travel agents are embracing this technology and offering online booking systems to secure bookings that might otherwise be lost to airlines or other suppliers.

Expanding the product range and becoming specialists in destinations or niche travel will help travel agents to diversify and lessen their reliance of traditional products and income sources.  Investing in technology will be key to travel agents success in the future: iPhone and iPad apps will help put the travel agent into the client’s hand.

Types of Travel Agent

The travel industry is usually divided into leisure (holidays) or business.

Leisure Travel

The leisure/holiday travel market is huge and there are leisure products available from mainstream beach based holidays to specialist or niche operators providing everything from pilgrimages to sites of spiritual significance (such as Lourdes in France or Mecca in Saudi Arabia) to African safaris to see wildlife, walking tours through the beautiful mountains of New Zealand’s South Island.

In addition to inclusive tours or package holidays, leisure travel agents will also offer other travel products, such as flight tickets, rail tickets, hotels, car hire, excursion tours at the destination, concert tickets, travel insurance etc. The suppliers of these products will pay a commission to the travel agent for sales they achieve. They may also sell guide books, maps, help with travel visas, and may offer an on-site Bureau de Change for foreign currency transactions.
Some travel agents also have a small tour operating operation by putting together packaged tours for individuals or groups of people. This typically may be for a sporting or special event such as visits to London for the Chelsea Flower Show, to Sydney to see a show, or to the Olympics, or to a large family wedding event.

Travel products are purchased either through a travel agent or online with an agent or the supplier of the travel product directly.

Read more about popular travel booking websites, and how their popularity has grown over the last few years: http://skift.com/2013/08/29/7-most-popular-types-of-travel-booking-websites-of-2013/

Business/Corporate Travel

Business travel agents (also known as Corporate Travel agents) specialise in arranging accommodation and transport services specifically for the business traveller. This may be to attend conferences, develop new business or to visit existing or new suppliers.

Some large companies may have their own travel agency or business travel consultant based at their own offices in order to organise the travel needs for the company.

The business travel market is quite specialized and dominated by larger travel agencies that work closely with their business clients and who can offer a consistently high level of customer service to their clients.

Business travel clients may be large corporate businesses, such as Shell or Microsoft, or a government department that engages in frequent business travel, or medium sized companies who are using a Business Travel Agent in order to minimise time spent organising travel in-house or to benefit from the higher levels of knowledge and expertise offered by the agent.

The skills and expertise required to work in business/corporate travel is a more advanced level than in the leisure market as the requirements are more stringent. The impact of making a mistake in booking a business trip can be much more significant than a similar error in a leisure travel booking. For example, booking a business client on a flight that leaves an hour or two later than requested may seem inconsequential but may lead to the client arriving late at an important meeting and the loss of a contract worth tens of thousands of dollar!

What do Travel Agents do?

A travel agency’s main function is to sell travel products and services on behalf of a supplier. This means that unlike other retail businesses they do not keep ‘stock’.  They are paid a commission by the tour operator or supplier for promoting and selling travel products to their customers. In many countries travel agents are licensed or approved either by an industry organisation or government department. In order to secure a license a travel agent has to employ appropriately qualified staff. More on this later!

In recent years some airlines have stopped the practice of giving commission to travel agents and prefer to sell their flights directly –online- to the customer. Travel agents can still book flights for their customers but will not earn commission, so have adopted a ‘service fee’ approach, charging a fee to the customer for handling the transaction.

Many travel agents provide consumer protection in the form of a ‘bonding’ scheme that protects their clients against the financial failure of the travel agent or their suppliers. These bond schemes are usually operated by the national travel agent association of the country in which the agent operates. In the UK, for example, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) manages a bonding scheme, and in New Zealand the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) operates a similar scheme.

http://www.taanz.org.nz/bonding-scheme/

Types of Travel Agent

The travel industry is usually divided into leisure (holidays) or business.

Leisure Travel

The leisure/holiday travel market is huge and there are leisure products available from mainstream beach based holidays to specialist or niche operators providing everything from pilgrimages to sites of spiritual significance (such as Lourdes in France or Mecca in Saudi Arabia) to African safaris to see wildlife, walking tours through the beautiful mountains of New Zealand’s South Island.

In addition to inclusive tours or package holidays, leisure travel agents will also offer other travel products, such as flight tickets, rail tickets, hotels, car hire, excursion tours at the destination, concert tickets, travel insurance etc. The suppliers of these products will pay a commission to the travel agent for sales they achieve. They may also sell guide books, maps, help with travel visas, and may offer an on-site Bureau de Change for foreign currency transactions.
Some travel agents also have a small tour operating operation by putting together packaged tours for individuals or groups of people. This typically may be for a sporting or special event such as visits to London for the Chelsea Flower Show, to Sydney to see a show, or to the Olympics, or to a large family wedding event.

Travel products are purchased either through a travel agent or online with an agent or the supplier of the travel product directly.

Read more about popular travel booking websites, and how their popularity has grown over the last few years: http://skift.com/2013/08/29/7-most-popular-types-of-travel-booking-websites-of-2013/

Business/Corporate Travel

Business travel agents (also known as Corporate Travel agents) specialise in arranging accommodation and transport services specifically for the business traveller. This may be to attend conferences, develop new business or to visit existing or new suppliers.

Some large companies may have their own travel agency or business travel consultant based at their own offices in order to organise the travel needs for the company.

The business travel market is quite specialized and dominated by larger travel agencies that work closely with their business clients and who can offer a consistently high level of customer service to their clients.

Business travel clients may be large corporate businesses, such as Shell or Microsoft, or a government department that engages in frequent business travel, or medium sized companies who are using a Business Travel Agent in order to minimise time spent organising travel in-house or to benefit from the higher levels of knowledge and expertise offered by the agent.

The skills and expertise required to work in business/corporate travel is a more advanced level than in the leisure market as the requirements are more stringent. The impact of making a mistake in booking a business trip can be much more significant than a similar error in a leisure travel booking. For example, booking a business client on a flight that leaves an hour or two later than requested may seem inconsequential but may lead to the client arriving late at an important meeting and the loss of a contract worth tens of thousands of dollar!

What do Travel Agents do?

A travel agency’s main function is to sell travel products and services on behalf of a supplier. This means that unlike other retail businesses they do not keep ‘stock’.  They are paid a commission by the tour operator or supplier for promoting and selling travel products to their customers. In many countries travel agents are licensed or approved either by an industry organisation or government department. In order to secure a license a travel agent has to employ appropriately qualified staff. More on this later!

In recent years some airlines have stopped the practice of giving commission to travel agents and prefer to sell their flights directly –online- to the customer. Travel agents can still book flights for their customers but will not earn commission, so have adopted a ‘service fee’ approach, charging a fee to the customer for handling the transaction.

Many travel agents provide consumer protection in the form of a ‘bonding’ scheme that protects their clients against the financial failure of the travel agent or their suppliers. These bond schemes are usually operated by the national travel agent association of the country in which the agent operates. In the UK, for example, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) manages a bonding scheme, and in New Zealand the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) operates a similar scheme.

http://www.taanz.org.nz/bonding-scheme/

Types of Travel Agent

The travel industry is usually divided into leisure (holidays) or business.

Leisure Travel

The leisure/holiday travel market is huge and there are leisure products available from mainstream beach based holidays to specialist or niche operators providing everything from pilgrimages to sites of spiritual significance (such as Lourdes in France or Mecca in Saudi Arabia) to African safaris to see wildlife, walking tours through the beautiful mountains of New Zealand’s South Island.

In addition to inclusive tours or package holidays, leisure travel agents will also offer other travel products, such as flight tickets, rail tickets, hotels, car hire, excursion tours at the destination, concert tickets, travel insurance etc. The suppliers of these products will pay a commission to the travel agent for sales they achieve. They may also sell guide books, maps, help with travel visas, and may offer an on-site Bureau de Change for foreign currency transactions.
Some travel agents also have a small tour operating operation by putting together packaged tours for individuals or groups of people. This typically may be for a sporting or special event such as visits to London for the Chelsea Flower Show, to Sydney to see a show, or to the Olympics, or to a large family wedding event.

Travel products are purchased either through a travel agent or online with an agent or the supplier of the travel product directly.

Read more about popular travel booking websites, and how their popularity has grown over the last few years: http://skift.com/2013/08/29/7-most-popular-types-of-travel-booking-websites-of-2013/

Business/Corporate Travel

Business travel agents (also known as Corporate Travel agents) specialise in arranging accommodation and transport services specifically for the business traveller. This may be to attend conferences, develop new business or to visit existing or new suppliers.

Some large companies may have their own travel agency or business travel consultant based at their own offices in order to organise the travel needs for the company.

The business travel market is quite specialized and dominated by larger travel agencies that work closely with their business clients and who can offer a consistently high level of customer service to their clients.

Business travel clients may be large corporate businesses, such as Shell or Microsoft, or a government department that engages in frequent business travel, or medium sized companies who are using a Business Travel Agent in order to minimise time spent organising travel in-house or to benefit from the higher levels of knowledge and expertise offered by the agent.

The skills and expertise required to work in business/corporate travel is a more advanced level than in the leisure market as the requirements are more stringent. The impact of making a mistake in booking a business trip can be much more significant than a similar error in a leisure travel booking. For example, booking a business client on a flight that leaves an hour or two later than requested may seem inconsequential but may lead to the client arriving late at an important meeting and the loss of a contract worth tens of thousands of dollar!

What do Travel Agents do?

A travel agency’s main function is to sell travel products and services on behalf of a supplier. This means that unlike other retail businesses they do not keep ‘stock’.  They are paid a commission by the tour operator or supplier for promoting and selling travel products to their customers. In many countries travel agents are licensed or approved either by an industry organisation or government department. In order to secure a license a travel agent has to employ appropriately qualified staff. More on this later!

In recent years some airlines have stopped the practice of giving commission to travel agents and prefer to sell their flights directly –online- to the customer. Travel agents can still book flights for their customers but will not earn commission, so have adopted a ‘service fee’ approach, charging a fee to the customer for handling the transaction.

Many travel agents provide consumer protection in the form of a ‘bonding’ scheme that protects their clients against the financial failure of the travel agent or their suppliers. These bond schemes are usually operated by the national travel agent association of the country in which the agent operates. In the UK, for example, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) manages a bonding scheme, and in New Zealand the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) operates a similar scheme.

http://www.taanz.org.nz/bonding-scheme/

The Travel Industry

The Travel and Tourism Industries are inextricably linked but have some clear distinctions and differences.

For example, if you buy a flight from your home town in Auckland (NZ) to fly to Los Angeles, you are engaged in travel as you set off on your flight, but as soon as you land in Los Angeles you are engaged in tourism and are a tourist to the USA.

The travel industry is traditionally engaged in the provision of products and services for people to go somewhere, to travel away from their place of residence. It is an ‘outbound’ activity. Tour operators for example, who organise tours or trips overseas, are part of the travel industry as their customers are all ‘outbound’ travellers.

Outbound and Inbound

Each country has a Statistics Department that counts and measures the numbers of ‘outbound’ passengers that leave the country to travel overseas.

They will also measure the number of people that arrive into the country on holiday, and these ‘inbound’ people are the visitors, or tourists.

­   Tourism is concerned with inbound trips

­   Travel is concerned with outbound trips

If you work in the travel industry you will be helping people to travel overseas, through the provision or sale of travel products or packages.

Traditionally this has been achieved through a network of travel agencies and their staff, known as travel agents or travel consultants.

A Travel Agency is a retail business that sells travel related products and services to customers. These products are sold on behalf of suppliers such as airlines, hotels, railways, cruise companies, or tour operators (wholesalers) who have ‘packaged’ products together for sale.

Some travel agents also act as ‘general sales agents’ (known as GSAs) for foreign travel companies. This status allows those foreign companies to have local offices in countries other than where their head office is based.

When Did Travel Agents start?

The first official travel agent recorded is regarded as the UK company Cox & Kings who were established around 250 years ago offering travel arrangements for its’ wealthy clients, and they are still operating today. You read about this company in Chapter One.

The first ‘modern’ travel agency is Thomas Cook, established in the late 19^th century (almost 100 years after Cox & Kings).  They were the first known ‘tour operator’ as they put together and sold tours under their own brand name, and also represented other tour companies and sold their travel products.  The oldest travel agency in North America is Brownell Travel who set up in 1887 selling tours to Europe accessed via transatlantic ships from New York to the UK.

Travel agencies became more commonplace with the development of commercial aviation, starting in the 1920s. The sharp increase in travelling overseas in the 1960s led to a rapid expansion of travel agencies and they were soon visible in the main street of every town and city.

The Travel Industry

The Travel and Tourism Industries are inextricably linked but have some clear distinctions and differences.

For example, if you buy a flight from your home town in Auckland (NZ) to fly to Los Angeles, you are engaged in travel as you set off on your flight, but as soon as you land in Los Angeles you are engaged in tourism and are a tourist to the USA.

The travel industry is traditionally engaged in the provision of products and services for people to go somewhere, to travel away from their place of residence. It is an ‘outbound’ activity. Tour operators for example, who organise tours or trips overseas, are part of the travel industry as their customers are all ‘outbound’ travellers.

Outbound and Inbound

Each country has a Statistics Department that counts and measures the numbers of ‘outbound’ passengers that leave the country to travel overseas.

They will also measure the number of people that arrive into the country on holiday, and these ‘inbound’ people are the visitors, or tourists.

­   Tourism is concerned with inbound trips

­   Travel is concerned with outbound trips

If you work in the travel industry you will be helping people to travel overseas, through the provision or sale of travel products or packages.

Traditionally this has been achieved through a network of travel agencies and their staff, known as travel agents or travel consultants.

A Travel Agency is a retail business that sells travel related products and services to customers. These products are sold on behalf of suppliers such as airlines, hotels, railways, cruise companies, or tour operators (wholesalers) who have ‘packaged’ products together for sale.

Some travel agents also act as ‘general sales agents’ (known as GSAs) for foreign travel companies. This status allows those foreign companies to have local offices in countries other than where their head office is based.

When Did Travel Agents start?

The first official travel agent recorded is regarded as the UK company Cox & Kings who were established around 250 years ago offering travel arrangements for its’ wealthy clients, and they are still operating today. You read about this company in Chapter One.

The first ‘modern’ travel agency is Thomas Cook, established in the late 19^th century (almost 100 years after Cox & Kings).  They were the first known ‘tour operator’ as they put together and sold tours under their own brand name, and also represented other tour companies and sold their travel products.  The oldest travel agency in North America is Brownell Travel who set up in 1887 selling tours to Europe accessed via transatlantic ships from New York to the UK.

Travel agencies became more commonplace with the development of commercial aviation, starting in the 1920s. The sharp increase in travelling overseas in the 1960s led to a rapid expansion of travel agencies and they were soon visible in the main street of every town and city.

The Travel Industry

The Travel and Tourism Industries are inextricably linked but have some clear distinctions and differences.

For example, if you buy a flight from your home town in Auckland (NZ) to fly to Los Angeles, you are engaged in travel as you set off on your flight, but as soon as you land in Los Angeles you are engaged in tourism and are a tourist to the USA.

The travel industry is traditionally engaged in the provision of products and services for people to go somewhere, to travel away from their place of residence. It is an ‘outbound’ activity. Tour operators for example, who organise tours or trips overseas, are part of the travel industry as their customers are all ‘outbound’ travellers.

Outbound and Inbound

Each country has a Statistics Department that counts and measures the numbers of ‘outbound’ passengers that leave the country to travel overseas.

They will also measure the number of people that arrive into the country on holiday, and these ‘inbound’ people are the visitors, or tourists.

­   Tourism is concerned with inbound trips

­   Travel is concerned with outbound trips

If you work in the travel industry you will be helping people to travel overseas, through the provision or sale of travel products or packages.

Traditionally this has been achieved through a network of travel agencies and their staff, known as travel agents or travel consultants.

A Travel Agency is a retail business that sells travel related products and services to customers. These products are sold on behalf of suppliers such as airlines, hotels, railways, cruise companies, or tour operators (wholesalers) who have ‘packaged’ products together for sale.

Some travel agents also act as ‘general sales agents’ (known as GSAs) for foreign travel companies. This status allows those foreign companies to have local offices in countries other than where their head office is based.

When Did Travel Agents start?

The first official travel agent recorded is regarded as the UK company Cox & Kings who were established around 250 years ago offering travel arrangements for its’ wealthy clients, and they are still operating today. You read about this company in Chapter One.

The first ‘modern’ travel agency is Thomas Cook, established in the late 19^th century (almost 100 years after Cox & Kings).  They were the first known ‘tour operator’ as they put together and sold tours under their own brand name, and also represented other tour companies and sold their travel products.  The oldest travel agency in North America is Brownell Travel who set up in 1887 selling tours to Europe accessed via transatlantic ships from New York to the UK.

Travel agencies became more commonplace with the development of commercial aviation, starting in the 1920s. The sharp increase in travelling overseas in the 1960s led to a rapid expansion of travel agencies and they were soon visible in the main street of every town and city.

Types of Tourism

Tourism isn’t confined to sitting on beaches or visiting ancient buildings. Speciality or ‘niche’ tourism has developed over the years, and many of these have become mainstream, such as skiing holidays or cruising.

There are now several types of tourism.

Adventure tourism is becoming mainstream tourism, with an emphasis on visiting a destination in order to take part in adventurous activities such as rock climbing, bungee jumping, river rafting, caving, and glacier skiing.

Heritage or Cultural tourism is focussed on visiting places to appreciate the places, people and activities that represent the stories and people of the past, particularly if the visitor has distant family roots or connections to that place. For example, visitors flock to places such as Jorvik in York (UK) to experience what life was like as a Viking, or visitors to Sydney seek out sites and museums that have connections with the convict ships that may have transported their relatives to Australia in the 1800’s.

Culinary tourism involves travelling to places specifically to enjoy the food of an area, and even to take part in organised cooking lessons.

Medical tourism is a term initially to describe the rapidly-growing practice of travelling overseas to obtain health care or a procedure that may be cheaper or more readily available. This could include anything from dental procedures to cosmetic surgery, hip replacements, cancer treatment or even heart surgery.

Educational tourism has developed because of the growing popularity of teaching and learning outside the traditional classroom environment. The main focus of the tourism includes visiting another country to learn about the culture, and usually includes the chance to learn a new language.

Religious tourism includes pilgrimages to religious sites.

Space tourism is expected to ‘take off’ in the next 10 to 20 years or so but because of the high costs of participation is not expected to be a major sector for many decades yet!

Pop-culture tourism involves travelling to places or locations featured in films, videos, music or other forms of entertainment. This could include, for example, visits to Hollywood in USA to see where movies are made, or New Zealand to see locations made famous in the Oscar winning Lord of the Rings movies.

Environmental & Wildlife tourism focuses on visiting destinations where animals/birds can be seen in their natural habitat. This could include safaris in Africa, visits to the Galapagos Islands to see the giant tortoise. There are significant environmental issues associated with this type of tourism and governments are increasingly working measures to control this type of tourism in a way that doesn’t threaten the very wildlife that drew the visitors there in the first place. Check out the Top Ten wildlife viewing destinations: http://www.wildlife-viewing-vacations.com/top-ten.cfm?ctrk=wildlife-viewing-vacations

Dark Tourism is an emerging niche area, and involves visits to ‘dark’ sites such as scenes of crimes or war, and is aimed at those who are motivated by the need to see where ‘it’ happened, a need to mourn, or an interest in the macabre. For example, the site of the Twin Towers in New York has become a magnet for people who pay their respects by simply being there.

Doom Tourism is also known as ‘Last Chance Tourism’ and involves travelling to places that are environmentally or otherwise threatened before it is ‘too late’. This type of tourism is believed to be on the rise. View a short YouTube documentary here: http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/tourism-of-doom-traveling-to-e/71567

Sports Tourism has become more popular over the past 20 years, and is focussed on people travelling to destinations specifically to attend or participate in international sporting events such as Olympic Games, World Cups, and Marathons. Read a short article about sports tourism here: http://www.tourism-review.com/travel-tourism-magazine-sports-tourism-worldwide-phenomenon-article1330

Latest Trends

Tourism is a rapidly changing industry, and the days of the traditional two-week summer break are long gone. People now prefer to travel more often than once a year, have more leisure time available due to improvements in working patterns, and access to cheaper air travel has revolutionized the tourism industry. In recent times short breaks (3-5 nights) have become very popular, particularly for visiting cities or engaging in sports such as skiing, attending marathons or taking a short cruise to recharge the batteries!

Further developments in technology and transport, such as the introduction of wide-bodied aircraft, low-cost airlines, party cruise ships, and the spread of the rail networks have made other types of tourism more affordable, and the presence of online travel sites with instant booking functions has revolutionized the access to and planning of holidays.

It’s never been easier in fact to be a tourist!

It’s not always been plain sailing in the tourism industry, and international and local events have had an impact on tourism over the years. Terrorist threats and attacks saw a global downturn in tourism for several years and national disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods always adversely affects tourism as visitors switch to different locations.

The Future of Tourism

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) forecasts that international tourism will continue to grow at an average rate of 4%. There is much evidence to suggest that travel is necessary in order to maintain relationships as our social life is increasingly networked and conducted online or at a distance. For many, holidays are increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury, and this contributes to the global forecasts of growth. Increases in leisure time, a global increase in ‘retirees’ with money to spend and the availability of cheap and regular transport means that the world is now open and ready for the tourism business!

Types of Tourism

Tourism isn’t confined to sitting on beaches or visiting ancient buildings. Speciality or ‘niche’ tourism has developed over the years, and many of these have become mainstream, such as skiing holidays or cruising.

There are now several types of tourism.

Adventure tourism is becoming mainstream tourism, with an emphasis on visiting a destination in order to take part in adventurous activities such as rock climbing, bungee jumping, river rafting, caving, and glacier skiing.

Heritage or Cultural tourism is focussed on visiting places to appreciate the places, people and activities that represent the stories and people of the past, particularly if the visitor has distant family roots or connections to that place. For example, visitors flock to places such as Jorvik in York (UK) to experience what life was like as a Viking, or visitors to Sydney seek out sites and museums that have connections with the convict ships that may have transported their relatives to Australia in the 1800’s.

Culinary tourism involves travelling to places specifically to enjoy the food of an area, and even to take part in organised cooking lessons.

Medical tourism is a term initially to describe the rapidly-growing practice of travelling overseas to obtain health care or a procedure that may be cheaper or more readily available. This could include anything from dental procedures to cosmetic surgery, hip replacements, cancer treatment or even heart surgery.

Educational tourism has developed because of the growing popularity of teaching and learning outside the traditional classroom environment. The main focus of the tourism includes visiting another country to learn about the culture, and usually includes the chance to learn a new language.

Religious tourism includes pilgrimages to religious sites.

Space tourism is expected to ‘take off’ in the next 10 to 20 years or so but because of the high costs of participation is not expected to be a major sector for many decades yet!

Pop-culture tourism involves travelling to places or locations featured in films, videos, music or other forms of entertainment. This could include, for example, visits to Hollywood in USA to see where movies are made, or New Zealand to see locations made famous in the Oscar winning Lord of the Rings movies.

Environmental & Wildlife tourism focuses on visiting destinations where animals/birds can be seen in their natural habitat. This could include safaris in Africa, visits to the Galapagos Islands to see the giant tortoise. There are significant environmental issues associated with this type of tourism and governments are increasingly working measures to control this type of tourism in a way that doesn’t threaten the very wildlife that drew the visitors there in the first place. Check out the Top Ten wildlife viewing destinations: http://www.wildlife-viewing-vacations.com/top-ten.cfm?ctrk=wildlife-viewing-vacations

Dark Tourism is an emerging niche area, and involves visits to ‘dark’ sites such as scenes of crimes or war, and is aimed at those who are motivated by the need to see where ‘it’ happened, a need to mourn, or an interest in the macabre. For example, the site of the Twin Towers in New York has become a magnet for people who pay their respects by simply being there.

Doom Tourism is also known as ‘Last Chance Tourism’ and involves travelling to places that are environmentally or otherwise threatened before it is ‘too late’. This type of tourism is believed to be on the rise. View a short YouTube documentary here: http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/tourism-of-doom-traveling-to-e/71567

Sports Tourism has become more popular over the past 20 years, and is focussed on people travelling to destinations specifically to attend or participate in international sporting events such as Olympic Games, World Cups, and Marathons. Read a short article about sports tourism here: http://www.tourism-review.com/travel-tourism-magazine-sports-tourism-worldwide-phenomenon-article1330

Latest Trends

Tourism is a rapidly changing industry, and the days of the traditional two-week summer break are long gone. People now prefer to travel more often than once a year, have more leisure time available due to improvements in working patterns, and access to cheaper air travel has revolutionized the tourism industry. In recent times short breaks (3-5 nights) have become very popular, particularly for visiting cities or engaging in sports such as skiing, attending marathons or taking a short cruise to recharge the batteries!

Further developments in technology and transport, such as the introduction of wide-bodied aircraft, low-cost airlines, party cruise ships, and the spread of the rail networks have made other types of tourism more affordable, and the presence of online travel sites with instant booking functions has revolutionized the access to and planning of holidays.

It’s never been easier in fact to be a tourist!

It’s not always been plain sailing in the tourism industry, and international and local events have had an impact on tourism over the years. Terrorist threats and attacks saw a global downturn in tourism for several years and national disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods always adversely affects tourism as visitors switch to different locations.

The Future of Tourism

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) forecasts that international tourism will continue to grow at an average rate of 4%. There is much evidence to suggest that travel is necessary in order to maintain relationships as our social life is increasingly networked and conducted online or at a distance. For many, holidays are increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury, and this contributes to the global forecasts of growth. Increases in leisure time, a global increase in ‘retirees’ with money to spend and the availability of cheap and regular transport means that the world is now open and ready for the tourism business!

Types of Tourism

Tourism isn’t confined to sitting on beaches or visiting ancient buildings. Speciality or ‘niche’ tourism has developed over the years, and many of these have become mainstream, such as skiing holidays or cruising.

There are now several types of tourism.

Adventure tourism is becoming mainstream tourism, with an emphasis on visiting a destination in order to take part in adventurous activities such as rock climbing, bungee jumping, river rafting, caving, and glacier skiing.

Heritage or Cultural tourism is focussed on visiting places to appreciate the places, people and activities that represent the stories and people of the past, particularly if the visitor has distant family roots or connections to that place. For example, visitors flock to places such as Jorvik in York (UK) to experience what life was like as a Viking, or visitors to Sydney seek out sites and museums that have connections with the convict ships that may have transported their relatives to Australia in the 1800’s.

Culinary tourism involves travelling to places specifically to enjoy the food of an area, and even to take part in organised cooking lessons.

Medical tourism is a term initially to describe the rapidly-growing practice of travelling overseas to obtain health care or a procedure that may be cheaper or more readily available. This could include anything from dental procedures to cosmetic surgery, hip replacements, cancer treatment or even heart surgery.

Educational tourism has developed because of the growing popularity of teaching and learning outside the traditional classroom environment. The main focus of the tourism includes visiting another country to learn about the culture, and usually includes the chance to learn a new language.

Religious tourism includes pilgrimages to religious sites.

Space tourism is expected to ‘take off’ in the next 10 to 20 years or so but because of the high costs of participation is not expected to be a major sector for many decades yet!

Pop-culture tourism involves travelling to places or locations featured in films, videos, music or other forms of entertainment. This could include, for example, visits to Hollywood in USA to see where movies are made, or New Zealand to see locations made famous in the Oscar winning Lord of the Rings movies.

Environmental & Wildlife tourism focuses on visiting destinations where animals/birds can be seen in their natural habitat. This could include safaris in Africa, visits to the Galapagos Islands to see the giant tortoise. There are significant environmental issues associated with this type of tourism and governments are increasingly working measures to control this type of tourism in a way that doesn’t threaten the very wildlife that drew the visitors there in the first place. Check out the Top Ten wildlife viewing destinations: http://www.wildlife-viewing-vacations.com/top-ten.cfm?ctrk=wildlife-viewing-vacations

Dark Tourism is an emerging niche area, and involves visits to ‘dark’ sites such as scenes of crimes or war, and is aimed at those who are motivated by the need to see where ‘it’ happened, a need to mourn, or an interest in the macabre. For example, the site of the Twin Towers in New York has become a magnet for people who pay their respects by simply being there.

Doom Tourism is also known as ‘Last Chance Tourism’ and involves travelling to places that are environmentally or otherwise threatened before it is ‘too late’. This type of tourism is believed to be on the rise. View a short YouTube documentary here: http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/tourism-of-doom-traveling-to-e/71567

Sports Tourism has become more popular over the past 20 years, and is focussed on people travelling to destinations specifically to attend or participate in international sporting events such as Olympic Games, World Cups, and Marathons. Read a short article about sports tourism here: http://www.tourism-review.com/travel-tourism-magazine-sports-tourism-worldwide-phenomenon-article1330

Latest Trends

Tourism is a rapidly changing industry, and the days of the traditional two-week summer break are long gone. People now prefer to travel more often than once a year, have more leisure time available due to improvements in working patterns, and access to cheaper air travel has revolutionized the tourism industry. In recent times short breaks (3-5 nights) have become very popular, particularly for visiting cities or engaging in sports such as skiing, attending marathons or taking a short cruise to recharge the batteries!

Further developments in technology and transport, such as the introduction of wide-bodied aircraft, low-cost airlines, party cruise ships, and the spread of the rail networks have made other types of tourism more affordable, and the presence of online travel sites with instant booking functions has revolutionized the access to and planning of holidays.

It’s never been easier in fact to be a tourist!

It’s not always been plain sailing in the tourism industry, and international and local events have had an impact on tourism over the years. Terrorist threats and attacks saw a global downturn in tourism for several years and national disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods always adversely affects tourism as visitors switch to different locations.

The Future of Tourism

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) forecasts that international tourism will continue to grow at an average rate of 4%. There is much evidence to suggest that travel is necessary in order to maintain relationships as our social life is increasingly networked and conducted online or at a distance. For many, holidays are increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury, and this contributes to the global forecasts of growth. Increases in leisure time, a global increase in ‘retirees’ with money to spend and the availability of cheap and regular transport means that the world is now open and ready for the tourism business!

Have you read Lesson One in the Free Preview? If not, here is a link to that lesson.

Domestic Tourism

Tourism that takes place within one’s own country is called domestic tourism. It involves people visiting destinations within their own country’s boundaries and is recognized as one of the three major categories of tourism. The other two categories are inbound and outbound tourism.

Domestic tourism is the foundation for tourism in most countries. For example, in the United States of America, domestic tourism accounts for 99% of all tourism, in Australia it is 94%, and in the UK this is 80%.

Whilst domestic tourism doesn’t generate foreign currency earnings in the way that international inbound tourism does, it is a critical component of the tourism industry. The benefits to a region are the same as having international inbound visitors as it provides a source of new money flowing into the area. This new money generates new business activity and job opportunities. Domestic tourism tends to benefit entire regions of a country, not just the major tourism areas usually frequented by inbound visitors.

In tough economic times domestic tourism usually increases as the cost of travelling to the destination is much lower than travelling overseas or abroad. Visitors can travel by bus, train, or in their own car, and can often reach the destination within a few hours with none of the security restrictions in place with air travel.

Inbound Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines inbound tourism as “that which involves non-residents of a country to travel to that destination”.

Inbound tourism operators, which can also be referred to as ground operators and handling agents, make arrangements and operate tours within their own country or region on behalf of organisers in foreign countries who send them their clients.

Typically, inbound tourists/visitors arrive by air and spend a period of time in the destination country enjoying whatever attractions and activities are on offer. For example, visitors from the UK to New Zealand are engaged in inbound tourism and included in Tourism New Zealand statistics gathered upon arrival at the airports.

Outbound Tourism

This is also referred to as ‘international travel’. Outbound tourism is defined as “tourism involving residents of a country travelling to another country”. Outbound tourism operators offer packages/holiday abroad. They either operate the tours themselves, or contract with an inbound operator to handle local arrangements at the destination.

The country from which the tourists originate is known as the generating country or market. The people at the destination are referred to as the host population.

Have you read Lesson One in the Free Preview? If not, here is a link to that lesson.

Domestic Tourism

Tourism that takes place within one’s own country is called domestic tourism. It involves people visiting destinations within their own country’s boundaries and is recognized as one of the three major categories of tourism. The other two categories are inbound and outbound tourism.

Domestic tourism is the foundation for tourism in most countries. For example, in the United States of America, domestic tourism accounts for 99% of all tourism, in Australia it is 94%, and in the UK this is 80%.

Whilst domestic tourism doesn’t generate foreign currency earnings in the way that international inbound tourism does, it is a critical component of the tourism industry. The benefits to a region are the same as having international inbound visitors as it provides a source of new money flowing into the area. This new money generates new business activity and job opportunities. Domestic tourism tends to benefit entire regions of a country, not just the major tourism areas usually frequented by inbound visitors.

In tough economic times domestic tourism usually increases as the cost of travelling to the destination is much lower than travelling overseas or abroad. Visitors can travel by bus, train, or in their own car, and can often reach the destination within a few hours with none of the security restrictions in place with air travel.

Inbound Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines inbound tourism as “that which involves non-residents of a country to travel to that destination”.

Inbound tourism operators, which can also be referred to as ground operators and handling agents, make arrangements and operate tours within their own country or region on behalf of organisers in foreign countries who send them their clients.

Typically, inbound tourists/visitors arrive by air and spend a period of time in the destination country enjoying whatever attractions and activities are on offer. For example, visitors from the UK to New Zealand are engaged in inbound tourism and included in Tourism New Zealand statistics gathered upon arrival at the airports.

Outbound Tourism

This is also referred to as ‘international travel’. Outbound tourism is defined as “tourism involving residents of a country travelling to another country”. Outbound tourism operators offer packages/holiday abroad. They either operate the tours themselves, or contract with an inbound operator to handle local arrangements at the destination.

The country from which the tourists originate is known as the generating country or market. The people at the destination are referred to as the host population.

Have you read Lesson One in the Free Preview? If not, here is a link to that lesson.

Domestic Tourism

Tourism that takes place within one’s own country is called domestic tourism. It involves people visiting destinations within their own country’s boundaries and is recognized as one of the three major categories of tourism. The other two categories are inbound and outbound tourism.

Domestic tourism is the foundation for tourism in most countries. For example, in the United States of America, domestic tourism accounts for 99% of all tourism, in Australia it is 94%, and in the UK this is 80%.

Whilst domestic tourism doesn’t generate foreign currency earnings in the way that international inbound tourism does, it is a critical component of the tourism industry. The benefits to a region are the same as having international inbound visitors as it provides a source of new money flowing into the area. This new money generates new business activity and job opportunities. Domestic tourism tends to benefit entire regions of a country, not just the major tourism areas usually frequented by inbound visitors.

In tough economic times domestic tourism usually increases as the cost of travelling to the destination is much lower than travelling overseas or abroad. Visitors can travel by bus, train, or in their own car, and can often reach the destination within a few hours with none of the security restrictions in place with air travel.

Inbound Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines inbound tourism as “that which involves non-residents of a country to travel to that destination”.

Inbound tourism operators, which can also be referred to as ground operators and handling agents, make arrangements and operate tours within their own country or region on behalf of organisers in foreign countries who send them their clients.

Typically, inbound tourists/visitors arrive by air and spend a period of time in the destination country enjoying whatever attractions and activities are on offer. For example, visitors from the UK to New Zealand are engaged in inbound tourism and included in Tourism New Zealand statistics gathered upon arrival at the airports.

Outbound Tourism

This is also referred to as ‘international travel’. Outbound tourism is defined as “tourism involving residents of a country travelling to another country”. Outbound tourism operators offer packages/holiday abroad. They either operate the tours themselves, or contract with an inbound operator to handle local arrangements at the destination.

The country from which the tourists originate is known as the generating country or market. The people at the destination are referred to as the host population.

CONTENTS:

Chapter One:     The Tourism Industry

Chapter Two:    The Travel Industry

Chapter Three: Careers in Travel & Tourism

Chapter Four:   Career Preparation

Chapter One: The Tourism Industry

Tourism is big business. In 2010 more than 940 million international tourist arrivals took place around the world and these tourists spent more than $919 billion US dollars! In some countries tourism is THE most important industry earning more than any other type of activity and providing vital employment for local people.

Tourism is about people travelling INTO a country or destination. For example, if you live in New Zealand and travel to the UK you will be regarded as a ‘tourist’ while you are there. Visitors to the country where you live are engaged in tourism, and if you work in the tourism industry you will have a job such as a tour guide or Visitor Information Consultant, helping tourists to access and enjoy the attractions and activities available in your area.

When Did Tourism Start?

People have always travelled – for the purpose of war, religious pilgrimages and trading.  Wealthy people have travelled for hundreds of years – to see great buildings, works of art, learn languages, experiencing new cultures and to taste different foods. Even in Roman times there are records of people travelling to coastal areas or mountains for leisure time. The word ‘tourism’ was first used in the 1800’s, and a tourist has since been defined as somebody who ‘travels abroad for at least 24 hours.’

Tourism as a recognised industry is generally regarded to have started around 250 years ago with the first official travel company formed in the UK – Cox & Kings, who are still operating today.

Have read here about the history of this company: http://www.coxandkings.com/about-us/index.shtml

The first ‘packaged tour’ took place in 1949 when a group of British tourists travelled to Corsica on a pre-arranged tour on a jet powered passenger aircraft – the first known example of jet aircraft being used purely for leisure tourism. The advent of the Jumbo Jet in 1969, an aircraft that could carry 500 passengers, saw the launch of new airlines using large jet aircraft and an expansion of routes to new tourism destinations. This allowed the transport of large numbers of people in a short space of time to new and exciting places and put such travel within reach of large numbers of people who previously had not been able to afford to travel beyond their own country.

The first chain of travel agencies, similar to how we know them today, were Thomas Cook. They started in the UK, and now have locations around the globe.

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You have three course options for the full course:

The BRONZE course option includes 20 informative lessons only.

The popular SILVER course option includes:

• 20 informative lessons
• several quizzes
• a final assessment
• Certificate of Completion.

The most comprehensive GOLD course option includes:

• 20 informative lessons
• several quizzes a final assessment
• Certificate of Completion
• AND access to our friendly, experienced staff who monitor this course 5 days a week;
• communication with fellow students via the online forum;
• monitoring & reporting for your business or school.