The desire to explore the unknown and the unseen has been sustaining the human spirit since ages.as a result the travel and tourism industry has experienced a boom worldwide and travel professionals are increasingly on demand. A very wide industry, it includes Government tourism departments, Immigration and customs services, travel agencies, airlines, tour operators, hotels etc and many associated service industries such as airline catering or laundry services, Guides, Interpreters, Tourism promotion and sales etc.it is the largest foreign exchange earner for any country. This industry includes major internationals with a workforce of thousands, to the small private travel agent with a handful of employees. India is a country blessed with the heritage of one of the oldest civilization in the world , a mystique past and cultural diversity.

This has made India a favorable destination for many. stable political environment and an English Speaking hospitable host are the other features conducive to the growth of tourism and travel industry.The entry ticket to this field is 10+2 after which one can pursue under-graduateandgraduatecourses. The post-graduate degree Master of Tourism Administration (MTA), is a two year programme after which one can get into managerial and administrative positions in the industry. The Indian Institution of Tourism and Travel Management and some universities offer MTA degree in Tourism. At post-graduate level, eligibility is graduation in any field along with a pass in the entrance test followed by group dicussions and interview conducted by the institute. International Air transport Association (IATA), a World Organisation and several large travel agencies provides recognised standard in training to travel, tourism and cargo industry, offers certification courses. Eligibility for certification courses is 10+2. Proficiency in at least one foreign language is preferred. Officers in the Directorate and Departments of Tourism are recruited from among the candidates who have done civil service, drawn from the Civil/administrative services of the State and Central governments. Information assistants at the office of the Tourism departments are selected through competitive examinations held by the Staff Selection Commission. The eligibility is graduation with knowledge of Indian history, art and architecture, besides proficiency in English.

Career opportunities exist both in the public and private sector. In the public sector, there are opportunities in the Directorates and Departments of Tourism of the center and the state as Officers, information assistants, Tourist guides etc. in the private sector one can find employment is with travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, transport and cargo companies etc. The opening up of the skies to private airlines and their emerging tie-ups with foreign airlines has removed bottlenecks in the transport and communication network resulting in easy flow of domestic and foreign tourists in the country. After a few years of experience, One can also start their own business by handling all travel requirements of a client and gradually building up business, taking on additional employees. In the airlines, one can work as Traffic Assistance, Reservation and Counter Staff, Airhostess and flight pursers, Sales and Marketing staff and customer services.pay scales are approximately as follows: Counter Clerk-Rs.1,500-2,000 Assistant-Rs.2,000-2,500,JuniorExecutive-Rs.3,000-3,500 ,RegionalManager-Rs.3,800-4,500 ,General Manager- Rs.5,000-6,000,Air Hostess- Rs 6,000 to Rs 40,000 in international airlines, Regional guides : Rs400 and above for an eight hour day.