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What skills will I learn?
An impor tant skill you will develop is the ability to form
relationships with people of different ages and from different
backgrounds. You will become an excellent communicator
capable of providing a first class customer service. Leisure
and tourism is about helping others to enjoy themselves,
so you will also need to develop the ability to motivate and
inspire. Depending upon your job role you could find yourself
balancing financial accounts, negotiating with suppliers,
developing your spor ting ability, learning how to administer
first aid or becoming fluent in another language. Above all
you will learn the true nature of what it means to multi-task.
What kind of person do I need to be?
You will need to have excellent people skills as well as a confident
and friendly manner. Can you be sensitive and suppor tive towards
people who are upset, yet be capable of adopting a polite and
firm approach with difficult customers? Can you work calmly
under pressure whilst demonstrating that you can be tactful and
discrete? It is impor tant to display vitality and enthusiasm for this
role. Depending on your chosen career you should have a passion
for travel, languages, geography, historical sites, the natural
environment or spor t.
How do I get there?
Although some careers in leisure and tourism have no formal entry
requirements, it’s wor th knowing that competition for jobs can be
intense. You’ll find more oppor tunities become available to you if
you have a good standard of education, including GCSEs in English
and maths at grade 5 or above. Previous experience in a customer
service role will also improve your chances of success. Elsewhere
in the industry, experience of working abroad and knowledge of a
foreign language will be required. In some instances age restrictions
and Disclosure Barring Service clearance may apply. A variety of
cer tificate and diploma courses are also available at Level 1 and
Level 2 as well as a number of industry specific qualifications. Entry
requirements for some careers will require you to have studied in
higher education although it is possible for you to find employment
as a trainee and work towards professional qualifications.
Leisure and Tourism