Thomas Cook (India) Ltd; India’s leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company, was honoured as the “Favourite Tour Operator” at the 5th Annual Condé Nast Traveller India Readers’ Travel Awards 2015 for the fifth time in a row.
The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards are globally recognized as a benchmark for excellence and acknowledged as one of the most prestigious in the industry.
The “Favourite Tour Operator” award reaffirms Thomas Cook India’s outstanding customer-driven product advancement and service excellence, deeply ingrained in the ethos of the organization
India’s leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company, has been awarded a double honour for the second time as the“Best Tour Operator – Outbound”and “Best Company Providing Foreign Exchange “at the CNBC Awaaz Travel Awards 2015 established to honour the best in class travel services and to set benchmarks for the tourism industry . At a spectacular ceremony at Raipur, Chatthisgrah, Indian travellers were unanimous in their choice of their favourite travel company- Thomas Cook India- once again. This is the third time in a row that Thomas Cook India has received the distinction of being chosen the “Best Tour Operator – Outbound”and second time that Thomas Cook India was conferred the award of being the“Best Company Providing Foreign Exchange”
What is the job all about?
It is about arranging Tickets / Visa / Guides / Hotels / Transport facilities for Tourists / Pilgrims / Business Visits / Historians / Archaeologists, etc. This could be for International Destinations or travel within the States of India or Goa itself.
Many Travel Agents (SOTC / Cox & Kings / Thomas Cook / Raj)organize Conducted Tours both in India and abroad, based on the Group’s requirements or generic tourists Groups. Agents provide a Comprehensive Service, i.e. Visas from the Embassies, Tickets, Hotels,Guides, etc.
Similarly Agents in Goa cater for Tourists from abroad or from India in terms of sightseeing, Hotels, etc.
Can I go for it?
There is tremendous scope for Careers in this area. Tourist Guides (especially if you could speak Russian, German, Israeli, French, etc.), could explain about the History of Goa, its cultural diversity, about the background of Pilgrimage places, etc.
If you are a good Event Manager, you could have a tie up with Hotels and arrange a packed 3/5 day Package which could include Cultural/Entertainment Escapades.
There are opportunities for taking Goans to Pilgrimage / Holiday places in India or abroad.
Is there a future in this Job?
The Foreign Tourist arrivals in India during 2010 were 5.58 million persons, with a growth rate of 9.3%. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from tourism during 2010 were US $14193 million. Goa received over 26.42 lakhs tourists, the largest ever number, in the year 2010.
So, with these kinds of numbers arriving in India and Goa, with a creative mind, you could easily find ways to extend the frontiers of keeping Tourists happy. Similarly, you can create Programs, for our local people who wish to see more of India or see more places in the world.
How to qualify?
In Goa:
You could opt for Travel & Tourism at 10 + 2, or you can do a Graduation Program. Don Bosco College, St. Xavier’s College, BTTM, Rosary College offers a BBA in T&T
Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management through IGNOU (Dempo College, Panaji)
You can apply for the 5 Year integrated MBA Travel Tourism and Hospitality Program at Goa University after 10+2 in any field including Vocational Program.
Outside Goa:
Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, Gwalior, Masters in Tourism Management. (iittm.org)
Garware Institute of Career Education & Development, Vidyanagari, Santa Cruz (E), Mumbai.
Sophia-Shree Basant Kumar Somani Memorial Polytechnic, Mumbai. sophiacampus.com)
School of Management Centre for Tourism Studies, Pondicherry. (pondiuni.org/scho.html)
Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management, New Delhi. itdc-idea.com
IATA-IFTAA – Diploma through Geneva.
Oberoi Center for Learning & Development, Delhi – Mercury Travel Management Program for Graduates.
Employment Avenues:
Airlines (Holiday Divisions), Hotels, Travel Agencies, Govt. Tourism Department, Own Consultancy, Event Management Companies.
Monies:
Beginnings are tough, but once you get the relevant experience and confidence, your earning could easily go to Rs. 25,000/- to 50,000/- p.m., or even more if you are in the business you run yourself.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/