What's the Outlook for Jobs in the Travel Industry?

Hi Frommers!   I love your show.  Are there any jobs left in the travel industry?  I always thought I would make a great travel agent but don't see much of them around anymore.  Thanks,

Sue

Dear Sue: 

Though the number of travel agents has been greatly reduced (by the decision of the airlines to stop paying commissions), the travel industry remains a large one, perhaps the largest single industry in the nation (larger than the food processing industry, larger undoubtedly than the automotive industry, employing several millions of persons to operate airlines, cruiselines, hotels, restaurants, tour companies, travel publishers, government tourist offices—and yes, travel agencies). 

If you will consult the membership list of the United States Tour Operators Association (go to Google, and insert “USTOA”), you’ll find scores of large companies that each employ large numbers of people as reservationists, bookkeepers, tour escorts, sales personnel, administrators, and the like; and if you’ll go to the other easily-ascertainable segments of the travel industry, you’ll find literally thousands of other companies—including, perhaps, companies in your own home city—that perform important functions in travel and employ a large number of people.

As for travel agencies, though their number is diminished, they still amount to more than 30,000 such companies, and though it’s tough to get a travel agency job without previous experience, many of them will take on interns and apprentices if you’re willing to work for only a modest payment in the early months of your employment.  Don’t abandon your dream of living a life of travel.

Kindest regards, Arthur Frommer