TRAVEL & TOURISM

Travel and Tourism Entrepreneurs

Travel and Tourism Entrepreneurs

Introduction

Tourism is the fastest growing and largest industry of the world, making it the biggest employer as well. World has seen general economic changes due to globalization particularly with respect to the tourism industry. Few decades ago, tourism was not as such an organized industry. It is divided into different segments like travelling, accommodation, meals etc. Now it has changed because like any other industry it has also been organized. Now it has become more about experience packages (Keller & Koch, 1995).

The new generation and different cultures of tourists have deeply influenced the new tourism concept economically. Competition among the organizations belonging to the hospitality industry has become more global than international or local as before (Saayman, 1998).

Since it is such a huge industry, it brings prospects with itself too for young minds. And ever since the global economic slowdown has worsened youth unemployment keeps continuing all over the world. This is leading more and more young minds to build a promising future that is to become an entrepreneur.

Academics all over the world suggest that unemployment can be curbed to a greater extent by promoting entrepreneurship. Not just that but it will help us build a society that supports entrepreneurial activities since entrepreneurial culture is something that cannot be started just like that rather it needs to be nurtured. It also helps the economic activity in the country. Thus, the proliferation of tourism and hospitality industry has opened space for the entrepreneurs with a certain range of skills.

Task 1 Skills and characteristics of a travel and tourism entrepreneur

Skills required in order to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Examples of entrepreneurs within the hospitality and tourism industry.

Like every professional even entrepreneur requires certain skills, training and experience. Following are the skills an entrepreneur needs to acquire if he plans to establish a successful venture;

Should be innovative, must have a pool of ideas

Since the concept of an entrepreneur is coming up with new ideas, they need innovative skills. Entrepreneurial ventures do not become successful with how much money you have invested in your business. It's all about the idea, it should click. Mostly ideas come from things you enjoy doing the most. Such a business does not give you only professional proficiency but also personal satisfaction, intellectual satisfaction, financial gains, enjoyment and stability.

Upright, steadfast

People won't respect you until you respect yourself. If you have taken a decision, work hard to achieve your goal. If you want to be an effective and successful entrepreneur, you need to trust your wits and your idea that you want to sell. If you don't believe in your idea, no one else will.

Planning skills

It is a must to plan every step. But don't be too rigid because there will come times when you'll have to take spontaneous / instant decisions. Planning shows your commitment to achieve your objectives. It strictly leads you to the phase of implementation and ...