The travel industry is a multi-billion dollar, global and ever growing industry with many opportunities for work and advancement professionally and benefits to those who work in the industry and their families. The advantage with working in the industry is that there are certain basic qualities that once learned in one area of the industry will be useful should you choose to work in another area of the industry. For example if you work as an air hostess, some of the skills and qualities you acquire will be useful whether you choose to work later on in the hotel industry, as a travel consultant or even as a tour guide. Below are some of the qualities that are needed for you to succeed in this industry.
• A sincere interest in the people you are serving and a willingness to help them. This is very important because the people who you will be serving are different. For example there are those who may know exactly what they want, but there are also those who are not sure what they want and who you have to really spend time and go into details with. If you don’t have an interest in serving and helping people you will soon get tired and want out. On the other hand if you like helping people you can find your job very satisfying.
• Paying attention to detail. This is also very important if you are to avoid making costly mistakes in your job. Most of the time your job will deal with having to fulfil customer requests. For example if a customer wants to travel to one part of the country or world and you are not a person good at paying attention to details, you may find you have taken him or her to another part of the world (a very costly mistake). The good thing is that this is a skill that can be learned. Being organised, a good listener and asking where you do not understand can help you avoid mistakes that are costly.
• A good temper and a positive attitude to deal with whatever situation may come up in your day to day job. Dealing with people can sometimes be difficult and especially unpleasant people. There are the complainers and those who are hard to please (fortunately there are those customers who are very pleasant to deal with). A good temper will go a long way in helping you to deal with the complainers and on the days when things do go wrong.
• Presentable. Remember you represent the image of your company. So in the way you dress and groom you need to appear professional. And it is always good to smile when serving customers. People notice when you smile and are welcoming and just the way you present yourself can mean a repeat customer and respect from both your superiors and colleagues at work.
