The tourism industry is a massive employment sector in the UK, and provides jobs for nearly 1.5 million people. It is estimated that 180,000 businesses contribute to the sector, and that tourism brings more than £19 billion into the UK each year. The sector encompasses such diverse specialisms as marketing, IT, and product development. While many jobs in the sector are based overseas, or require frequent overseas travel, there are also a wide variety of positions based exclusively in the UK.
Recruitment agencies can assist jobseekers looking for placement in roles such as cruise ship staff, airplane hostess, and hotel staff. For the majority of jobs in the field, academic degrees are not required, but acquiring relevant professional qualifications in the areas of hospitality, tourism, and leisure can improve prospects for employment and upward mobility. In consequence, NVQs and undergraduate degrees are fairly common within the tourism workforce, especially for those in managerial and administrative roles.
Salaries start at about £15K for entry-level employees. The top earners in the field typically make between £25K and £30K annually. In London, however, salaries are much higher, and exceed those found elsewhere in the UK by nearly 30%.