Hong Kong was recently crowned the world’s most visited city for the eighth time in a row. Beating Bangkok and London, Asian cities are set to dominate global tourism for the next decade, according to Euromonitor International’s latest Top 100 City Destinations Ranking 2017.
With tourists flocking to the city, jobs in Hong Kong’s tourism industry are increasing. But how do you actually get a job in tourism? While having an interest in travel and customer service should be a given, there are multiple ways to edge your way into this vast industry – no matter if fresh graduate or mid-career switcher.
Here are a few tips on how to get a job in Hong Kong’s flourishing tourism sector.
Get a feel for it
Just like with most industries, it’s advisable to first get a feel for it first. Before diving into an unknown industry or getting a tourism-related degree, you should start by getting some experience in hospitality. If you are still a student, you might want to look for a part-time job in a cafe or bar. If you are looking to switch careers, you should do extensive research, try meeting people from the industry or even go on a few trips yourself.
Jobs in the tourism industry can be very demanding and are not for everyone. However, if you love working with different people, embrace travel, and are good thinking on your feet, then you will fit right in.
Where do you want to be?
Despite the fact that Hong Kong is the world’s most visited city, tourism is a vast sector that goes beyond tours and hotels, but can range from entertainment and leisure to restaurants and cultural organisations. Wanting to work in the tourism industry, you need to ask yourself a few questions in order to pick the right niche that suits your qualifications and preferences.
Evaluate your own set of skills and see where you would fit in best. A large part of the tourism industry is service-based, demanding very good communication and organisational skills. Do you want to work with people or prefer an office job? Do you want flexible hours or prefer to finish every day at the same time?
With visitors from all over the world exploring Hong Kong, being able to speak another language is also a huge bonus. But do you want to work with so many different people or actually prefer to work alone? Answering all these questions will help you make the decision .
Where to start?
Once you have picked the area of the industry you want to join, you can start applying. Although a job in tourism might seem more casual than other jobs, the application and interview process is similar to other industries. So, get your CV, cover letters, and recommendations ready before you start applying.
When heading to an interview, make sure you have done your research on the company and the wider tourism industry. Understand how they work as well as how your skills can contribute to the business’ goals. When it comes to telling your story, motivation is key in this industry.
Career opportunities
Although a majority of the tourism industry is consumer-facing, there are many opportunities for growth. No matter if you start as a waiter or tour operator, anyone can rise to managerial roles with hard work and determination.
Filled with diversity, excitement and growth opportunities, Hong Kong’s tourism sector is booming and waiting for motivated talent.
