Global Tourism Development
Tourism is a growing, dynamic, multi-sector industry that has experienced a global boom over the past decade. Until the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, the volume of international tourism increased significantly: in 2019, around 1.5 billion international travel arrivals were recorded worldwide. The strong growth in demand has made the tourism industry an important economic factor in many countries, particularly in the Global South. Tourism contributes to employment and gross domestic product (GDP), among other things.
With most regions of the world able to travel again after the end of the pandemic in 2022, the number of tourist arrivals also increased significantly: 920 million arrivals in international tourism were recorded in 2022. Compared to the previous year, the number of international tourist arrivals doubled. Although the pre-crisis level has not yet been reached, the numbers are getting closer. The global market volume is forecast to increase to EUR 974.900 billion by 2028, representing an expected compound annual growth rate of 3.56%.
Tourism in Germany
After trade, tourism is the second largest service sector in Germany. Approximately 2.8 million people work in the sector. The demand for qualified professionals is high, due in part to the recovery from the massive slump during the covid-19 pandemic and in part to demographic change. Job opportunities for current and future school leavers and graduates in this industry in Germany are therefore good.
Attractive Jobs in a Growing Sector
From the hotel industry to travel agencies and tour operators, airlines and cruise lines, congress and tourist offices, national and international organizations with a focus on tourism, to destination and event management, there is a very wide range of professional fields with attractive jobs in tourism.
Specialists with an international focus are particularly sought after. Globalization has made companies increasingly dependent on employees with intercultural skills and the ability to respond to the needs of an international clientele.
Skills for Career Success
Flexibility, a willingness to travel, the ability to work in a team and good language skills are essential for most jobs in the tourism industry. In addition, an understanding of social contexts, political trends and economic factors is an advantage for a promising career in tourism. With current challenges such as climate change, demographic shifts and digitalization, a sound knowledge of the market and the ability to identify and analyze trends are also helpful.
The MBA International Tourism Management at IGC places particular emphasis on this knowledge. It also teaches intercultural management and communication skills in the context of tourism - important skills that will enhance your career opportunities. The practice-oriented program also qualifies you for management positions.
Trends in Tourism
The tourism industry is constantly changing, driven by technological innovation, changing travel preferences and social trends.
Digitalization
One of the most significant developments in recent years is undoubtedly digitalization, which has made the travel experience more personalized and accessible to guests. Virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are playing an increasingly important role in the development of innovative products and services in the tourism sector. VR travel and immersive technologies allow travelers to virtually explore destinations before they travel. This opens up new opportunities, especially for travel experience providers, to inspire prospective customers. With the help of AI, intelligent customer service solutions can guarantee a high level of individual support. Data-driven customer analytics provide tourism companies with deeper insights into their customers' behavior and preferences, enabling them to develop customized offers.
Sustainability
The growth of tourism is not without consequences: Popular destinations are often overcrowded, and flora and fauna are destroyed. As travelers become more aware of environmental and social issues, sustainable travel and responsible business practices have become key issues in the industry. Those who rise to the challenge and develop sustainable business models will have a competitive advantage in the future. Employees who specialize in sustainable tourism - for example, in areas such as environmental management and value management - are in high demand. They can help companies develop tourism concepts that are socially fair, culturally respectful, environmentally friendly and economically profitable.
Cruises
Cruise ship travel is becoming increasingly popular. In 2019, around 30 million passengers worldwide took a cruise – more than double the number since 2005. However, the cruise industry also suffered a massive slump due to the pandemic. In 2020, only 5.8 million cruise passengers were counted. However, by 2022, with 20.3 million passengers worldwide, the global cruise market was already showing a significant recovery, with the trend continuing to rise.
