Trainee travel jobs are available with tour companies, commercial airlines, cruise operators, and resorts for those interested in working in the travel industry. Many trainee positions are designed for people looking to fill entry-level positions, but some companies also hire experienced employees who want to advance to management positions. People who work in trainee travel jobs are usually required to work under the direct supervision of a senior member of staff or a manager.
Sales agents work for tour companies and are in charge of marketing travel packages to individuals and businesses. These sales positions are frequently entry-level, though some employers prefer candidates with prior sales or industry experience. Tour companies frequently hire trainees who are taught sales techniques. While experienced salespeople are typically compensated on a commission basis, trainees are typically compensated at a flat hourly rate until they complete their training. The training may last weeks or months, and successful trainees are offered permanent positions, while those who perform poorly are relieved of their responsibilities.
Airlines offer trainee travel jobs such as in-flight stewards and pilots. In most cases, trainee stewards are required to attend classes where they are taught how to serve refreshments in the middle of a flight and how to cater to the needs of passengers. Steward jobs are frequently entry-level positions, but trainees may have prior experience in customer service or the hospitality industry. Trainee pilots are pilots who have earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation or a related field and already hold a pilot’s license. While trainee pilots are allowed to fly planes, they must do so under the supervision of experienced pilots for months or even years.
Many cruise lines offer trainee travel jobs to both entry-level employees and those with prior hospitality experience. These individuals perform some of the same duties as permanent crewmembers, but they also attend training classes to learn about company policies, first aid, and the technical aspects of their jobs. In addition, cruise lines frequently hire engineering graduates as trainee ship engineers, and experienced crew members are occasionally offered trainee officer programs.
To meet the needs of resort guests, major tourist resorts hire trainee lifeguards, bartenders, servers, travel representatives, and salespeople. These individuals, like many trainees, perform the same tasks as their permanent counterparts but are supervised more experienced workers. The training period usually lasts several weeks, after which trainees are occasionally offered full-time positions.