Tourism Today: A Journey of Culture, Commerce and Change
Tourism today is far more than an industry, it is a bridge between economies, cultures and aspirations. As global priorities shift toward sustainability and experience-driven value, tourism offers a dynamic and deeply rewarding career path. For young professionals, it opens doors to global exposure, creative freedom and the chance to make a meaningful impact. In choosing tourism, one chooses to be a storyteller, a connector, and a catalyst for change.
As the global economy shifts toward experience-driven industries, tourism has emerged as one of the most resilient and rapidly expanding sectors, unlocking diverse and dynamic career opportunities for the youth of India. The contribution of this sector to the GDP of Nation has more than doubled over the past decade, rising from $121 billion in 2015 to over $250 billion in 2024 (Source: World Travel & Tourism Council), highlighting its growing importance not just as a pillar of economic strength, but as an effective force for cultural diplomacy, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.
With India’s rich heritage, varied landscapes and evolving infrastructure, tourism is uniquely positioned to drive both national pride and global engagement. “India’s Travel & Tourism sector is soaring, offering diverse career opportunities and driving inclusive economic growth. As one of the world’s largest job creators, the sector is vital to both national prosperity and global connectivity,” says Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council.
For aspiring students and professionals, tourism presents not just a livelihood but an opportunity to shape narratives, strengthen communities and contribute meaningfully to India’s global identity.
Why Choose a Career in Tourism?
Tourism today represents a dynamic intersection of culture, commerce, sustainability and storytelling. Far beyond conventional notions of travel, it now encompasses a wide spectrum of domains, including destination branding, heritage conservation, hospitality management, digital content creation, eco-tourism and global event planning. While interacting during her recent visit to Kashmir, Prof. Rekha Mukharji from Gujarat University shared her reflections on the evolving nature of the industry. Similarly, Prof. Manas Panday, a noted academic and Head of the Department of Business Economics at VBSP University, Uttar Pradesh, observed: “Tourism in today’s context is no longer just about sightseeing, it is about meaning-making. It allows communities to preserve their identity while participating in the global economy. For students and professionals alike, it offers a career that is rooted in both purpose and possibility.”
Their insights reflect a growing recognition that tourism not only fuels economic development but also empowers individuals to become custodians of heritage, ambassadors of peace and agents of sustainable transformation.
From designing engaging travel experiences and curating community-led heritage trails to managing international conferences and festivals, the industry calls for professionals who can seamlessly blend creative vision with strategic insight. In today’s closely connected world, tourism offers a rare platform where passion aligns with purpose and where careers are defined not just by where one goes, but by the stories one helps to tell.
Educational Pathways
Aspiring students and tourism professionals can begin their journey through undergraduate programmes such as a Bachelor’s in Tourism & Travel Management or BBA in Tourism Management, Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM), BTTM (Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management), or even B.Sc. in Hospitality & Travel. These programmes, generally spanning three to four years, offer comprehensive training in both theoretical and practical dimensions of the field.
Postgraduate options include an MBA in Tourism and Travel Management, a Master of Tourism and Travel Management (MTTM), or specialised degrees in cultural tourism, sustainable tourism, heritage management, aviation management, tour operations and digital marketing. The Leading institutions, such as the University of Kashmir, the Indian Institutes of Hotel Management (IHM), the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM) and various central universities, are actively contributing to tourism education in India by offering programmes that combine academic depth with industry relevance. These institutions cover a wide range of domains, including hospitality operations, sustainable tourism, destination branding, digital travel services, and tourism policy and planning.
While IITTM offers integrated BBA and MBA degrees tailored to the global tourism landscape, and IHMs provide practical, industry-aligned training with international exposure, the University of Kashmir offers a well-structured postgraduate programme in Tourism and Travel Management. This course is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical insight, particularly in the context of the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage, with a national and global perspective as well. Together, these institutions form a growing academic ecosystem that prepares young professionals to meet the dynamic challenges of the global tourism industry with competence and confidence.
Skills for the Future
The tourism industry demands a highly adaptive, people-centric skillset. Proficiency in foreign languages, intercultural communication, digital storytelling, crisis management, and hospitality technology is increasingly valued across both domestic and international markets. As the industry becomes more data-driven and tech-enabled, fluency in data analytics, AI-assisted itinerary design, and online booking platforms is fast becoming a prerequisite in many roles. Equally important are soft skills — such as empathy, diplomacy, negotiation, critical thinking, and the ability to manage diverse stakeholder expectations in real time.
While speaking with Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Khaki, a faculty member in the Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Studies at the University of Kashmir, he emphasized: “The future of tourism lies in the fusion of emotional intelligence, critical thinking and digital competence. Professionals who can combine human sensitivity with technological agility will not only survive but also lead in the evolving global travel landscape. Our responsibility as educators is to nurture this hybrid skillset that blends culture, innovation, and adaptability.”
His insight reflects the growing recognition that tomorrow’s tourism leaders must be as comfortable understanding people as they are navigating platforms and policies, making tourism one of the few fields where heart and technology walk hand in hand.
Diverse Career Opportunities
Tourism offers a wide spectrum of career opportunities across both public and private sectors. From roles like destination development specialist, travel consultant, heritage curator, and event coordinator to hospitality managers, eco-tourism experts, and digital content creators, the industry caters to a diverse range of interests and talents. These careers span government tourism boards, international NGOs, luxury hotels, airlines, tech-driven travel platforms, and global tour operators, making tourism one of the few fields where creativity, culture, and commerce converge.
Tourism: Bridging Cultures, Building Futures
Tourism is no longer just about visiting new places it is about shaping perceptions, nurturing connections, and building understanding across cultures. In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and social divides, tourism stands out as a powerful instrument for peacebuilding, empathy and inclusive growth. For India’s youth, it offers more than a livelihood; it offers a platform to become global citizens, cultural custodians and catalysts for positive change. It is a career that not only spans geographies but also bridges hearts and minds.
Career Tracks in Tourism
Tourism offers a wide range of career paths for aspiring professionals. Travel planning and operations involve designing customised itineraries, managing logistics and ensuring smooth client experiences. Hospitality management opens opportunities in hotels, resorts, cruise lines and aviation-related services. Those passionate about culture can pursue careers in cultural and heritage tourism, where they promote India’s rich legacy, manage heritage sites and develop community-based tourism models. Adventure and ecotourism offer avenues to create responsible travel experiences in fragile ecosystems with a focus on sustainability and conservation. Tourism events provide exciting roles in planning mega-events, international conferences, exhibitions and destination weddings. For those inclined toward academics or governance, tourism policy and research allow collaboration with government bodies, universities and think tanks to shape sustainable tourism policies. In today’s digital age, careers in digital tourism and influencer marketing are also thriving, using content creation, social media, SEO and data analytics to connect with global travellers and promote destinations.
Way Forward
Tourism is not only a career but a bridge between cultures, economies, and people. For the youth of Kashmir, it opens a world of opportunities from adventure and cultural tourism to MICE events and global hospitality. By embracing innovation, sustainability and professionalism, young people here can transform Kashmir into a leading destination on the world map.
As India’s tourism story grows, Kashmir can emerge as its crown jewel, not only for its natural beauty but for the skill, creativity and passion of its youth. Choosing a career in tourism, therefore, is more than seeking employment; it is about becoming cultural ambassadors, entrepreneurs and change-makers who can write a new chapter of progress for Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Shahid Ali Khan is an academician, researcher and presently serves as the Cultural Officer at the University of Kashmir.
