Essential Skills and Vocabulary for Tourism Careers

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Travel Agent: Organized and Communicative

• Excellent customer service skills.
• Highly organized and communicative.
• Confident in speaking with people.
• Strong sales skills.
• Proficient IT skills.

A travel agent needs excellent customer service skills. They also require strong sales abilities to sell holiday and travel products to customers. Furthermore, good IT skills are essential to find information and make bookings online.

Flight Attendant: Customer-Focused and Efficient

• Customer-focused and efficient.
• Calm and patient.
• Strong communication skills.
• Effective team player.
• Knowledge of first aid and medical procedures.

A flight attendant must be a good communicator who can interact with people from diverse cultures and work effectively within a team. Basic first aid and medical skills are also vital.

Tour Guide: Energetic, Enthusiastic and Entertaining

• Energetic, enthusiastic and entertaining personality.
• Passion for people.
• Strong organizational skills.

A tour guide needs a passion for people. You must be energetic because your job is about helping people have fun. Good organizational skills and language proficiency are also important.

Vocabulary: A Day in the Life

• Executive chef: Writes menus, instructs cooks and employs kitchen staff.
• Executive housekeeper: Inspects rooms and manages cleaning staff.
• Food and beverage manager: Plans and organizes restaurant operations.
• Front office manager: Responsible for front desk operations, managing reception and resolving guest issues.
• Hotel receptionist: Makes reservations and checks guests in/out.

Key Industry Terms

• Chain: Cadena
• Deals: Ofertas
• Dealing: Relación comercial
• Abroad: En el extranjero
• Request: Solicitud
• Prep cook: Aprendiz de cocinero
• Bell service staff: Personal del servicio de botones (hotel)
• Kitchen porter: Pinche de cocina

The Front Desk Manager: Responsibilities

• Organizes staff shifts and schedules: Organiza los turnos y horarios del personal.
• Collaborates with the marketing department: Colabora con el departamento de marketing pensando en promociones y precios.
• Meets with the marketing department: Se reúne con el departamento de marketing para decidir sobre promociones y precios.
• Recruits/hires new employees: Recluta/contrata nuevos empleados.
• Organizes staff training: Organiza la formación del personal.
• Deals with guest problems: Se ocupa de los problemas de los huéspedes.
• Solves guest problems: Resuelve los problemas de los huéspedes.