_{Karanjit Singh Anand, ExCampionite Class of 1978 and Head, Relationships and Supplier Management, Cox and Kings (India), Ltd answers a few FAQs regarding the opportunities the travel industry will offer in the coming years}

_{Q. Keeping aside the difficult recessionary times, how do you envisage 2010 to be for aspirants in the travel and tourism sector? Will it be safe for them to presume that long term employment is a possibility?
A. Yes. The travel industry is the largest employment generator in the country and is growing at a steady pace of 30 per cent per annum. Long term employment is very much a possibility in this sector. The industry has various segments - domestic travel, inbound travel, outbound travel, trade fairs, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), foreign exchange, etc. So the scope is vast and aspirants can choose the field they have an aptitude for.}

_{Q. Which are the job profiles within this sector that will have the maximum demand in the coming years?
A. In the coming years at a leadership level the demand will be for strategic alliance and thought leadership specifically catering to the travel trade sector and at the execution level sales and CRM profiles across multiple levels of hierarchy.}

_{Q. Can you enumerate the essential characteristics for success in this field?
A. A lot of hard work and people skills are crucial as this is an industry where interface with customers is very high. Additionally, a good command over languages, essentially English along with the working knowledge of local language is also very helpful. The travel industry is going online and aspirants in this field should have computer knowledge. Sales and marketing is another segment competent aspirants could consider.}

_{Q. What is the basic salary structure for freshers in this sector (across job profiles)?
A. The starting salaries (CTC) are in the range of Rs 8500 to 13500 per month. The benefits provided are PF, gratuity, LTA, conveyance, medical, telephone, etc.}

_{Q. What are the pros and cons of choosing this sector as a career avenue?
A. The advantage of choosing a career in the travel space is that if you are competent enough you can rise quickly in your career, travel places and also learn about destinations. - (As told to Mousumi Halder Ghosh - Mumbai Mirror)}

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