Do you find yourself constantly dreaming of far-off destinations while trapped in the monotony of a desk job? If your heart yearns for adventure and your spirit craves the freedom of the open road, you’re not alone. According to recent studies, 65% of millennials and Gen Z prioritize careers that offer travel opportunities, while 73% of professionals say they’d take a pay cut for a job that allows them to travel more frequently.
In today’s interconnected world, the opportunities for travel-based careers have expanded dramatically. The global tourism industry is worth billions of dollars and is projected to be a trillion-dollar industry by 2027, creating unprecedented opportunities for travel professionals. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a change or a young adventurer seeking your first career path, these roles offer financial stability and the freedom to explore the globe.
Why Choose a Travel-Based Career?
Travel industry professionals report a 27% higher job satisfaction rate than the general workforce, with 82% saying they feel their work makes a meaningful impact. Beyond the numbers, travel careers offer:
- Experience authentic cultural immersion rather than surface-level tourism
- Build a global network of professional connections and lifelong friendships
- Develop valuable cross-cultural communication skills
- Create a lifestyle that aligns with your passion for exploration
- Turn travel expenses into tax-deductible business costs
Let’s look at just a few ways to use your ITMI Professional Travel Training Certification.
Tour Director / Tour Guide
Base Salary Range: $35,000 – $85,000+ annuallyEducation: High School Diploma or Higher
Travel Training: ITMI Certification Preferred
Time and Travel: FT (Full Time), PT (Part-Time), Seasonal, Domestic, International
Additional Benefits: Housing, meals, and travel expenses covered (valued at $15,000-$25,000+ annually)
The ultimate career for those who love both travel and people, Tour Directors create unforgettable experiences for travelers while exploring the world themselves. This role has evolved significantly in recent years, with top-earning Tour Directors reporting annual incomes exceeding $100,000 through multiple revenue streams:
- Base salary from tour companies
- Tips and gratuities (averaging $200-$500 per day / per tour)
- Off-season consulting work
- Personal tour development
Digital Nomad
Salary Range: $30,000 – $150,000+ annuallyA modern addition to travel-based careers, digital nomad consultants are in high demand, with job postings increasing 1,000% since 2019. They help businesses adapt to remote work while traveling the world.
Some examples of a digital nomad: Virtual trivia, Digital nomad mentoring, Ghostwriting, Content writing, Copywriting, Online courses, Editing, and Affiliate marketing.
Destination Wedding Planner
Salary Range: $60,000 – $200,000+ annuallyCommission Structure: 15-20% of total wedding budget
The destination wedding industry has grown by 89% since 2019, with the average couple spending $32,000 on their destination wedding.
MICE* Tourism Leader / DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) / DMC (Destination Management Company)
*Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, EventsThe Job: Plan, book, and facilitate conferences, seminars, and other events for business groups and other events for business groups, meetings, conventions,
annual association events, incentives, and more.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, relevant certifications, ITMI Travel Professional Certification
Experience: Corporate and social event planning, group communication, social savvy; proven problem-solving ability
Great Fits: Planners, gifted communicators, organization experts
Technology: Database user interface and query software; project management software; graphics or photo-imaging software
Activity Level: 8-10
Time and Travel: FT, Domestic, International
Pay Range: $35,000 to $85,000+
Wildlife Experts / Naturalists
The Job: Inspires others to protect wildlife and the planet, found in National Park, cruise ships, safaris, and wildlife conservation areas.Education: Bachelor of Science, ideally in wildlife biology, wildlife conservation, wildlife management
Experience: Wildlife educator, biologist, wildlife enforcement officer, conservationists, oceanographer, wildlife photographers, advocates, tour director, tour guide
Great Fits: Educators, speakers, environmental activists, storytellers, marine biologists, wildlife veterinarians
Technology: Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, social media, photography
Activity Level: 5-10
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Seasonal, Domestic, International Pay Range: $50,000 to $75,000+
Shore Excursion / Cruise / Riverboat Tour Leaders
The Job: Presentation of port information and tour descriptions, tour sales, tour dispatch, troubleshooting and accounting. Often lead outings off the ship likehiking, rafting, kayaking, and other adventure related activities.
Education: Bachelor‘s Hospitality & Tourism, and/or equivalent tourism experience
Experience: Tour guiding, customer service/relations, social savvy, guest relations, knowledge of ports, sales, accounting skill set
Professional Travel Training – International Tour Management Institute (ITMI)
Great Fits: Speakers, adventurists, activity leaders
Technology: Microsoft Office, accounting, knowledge of social media, photography
Activity Level: 6 – 10
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Seasonal, Domestic, International
Pay Range: $35,000 to $75,000+
Historians / Teachers
The Job: Gather historical data from various sources, archives, books, and artifacts. Analyze and interpret historical information to determine authenticity significance to the audience you are lecturing.Education: Bachelor’s in History, certification in related fields, expertise in time periods
Professional Travel Training
Experience: Teaching / lecturing experience a plus; published work related to field; demonstrated problem-solving
Great Fits: Educators, speakers, scholars, authors, archeologists, anthropologists, tour directors, tour guides, teachers
Technology: Microsoft Office, slide presentations, Google Maps, iMaps
Activity Level: 2-8
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Seasonal, Domestic, International
Pay Range: $35,000 to $75,000+
Language Instructors
The Job: Teachers work with non-native speakers to help them learn to speak, read, understand and write English. Responsible for providing lessons andsupport to students, mentor, advisors, and liaison to families
Education: Bachelor’s, ESL teaching qualification/certificate, TESOL or ESOL or linguistics
Experience: Teaching experience is helpful but not necessary; group communication; knowledge of the history and cultural sensitivity
Great Fits: Educators, trainers, tour directors, tour guides
Technology: Computer-based training and word processing software, video, film, online games, Grammar Up, digital field trips, 4-H Virtual Farm, Podcasts, Web Quest, blogging, administrative software
Activity Level: 1-6
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Seasonal, Domestic, International Pay Range: $40,000 to $75,000
Adventure Guide
The Job: Working as an adventure guide is for those with a passion for the outdoors and willingness to work in a dynamic environment. It can entail longhours with a reward of meeting people from all over the world, and getting to work outside everyday. Handling logistics, confirmations, planning, group dynamics and provide narration, first aid if needed.
Education: ITMI Certification preferred, Wilderness First Responder preferred, National Outdoor Leadership Course (NOLS)
Experience: Group management, team leadership, excellence in communication, proven decision-making skills, crisis management
Great Fits: Recent graduates, new career seekers, retirees, military veterans, athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, camp counsellors, tour directors and tour guides
Technology: Customer relationship management software; email software; spreadsheet software; social media applications
Activity Level: 6-10
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Seasonal, Domestic, International
Pay Range: $35,000 to $75,000+
Tour Operator – Entrepreneur
The Job: Own your own tour company, decide when you want to travel with whom and where. Dreaming of traveling internationally, this is the ticket! Handle logistics, confirmations, planning, damage control, group dynamics and marketing.Education: ITMI Certification preferred
Experience: Group management, team leadership, excellence in communication, proven decision-making skills, crisis management, marketing, previous business owner, travel advisor, or tour director/tour guide
Great Fits: Entrepreneurs, new career seekers, retirees, military veterans, business owners
Technology: Customer relationship management software; email software; spreadsheet software; social media applications
Activity Level: 3-10
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Seasonal, Domestic, International
Pay Range: $40,000 to $100,000+
Travel Writer / Blogger / Vlogger
The Job: Write articles and blogs, videos for travel magazines, publications, websitesEducation: BA in Journalism, Communications, or Travel and Tourism, Certifications related to writing/photography
Experience: Knowledge of travel, travel history, knowledge of geography; second language a plus
Travel Training Professional Certification from ITMI
Great Fits: Desire to explore new destinations, storyteller, willingness to work freelance, independent adventure seekers, tour guides and tour directors Technology: Note-taking tools: Evernote, Apple Notes app, iPad or similar, Dictaphone device, Writing / Editing Software Activity Level: 0-10 Time and Travel: FT, PT, Domestic, International Pay Range: Varies widely; usually per article
Wine & Culinary Aficio-foodies
The Job: Interpret, critique, and review wine and foodEducation: Associate’s or Bachelor’s
ITMI Professional Travel Training Certification
Experience: Food service management; professional writing; published reviews; journalism
Great Fits: Writers, chefs, critics, television personalities, tour guides and tour directors
Technology: Microsoft Office
Activity Level: 0-5
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Domestic, International
Pay Range: $35,000 to $100,000+
Student Tour Director
The Job: If you love kids and travel, this job is perfect for you! Every student, regardless of gender identity, race, physical ability, sexual orientation,and socioeconomic status deserves to experience the life-changing impact of educational travel. Likes to work with kids from ages 9 – 18, handle logistics,
confirmations, planning, inspiration and fun, group dynamics and provide narration. Be the catalyst to teach students about tolerance, other perspectives,
and themselves.
Education: High School Diploma or Higher
Professional Travel Training Certificate – ITMI Certification preferred
Experience: Group management, team leadership, excellence in communication,
proven decision-making skills, crisis management, teaching or coaching background
Great Fits: Recent graduates, new career seekers, retirees, military veterans, coaches, history buffs, retired teachers or youth counselors, parents, Girl & Boy, tour directors, tour guides, Scout volunteers, Big Brothers & Sisters volunteers
Technology: Social media applications, slide share programs, Microsoft Office
Activity Level: 6-10
Time and Travel: FT, PT, Seasonal, Domestic, International
Pay Range: $40,000 to $70,000+
The Future of Travel: ITMI Your Guide to a World-Class Career
For over five decades, ITMI has been transforming passion into a profession. As a proud affiliate of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), ITMI continues to set the gold standard in education for the travel industry. Our 97% graduate placement rate demonstrates our commitment to excellence and industry leadership.
ITMI’s program goes far beyond basic tour management training. We provide a transformative experience that prepares you for the modern travel industry’s demands and opportunities. Our curriculum is constantly updated to reflect industry trends and technologies, ensuring our graduates are always ahead of the curve.
Ready to Take the Leap?
The travel industry’s rapid growth and evolution present unprecedented opportunities for those ready to turn their passion into a profession. Whether you become a Tour Director or sustainable tourism developer or create your unique path in the travel industry, ITMI provides the foundation, support, and network you need to succeed.
Don’t just dream about exploring the world – make it your career.
Contact ITMI today to learn about our training programs and take the first step toward your new career in travel. Schedule a personal consultation with our admissions team to discover how ITMI can help you transform your wanderlust into a rewarding profession.
Reserve your spot, meet the ITMI professional instructor team to join the ITMI Community today.
