Career In Tourism Promises Huge Potential In Local Job Market

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- A career in tourism has always promised great potential in the job market, especially with the country's efforts to attract 36 million tourists by 2020, said deputy director-general of Tourism Malaysia (International Promotions), Datuk Azizan Noordin.

He said that with the rapid development of the tourism sector in the country at the moment, the career certainly offered a bright future.

"So far we have 1.5 million people already working in the industry. Many more opportunities have been offered to meet the needs (of this sector).

"The tourism and hospitality industry is actually very broad. From hotels down to those involved in the aviation industry, such as an airline pilot," he told reporters after the launch of the 2015 Tourism Career Fair here, Saturday.

The one-day exhibition themed 'Today's talent, Tomorrow's success' organised by the Asia-Pacific Travel Association Malaysia Chapter (PMC), with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Tourism Malaysia was officiated by the deputy chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Zainol Abidin Omar at a hotel here.

Giving an example, Azizan said in the hospitality industry alone, there were 16,000 job vacancies at all levels, from cooks to spa therapists, and so on.

Azizan, who is also chairman of PMC, said the tourism industry was not only limited to the hotels and hospitality industry, but was also open to other fields such as forestry and veterinary.

The career fair is aimed at connecting students and potential employees from all over the country with organisations in the tourism and hospitality industry.

It also provides a good opportunity for the organisations in the industry for networking and market themselves to find the best employees, whether full time, part time or those looking to get industrial training.

Over 17 exhibitors such as Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, Grand Lexis Port Dickson, Genting Malaysia Berhad and LEGOLAND Malaysia Berhad joined the exhibition.

In conjunction with the exhibition, PMC also held a Tourism Career Forum, inviting prominent speakers from the tourism, aviation, hospitality and travel industries to share their views and suggestions.
-bernama.