GMIT - Why choose a career in Tourism now?

Posted on June 19, 2020

Much of the focus, and stress for leaving certificate students each year is choosing their preferred options of courses in third level institutions. These choices are very much driven by personal interests, and perhaps the influence of teachers, guidance councillors, parents, or carers. Course choice may also influenced by what is currently happening in the economy, and what may look like a safe choice in terms of career options and prospects.

It is difficult to anticipate in the present what one’s prospects will look like when one graduates from a chosen programme in two, three, or four years’ time. So, it is with this in mind, and especially considering the challenges of the current crisis, that the argument must be presented as to why it is still a good choice to choose Tourism as a career option….. in short, one word, “Recovery”.

The tourism industry is global, it is diverse, it is ever changing, and most notably, it is resilient. It has faced many challenges in the past, and before the Covid-19 crisis, its most present challenge was that of environmental sustainability because of the industry’s impact on global warming and climate change. The industry, like many others, has now effectively halted because of the Covid-19 crisis, but it will recover as it has in the past, and when it does, it will need innovators, decision makers, and creative thinkers.

For many decades, the Institutes of Technology in Ireland have been and continue to be the leaders in formal third level education in the disciplines of Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Heritage, Event Management, and Tourism.

Students of these disciplines attain and develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to pursue an exciting and successful career in their chosen discipline. The teaching is practical and applied, the work experience opportunities are varied and global, the skills and knowledge attained are transferrable. It is because of this that graduates are, by their very nature, adaptable to change, and have the competence and confidence to confront challenges they may face, not only in their chosen profession, but also in life.

In Ireland, Tourism plays a key role in the overall economy. As an industry, it is one of the largest employers, employing one in ten people nationally. As a people, we Irish are by nature open and welcoming, and this is one of the main reasons why Ireland has continued to be one of the most popular destinations in the world to visit. The unique ‘Fáilte’ we provide as a people is not to be underestimated; it is to be protected and celebrated. It is part of our character.

This uniqueness cannot be replicated or manufactured, it should be nurtured and developed. There is an important professional element to the ‘Fáilte’ we provide. This professional element has been and continues to be a key focus of the formal training and education in the discipline of Tourism. It is this essential training and education that is provided by the Institutes of Technology, and it is their role and ambition to continue to nurture this in terms of educating and developing the future professional leaders of the industry, in part, to ensure upon its future capacity for recovery and sustainable growth.

The Galway International Hotel School in GMIT has a long tradition of delivering the very best in formal education and training in Hospitality, Hotel Management, Tourism, Heritage Studies, Culinary Arts, and Event Management with Public Relations. Alumni of the School are to be found the world over as leaders and innovators. Our students are sought after, not only for the training, skills, and knowledge they acquire, but also for their professionalism and character.

The Tourism industry will survive this current crisis and subsequently play a key role in the overall recovery of the economy, post Covid-19. However, to do this the industry will need an educated, skilled, experienced, and professional workforce to drive the recovery. It is in two, three- and four-years’ time when graduates of Tourism related programmes will enter an industry to not only service the recovery but lead it.

Will you be one of those leaders? Choose a career in Tourism, choose a course that will allow you to embark upon a professional career in the world’s most diverse and exciting industry.

Student Testimonials

Event and PR Management

Culinary Arts

International Tourism Management

International Hotel Management

Heritage Studies

International Tourism Management

Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts

Diarmuid Ó Conghaile

Head of Department of Tourism & Heritage, Languages & Humanities Galway International Hotel School GMIT