Top Hospitality Careers That Allow You to Travel the World

• Careers in international hotel management, cruise ship roles, and event planning allow you to travel the world while advancing your profession.
• Skills like communication, cultural awareness, leadership, and flexibility are necessary for success in these roles.
• SHMS is the ideal choice for combining travel with studies as it offers a globally recognized education and exciting career opportunities abroad.

"A job fills your pocket, but adventure fills your soul." But who's to say that you can't have both at the same time? In fact, in the world of hospitality, adventures and careers often go hand in hand.

Traveling, whether you do it for business or pleasure, is intertwined with hospitality—hotels, restaurants, cruise lines, resorts, spas, and more. Because of that, many careers allow you to travel and explore the world while gaining valuable experience. While most people work hard and save up for the chance to travel, in hospitality, the world can be your office.

Hospitality Careers That Allow You to Travel the World

The hospitality industry, particularly the side that includes travel, is a thrilling, immersive career choice for those who seek adventure without sacrificing professional growth. Whether you're managing a luxurious hotel or guiding tourists to exotic destinations, you can explore the world to build a fulfilling career. Some such careers include:

International hotel management

In its general sense, hotel management means overseeing the daily operations of a hotel with the aim of making guests feel comfortable and ensuring a positive, memorable experience. However, when we take it to an international level, in addition to those standard responsibilities, they must also adapt to the local environment to make sure the hotel's operations align with regional preferences and cultures.

You can find such managers in every corner of the world, from luxury resorts in Bali to bustling city hotels in New York. Working with global hotel chains means that opportunities to transfer to different locations within the company are frequent, and this provides them with flexibility and the chance to experience new cultures. 

As each destination offers its own set of unique challenges and experiences, international hotel management provides an exciting and enriching career path for those looking to combine leadership with global exploration.

Cruise ship careers

Waking up to a new destination every few days sounds like a dream–and it's actually the reality for cruise ship employees. They are the ones who combine the excitement of travel with the satisfaction of providing hospitality on the high seas.

Your role could involve helping guests enjoy a sunset dinner on the Mediterranean, leading a hiking tour in Alaska, or organizing a themed event on a Caribbean island. A few specific roles you might find yourself in include event coordinator, tour guide, cruise director, guest services manager, or travel concierge. 

Every day offers new adventures and new faces, making it one of the best careers for travel, especially for those who love variety and excitement.

Airline and flight attendant careers

There's a saying that goes, "the sky is the limit," but for airline and flight attendants, the sky is their home. Working in this area of hospitality takes you to different parts of the world as you care for passengers tens of thousands of feet in the air. 

Airline and flight attendants are responsible for customer service, safety, and comfort during flights. They manage everything from assisting with check-in to providing emergency assistance when needed. The job also includes welcoming travelers aboard, ensuring they have everything they need, and handling any concerns they may have. 

The role offers more than just flying; flight attendants also enjoy layovers in various cities, often with time to explore, eat, shop, and connect with locals. For those seeking career progression, a flight attendant can rise to roles like a senior flight attendant, lead cabin crew, or even transition into roles such as flight supervisor or airline manager. 

The fast-paced, multicultural environment and diverse responsibilities make this an exciting role that blends travel and customer service in a dynamic industry. 

International event planning

International event planning combines the logistics of event coordination with the excitement of traveling. Event planners in this field are responsible for organizing corporate events, weddings, conferences, and other large-scale gatherings, often in exotic locations. 

What sets event planning apart is that no two live events are ever the same — each one presents unique challenges and opportunities. From scouting venues to liaising with vendors, professionals in this role must ensure that every detail is perfectly arranged, adapting to the specific needs of each event to create unforgettable experiences.

Whether organizing a luxury wedding in Paris, a tech conference in Tokyo, a corporate retreat in the Swiss Alps, or overseeing the execution of a world fair or the Olympics, each event requires creativity, precision, and a deep understanding of local cultures. Event planners may also work on large-scale productions like film sets, coordinating logistics behind the scenes, or even assisting high-profile clients as personal assistants. 

In this role, event planners travel to various destinations to oversee event execution, conduct site visits, and meet with clients and vendors. The ability to adapt to diverse cultures, venues, and expectations is essential for success in this dynamic and rewarding career.

Resort & destination management

Roles in resort and destination management, similar to management positions in other areas of hospitality, involve overseeing the daily operations of the hospitality business, which in this case are resorts. These professionals take care of it all—from managing guest services to coordinating activities and events. 

The aim of resort managers is to ensure that all aspects of the resort are well run, that guests have an outstanding experience, and that their needs are met. Whether it's a tropical island resort, a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, or a luxury wellness retreat, resort managers have the opportunity to work in diverse and picturesque locations.

This job allows you to live and work in beautiful settings as well as involves frequent interaction with guests from all over the world. In the role of resort manager, you'll gain insight into everything from hospitality to event planning, all while immersing yourself in the local culture.

Tour guide careers

Tour guides offer a different side to traveling as they incorporate a glimpse into history into the whole experience. In this role, you're expected to lead visitors on educational and enjoyable excursions through a variety of destinations, from famous landmarks to off-the-beaten-path hidden gems. 

Tour guides should be well-acquainted with the location, whether it be the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, a wildlife safari in Africa, or a historical city like Rome, so they can provide information about it and answer any questions the travelers have.

It's a career centered on a mix of storytelling, cultural exploration, and logistical planning. It allows you to experience different locations while educating others, as you'll be constantly interacting with tourists from all over the world. Each tour offers the chance to visit a new place and learn more about the world around you, all while you also help others discover the beauty and history of each location.7

As a tour guide, career progression can include becoming a senior guide, leading specialized tours, or even advancing to management roles in travel companies. Experienced guides may also pursue opportunities as tour operators, training new guides, or even starting their own tour businesses to offer unique, customized experiences.

Benefits of a Hospitality Career with Travel Opportunities

A career in hospitality, particularly in roles involved with travel, offers many personal and professional benefits that make it a satisfying career option.

Professionally, hospitality careers provide exceptional flexibility, allowing you to move between different sectors, from luxury hotels to event management or even working on cruise ships. With opportunities for international experience, you can gain exposure to various cultures, markets, and management styles.

Personal growth is also a key aspect, as you will constantly interact with people from diverse backgrounds, improving your cross-cultural communication skills and adaptability—essential traits for success in the global hospitality industry. 

You can experience different lifestyles and travel the world outside of work because many hospitality jobs offer a great work-life balance. You get the chance to enjoy unique cuisines, learn new languages, and embrace diverse traditions. This exposure broadens your horizons, enriches your personal growth, and deepens your understanding of the world.

At Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), students don't have to wait until they're in these positions to enjoy the benefits—studying for a degree in hospitality offers opportunities to explore Switzerland and Europe. Whether it's through organized excursions or weekend getaways, students experience the world firsthand while earning their degree.

Switzerland, sharing borders with Germany, France, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Italy, places SHMS students at the heart of Europe, where luxury, culture, and nature converge. The country itself is renowned for its hospitality and tourism, so students already learn a lot from being here. 

However, SHMS takes it a few steps further and offers unrivaled access to some of the top hotels and resorts globally. This provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships not only in Switzerland but also in prestigious international destinations.

Synne Gjermundsen Mørk, a Norwegian student in SHMS's International Hospitality Management Bachelor program, completed her first internship at the renowned 5-star hotel at the famous Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Mørk shares that she is looking forward to starting her second internship, too, saying that it "will allow (her) to delve deeper into the hospitality industry, building on the foundations laid during (her) first experience."

SHMS's multicultural setting is perfect for networking and learning from colleagues worldwide, which is an absolute necessity in a field that is so interconnected. So, through their studies and travel opportunities, our students gain the experience, knowledge, and skills needed for careers dedicated to global exploration.

Skills and Qualifications Required

Hospitality careers, particularly those that involve travel, demand a specific set of skills related to the way they interact with guests and the rest of the staff, as well as how they approach challenges. Some of these skills include:

• Communication skills: As you will interact with people from all over the world, strong verbal and written communication skills are crucial for ensuring clear and effective conversations with both guests and colleagues.
• Cultural awareness: Understanding and respecting cultural differences is vital in providing exceptional service to international guests. Embracing diversity helps create personalized experiences and fosters a welcoming environment.
• Leadership skills: These are essential, particularly for managerial positions. Managing teams, motivating staff, and creating a positive work atmosphere are all part of a successful career in hospitality.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Working in different locations or handling last-minute changes requires a flexible mindset. Being adaptable allows you to overcome challenges even in unpredictable environments.
• Problem-solving skills: Hospitality professionals frequently face unexpected issues. Having strong problem-solving skills allows you to think quickly, find solutions, and ensure guests' needs are met promptly and efficiently.

However, before you can use these abilities to lead a career in hospitality that focuses on travel, a strong foundation of qualifications is sometimes necessary and other times very helpful. 

Many hospitality roles require prior experience, especially in customer service or management positions. Internships and on-the-job training are invaluable for building experience in real-world settings. You can gain this experience by pursuing entry-level roles and spending a few years until you advance to managerial roles, or you can choose to earn formal degrees and fast-track your career path.

A bachelor's degree is the most common starting point. It equips students with the fundamental knowledge needed to succeed in the industry. A master's degree is also beneficial for those aiming for senior roles, as it offers deeper knowledge and specialized expertise. Certifications can also help provide a competitive advantage.

At SHMS, our Bachelor of Arts program in International Hospitality Management and master’s programs in International Hospitality Management (Master of Science) and International Hospitality Business Management (Master of Arts) provide the credentials needed for advancement in the industry and will equip you with all the skills listed above, as well as many others.

How to Choose the Right Travel-Focused Hospitality Career for You

If the idea of being grounded in one place appeals to you more, there are plenty of fulfilling careers in hospitality that don't require frequent travel. However, if the thought of exploring new destinations and cultures energizes you, then you should focus on careers that provide that opportunity such as the ones previously mentioned.

To choose between them, consider the type of travel you enjoy. For example, do you get seasick or do you love the open ocean? Do you prefer extended trips that sometimes last months at a time, or daily excursions to different places? Additionally, compare your current qualifications and experience with the requirements of the roles you're interested in to ensure you're on the right path.

Weighing how each career option aligns with your desired lifestyle, work-life balance, and personal goals is the best way to help you find the right choice for yourself.

A World of Opportunities Awaits

There are countless reasons to study hospitality, but one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects is definitely the opportunity to pursue careers that let you travel the world. These roles not only allow you to explore new destinations but also offer you the chance to experience different cultures, build meaningful connections, and grow both personally and professionally.

At SHMS, we don't just prepare you for a career in hospitality—we immerse you in it. Whether you're enjoying the view of the Swiss Alps, exploring European cities, or working with global hotel chains, our programs offer you the chance to travel, grow, and create a career that takes you places, both literally and figuratively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the challenges of having a hospitality career with frequent travel?

Frequent travel in hospitality can sometimes lead to fatigue and disrupt work-life balance. However, for those passionate about exploring new places, the excitement and rewarding experiences often outweigh these challenges. Additionally, many hospitality careers with frequent travel offer opportunities to transition into more fixed-location roles later, allowing professionals to leverage their expertise in stable positions while still advancing their careers.

Do these careers provide permanent housing or relocation assistance?

Many hospitality roles offer relocation assistance, and some even provide temporary or permanent housing. For example, cruise ship employees often live on the ship, and airlines frequently cover hotel stays for flight attendants during layovers. However, the specifics vary by employer and contract, so it's important to review the details with the hiring organization to understand what is included.