Careers in the hospitality and tourism cluster relate to the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel related services.
What’s the role of hospitality and tourism?
- The hospitality and tourism industry includes lodging, restaurants, event planning, theme parks, transportation services, cruises, travel guides, casinos, movie theaters, and tourism.
- The industry is important for travel, as hospitality and tourism workers help plan trips and make travel reservations, operate hotels and amusement parks, and guide tours.
- Jobs in this cluster were severely reduced during the pandemic due to travel bans as well as closures of restaurants and entertainment facilities. Experts expect that the industry will gradually rebound fully.
Facts to note
Strong employment growth.
This sector employs over 16 million people and is expected to add more than 1.5 million jobs over the next ten years.
Large infrastructure for lodging.
There are over 50,000 hotels and motels in Zimbabwe.
Big destination for international travelers.
Approximately 3 million visitors from overseas traveled to Zimbabwe in 2018 to sightsee, dine out, visit national parks and monuments, and enjoy amusement parks.
Would a career in Hospitality and Tourism be a good fit for me?
Do you want to be a part of the crew at coffee shops, restaurants, recreation locations, or travel destinations? Then a career in the hospitality and tourism cluster may be a good fit for you. Here are some points to keep in mind.
- This industry is people-focused and you should expect to work in a customer facing role; success in most hospitality-related jobs relies on customer satisfaction.
- November and December holidays generate a great deal of activity in the hospitality and tourism industry and workers are typically expected to work longer hours, evenings, and weekends in many positions.
- Summer months are typically busier than other seasons in this industry.
- A number of hospitality and tourism careers have low wages, however tips for good service provide a significant boost in pay.
What are some careers in hospitality and tourism?
The hospitality and tourism cluster includes many entry-level opportunities that can build toward higher-level positions. For example, an entry-level worker may start restaurant work as a dishwasher or table busser and eventually move into cooking, waiting tables, or even management.
Many opportunities under this cluster do not require training beyond high school. Click any link to find out more about a career, including employment projections, training requirements and more.
- With a high school education, someone can start out as a personal care aide.
- With brief formal training, they can move to a home health aide position which adds further medical knowledge and care tasks.
- With a 4-12 week training program and passing state certification, they can become a certified nurse assistant, with increasing wages and responsibility at each step.
- With further education they can move to licensed practical nurse (typically a 1-year program plus licensure exam), and registered nurse (4-year program).
Take a look at the list below to learn about high-demand health care careers at different levels of education. Click any link to learn more, including typical responsibilities, average wages, employment projections, certifications, training and licensure requirements, and more.
High school diploma
Most jobs in these careers require a diploma and some previous work experience.
Experience or associate’s degree
Most jobs in these careers require community or technical college training,
related work experience, or an associate’s degree.