Few careers are as exciting, dynamic, and rewarding as travel. Helping people go places, enjoy themselves, and collect wonderful memories-that's what you'll do on a daily basis if you decide to work in the travel, hospitality, and tourism business. What makes such a career so attractive? Here are five reasons: 1. Employment opportunities are excellent. By many estimates, travel-and tourism-related firms employ more people in the world than any other industry. Although the volume of travel ebbs and flows-prosperity and peace can fuel it, economic recession and political upheavals can dampen it-the trend, averaged out, is always upward. 2. Advancement comes swiftly. People employed in travel and tourism quickly discover that upward mobility is the norm for this business. If you perform to the best of your ability, you will probably rise quickly on the ladder of success. 3. Your options will be plentiful. Each segment of this industry-lodging, air, cruises, tours, travel agent operations, and more-has its own unique and distinct identity, giving you more choice for career paths than most other businesses. 4. It's fun. People in the insurance business don't get excited about insurance. People who work at office supply stores aren't likely to be passionate about office products. But those who choose to work in travel and hospitality? That's different. The best of them take pride in providing travelers with a satisfying experience-and so will you. 5. It will help your own travels, too. Industry professionals often get major discounts on their own travels. More important, what you'll learn from this book will serve as insider information, ensuring that you will travel better and smarter.