The ITT Future You sessions at World Travel Market (WTM) London provided a platform for aspiring travel professionals to gain invaluable insights and career advice from seasoned industry leaders. Held during the world’s leading travel trade event, these sessions attracted a large audience of newcomers eager to navigate the complexities of the travel and tourism industry. Speakers highlighted the essential skills needed to thrive in this dynamic field, emphasizing networking, personal branding, and staying abreast of emerging trends.
Networking: The Key to Success
Jamie-Lee Abtar, brand marketing manager for Not in the Guidebooks, shared her personal journey, showcasing how her proactive approach at a previous WTM London event led to two pivotal internships while she was still a tourism undergraduate. Her strategic use of LinkedIn to connect with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) resulted in her selection for TTG’s “30 Under 30 Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders,” a recognition that opened doors to a supportive, like-minded community.
Echoing Abtar’s sentiments, Jo Rzymowska, founder of Jovolution, emphasized how her multifaceted career in the travel industry was largely built through connections. “Pretty much all of my moves have come through networking,” she noted, emphasizing the power of building relationships within the industry.
Both Abtar and Rzymowska strongly encouraged attendees to actively build their professional network. “Network, network, network,” Abtar urged, highlighting that strong relationships are crucial for career progression in the travel sector.
The Importance of Personal Branding
Abtar also stressed the importance of developing a strong personal brand. She advised attendees to “master your market” by staying updated with industry magazines, platforms, and resources such as ABTA reports. This knowledge allows them to confidently engage in conversations with professionals and showcase their expertise. She further emphasized the value of finding a mentor who can provide guidance and support.
Creating a unique online and offline presence through discussions on topics of interest within travel is also essential for building a strong personal brand. Abtar’s own path exemplifies this as she actively created a platform to discuss career progression through her podcast, In the Travel Know. Her advice to newcomers: speak confidently about their interests, both online and offline, to set themselves apart in a competitive field.
Understanding the Future of Travel
Louie Davis, senior strategy manager at easyJet Holidays, expanded the conversation by encouraging job seekers to cultivate an awareness of global and political factors impacting travel. In a panel discussion on “Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry,” Davis urged newcomers to understand how wider societal and economic forces influence the sector.
He highlighted two pivotal trends likely to shape the future of the travel industry: artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability.
The incorporation of AI in various facets of travel—from customer service automation to predictive analytics in tourism planning—is creating new opportunities and challenges for travel businesses. Sustainability is not only an emerging area of interest but also an increasingly crucial element for companies striving to meet the demands of environmentally conscious travelers.
Bridging the Gap: Academia and Industry
The session on bridging the gap between academia and the professional world emphasized the importance of practical skills that complement formal education. While traditional education provides a foundation, industry-specific knowledge and an understanding of emerging technologies and sustainability practices are becoming indispensable.
By encouraging students to stay informed and up-to-date on these trends, speakers highlighted that they would be better prepared to enter a rapidly evolving industry.
Customer Service: The Winning Formula
Rzymowska further emphasized the importance of exceptional customer service, calling it “the winning formula” for anyone entering the travel field. She stressed that building lasting connections with clients through outstanding customer service is paramount for success.
Adaptability and a Proactive Mindset
For those entering the travel field, the ITT Future You sessions highlighted that adaptability and a proactive mindset are key to navigating a fast-changing industry. As sustainability and AI continue to reshape the industry landscape, there are bound to be new, unforeseen career opportunities for those who are prepared to embrace innovation.
Key Takeaways
The insights shared at WTM London’s ITT Future You sessions serve as a valuable blueprint for newcomers, underscoring the importance of a well-rounded skill set, an understanding of the latest industry trends, and a strong professional network.
For aspiring travel professionals, the message was clear: by building a foundation based on networking, personal branding, and staying informed, they can successfully chart a career path in the dynamic world of travel and tourism.
