What Should You Know Before a Travel & Tourism Industry Interview?
- BTW Group
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Understand the Travel & Tourism Industry Landscape
Know the Company You’re Interviewing With
Be Aware of Current Trends in Travel & Tourism
Brush Up on Basic Geography and Destinations
Understand Travel Documents and Visa Basics
Customer Service Is Key – Prepare to Showcase It
Familiarize Yourself with Technology Used in the Industry
Prepare for Role-Specific Knowledge and Questions
Be Ready with Real-Life Examples of Handling Customers
Dress, Demeanor, and Etiquette Matter
FAQs
The travel and tourism industry is one of the most dynamic and customer-centric sectors, offering exciting career opportunities in airlines, travel agencies, hospitality, and more. However, to land a job in this field, you need more than basic interview preparation — you need to understand the industry, its trends, and customer service expectations. This blog will guide you through the key things you must know before walking into an interview in the travel and tourism industry.
Before attending an interview, you must grasp how the travel industry works. This includes understanding:
Different segments: Leisure travel, corporate travel, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), adventure tourism, and luxury travel.
Major players: Airlines, tour operators, online travel agencies (OTAs), and destination management companies.
Revenue streams: How travel companies make money (ticketing, package sales, hotel bookings, etc.).
Recruiters often ask, “Why do you want to work with us?” To answer confidently:
Visit their website and social media.
Learn their core services (e.g., inbound tourism, outbound travel, corporate travel).
Check for recent news, partnerships, or accolades.
This industry is constantly evolving. Be ready to talk about:
Sustainable travel: Eco-friendly trips and responsible tourism.
Digitalization: Online booking systems, AI-driven travel recommendations.
New destinations: Emerging travel hotspots globally and in India.
Even if you’re not in a tour-planning role, basic destination knowledge is critical.
Know the most popular destinations in India and abroad.
Be aware of visa-free countries for Indian travelers.
Familiarize yourself with airports, airlines, and major travel routes.
If you’re interviewing for a travel agency, visa desk, or operations role, be aware of:
Basic visa types (tourist, business, student).
Passport requirements.
Schengen visa essentials.
Travel is a service industry. Customer experience can make or break a company’s reputation. Be ready to:
Talk about situations where you’ve resolved customer issues.
Show empathy and problem-solving abilities.
Demonstrate strong communication skills.
Many roles require knowledge of travel tools like:
GDS (Global Distribution Systems): Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo.
CRM and booking platforms: MakeMyTrip B2B, Expedia Partner Portal, etc.
Virtual meeting and tour tools: Used for client interactions and online presentations.
For sales roles: Be ready to discuss targets and negotiation skills.
For operations: Expect process-based questions like ticketing workflows.
For hospitality: Focus on guest handling and service standards.
Recruiters value practical experience. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe examples of:
Handling difficult clients.
Solving last-minute travel disruptions.
Delivering an exceptional customer experience.
The travel industry emphasizes presentation. Choose professional attire, maintain a pleasant demeanor, and greet interviewers warmly.
1. Do I need to know GDS systems for every travel job?
Not necessarily, but basic familiarity helps if you’re applying for ticketing or operations roles.
2. What soft skills are most important in this industry?
Communication, empathy, problem-solving, and adaptability are essential.
3. Should I prepare answers about global travel trends?
Yes — recruiters appreciate candidates who are aware of new travel trends and evolving customer expectations.
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