Students Should Avoid These Mistakes During the Travel and Tourism Course

The travel and tourism industry is one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich sectors in the world. With the right skills and knowledge, students can secure jobs in airlines, travel agencies, hotels, tour companies, and many other fields. However, while pursuing a Travel & Tourism course, many students unknowingly make mistakes that slow down their growth or stop them from getting the best career opportunities. Understanding these mistakes early can help students stay focused and make the most of their training.
This article explains the top mistakes students should avoid during a Travel & Tourism course to build a strong foundation and achieve success in this fast-growing industry.

1. Not Taking the Course Seriously

Many students join a Travel & Tourism course thinking it is very easy or requires less effort. But the reality is different. The industry is highly professional, and companies expect well-trained candidates. If students do not take classes seriously, they miss important concepts like:

• Airline codes

• Ticketing system

• Visa processes

• Customer handling

• Global travel rules

These topics are the backbone of the travel industry. Ignoring them can create big challenges later during interviews or jobs.

2. Avoiding Regular Practice of GDS (Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre)

The most common mistake students make is not practising GDS tools regularly. These tools are used daily for flight bookings, cancellations, and modifications. Just learning theory is not enough; practical training is what companies want.
Students must practice:

• PNR creation

• Fare search

• Seat selection

• Itinerary changes

• Ticket re-issuance

Without GDS confidence, students struggle in interviews and lose good opportunities.

3. Not Focusing on Communication Skills

Communication is the heart of the travel industry. Students often ignore improving their English or hesitate to speak. But travel professionals deal with customers from different regions and sometimes even from different countries.

Weak communication leads to:

• Low confidence

• Fear of dealing with customers

• Fewer job opportunities

• Difficulty in explaining itineraries

Students should practice speaking daily, read travel articles, and participate in group discussions to strengthen communication skills.

4. Ignoring Knowledge of Global Destinations

Many students rely only on classroom lessons and do not build extra knowledge about countries, cities, and airports. In reality, destination knowledge is a major requirement in travel jobs.

Students must know:

• Famous tourist spots

• Country capitals

• Airport codes

• Time zones

• Best travel seasons

• Currency names

This knowledge helps during interviews and makes students look confident and industry-ready.

5. Not Asking Questions in Class

Some students hesitate to ask questions or clear doubts. This is one of the biggest mistakes. Travel is a technical field—the more you ask, the more you understand.

• Clearing doubts can help students:

• Understand practical processes better

• Avoid confusion during GDS usage

• Build strong fundamentals

• Learn faster

A good student always stays curious and never feels shy to ask questions.

6. Depending Only on Classroom Learning

Travel & Tourism is a practical field. Relying only on classroom learning is another mistake. Students should explore additional sources:

• Travel blogs

• YouTube travel channels

• Online travel news

• Destination videos

• Tourism websites

• Airport and airline updates

Extra learning grows confidence and makes students job-ready.

7. Not Preparing a Professional Resume

Some students finish the course but do not prepare a polished resume. A weak or incomplete resume can reduce chances of selection. A travel job resume should include:

• Skills (communication, customer service, computer knowledge)

• GDS tools learned

• Projects or practical training

• Certifications

• Strengths and achievements

A clean, well-structured resume creates a strong first impression.

8. Ignoring Internships or Practical Exposure

Internships are important to understand how the travel industry works.
Students who avoid internships miss:

• Practical experience

• Real booking tasks

• Customer interactions

• Learning work environment discipline

• Confidence building

Even a 1–2 month internship makes a huge difference in job selection.

9. Poor Attendance and Lack of Discipline

Many students do not attend classes regularly. Poor attendance leads to:

• Missed concepts

• Weak GDS practice

• Low confidence

• Slow learning

Travel companies prefer disciplined students because the industry requires punctuality and responsibility.

10. Not Improving Computer & Typing Skills

Travel jobs require using systems, typing names, and updating information quickly. Students with slow typing speed face difficulty during bookings and customer interactions. Improving typing and basic computer skills is essential.

11. Not Staying Updated With Industry Changes

The travel industry keeps changing due to new airline rules, visa updates, tourism trends, and technology upgrades. Students must stay updated by following:

• Airline announcements

• Visa rule changes

• Travel news websites

• Tourism magazines

Updated students always perform better in interviews and jobs.

Conclusion

A Travel & Tourism course is a golden opportunity for students to enter one of the most exciting and globally growing industries. But to succeed, students must avoid common mistakes like ignoring GDS practice, weak communication skills, a lack of destination knowledge, poor discipline, and not staying updated. With consistent practice, curiosity, and dedication, students can build a strong
foundation and secure excellent job opportunities, even as freshers.