The hospitality sector – a future choice

To increase students’ knowledge about the job market, the guidance material ‘Future Choice Norrbotten’ is distributed to high schools in the county. The goal is for students to make informed study and career choices. The material includes a list of 10 strong reasons to pursue a career in the hospitality sector.

“Together with municipalities, companies, educational providers, and other industries, we provide information about professions, career paths, and potentials specifically within the visitor industry,” says Linda Norén, project manager at Swedish Lapland Visitors Board, and continues:

“Skills supply is one of the biggest obstacles for visitor industry entrepreneurs in the county who want to develop their business. This is clear in the business surveys we conduct every other year with the help of WSP.”

Future Choice in Norrbotten aims to improve communication between schools and businesses to facilitate students’ transition into working life. When students gain early insight into various industries and professions in Norrbotten, their knowledge of the job market also increases, which can facilitate choices of education and career.

“We want to highlight that there are many exciting career paths within the visitor industry,” says Linda Norén.

Future Choice Norrbotten is distributed in all high schools in the county and is available both digitally and in print. The printed catalog is also appreciated by study and career counselors and teachers.

You can find the digital material here: www.framtidsvalet.se.

10 Strong Reasons to Pursue a Career in the Visitor Industry:

1. Global job market. Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries. A tourism education opens many doors to a wide range of jobs both locally and worldwide.

2. You get to shape future destinations. In the hospitality sector, you influence how places are experienced by visitors. You contribute to creating meaningful, attractive, and sustainable destinations.

3. Opportunity to travel. Many jobs in tourism involve traveling, which is perfect for those who love discovering new places and cultures.

4. Opportunity for entrepreneurship. Tourism provides good opportunities to start your own business – for example in guiding, hotels, travel agencies, or adventure tourism.

5. Creativity and variety. Tourism jobs often offer varied workdays and the opportunity to work creatively with, for example, event planning, marketing, or experience design.

6. Low threshold – many entry points. There are many ways into the industry, and you can start relatively quickly after high school with shorter vocational training or specialized college programs.

7. Digital opportunities. Digitalization creates new roles in tourism, e.g., in online booking, digital marketing, and technology development for travel experiences.

8. Opportunity for rapid career advancement. Many tourism jobs highly value experience – so it’s possible to quickly climb within organizations with the right attitude and commitment.

9. Focus on sustainability. Sweden’s and Norrbotten’s visitor industry are global role models in sustainable development – ecologically, economically, and socially.

10. Fun and social work environment. Working in tourism often means an energetic and positive environment – perfect for those who like being social and giving others memorable experiences.

Examples of Professions within Tourism and the Visitor Industry

• Destination Developer
• Tourism Strategist/Tourism Developer
• Place Marketer (Place branding)
• Tour Operator/Product Developer in Tourism
• Tourist Guide/Experience Guide
• Event Coordinator/Event Manager
• Hotel Manager/Reception Manager
• Tourist Information Officer
• Revenue Manager
• Sustainability Coordinator in Tourism
• Consultant in Sustainable Destination Development
• Digital Marketer in Tourism
• UX Designer/App Developer for Tourist Apps
• Storyteller/Content Creator for Destinations
• Travel Manager/Business Travel Planner
• Activity Manager
• PR/Press Officer
• Travel Writer