TRAVEL & TOURISM
Travel & Tourism is an umbrella
industry which encompasses airlines, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies,
cruise lines, adventure companies, receptive operators, convention bureaus and
more.
In today’s quickly changing travel environment, it is no longer practical
simply to learn airline computer and reservation skills. Many travelers today
book their own air reservations via the Internet. Agents who
have minimum skills as reservationists only may find themselves in a dead-end
career.
Orange Coast College's program is designed to train you for employment in the travel
industry as a whole, not just as a travel agent. Today’s successful employees, as well as owners, need a thorough grounding in special skills courses, including travel product
knowledge and customer service. Also important are related fields such as
sales, marketing, group tour design, and familiarity with ships and cruise
lines.
Individuals can choose from four certificate specialties, all sharing the same core curriculum, depending on your particular career goals. They include Cruise Specialist, Tour Escorting & Management, Destination Management, Travel Agency Specialist and an Travel & Tourism Associate of Science Degree.
Travel industry classes are offered weekday evenings and some Saturdays
to fit a busy schedule. This allows individuals who work full-time to continue their jobs while they train for a new career. Note that certain classes are
offered only in Fall others only in Spring. Some certificates may be completed
in one or two semesters. Many students elect to take a longer time to
complete their certificate and balance it with their current careers. Travel industry professionals also elect to
update their knowledge with continuing education classes.
Orange Coast College's travel faculty are qualified professionals.
Most are employed as tour operators or travel agents; some manage their own
business and have unique entrepreneurial skills. They bring to the classroom
practical, day-to-day experience.