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Top 10 Travel Jobs

If you love travel and you’ve always wanted to find a job that will fund your passion, check out our top ten travel jobs for some inspiration…

1. Travel writer

Becoming a travel writer is perhaps one of the most appealing travel-related jobs out there, and there are a whole host of opportunities for those with a passion and a talent for writing – from producing features for glossy magazines to updating guide books or writing your own travel title. There is, however, a lot of competition – and with so many people willing to write and publish their articles for free, it can be difficult to make a living.

2. Pilot

Lots of people dream of being a pilot, and if flying and travel are something you love then this job allows you to experience your passion every day. The training is extremely challenging and involves a large financial investment on your part, however, so you need to be 100% committed before you take the plunge. Some estimate that it can cost between £35,000-£50,000 to get your CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence), and bear in mind that you’ll need to take a medical test to be eligible.

3. English teacher

Native English speakers are very lucky to have a language that so many people want to learn. Teaching English can enable you to live in another country, whether it’s for a short time to earn some extra cash to fund further travels, or for a longer period. If you obtain a widely-recognised  English as a Second Language (ESL) qualification such as CELTA or TESOL (which involve about four weeks of intensive teacher training) you’ll have a whole host of opportunities available to you–  – all over the world.

4. Role within a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)

If you’ve always wanted to travel and change the world, there are all sorts of possibilities for travel within NGOs. Having a relevant qualification or area of expertise such as negotiation, conflict resolution or economic development may give you an edge over other applicants. A good place to start is at www.idealist.org, which provides an extensive database of jobs and opportunities in the non-profit sector – both paid and unpaid.

5. International Business Executive

If travelling first class and staying in plush hotels is near the top of your wish list, along with earning a decent salary, working in international business may be just the ticket. It may help to have a relevant qualification such as an MBA from a well-respected business school, but being a good networker is just as important.

6. International Trader / Buyer

Similar to International Business Executives, international buyers and entrepreneurs with an eye for products that sell in their home country can combine travel with business – going off to search the globe for marketable products to buy, import, and trade back at home – from furniture and ethnic jewellery to tea and coffee.

7. Foreign Office Work

There are all sorts of opportunities within a government’s Foreign Office. These range from supporting ministers responsible for developing foreign policy, to working in consular services in a particular country, helping citizens when they get into difficulty abroad.

8. International Correspondent

Working as an international correspondent for a newspaper, TV news broadcaster or other media outlet will pretty much guarantee you access to interesting destinations and fascinating people from all over the world – while someone else pays the bill. There is a lot of competition for this type of role, however, and to succeed you’re likely to need a great deal of patience while you work your way up to this lofty position – along with top-class journalistic skills, plenty of drive, and the courage to travel to off-beat and sometimes dangerous places.

9. Flight attendant

If you enjoy flying and you don’t mind waiting on people, you could apply to become an air hostess or an air steward for an airline. The pay and conditions vary quite considerably from one airline to the next, so make sure you do your homework before you decide which airlines to apply to. Although much of your travel will involve flying backwards and forwards between destinations, flight attendants do generally get the chance to stop over and experience destinations along the way.

10. Travel Consultant / Travel Agent

Despite the title, this job may involve a lot less travel than you’d hope for. You’ll need a passion for selling and good knowledge of the destinations you’re trying to sell. And while some travel firms will send you off on an all-expenses paid trip to your destination(s), in order to help you continuously develop your destination knowledge, be prepared for a lot of armchair travelling in between, because this is unlikely to happen very regularly.