Jump on the tourism career train

2023-10-14 08:03:37

This text is part of the special section Professions and careers

Nearly 25,000 positions are to be filled in the accommodation and catering sector in Quebec, or 8.7% of the total number of positions, according to Statistics Canada. A need greater than the 5% observed across all industries in the province.

“The job offer is there. It’s even one of the sectors where there is the most demand,” underlines Jasmin Tanguay, senior director of university studies and research at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ). According to HR Tourism Canada, the number of jobs in 2023 in tourism is expected to rise to more than two million in Canada, or 97.1% of the level recorded before the pandemic. During 2024, the sector’s employment rate is expected to exceed that of 2019, according to its forecasts.

This strong demand is propelled by the labor shortage. “The sector suffered a lot from numerous career reorientations during the pandemic, not for lack of passion, but of income,” explains Marc-Antoine Vachon, full professor at the School of Management Sciences at the University of Quebec at Montréal (ESG UQAM) and holder of the Transat Chair of Tourism. Added to these retrainings are retirements, linked to the aging of the population. The next generation is therefore expected.

Need heads, hearts and hands

Tourism needs multiple strengths. “We need minds to rethink the tourism sector in order to integrate sustainable development, to lead teams and manage human resources which have become more complex over the years,” estimates Marc-Antoine Vachon. But this relational and interpersonal sector also needs “passionate people who have the vocation to come into contact with others, and hands with front-line employees who are the meeting point between the company and the consumer”, underlines the teacher. The recruitment of this third category is currently critical, observes the one for whom “companies which find well-trained people who know how to meet the expectations of tourists will stand out from the others”.

The range of 400 types of jobs available in the sector is vast, from operations to management, including sales and marketing. The applied bachelor’s degree in hospitality and hotel management from the ITHQ, unique of its kind in Quebec, allows its graduates to bring their skills as managers trained in the customer experience and the employee experience in the traditional areas of catering and hospitality, but not only. “We are interested in accommodation in the broad sense and everything that concerns the reception of people. This includes the booming market for seniors’ residences, living environments where people also want to have an experience,” explains Jasmin Tanguay.

Redesigned working conditions

To recruit candidates, tourism companies seek to attract them with improved working conditions. According to Tourism Business Intelligence Centerincreasing wages and offering flexible hours are the main strategies they use to address workforce challenges.

At the ITHQ, the new cohorts have slightly different expectations from those of their predecessors. “They are looking for more flexibility,” observes Jasmin Tanguay. The ITHQ has developed short or distance training offers to meet the needs of certain students who want to give themselves the time. “Finishing their studies quickly is not so important for them, because they want to give themselves the opportunity to acquire professional experience at the same time,” notes Mr. Tanguay.

Young people have never risen so quickly in organizations as at the moment, observes Marc-Antoine Vachon, who advises following your heart when choosing your career. “Whatever profession you choose, it will bring winning conditions as long as you like it. There is a future for young people who will roll up their sleeves and equip themselves with the tools to succeed,” encourages the one who testifies to the passion driving tourism professionals.

“In our professional gatherings there is a convention that we do not wear ties, which shows how very flat the hierarchy is. People from different regions, professions and levels of responsibility speak to each other in an equal manner, because they are all passionate,” underlines the holder.

This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.