Betriebswirt/Betriebswirtin (Hochschule) für Touristik

Information resources provided by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency of Germany) include films such as 'Gastronomiemanagement - Duales Studium' (Gastronomy Management - Dual Study Program) and 'Hotel-, Tourismusmanagement - Duales Studium' (Hotel, Tourism Management - Dual Study Program). Additionally, there are journals like 'BFuP - Betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung und Praxis' (Business Research and Practice), 'Der Betriebswirt' (The Business Economist), 'fvw magazin', and 'Kompetenzzentrum Tourismus des Bundes' (Federal Tourism Competence Center), as well as websites like 'Tourismus-studieren.de' (Studying Tourism). Other resources include 'Management Review Quarterly', 'SBUR Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research', 'SRTour - Steuer- und RechtsBrief Touristik' (Tax and Legal Brief Tourism), 'tw zeitschrift für tourismuswissenschaft' (Journal for Tourism Science), and 'wiwi-online'.

Digitalization and sustainability are key trends in the tourism sector. With digitalization, marketing and consulting are conducted via digital and social media, chatbots answer customer inquiries, and potential travel destinations can be explored using virtual reality. Artificial intelligence analyzes customer data, and robots take over service tasks in tourism businesses. Professionals in the sector closely monitor these developments. Sustainable tourism aims to balance the needs of travelers, providers, locals, and nature, considering the impacts on economy, society, and environment. The environmental footprint of accommodations and the choice of transportation are decisive factors in this area.

To be successful in this field, it is important to have an interest in commercial-organizational and administrative-organizational activities. Examples of commercial-organizational interests include developing concepts for round and package tours, processing payments, and verifying payment receipts. An example of administrative-organizational interest is entering data into industry-standard booking software.

Tourism business economists primarily work in offices and meeting rooms. Additionally, they may also work from a home office or remotely as needed.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during Studium (university studies) include business administration, bookkeeping, channel management, controlling, event management, financial management, domestic and regional tourism, concept development (advertising, marketing, PR), cost and performance accounting, customer consulting and support, marketing, market research, public relations, human resources, travel purchasing, travel law, travel organization, and advertising. Other competencies that may be significant for this profession include agrotourism, spa management, rail tourism, purchasing and procurement, corporate travel services, group travel, commercial law, individual travel, intercultural communication, crisis management, spa administration, planning and conducting trade fairs, congresses and events, ecotourism, package tours, travel agency services, ticket platforms and reservation systems, tourism platforms and booking systems, contract law, sales, and destination knowledge.

The ongoing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For tourism business economists, opportunities may arise to engage with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Augmented Analytics (e.g., using automatically evaluated data for market analyses), Business Intelligence - BI (e.g., preparing operational and strategic decisions with the help of automatically analyzed data and the insights gained), Business Process Management Systems - BPM Systems (e.g., using software to analyze and automate business processes to optimize operational workflows in tourism companies), Chatbots (e.g., planning the use of chatbots for initial guest contact), Data-Driven Marketing (e.g., developing and optimizing advertising strategies based on evaluated customer data), Digital Cultural Mediation (e.g., digital marketing strategies for local cultural events).

Tourism business administrators plan, organize, and control business processes independently in tourism companies or associations. If they lead a team, they motivate their employees and coordinate their collaboration. This requires communication skills and assertiveness, and negotiation skills in customer discussions. They use their analytical and organizational skills when, for example, creating market analyses, implementing marketing concepts, or realizing automated booking systems. Foreign language skills and intercultural competencies are needed, for example, when working with customers and business partners from other countries. They primarily work in an office at a computer but also travel for fieldwork, for example, to visit customers and business partners domestically and abroad.

Tourism business administrators can work freelance in the following areas, for example: Expert in specialized offices and institutions, consultant in specialized offices and institutions, marketing consultant, management consultant.

Example collective bargaining gross basic remuneration (monthly): €3,806 to €5,053. Source: Collective bargaining collection of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs. Note: This information is for orientation purposes. No claims can be derived from it.

Tourism, other travel services; travel agencies; tour operators; provision of other travel-related services n.e.c., e.g., reservation services in tourist offices. Hospitality, accommodation; hotels, guesthouses and inns; other accommodation establishments; mediation activities for accommodation services. Other services for businesses and private households; provision of other economic services for businesses and private individuals n.e.c., here: travel management offices, also on a self-employed basis. Economic, professional associations, trade unions; economic and employer associations, e.g., tourist associations. Public administration; public administration of culture and sports, e.g., spa administrations; economic promotion, regulation and supervision, e.g., tourist administrations. Political parties, associations, organizations; all other interest groups and associations n.e.c., here: for tourism promotion. Road, rail transport.

Those who wish to work in this profession generally need a completed undergraduate (grundständig) degree in tourism management. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a master's (Masterstudium) degree. Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation.

Tourism Management (undergraduate - grundständig), Tourism Management (postgraduate - weiterführend).

Tourism business administrators can find employment in travel, tourism, and transport companies, in tourism associations and administrations, and in companies and organizations within the leisure and entertainment industry.

German job title: Betriebswirt/in (Hochschule) - Touristik. English job titles: Tourism manager (m/f), Travel agency manager (m/f). French job titles: Agent/Agente de développement touristique, Chargé/Chargée de développement touristique, Chargé/Chargée de mission tourisme.

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following job-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: Willingness to perform and commitment (e.g., willingness to actively and decisively take on commercial analysis, planning, and leadership tasks in tourism companies), perseverance / determination (e.g., planning long-term strategic goals, adhering to implementation despite temporary setbacks or short-term changed priorities), conscientiousness (e.g., accurately conducting market and demand analyses; precisely performing cost and performance accounting and calculating prices), sense of responsibility and willingness to take responsibility (e.g., taking responsibility for efficiency and economic viability).

Tourism business administrators plan, organize, and monitor the business activities of tourism companies or associations.

Destinet.de, hogapage.de, Joborama, jobsterne, leisurejobs, Rolling Pin International, TouristikCareer.

Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft (BTW) e.V. (Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry), Bundesverband Deutscher Volks- und Betriebswirte e.V. (bdvb) (Federal Association of German Economists and Business Administrators), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tourismuswissenschaft (DGT) e.V. (German Society for Tourism Research), Deutscher Tourismusverband e.V. (DTV) (German Tourism Association), DRV Deutscher ReiseVerband e.V. (German Travel Association), ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (United Services Trade Union).

This profession involves responsibility for people (e.g., guiding, motivating, and leading employees) and for assets (e.g., conducting success monitoring, formulating recommendations for improvements). Customer contact (e.g., designing tourism concepts for clients) and screen work (e.g., performing analysis, conception, and planning tasks) are common. Working in office environments (e.g., negotiating prices and conditions with hotels, airlines, or agencies) is also part of the job.

Professional deployment opportunities are categorized by fields of activity. In finance and accounting, one can work as a calculator, cost accountant, head of finance and accounting, or head of cost accounting. In higher education, roles include lecturer at universities and academies, or study program coordinator. In marketing and advertising, positions such as head of marketing are available. In tourism, travel, and animation, one can be an airport station manager, tour guide, tourism manager, or head of a tourist information office. In scientific research, roles include research associate, head of a research group, or scientific staff member.

Work materials include documents such as economic efficiency analyses, operational key figures, tourism and marketing concepts, annual financial reports, process and organizational plans, contracts, statistics, advertising and information materials, and legal regulations. Software used includes digital information and booking systems, customer review portals, and weblogs. Office equipment such as PCs, internet access, and telephones are also essential tools.

Tourism business administrators support economic decision-making processes in various areas of tourism companies. They develop measures for success in their industry, for example, by assessing the current situation through guest surveys. They also strive to expand and update offerings and optimize workflows. They evaluate the potential of new tourism concepts and develop target-group-specific offers or guest loyalty programs. They coordinate work packages, monitor deadlines, and conduct success controls.

Continuing education for adaptation helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in tourism, leisure industry, animation, marketing, controlling). Furthermore, the trend towards digitalization in tourism can become an important continuing education topic for tourism business administrators.

Bachelor graduates can enhance their career opportunities through further Studium (higher education), for example, in Tourism Management or Business Administration. A doctorate (Promotion) is generally required for a scientific career at a university; an habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed for appointment as a university professor. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Tourism business administrators analyze and evaluate tourism activities. They identify starting situations, develop innovative and practical tourism concepts, marketing strategies, and distribution channels, for example, by observing competitors. They perceive changed market conditions, such as increasing interest in cruises for a younger audience, and plan the strategic positioning of a tourism company. They integrate new concepts and activities, like fully automated booking systems, prepare business plans, and conduct profitability analyses for projects, estimating timelines, budgets, and goals. They discuss concepts and adapt them if necessary, and may also design crisis management measures. They oversee implementation processes, coordinate subtasks, and monitor interim goals. They continuously review tourism activities and marketing concepts, adapting them to circumstances such as the trend towards short and wellness trips. They conduct success evaluations and prepare final reports.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of Tourism Business Administrator: In the field of Management, Corporate Management: Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Corporate Management, Master of Business Administration, Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Advertising, Marketing Communication, Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Marketing, Business Administrator (Hochschule) for International Economics, Economist. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing business processes; supporting economic decision-making processes; negotiating with business partners and customers. In the field of Event Management, Service: Event Manager. Commonality: Planning events and tourist programs and organizing processes; conducting profitability calculations; undertaking public relations tasks. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer induction period or additional training.

Tourism business administrators plan, organize, and monitor the business activities of tourism companies or associations. They prepare decisions by considering important global tourism trends. They explore how to increase tourist flows to a specific region or local tourism businesses (incoming tourism). They assess whether traditional hotels need to change their concepts due to declining occupancy rates and how best to respond to new developments, such as the increased attractiveness of short, city, and wellness trips, as well as hiking and seminar holidays. Tourism business administrators understand their own company and the competitive situation. They stay informed about innovative marketing concepts, new tourism trends, and promising ways to attract guests. This enables them to reliably assess the advantages and disadvantages of all available options.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this academic profession. Abilities: Numerical (calculating) thinking (e.g., conducting profitability calculations for projects; calculating prices), Memory (e.g., remembering names, faces, and facts about customers after consultations), Adaptability (e.g., quick and frequent switching between administrative tasks, checking accommodation options, and customer contact under time pressure), Commercial aptitude (e.g., marketing tourist offers; planning the strategic positioning of a tourism company or association), Planning and organizing ability (e.g., planning and organizing tours, entertainment and leisure programs, conferences, and congresses on site). Knowledge and Skills: Calculation skills (e.g., calculating the costs of tourism services).

The exercise of this profession may involve the following physical requirements. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Undisturbed speech ability (e.g., coordinating with municipal and regional administrations, organizations, associations, clubs), Near vision - even corrected (e.g., performing analysis, conceptual, and planning work on the computer), Hearing and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding customer complaints). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood in the sense of a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers may consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only include partial activities of the original profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Tourism Business Administrator: For partial activities and professional deployment opportunities (with/without induction): Head of Tourist Information, Tourism Manager. In related professions: Business Administrator (Hochschule), Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Service Management, Business Administrator (Hochschule).

Working as a Tourism Business Administrator (Hochschule) is not a regulated profession. No professional recognition is necessary to work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad. However, there is the possibility to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications in the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany: Hotline Working and Living in Germany (central information hotline of the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)), For People from Abroad (an information service of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit), Central International and Specialist Placement Service of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Make it in Germany (the welcome portal of the skilled workers initiative for international professionals).

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing this profession. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Increasingly, there are also ways to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Speech disorder, speech impediment (e.g., coordinating with municipal and regional administrations, organizations, associations, clubs), uncorrectable near vision impairment (e.g., performing analysis, conception, and planning tasks on the computer), hearing impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing disorder, chronic ear conditions (e.g., understanding customer complaints). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood as a medical fitness assessment. The actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following alternative occupations are available for the profession of Tourism Business Administrator (Hochschule): In the field of Management, Corporate Management: Business Administrator (Hochschule) – Corporate Management, Master of Business Administration, Economist. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing operational processes, supporting economic decision-making processes, negotiating with business partners and customers. In the field of Event Management, Service: Event Manager. Commonalities: Planning events and tourist programs and organizing processes, conducting profitability calculations, taking on public relations tasks. Note: The mentioned alternative occupations may require an induction period, which can vary in length on a case-by-case basis.