Do Tourism Students Actually End Up Working in the Industry?

Many students study tourism management at the University of Belize, but how many actually end up working in the industry?

The Belize Tourism Board admits it does not have exact figures on how many tourism graduates remain in the industry, but acknowledges the issue is a concern. Speaking to reporters, Director of Tourism Evan Tillett remarked, “That data I don’t have, but it’s a very interesting question.”

Part of the challenge is the nature of the work itself. CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Nicole Usher-Solano, explained, “Anybody that works in the tourism industry will tell you, you have to have a love and passion for this industry. It’s not an 8 to 12, 1 to 5 job. It’s not a Monday to Friday job. It’s a 24/7, 365 job. And you really do need to have that special work ethic to be able to work through holidays, work through Christmas, New Year’s. A lot of people don’t like that.”

To bridge the gap between education and real-world experience, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has been stepping in. President Efren Perez noted, “We work on a yearly basis with over 100 or more students across the country, from Corozal to Dangriga, to Toledo, to also Cayo. And there is a program that we’re working… in order for them to really have that firsthand experience within the industry.”

The results are promising. “Many of the students that we have worked with and have placed in internships within different hotels have remained in those hotels. And I think that that shows the interest of the sector or the new generation coming in and their drive towards the tourism industry,” Perez added.

The BTIA says it plans to expand the program next year, creating even more opportunities for students to gain practical experience and secure internships in the sector.