Travel & Tourism Management Course: The Gujarati Business Opportunity
Gujarat has always been a land of traders, entrepreneurs, and business-minded individuals. From textiles to diamonds, Gujaratis have built global empires with their unique combination of calculated risk-taking and relationship-driven business. The travel and tourism industry is no different—it rewards exactly these qualities.
Consider this: India's outbound travel market is projected to reach 50 million travellers by 2030. Gujarat alone sends lakhs of pilgrims to religious destinations, thousands of students abroad for education, and countless families on international holidays. Each of these travellers needs someone to book their tickets, process their visas, and plan their itineraries. That someone could be you.
Two Paths to Success
Path 1: Employment
Join established companies like MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook, Yatra, Cox & Kings, or airline GSAs (General Sales Agents). Stable salary, benefits, and structured career growth.
Path 2: Entrepreneurship
Start your own travel agency, visa consultancy, or tour operation business. Low initial investment, unlimited earning potential, and the freedom of being your own boss.
At Wings Institute, Vadodara—Gujarat's premier hospitality training centre since 2008—we have trained hundreds of travel professionals who now work at top companies or run their own successful businesses. Our alumni include Vashisth Shukal and Jenil Patel, who own travel companies in Dubai, and Tauseef Patel, owner of STHL Holidays. Their success proves that with the right training and Gujarati entrepreneurial spirit, the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning.
GDS & Ticketing Mastery: The Hard Skills That Guarantee Jobs
Let us be direct: in the travel industry, theoretical knowledge means nothing without hard technical skills. Every travel company—from neighbourhood agencies in Alkapuri to global giants like Expedia—uses the same core systems. Master these, and you become indispensable.
1GDS Training: Amadeus & Galileo
Global Distribution Systems (GDS) are the backbone of air travel booking. These systems connect airlines, travel agents, and corporate travel managers in real-time.
What You'll Learn:
- PNR Creation – Passenger Name Record generation
- Availability Display – Flight schedules & inventory
- Fare Quotation – Pricing, taxes, and fuel surcharges
- Ticketing – E-ticket issuance and reissuance
- Modifications – Date changes, route changes
- Cancellations – Refund processing
Industry Recognition:
- Amadeus – Used by 200+ airlines globally
- Galileo – Preferred by US & Indian markets
- Sabre – Major US airlines and agencies
*At Wings, you train on actual GDS terminals—not simulations. This makes you job-ready from day one.
2Air Ticketing & Fare Structures
Understanding airline fare structures is a specialised skill that commands premium salaries.
Fare Classes
- Economy, Business, First Class
- Promotional vs Flexible fares
- Airline fare rules
Routing & Calculations
- Direct vs connecting flights
- Open-jaw and circle trips
- Mileage calculations
Add-Ons & Taxes
- Baggage policies
- Airport taxes breakdown
- Insurance integration
3Visa Processing: High-Margin Skill
Visa consultancy is one of the most profitable niches in travel—with minimal investment and high service charges.
Countries Covered:
- USA (B1/B2) – Tourist & Business visas
- UK – Standard Visitor visa
- Schengen – 26 European countries
- Canada – Visitor visa
- Australia – ETA and Visitor visas
- UAE, Singapore, Thailand
Skills You'll Master:
- Document checklist preparation
- Online application form filling
- Appointment booking (VFS, BLS)
- Cover letter and SOP drafting
- Financial document verification
- Handling visa rejections
4Tour Packaging & Operations
Itinerary Planning:
- Destination research & selection
- Hotel & transport vendor tie-ups
- Activity and sightseeing scheduling
- Day-by-day itinerary creation
Business Operations:
- Tour costing & profit margins
- Currency exchange calculations
- Passport regulations & validity
- Travel insurance policies
These technical skills are what separate trained professionals from untrained "agents." Want to combine travel skills with airport operations? Our Airport Management course
Post-Pandemic Travel Boom: The Industry Resurgence
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the travel industry in 2020-2021. But what followed was unprecedented: a revenge travel boom that has pushed demand for travel professionals to all-time highs. People who postponed weddings, family reunions, pilgrimages, and dream vacations are now travelling more than ever.
India domestic travel growth in 2023
Indians travelled abroad in 2023
Projected outbound by 2030
Job Roles & Salary Structure
The travel industry offers diverse career paths—from frontline customer service to back-office operations to entrepreneurship. Here's what you can expect:
| Job Role | Experience | Monthly Salary | Growth Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Consultant (Fresher) | 0-1 Year | ₹12,000 - ₹18,000 | Senior Consultant |
| Ticketing Agent (GDS Expert) | 1-3 Years | ₹18,000 - ₹30,000 | Team Lead |
| Tour Operator | 2-4 Years | ₹25,000 - ₹40,000 | Operations Manager |
| Visa Consultant | 1-3 Years | ₹20,000 - ₹35,000 | Own Consultancy |
| Corporate Travel Manager | 4-6 Years | ₹40,000 - ₹60,000 | Head of Travel |
| Travel Agency Owner | 3+ Years | ₹50,000 - ₹3,00,000+ | Business Expansion |
| International Tour Manager | 3-5 Years | ₹45,000 - ₹80,000 | + Travel Perks |
The Gujarat Advantage: Gujarat's strong business culture means travel agencies here often grow faster than other regions. The state's NRI connections (especially with US, UK, and Canada) create consistent demand for visa services and international ticketing. Many Wings alumni have leveraged these connections to build thriving businesses.
Local Opportunities: Vadodara & Gujarat
Vadodara Opportunities
- Growing number of travel agencies in Alkapuri & Fatehgunj
- Harni Airport (Vadodara) expansion creating demand
- Corporate travel demand from industrial sector
- Pilgrimage tourism (Pavagadh, Dwarka, Somnath)
Gujarat & Beyond
- Ahmedabad: Major travel hub with 100+ agencies
- Surat: Diamond industry drives international travel
- Dubai/Gulf: Large Gujarati diaspora, high demand
- Online agencies: Work-from-home opportunities
A Day in the Life of a Wings Travel & Tourism Student
"Sneha was a 12th-pass girl from Ankleshwar who had never left Gujarat. She didn't even have a passport. Today, she sits in an air-conditioned office in Alkapuri, designing honeymoon packages for Maldives, Switzerland, and Bali. She has helped over 200 families experience their dream vacations. Her clients call her 'Sneha Ma'am.' Her salary? ₹35,000/month with unlimited growth. This is her story—and it could be yours."
What does it feel like to be the person who makes dreams come true? To plan someone's first international trip, their wedding anniversary in Paris, their pilgrimage to Mecca? Let us walk you through a day in the life of our Travel & Tourism students at Wings Institute, Alkapuri, Vadodara—where every day is a journey around the world.
💻 9:00 AM — The Command Centre: GDS Training Begins
Welcome to the nerve centre of global travel. You sit in front of a screen displaying Amadeus—the same system used by Emirates, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. This is CRS/GDS training for fare construction, domestic and international ticketing.
GDS (Global Distribution System) is the backbone of the travel industry. Every flight, hotel, and car rental in the world flows through these systems. Today, you're learning to speak their language.
Command: AN25DECBOMPAR*B
Translation: "Show all Business Class flights from Mumbai to Paris on December 25"
Response: 15 flights displayed with fare rules, baggage allowance, layover times
450+ Airlines Worldwide
Travel Agency Standard
US & Hotel Specialist
By the end of this module, you can book a flight from anywhere to anywhere in under 3 minutes. You know which airline has the best connection from Ahmedabad to London. You can calculate the fare difference between flexible and non-refundable tickets. This skill alone is worth ₹15,000/month in the job market.
💡 Real Talk: Many travel agencies post job ads saying "GDS knowledge mandatory." Without training, you can't even apply. With Wings GDS certification, you skip the queue and start working immediately.
🗺️ 10:30 AM — Dream Architect: Live Itinerary Projects
Theory is one thing. Creating an actual vacation is another. Live projects on itinerary creation and vacation package construction are where you become a travel architect.
Today's assignment: Design a 7-day honeymoon package for a couple with a budget of ₹3 lakhs. Destination: Europe. Your task: Choose the best cities, book flights with optimal layovers, select romantic hotels, plan day-by-day activities, and calculate all costs including visa fees and travel insurance.
Sample Project: European Honeymoon Package
Day 1-2: Paris, France
Eiffel Tower, Seine cruise, Louvre Museum
Day 3-4: Swiss Alps
Interlaken, Jungfrau, cable car rides
Day 5-6: Venice, Italy
Gondola rides, St. Mark's Square, Murano Glass
Day 7: Return
Venice → Mumbai, duty-free shopping
Total Package: ₹2,85,000 | Commission: ₹28,500 (10%)
You don't just plan—you <em>present</em>. Standing in front of the class, you pitch your package like a real travel consultant. You explain why Venice is better than Rome for honeymooners. You justify the hotel choice. You handle questions: "Why this airline?" "Can we add a day in Switzerland?" "What about vegetarian food?"
- 🏖️Beach Packages: Maldives, Bali, Thailand, Mauritius—honeymoon & family trips
- 🏔️Adventure Packages: Switzerland, New Zealand, Ladakh—for thrill-seekers
- 🕌Pilgrimage Packages: Hajj, Umrah, Char Dham, Velankanni—religious tourism
- 💼Corporate Travel: Conference trips, incentive tours, MICE events
📋 12:00 PM — The Gatekeeper: Visa & Passport Mastery
A flight is booked. The hotel is confirmed. But without the visa—nothing happens. Visa handling and passport application workshops make you the expert who unlocks the door to the world.
Today's module: UK Tourist Visa. You learn the 47-point checklist. You understand what documents to collect, how to fill the online form, where applicants commonly make mistakes, and how to prepare them for the embassy interview.
USA B1/B2
Tourist & Business
UK Visitor
Standard & Family
Schengen
26 European Countries
Australia
eVisa & Work
Canada
TRV & Super Visa
UAE
14/30/90 Day
Singapore
eVisa Processing
Saudi Arabia
Hajj & Umrah
🎯 Career Insight: Visa consultants charge ₹2,000-10,000 per application. A skilled consultant processes 50+ applications monthly. Do the maths—visa expertise alone can generate ₹1 lakh+ in revenue. Many Wings alumni run successful visa consultancies from their homes.
🎭 2:30 PM — The Trust Builder: Grooming & Client Skills
Travel is a trust business. Families hand you lakhs of rupees for their dream vacation. They need to believe you know what you're doing. Grooming and personality development workshops for client interaction transform you into that trusted advisor.
Today's session: Handling a difficult client. The trainer plays a stressed father planning his daughter's destination wedding. He has 100 guests, a tight budget, and endless demands. Your job: Listen, empathize, propose solutions, and close the deal—without losing your composure.
Professional Appearance
- • Business casual dress code
- • Clean, professional grooming
- • Confident body language
- • Appropriate office etiquette
Communication Skills
- • Active listening techniques
- • Needs assessment questions
- • Objection handling
- • Professional email writing
True Story: Rahul was from a small village near Godhra. He was so shy he couldn't make eye contact. After 3 months of personality development at Wings, he confidently presented a ₹15 lakh corporate tour package to a Surat diamond merchant—and won the deal. Today, he handles all corporate accounts at a leading Ahmedabad travel agency.
📚 4:00 PM — Cambridge English: The Language of Global Travel
Travel is an international business. Your clients go to English-speaking countries. Your suppliers are global companies. Your systems are in English. Official Cambridge UK certified English language learning ensures you're fluent in the language of travel.
This isn't grammar from textbooks. This is practical travel English:
Industry Vocabulary
Industry Vocabulary
"Itinerary," "layover," "transit," "visa-on-arrival," "travel insurance," "force majeure"
Client Communication
"Your booking is confirmed." "I recommend upgrading to business class." "The visa process takes 15 working days."
Email Templates
Quotation emails, follow-ups, payment reminders, travel advisories
Phone Conversations
Handling international calls, booking confirmations, supplier negotiations
🌟 The Gujarat Advantage: Over 70% of our students come from Gujarati medium backgrounds. That's not a disadvantage—it's an opportunity. After our Cambridge training, you'll speak fluent English AND understand the local market. That combination is powerful.
👔 Special Sessions: Travel Agency Owners & Industry Experts
Theory prepares you. Real stories inspire you. Visits by travel agency owners and industry experts bring the outside world into our classroom.
A successful agency owner from Ahmedabad shares how he built a ₹2 crore business from a small office. A visa consultant explains the common mistakes that get applications rejected. An airline representative reveals the insider tips for getting better deals and upgrades.
- 🏢Agency Owners: How to start, scale, and sustain a travel business
- ✈️Airline Representatives: B2B booking portals, commission structures
- 🏨Hotel Partners: How to negotiate rates, get allocations
- 📋Visa Consultants: Embassy insights, documentation secrets
These aren't lectures—they're networking opportunities. Many students receive job offers or internship placements directly from these sessions.
🛫 The Real World: Internship at Travel Agencies & Airports
Classroom training builds your foundation. Internship opportunities at travel agencies or airport counters build your career.
Our students intern at established travel agencies in Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Surat. Some get placed at airline counters at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad. Others work at visa consultancy firms handling real applications.
Travel Agency Internship
- ✓ Handle real client enquiries
- ✓ Book actual tickets & hotels
- ✓ Process visa applications
- ✓ Learn business operations
- ✓ Earn stipend (₹1,500-5,000/month)
Airport Counter Internship
- ✓ Work at airline check-in counters
- ✓ Handle passenger services
- ✓ Learn real-time DCS systems
- ✓ Experience airport operations
- ✓ High visibility for permanent roles
The Gujarat Paradigm: Our 6-month course is designed for efficiency. Within 3 months, you're ready for internship. Within 6 months, you're job-ready. While BBA-Tourism students are still in their second year, you'll have 1+ year of real work experience.
From "Tourist" to "Travel Consultant": Your World Awaits
Sneha, the girl from Ankleshwar who had never left Gujarat? She finally got her own passport last year—a business passport with visas for 12 countries she visits for FAM trips (familiarisation tours paid by hotels). Her parents, who once worried she'd never find a "proper job," now brag about their daughter who knows the world.
Travel is one of the few industries where a small-town Gujarati student can compete with anyone. No reservation. No quota. Just skills, knowledge, and the ability to turn someone's dream vacation into reality. If you can do that, the world is literally your office.
That journey starts in Alkapuri, Vadodara—in our GDS lab, visa workshop, and itinerary planning sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions: Travel & Tourism Course
Answers to the most common questions from aspiring travel professionals and their families:
1. What is GDS training and why is it important for travel careers?
GDS (Global Distribution System) is the software backbone of the travel industry. Amadeus, Galileo, and Sabre are the three major GDS platforms used by airlines, hotels, and travel agencies worldwide to book tickets, manage reservations, and access real-time inventory. Without GDS skills, you cannot work in airline ticketing, travel agencies, or corporate travel management. At Wings Institute, you get hands-on training on actual GDS terminals—not just simulations—making you immediately employable.
2. Can I open my own travel agency after this course?
Absolutely! Our curriculum is specifically designed for the Gujarati entrepreneurial mindset. You'll learn business registration (MSME, GST), IATA accreditation process, vendor tie-ups with hotels and transporters, tour costing and profit margins, and digital marketing for travel agencies. Many of our alumni like Vashisth Shukal, Jenil Patel, and Tauseef Patel have successfully started their own travel companies in Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Dubai.
3. What is the difference between IATA and non-IATA travel agencies?
IATA-accredited agencies can issue airline tickets directly and earn higher commissions. Non-IATA agencies must book through consolidators, earning lower margins. While IATA accreditation requires a substantial security deposit (₹20-50 Lakhs), many successful agencies operate as non-IATA initially and grow into IATA status. Our course covers both models so you can choose the path that fits your investment capacity.
4. Is there demand for travel professionals after COVID-19?
The travel industry is experiencing a massive resurgence. India's domestic travel market grew 35% in 2023, and international departures have exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The demand for trained travel consultants—especially those skilled in visa processing and GDS operations—has never been higher. Companies are actively hiring to meet the pent-up travel demand, creating excellent opportunities for fresh graduates.
5. What is the salary of a travel consultant or ticketing agent in India?
Freshers typically start at ₹12,000-18,000 per month in travel agencies or airline GSAs (General Sales Agents). With 2-3 years of experience and GDS expertise, salaries rise to ₹25,000-40,000. Senior travel consultants and visa specialists earn ₹40,000-60,000. Travel agency owners and successful visa consultants can earn ₹1-5 Lakhs monthly depending on business volume.
6. Do you teach visa processing for all countries?
Yes, our curriculum covers visa processing for major destinations: USA (B1/B2), UK, Schengen (Europe), Canada, Australia, UAE, Singapore, and Thailand. You'll learn document checklists, appointment booking, form filling, cover letter drafting, and handling visa rejections. Visa consultancy is a high-margin business with minimal investment—many of our alumni run successful visa processing centres.
7. What software and systems will I learn in this course?
You'll get hands-on training on: Amadeus/Galileo GDS for flight bookings, hotel booking portals, travel CRM systems, visa application portals (VFS, BLS, etc.), currency exchange calculations, and Microsoft Office for itinerary documentation. These are the exact tools used by MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Thomas Cook, and independent travel agencies.
8. Can I work abroad after this travel and tourism course?
Yes! Dubai, Qatar, and Singapore have large travel and tourism sectors with demand for trained professionals. Many of our alumni work in travel agencies, airline offices, and tour operations in the Gulf. GDS skills are internationally recognised, and our Cambridge English certification helps with communication requirements for overseas positions.
9. What is the investment required to start a travel agency?
A basic home-based travel agency can start with ₹50,000-1 Lakh (computer, internet, GDS subscription). A proper office setup costs ₹2-5 Lakhs. For IATA accreditation, you'll need ₹20-50 Lakhs as security deposit. However, many successful agencies start as non-IATA and grow organically. Our course teaches you how to start lean and scale profitably.
10. Do I need to know English to work in travel and tourism?
Basic English is essential for GDS operations, visa documentation, and client communication—especially for international travel. However, you don't need to be fluent from day one. Our Cambridge Spoken English module takes students from vernacular backgrounds to professional English proficiency. Many successful travel agents in Gujarat primarily communicate in Gujarati/Hindi with local clients while handling English documentation.
Voice Search FAQs (Gujlish/Hinglish)
11. Potani travel agency kholvi che - course help karase?
100% karase! Wings curriculum specifically Gujarat entrepreneurial mindset mate designed che. Business registration (MSME, GST), IATA accreditation, vendor tie-ups, tour costing, digital marketing - badhu shikhvaay. Alumni Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Dubai ma successful travel agencies chalaye che. 6 months course pachhi ready to start!
12. GDS training su che? Jruri che travel job mate?
GDS = Global Distribution System - airline/hotel booking software. Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre - aa worldwide use thay. Travel agency, airline ticketing, corporate travel mate GDS skills MANDATORY che. Wings Institute ma real GDS terminals par hands-on training - simulations nahi! Aa skill thi immediately job ready!
13. Travel agent ki salary kitni hoti hai India mein?
Fresher: ₹12,000-18,000/month. 2-3 years experience: ₹25,000-40,000. Senior consultant/visa specialist: ₹40,000-60,000. Travel agency owner: ₹1-5 Lakh/month depending on business. Commission-based earning pan hoy - busy season ma double-triple income possible!
14. Travel agency start karvama ketla paisa jruri?
Home-based agency: ₹50,000-1 Lakh (computer, internet, GDS). Office setup: ₹2-5 Lakhs. IATA accreditation: ₹20-50 Lakh security deposit. Pan most successful agencies non-IATA thi start kare ane grow kare. Wings ma lean startup model shikhvaay - ₹50,000 thi start kari shakay!
15. Visa processing shikhvaay che course ma?
Haan! Major countries badha: USA (B1/B2), UK, Schengen (Europe), Canada, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Thailand. Document checklists, VFS/BLS appointment booking, form filling, cover letter, rejection handling - badhu practical shikhvaay. Visa consultancy high-margin, low-investment business che!
16. Travel tourism course duration ane fees ketli che?
Wings Institute ma Travel Tourism course 6 months che - Gujarat ma shortest professional course! Fees approximately ₹66,000. Part-time basis - daily 4 hours. GDS (Amadeus/Galileo), air ticketing, visa processing, tour operations - badhu cover thay. 6 months pachhi - job ya poti agency start!
17. COVID pachhi travel industry ma scope che ke nai?
Bahut scope che! India domestic travel 35%+ growth 2023 ma. International departures pre-pandemic thi vadhare! Trained travel consultants - especially GDS ane visa specialists - ni demand highest ever. Companies actively hiring che. Perfect time to enter travel industry!
18. IATA ane non-IATA travel agency ma farak su che?
IATA agency: Direct airline tickets issue kari shake, higher commission. Non-IATA: Consolidators through book kare, lower margin. IATA mate ₹20-50 Lakh security deposit jruri. Pan smart strategy: Non-IATA thi start karo, grow karo, pachhi IATA apply karo. Wings ma both models shikhvaay!
19. Abroad ma job male travel course pachhi?
Haan! Dubai, Qatar, Singapore ma big travel industry che. Wings alumni Gulf ma travel agencies, airline offices, tour operations ma kaam kare che. GDS skills internationally recognised che. Wings Cambridge English certification help kare international jobs mate. Vadodara thi Dubai travel career possible!
20. Gujarati medium thi travel agent bani shakay?
100% bani shakay! Basic English GDS ane visa documentation mate jruri - pan fluent nathi hovu jruri! Wings Cambridge Spoken English module che. Gujarat ma successful travel agents clients saathe Gujarati/Hindi ma vaat kare, documentation English ma handle kare. Course ma both skills shikhvaay!
Ready to Build Your Travel Empire?
Visit our Alkapuri campus for a free counselling session. See our GDS lab, meet our faculty, and discover why Wings alumni dominate Gujarat's travel industry.