More Greeks Choose Tourism Studies Thanks to Best Career Outlook

All the more young people in Greece, are choosing to study tourism thanks to its strong professional outlook, according to the Labor Ministry’s Ergani system.

Data collected by private vocational education and training institute IEK Delta from January to December 2018, based on student expressions of interest, tourism studies were among the leading choices together with shipping, agriculture, health, information technology and telecommunications – fields considered to be the most in demand.

IEK Delta findings indicate that study programs in tourism and F&B (food and beverages) appear to have the competitive advantage over other professions due to opportunities for immediate placement as well as the degree of career outlook and advancement.

The majority of potential students opt for technician studies particularly in tourism accommodation management (hotels).

Younger age groups at 20 choose study programs in communications, 22-year-olds prefer to train in the arts, and 27-year-olds in healthcare.

Photo Source: European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG)

Meanwhile, the percentage of males and females opting for vocational training in tourism is equal.

Indicative of the growing demand for tourism studies programs and due to the increased job prospects, the Greek tourism ministry went ahead and re-opened two professional tour guide schools – one in Athens in 2017, and one in Thessaloniki in the coming months, offering a two-year study program to Greek as well as all Greek-speaking EU and non-EU nationals.