Leisure, Tourism, and Entertainment Career Guide

The leisure, tourism and entertainment industry covers hotels, airlines, travel companies, hospitality venues, holiday and theme parks, theatres, restaurants and many more.

Jobs in this industry can be fast-paced and exciting as you work with a team to create events, experiences and excursions for customers. Employers range from large national or international chains to small family-run businesses.

This guide will focus on three roles in the leisure, tourism and entertainment industry: cabin crew, travel consultant and chef.

 

Potential Roles in Leisure, Tourism, and Entertainment

---

Potential jobs include customer-facing roles, such as entertainers, waiting staff and customer care professionals. There are also opportunities to work behind the scenes in planning, marketing, and other essential areas that help bring holidays, meals, shows, and events to life.

Cabin crew roles are a popular choice for people who enjoy travelling and interacting with the general public. Cabin crew jobs involve ensuring on-board passenger safety, providing excellent customer service, and helping to create a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience. Cabin crew may work on short-haul or long-haul flights and will often be away from home for several days at a time. Jobs are typically full-time positions, based at an airport hub used by your airline.

Travel consultants (travel agents) find and book holidays and trips for personal and business customers. Traditionally, travel consultants have worked for large travel companies, but changes in the industry mean some travel consultants now work independently or for smaller travel specialists. Travel consultant jobs may involve shiftwork and remote working. Pay varies, and some roles are bonus or commission-based.

Chefs work anywhere where fresh food is cooked and served to customers. A job as a chef can take you all over the world. In the leisure, tourism and entertainment industry, chefs may work on cruise ships and yachts, in holiday parks, at luxury hotels, ski chalets, and even for private clients. There is a clear career route for chefs, and top chefs can earn very lucrative salaries, making this a desirable career for people passionate about creating and serving high-quality food.

 

Salary and Career Progression

---

Jobs in leisure, tourism, and entertainment offer a wide variety of roles, each with its own salary range and career path. While some entry level positions may have lower pay, they can also provide valuable experience and opportunities to progress.

Cabin crew

Cabin crew receive special training before they start in this role, covering safety procedures, customer service, and emergency protocols. Once qualified, there are clear opportunities for career progression in both the UK and the US.

In the UK
Entry level salaries start at around £18,000, with the potential to rise to £22,000 to £28,000 as you gain experience. Additional income can be earned from hourly flying pay, overnight allowances, and commission from onboard sales. Senior on-flight roles pay from £30,000 to over £50,000.

Senior roles include attending to clients on private flights (corporate or executive cabin crew), managing a team within one section of the plane (a purser), or overseeing all cabin crew on a flight (cabin supervisor). Some cabin crew also move into training, recruitment, or management roles within the airline.

In the US
Entry level flight attendants usually earn between $20,000 and $30,000, depending on the airline and location. With seniority and long-haul routes, salaries can rise to a range of $50,000 to $80,000, or more.

Career progression in the US follows a similar path to the UK. Cabin crew may become a lead flight attendant, responsible for managing the in-flight team. From there, some lead flight attendants advance to inflight supervisor roles or move into areas like training, compliance, or corporate positions within the airline.

Travel consultants

Travel consultants can start in entry level positions with little or no experience, and learn on the job. As they gain knowledge of destinations, booking systems, and customer needs, they can move into senior or specialist roles, start their own business, or focus on high-value clients. Income can vary depending on whether you’re salaried, commission-based, or self-employed.

In the UK
Entry level travel consultants generally earn around £18,000, depending on the employer and location. With experience, salaries can rise to £30,000 or more, particularly for those working in specialist areas like luxury or corporate travel. Some consultants earn commission on sales, which can boost income.

Career progression may lead to roles in team leadership, product development, or business ownership.

In the US
Travel consultants usually start on a salary range of around $30,000 to $40,000 per year. With experience, specialisation, or a strong sales record, earnings can increase to $50,000 to $70,000, or more. Consultants who are independent contractors or run home-based agencies often work on a commission-only basis and have the potential for higher income depending on performance.

Like in the UK, career paths can lead to roles in management, corporate travel planning, or independent business ownership, especially in niche markets such as luxury, cruises, or destination weddings.

Chef

Chefs follow a well established career path, progressing through a series of kitchen roles as they gain experience. From junior to senior, the established roles are commis chef, chef de partie, sous chef and head chef. Pay varies widely based on the size and reputation of the employer, location, and level of responsibility. The most prestigious companies, including the world’s luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, pay their head chefs significantly more.

In the UK
Chefs typically start as a commis chef, earning around £15,000 to £23,000 per year. From there, they can move up to chef de partie, then sous chef, and eventually head chef. Salaries rise at each level, with head chefs in high-end restaurants or large hotel kitchens earning £40,000 to £60,000, or more.

At the top end of the profession, executive chefs working for luxury hotels, large groups, or Michelin-starred restaurants can earn well over £70,000.

In the US
The career ladder is similar, starting with roles such as line cook or prep cook, followed by station chef, sous chef, and head chef. Entry level salaries often range from $28,000 to $35,000 per year. As chefs move into more senior positions, earnings increase to $50,000 to $80,000, with top chefs in major cities or high-end restaurants earning $100,000 or more.

Like in the UK, the best paid chefs often work in luxury hospitality, celebrity restaurants, or run their own successful kitchens.

 

Qualifications, Education, and Experience

---

Cabin crew

Cabin crew roles don’t need advanced academic qualifications, but applicants must meet certain health, safety, and training requirements. Airlines look for strong communication skills, a calm approach under pressure, and excellent customer service. The following could be of benefit:

In the UK

• 4-5 GCSEs grades 4-9 (C-A**) including English and maths
• Each airline has a training or apprenticeship programme you must complete before starting work as a cabin crew
• For safety reasons, you must be a competent swimmer, have a good level of fitness, pass a height and reach assessment, and pass a medical exam
• A valid passport is essential
• Ability to pass background checks
• Experience in customer service is often preferred

In the US

• High school diploma or GED is usually required
• Completion of the airline’s FAA-approved training programme after being hired
• Ability to pass a medical exam, meet vision and hearing standards, and demonstrate basic swimming ability
• A valid passport and authorisation to work in the US
• Experience in hospitality, retail, or customer service is highly valued
• Some airlines prefer candidates who have a college education, speak a second language, or have worked in a fast-paced service role

Travel consultants

For Travel consultants roles, there are no strict academic requirements but employers look for strong people skills, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in travel. Some formal training or relevant experience can prove helpful. The following could be of benefit:

In the UK

• 4-5 GCSEs grades 4-9 (C-A**) including English and maths
• An interest in geography, global cultures, and travel
• Experience in a customer service roles
• IT literacy and confidence using booking software or online systems
• Qualifications in Travel and Tourism may be helpful but aren’t essential

In the US

• High school diploma or GED
• A passion for travel planning and good general knowledge of US and international destinations
• Customer service experience
• Basic computer skills, especially with reservation or CRM systems
• Optional certifications, for instance from The Travel Institute or CLIA, can prove helpful

Chef

Chefs don’t need a university degree or any specific educational qualifications, but kitchen experience and food safety certification can make you a more valuable job candidate. Many chefs start at junior levels and work their way up. The following can be beneficial:

In the UK

• 4-5 GCSEs grades 4-9 (C-A**), especially in English, maths, and food technology
• Work experience in professional kitchens or in junior chef positions
• Level 2 or 3 qualification in professional cookery, catering, or hospitality
• Completion of an apprenticeship in a professional kitchen
• Graduation from a culinary school, such as Le Cordon Bleu in London or Paris
• The appropriate food handling and food safety industry certificates

In the US

• High school diploma or GED
• Work experience, starting in entry level roles like prep cook or line cook
• Attendance at a culinary arts school, such as the Culinary Institute of America or Johnson & Wales University
• Completion of an apprenticeship or on-the-job training under an experienced chef
• ServSafe certification or other food safety credentials

 

Skills

---

Cabin crew must have a mix of hard and soft skills to serve the public and perform the technical aspects of their job safely and correctly. The following can be helpful:

• A pleasant, professional manner
• Friendliness and warmth when dealing with passengers
• An ability to stay calm under pressure, especially during emergencies
• A love of flying and travel
• Good time management and punctuality
• A willingness to be away from home for extended periods of time
• Clear communication skills, both spoken and written
• Teamwork and the ability to cooperate with colleagues in close quarters
• Basic knowledge of first aid and safety procedures (learned during training)

Travel consultants need strong interpersonal skills and a customer-focused mindset. The role also requires attention to detail, sales ability, and enthusiasm for helping customers plan their ideal trip. The following can be helpful:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Good communication skills, both spoken and written
• Confidence when speaking to new people, handling enquiries, and dealing with the public
• Motivation and drive to provide the best possible service for customers
• A genuine enthusiasm for tourism and travel, although you’re not expected to have travelled extensively
• Basic IT skills to use booking or reservation systems
• Good organisation and attention to detail

Chefs must be able to work well under pressure. TV shows may promote the stereotype of a grumpy, bad-tempered chef, but in reality, a pleasant nature can take you far in the industry. The following skills can be helpful:

• Excellent communication, especially in fast-paced kitchen environments
• Attention to detail, from plating to food safety
• Passion and enthusiasm for food and cooking
• Good organisation and planning skills for managing prep, timing, and orders
• An ability to take feedback and learn from more experienced chefs
• Patience during busy service times
• Good fundamental knowledge of maths, useful for measurements, conversions, and cost control

 

Working Hours

---

The leisure, tourism, and entertainment industry operates day and night, all year round. Depending on the role and location, you may have peak seasons, like the summer holidays or around Christmas, and less busy periods at other times of the year.

Cabin crew and chefs are often expected to work outside of standard office hours, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and public holidays. Shifts can be long, and schedules may change based on demand.

Travel consultants typically work regular office hours, from 9am to 5pm, but some roles may include evening and weekend work.

A job in the travel sector can mean extended periods of time away from home, especially for cabin crew. While the work can be rewarding and varied, it can also be physically demanding and tiring, especially during busy seasons.

 

Notable Locations

---

Due to the global nature of the leisure, tourism and entertainment industry, job opportunities are available all over the world. Roles can be found in busy city centres, remote countryside retreats, coastal towns, and major travel hubs. While some jobs are location dependent, such as cabin crew roles at airports or chefs in destination restaurants, many career paths exist across a wide range of settings.

In the UK

• London
• Cartmel, Cumbria
• Bray, Berkshire
• Perthshire, Scotland
• Historic cities Edinburgh, Bath, and York
• Popular coastal locations Blackpool, Brighton, and Cornwall
• UK airports London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, and Aberdeen

In the US

• New York City
• Orlando, Florida
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Los Angeles, California
• Chicago, Illinois
• Napa Valley, California
• US Airports Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, and JFK in New York

 

Notable Companies

---

These are some of the largest and most influential employers in the leisure, tourism, and entertainment industry. They offer a wide range of roles, from hospitality and travel to entertainment and event management.

In the UK

• Virgin Group: Airline and holiday provider with its HQ in Crawley, UK, employs thousands of people from its airport hubs and travel agent stores all around the UK
• Kuoni: Luxury travel experts employing over 11,000 people, with more than 30 UK stores
• TUI Group: travel operator, airline and cruise line. TUI employs professionals across the industry, from waiting-on staff to croupiers, from theatre performers to travel agents
• Merlin Entertainments: Owner of Legoland, Sea Life, Alton Towers, Warwick Castle, Madame Tussauds, and more.

In the US

• The Walt Disney Company: One of the world’s largest entertainment and hospitality employers, with theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and TV and film studios.
• Expedia Group: A major online travel agency that owns brands like Expedia and Hotels.com, employing thousands across customer service, tech, marketing, and trip booking support.
• MGM Resorts International: A major operator of resorts, casinos, and entertainment venues across the US and internationally.
• Live Nation Entertainment: The world’s largest live music and events company, operating venues and producing concerts and festivals across the US and globally.

 

Next Steps

---

Ready to find your next job in leisure, tourism or entertainment? Sign up to JobLookup to get suitable job vacancies straight to your inbox, and read The Ultimate Jobseeker Guide for tips and advice on landing your next role.