If you’re on the lookout for hospitality jobs that let you travel on the side, you’ve come to the right place. Don’t get us wrong. These jobs don’t let you experience any destination purely as a tourist the whole time, but they do give you the chance to be assigned to different destinations, all while exposing you to different kinds of people from different cultures and all walks of life.
Here are five in-demand jobs in the hospitality industry that allow you to travel, complete with what to expect, average annual salary, and other information we think would help you decide if the job is something you can do and thrive in.
1. Flight Attendant
Average annual salary: $70,980
Probably the most obvious on this list, flight attendants travel locally or internationally, depending on their assigned routes, with hotels, meals, accommodation, and other allowances covered. You also get access to flights and discounts for you and your family. Plus, as you move up in your role, you’d usually have more flexibility and freedom when it comes to your assigned flights.
On top of that, you meet all kinds of people and see different sights as you jump from place to place, and plane to plane. Of course, this is only a good option if you can handle the irregular schedules, especially when you’re just starting out. Like with any hospitality job, you should expect some difficulty maintaining a proper work-life balance, as schedules can get erratic.
2. Cruise Ship Bartender
Average annual salary: $37,090 + tips
If you want a different spin on the traditional bartending experience, why not try bartending on a cruise ship? Working on a ship means you have a place to stay with free meals. You also get the chance to go out on excursions and leave the ship when it docks to explore other states or countries within that duration.
Keep in mind, however, that bartenders on cruise ships are usually seen as part of the crew, so don’t expect to be considered a passenger or be allowed in passenger areas. Working on a ship also means long working hours and limited things to do when you’re off duty. If you can look past that, or you’re just looking for a job with huge tips, then this job might be for you.
3. Hotel Manager
Average annual salary: $76,790
If you think all hotel managers just stay in one hotel at a time, think again. There are plenty of opportunities for Hotel Managers to travel to different locations, especially if you’re working for major international hotel chains. Hotel managers who are part of task force, transition, and opening teams often get assigned to different properties. This usually includes covered expenses such as food and accommodation, as well as the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different environment or culture.
On the downside, these roles come with a high level of responsibility and pressure. Hotel managers are expected to handle everything from operations and customer service to staffing issues, often on very tight timelines. Travel can also be frequent and unpredictable, so expect no holidays and difficulty maintaining your work-life balance.
Still, for those who enjoy leadership, problem-solving, and working in different locations, hotel management offers a travel-friendly career with long-term growth potential.
4. Event Planner
Average annual salary: $62,280
If you love creativity and logistics, event planning might be for you. Event planners may not find themselves traveling year-round, but there is a good chance they will be hired for events such as destination weddings, festivals, workshops, and conferences. Upsides? There’s always variety with every event because you’re working with people with different requirements and goals. Plus, you get the satisfaction of seeing the results of your work: people having fun, couples celebrating milestones, and attendees going home with memorable experiences.
However, because of the job’s unpredictable nature, expect odd hours and many days of emails, calls, and texts. Event planning also leaves little room for error once things are underway, and when problems arise, there’s no room for dilly-dallying.
Still, for those who thrive under pressure and enjoy seeing ideas come to life in different locations, event planning can be a rewarding way to combine travel with very hands-on hospitality work.
5. Chef
Average annual salary: $62,640
Being a chef means you’ll most likely be stuck in the kitchen all the time, but who said the kitchen has to stay in one place? To be the greatest chef, you have to surround yourself with different flavors, all kinds of cuisines, and the best of the best in the industry.
That’s why a lot of chefs go for staging, where they work in different kitchens, sometimes in other cities or countries, to learn new techniques and styles. Traveling as a chef allows you to pick up new ingredients, cooking methods, and kitchen cultures while building your skills and professional network.
At the same time, the hours can be long, the work physically demanding, and some stages may offer little or no pay. Even so, for chefs focused on growth and creativity, traveling for work can be a worthwhile part of the journey.
What say you?
Thoughts on these In-Demand Hospitality Jobs?
Let’s hear it!
