- Name: Kevin Smith
- Current location: Toronto, Ontario
- Education: MBA, Hospitality and Tourism, University of Guelph; BA, Professional Writing, University of Victoria; B.Ed, Leisure Service Administration, University of Victoria.
- Current position: Program Coordinator, Tourism Management Program, Humber College
- Organization description: Humber College’s Tourism Management program is the largest of it’s kind in Canada, with over 400 students each semester.
- Bio: Kevin Smith is currently a professor and program coordinator for Humber College’s Tourism Management program, with over 15 years of professional experience in the tourism industry. He has worked in a variety of management positions with travel brands G Adventures, Quark Expeditions, Tucan Travel, and Development Counsellors International.
- Countries I've worked in: Too many to count! Kevin has travelled to over 80 countries, across every continent on Earth.
- Sector / subsectors: Tourism, Hospitality, Business, Marketing
- Areas of expertise: Tourism, hospitality, adventure tourism, destination marketing, business.
- Country: Worldwide
- Region: North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Oceania, Asia, Central Asia, East Asia
- Sector: Business, Education, Tourism & hospitality
- Degree subject: Communications, Tourism & hospitality
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Who are you and what do you do?
Meet Kevin Smith.
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You’re an industry veteran, having worked for some leading travel brands. Can you tell us about your career trajectory, and the roles you’ve held?
From tour leading, to revenue management, and destination marketing, there isn’t a lot Kevin hasn’t done in the tourism industry.
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You’ve been in this sector for 15 years. How has it changed?
Kevin talks about how the internet has affected the travel industry, in good ways and bad, and how passion will always be important in this sector.
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What are the millennial travel trends?
Kevin tells us how Millennials are changing the travel industry.
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What are the various roles and streams in this sector, when it comes to looking for work?
Kevin talks about the image of the ‘travel agent’ and how the role has changed, and other interesting work opportunities in this field.
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You mentioned that airlines are desperate for young, skilled people. Where are other openings, or areas of high demand? Who succeeds in this sector?
Good news for job seekers out there. Kevin talks about the massive labour pool shortage within the tourism sector, but that being said, they aren’t looking for just anyone. He shines some light on what employers are most in need of.
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How does one get their foot in the door? Should you just travel to the country you want to work in?
Find out why Kevin says a seven-week internship is more like a seven-week interview, and the importance of having a speciality.
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Can you tell us more about having a specialty and building a niche?
Kevin talks about building a niche, and how customized and specialized travel is replacing general generic trips.
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What did you look for when you were hiring in this sector?
Kevin says what people are looking for in interviews hasn’t changed much over the past 100 years, but gives us a tip on what you should highlight.
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How might someone get a travel job if they haven’t had a chance to travel much? Is there still a way to get into the sector?
Whether through a post-secondary program, a volunteer experience, or a cheap backpacking trip - you’ve got to get out there.
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Are there specific skills or education that you need to thrive in this industry?
Kevin tells us that beneath every person who loves travel, needs to be someone who understands business.
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How important are hard skills versus soft skills in this sector?
A lot of employers are willing to train students on the hard skills if they bring the right soft skills to the table.
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Are there any common mistakes you see amongst entry-level employees?
Kevin talks about expectations versus reality, and the best place to start in the industry.
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You mentioned the importance of business and marketing in this sector, as well as knowledge of tourism. Are those degree programs equally valid if you want to work in this sector?
You don’t necessarily have to study tourism to work in tourism.
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Can you talk to us about the challenges of working in the field?
Find out why Kevin says being a tour guide was the hardest job he’s ever had.
