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Tourism manager

A tourism manager helps people go on a trip and come back with great memories. They choose tours, book tickets and hotels, plan routes and fix problems when something does not go to plan. If you enjoy geography and talking to people, and you are curious about other countries and cultures, this career might be a good fit for you.

Tourism manager

Tourism in Kazakhstan is not only about trips abroad: more and more people travel to the mountains near Almaty, Charyn Canyon, Burabay, Turkistan and Lake Alakol. A manager needs to know destinations, understand visas and documents, reply to clients quickly and stay calm during the high season, when requests pile up and every day is busy.

What the job involves

  • Advises clients and finds the right tour
  • Books tickets, hotels, transfers and excursions
  • Helps with documents, insurance and visas
  • Negotiates with hotels, guides and transport companies
  • Solves travelers' problems during the trip

Skills you need

  • Communication

    Quickly connecting with different people and understanding what they want.

  • Foreign languages

    English and other languages are needed to work with partners and guests from abroad.

  • Geography

    Knowing countries, climates, seasons and logistics helps you build a good route.

  • Organization

    Keeping track of many details, deadlines and bookings at the same time.

  • Stress resistance

    Calmly handling a canceled flight or an unhappy client.

Who it suits

Personality types

Strong intelligences

  • Interpersonal
  • Linguistic
  • Spatial

UNT subjects to take

State grants 2026

Main competition, full-time study. Quotas and separate state orders can have lower scores. Check your chances

Where to study

In Kazakhstan, tourism specialists are trained at universities and colleges. A bachelor's degree in tourism takes 4 years, and you can study it, for example, at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University or the Kazakh Academy of Sport and Tourism. Students learn tourism geography, foreign languages, marketing, hospitality and how to organize trips.

At a college after grade 9 or 11, you can get a qualification in tourism or hotel service in 2 to 4 years. Many students start working at a travel agency, a hotel or as a guide while still studying. Practical experience and languages are highly valued here, so start improving your English now and volunteer at events.

Outlook

Tourism managers work at travel agencies and tour operators, hotels, resorts, airlines, event agencies and organizations that develop tourism in the regions. Domestic and inbound tourism in Kazakhstan is growing, so there is a need for people who can organize and sell trips around the country. The work is often seasonal and depends on what is happening in the world.

Frequently asked questions

Which UNT subjects do I need to study tourism?

Geography is usually the key profile subject for tourism programs. The exact subject pair depends on the program and can change, so check the current list for the year you apply.

Do I need to know foreign languages?

Yes, good English is highly desirable, since you will use it with partners and guests from abroad. Chinese, Turkish or Arabic can be an extra advantage.

Does this job mean traveling all the time?

Not really. A manager spends most of the time in an office or online, organizing trips for others. Work trips such as familiarization tours do happen, but not every day.

Is this career right for you?

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