Meet five people who work in Tourism today

ANSWERS : The highlighted text shows you the answer to each question:

Question 0 Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5
Question 6 Question 7 Question 8 Question 9 Question 10

A David, 20

I have been studying History at university and decided I needed a summer job. It didn't take me long to get the job in the hotel. There's a lot of demand for seasonal workers, especially to help out in the restaurant. I work six days a week, serving tables and taking orders from guests.This is my first job - I think all students should have some experience of working while they are at university. If they don't do this, then they will find it more difficult to decide what they want to do when it finally comes to join the real world. It's also important for employers - I'm sure an employer faced with a student who has some experience of the working world and another who hasn't, will choose the one with experience every time.

B Karen, 34

I'd always wanted to work for myself, but I didn't know where to start. My background is in catering, but that wasn't a world I wanted to continue with. After several years working abroad in restaurants, at first waiting tables and then as assistant manager, I finally took the plunge. I've managed to save quite a bit of money, and recently the opportunity came up to take over an activity centre in Wales with my boyfriend, who is a keen windsurfer. I had no idea about adventure sports until I started here, but I handle the bookings, and all the accounts, and he is in charge of the activities. It's going well, and we currently employ three other instructors.

C Roy, 58

This will be my last year working for the hotel. I started as a bellboy many years ago and worked my way up to where I am now. I think I must have worked in almost every department here, before becoming general manager ten years ago. It'll be a shame to go, but I don't want to be here forever. It's time to move on, to do something different, although I don't really know what. At the end of the day, it'll be nice having some time to myself, and the freedom to go wherever I please. The first thing I'm going to do is to travel around Europe. Who knows, if I find somewhere I really like, I may even end up working again.

D Mavis, 27

My family has been in the travel business since 1964. My Dad started his own company organising trips abroad when I was just a girl, and not long afterwards, he was able to set up an office. My mother has always been there too, by his side, helping out with everything. It was just natural for me to join in, and now I can't imagine doing anything else. Both Mum and Dad are about to retire now, so it'll be quite a challenge for me to take over what they have set up. Of course, things have changed a lot. It's almost all package tours, and who knows what will happen now that people are booking holidays online. In some ways, however, it's an interesting time, just like when my parents first started.

E Georgio, 41

I'd never thought of myself as becoming an academic. I started off working on cruise ships when I was younger, and loved it. Then I worked abroad quite a lot, in all sorts of places, learning languages and getting to know about tourists and the business first hand. It was only later, after I'd started a course in hotel management that I realised that I could do it. I love the course and have done so well that they've asked me join the teaching staff! At first, I thought it was a joke, but after they explained that my range of experience would be very useful, I realised they were right. It's a new experience for me, and a great opportunity!