In this article, we will look at the 35 best jobs for people who want to travel. If you want to skip our in-depth industrial analysis of the tourism industry, head straight to the 10 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel.
The Global Rise of Sustainable Tourism
In 2023, we observe a consistent and lasting emphasis on sustainable tourism. For example, the Sustainable Tourism for Development Programme is an initiative by The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that will provide funding and technical assistance to developing countries to help them develop and implement sustainable tourism strategies.
Moreover, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a new report on the economic impact of sustainable tourism. The report found that sustainable tourism contributed $3.5 trillion to the global economy in 2022 and supported 330 million jobs.
In line with the trend, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) has been contributing to sustainable tourism by recognizing the importance of environmental responsibility in the travel industry. In response to growing traveler demand for eco-friendly options, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) recently signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Travel and Tourism. Moreover, the company's Open World™ social impact and sustainability strategy focuses on three key pillars: Inclusive Access, Economic Mobility, and a Prosperous Planet.
One of the most notable achievements is the Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s commitment to decarbonizing its operations and mitigating climate change impacts. As part of this initiative, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) is developing a comprehensive Climate Action Plan and they are actively promoting sustainable travel options to travelers, recognizing that 90% of consumers seek sustainability in their travel choices.
The company has been highly impressive with its financial standing as well. Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) delivered impressive results in the second quarter of 2023, marked by a 7% increase in lodging gross bookings which was the highest ever for this quarter. Additionally, the company achieved a record-breaking second-quarter revenue growth of 6%, accompanied by substantial earnings growth and margin expansion.
Notably, Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)’s commitment to shareholder value was also evident in its accelerated share repurchases that amounted to a record $1.2 billion year-to-date. In the first quarter, Aristotle Atlantic Core Equity Strategy made the following comment about Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE):
“Expedia Group, Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) provides online travel services for leisure and small business travelers. The company offers a wide range of travel shopping and reservation services, as well as provides real-time access to schedule, pricing and availability information for airlines, hotels and car rental companies. Expedia serves customers worldwide.
The Era of Experiential Tourism
After sustainable tourism, we also see how experiential tourism is on the rise, as travelers seek out unique and authentic experiences that connect them with local cultures and destinations. This trend is being driven by a number of factors like the growing popularity of social media, the desire for more meaningful travel experiences, and the increasing availability of experiential tourism experiences.
One way to see the rise of experiential tourism is in the popularity of online platforms for booking experiential tourism experiences. Platforms such as TripAdvisor Experiences have made it easier for travelers to find and book unique and authentic experiences at their destination.
TripAdvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) also facilitates experiential travel by offering travelers access to over 300,000 bookable experiences in more than 250,000 destinations worldwide. After analyzing 12 months of review data from millions of travelers, TripAdvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) has also compiled the Travelers' Choice Best of the Best "Things to Do" Awards which provides a definitive guide to extraordinary activities and excursions.
To list the best jobs for people who love to travel, we identified jobs that involved frequent travelling and thus, shortlisted a total of 50 jobs. Out of the 50 jobs, the 35 jobs with the highest average salaries in the US have been selected. We acquired data on average salaries from BLS. in case of non-availability of data, we have relied on average salary data from Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com.
Here is a list of the best jobs for people who love to travel
35. Tour Guide
Average Salary: $37,790
A tour guide job is interesting because it allows one to share their passion for travel, history, and culture while meeting people from different backgrounds and enjoying each day differently.
34. Stagehand
Average Salary: $40,118
Stagehand jobs often involve frequent traveling as they are hired to set up and dismantle stage equipment and sets for events or performances in different locations.
33. Wildlife Photographer
Average Salary: $44,958
Wildlife photographers travel to capture different animal species in their natural habitats, requiring mobility to access remote locations. It is one of the best jobs for people who love to travel.
32. International Event Coordinator
Average Salary: $46,765International event coordinators travel to plan, organize, and oversee events in different global locations to ensure that logistics and cultural considerations are met.
31. Global Brand Ambassador
Average Salary: $47,856
These professionals travel to represent and promote a brand while building relationships, attending events, and expanding the brand's reach internationally.
30. Travel Agent
Average Salary: $48,250Travel agents may travel to explore destinations, inspect accommodations, and gain firsthand knowledge to better advise and plan trips for clients. (link with without experience jobs article)
29. Travel Photographer
Average Salary: $48,876
Travel photographers travel to capture beautiful landscapes, variety in cultures, and experiences to create visually compelling stories and images for publications or clients. It is one of the jobs that require international travel with no experience.
28. Archaeological Illustrator
Average Salary: $53,420
Archaeological illustrators frequently travel to archaeological sites to observe and document artifacts, ruins, and excavation processes. It is one of the best jobs for people who love to travel.
27. Interpreters
Average Salary: $53,640
Interpreters may travel to facilitate communication at international conferences, meetings, or in regions with different languages and cultures.
26. ESL Teacher
Average Salary: 54,348ESL teachers often travel abroad to teach English in foreign countries. It is one of the most respected jobs in the world.
25. Travel Vlogger
Average Salary: $56,780
These individuals explore destinations to create engaging content and share personal experiences. They also offer travel tips and insights to their audience. It is one of the traveling jobs that pay well with no experience.
24. Archaeologist
Average Salary: $59,673
Archaeologists usually travel for fieldwork, research, and site exploration, as they investigate and document historical and cultural artifacts and sites. Its one of the fun jobs if you love travelling.
23. Chef
Average Salary: $60,210
The job of a chef is such that it requires them to explore regional cuisines, source authentic ingredients, and engage in cross-cultural culinary exchanges so that they can brush their culinary repertoire. It is one of the most fun jobs that pay well.
22. Actor
Average Salary: $61,000
Traveling is a major part of the acting profession as actors travel for film, theater, or TV productions, auditioning, filming on location, or even for promotions. It is one of the most profitable professions in the world.
21. Athletic Recruiter
Average Salary: $62,425
Athletic recruiters travel to evaluate prospective athletes and build relationships with coaches and prospects.
20. International Trade Analyst
Average Salary: $62,928
International trade analysts travel to assess global markets, meet with clients, and gather firsthand market insights for strategic decisions.
19. Truck Driver
Average Salary: $64,012
Truck drivers have to travel extensively to transport goods and commodities across various locations and fulfill delivery requirements.
18. Geologist
Average Salary: $66,597
Geologists keep moving from one place to another to conduct fieldwork, analyze rock formations, and gather geological data for research and environmental assessments.
17. Scuba Diving Instructor
Average Salary: $66,617
Scuba diving instructors provide underwater training and certification. They enable individuals to explore the world's aquatic wonders. It is one of the fun travel jobs that pay well.
16. Influencer
Average Salary: $67,113
Influencers travel to different destinations to document their experiences and engage with followers through content creation and social media. To read more about content creation, do check out our article on the highest-paid YouTubers in the world.
15. Travel Writer
Average Salary: $67,640
Travel writers explore destinations to gather firsthand experiences and information in travel writing. It is one of the jobs that require international travel sometimes.
14. External Auditor
Average Salary: $70,989
The job requires excessive traveling as auditors have to assess and verify financial records and compliance with regulations for different client organizations. It is one of the jobs that require travel and pay well.
13. International Aid Worker
Average Salary: $71,327
To provide humanitarian assistance and support in crisis-affected regions and developing countries, aid workers need to travel internationally.
12. Fashion Designer
Average Salary: $73,434
Fashion designers often travel to gather inspiration and attend fashion shows. Their jobs also involve meeting their clients frequently and visiting manufacturers while scouting materials.
11. International Sales Representative
Average Salary: $81,180
International sales representatives travel frequently to negotiate deals and expand business opportunities in global markets. It is one of the best jobs for people who love to travel.
