1. Globally
The tourism industry:

■ is one of the most important components of contemporary global economy.
■ counts over 800 million tourists / travelers annually.
■ is the fastest growing sector of the world economy.
■ is the number one employer in the world (globally, 1 in 12 jobs is in tourism).
■ accounts for over 10% of revenues in the global economy.
Despite the economic downturn period recorded in the last two years, the tourism industry remains on an upward trend and an increase of 4-5% is forecasted for the next 10 years by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

In the center of the tourism industry is the hospitality industry with its accommodation, catering, conferences and recreational facilities. It is composed of many sectors, including:

■ hotels: from multinational chains to 5-star luxury resorts and exclusive clubs, boutique hotels, eco-hotels and accommodation in Bed & Breakfast.
■ Restaurants: from famous international chains to unique traditional, modern gastronomy or theme restaurants.
■ Spa & Wellness
■ Conferences and conventions centers
■ Airlines
■ Cruise companies
■ Casinos
■ Catering and event management
■ Sports centers
■ Clubs and theme parks
■ Management consulting companies.
 Besides all the above sectors, higher education graduates in hospitality management are also looking and related industries, because of the knowledge and skills that they develop them during school. Thus, increasingly more opportunities open for them:

■ real estate investments in the hospitality industry-specific structures
■ companies specialized in head hunting and human resources for the hospitality industry.
■ consulting management or franchise brand management
■ retail or distribution.

2. Romania
In a ranking compiled by the World Travel & Tourism Council in 2007, Romania ranked 7 in the world in terms of "fastest growing demand in the travel and tourism sector", with a rate of 7.4% annually; the next 10 years will exceed $ 14 million figure as an absolute value.

After a difficult period, which coincided with global economic downturn, major investments in the hospitality industry in Romania resumed. According to the magazine Capital, over the next 2-3 years around 40 new hotels will be opened, a total investment of over 580 million euros. Among them, some important names already on the hotel market in Romania, announced the introduction of new brands:

 - Wyndham - Days Inn the first hotel in Romania - Sibiu
 - Marriott - Courtyard first hotel in Romania - Bucharest
 - Hilton - Hampton Inn the first hotel in Romania - Brasov
 - Intercontinental - Holiday Inn
 - Carlson Hotels Worldwide - the first Park Inn hotel in Romania.

Therefore, the demand for specialists in the hospitality industry is growing both in Romania and worldwide, offering incredible windows of opportunity for those who will know how to turn them into profit..