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Multicultural communication is critical in the travel and tourism industry—a field that requires employees to work with people from every part of the world. When applying to future positions, one of the best ways you can stand out from the competition is by showing employers you already have experience working in an international context and with people from different countries.
An AIFS Abroad internship does just that and more. It will help you learn how to effectively communicate with diverse groups of people, broaden your global perspective, and get hands-on experience in the travel and tourism industry. We offer incredible internships in cities around the globe, so here’s our list of the top five destinations for international travel and tourism internships.
Want to lay the groundwork for a successful career in travel and tourism? Explore AIFS Abroad’s top 5 global cities for travel and tourism internships!
1. Barcelona
Barcelona is a world-renowned tourist destination with a booming tourism and travel industry—tens of millions of people visit this Spanish city every year. According to Statista, there were more than 10,000 companies operating in the tourism sector in 2021, providing a massive number of opportunities for aspiring travel and tourism professionals. As one of the world’s most desirable tourist destinations, Barcelona is home to travel and tourism companies of every kind including travel agencies, business travel agencies, leisure travel agencies, adventure agencies, food tours, small group tour operators, and much more. A travel and tourism internship in Barcelona will also give you firsthand experience communicating with people from every corner of the world. With an international internship in this famous tourist hub, you’re sure to impress future employers!
There’s good reason that Barcelona is such a popular tourist destination. It’s a beautiful, storied city and the capital of Catalonia, offering unique culture and experiences you can’t find anywhere else. The city is known for its lively musical and dance traditions like flamenco, iconic architecture like La Sagrada Família, famous nightlife, and exquisite cuisine that includes local delicacies and international delights. The city is located on the shores of the Mediterranean, with beautiful beaches that are perfect for relaxing. Learn why people from around the world come to Barcelona with a travel and tourism internship you won’t forget!
2. Florence
Florence is another well-known travel destination, placed in the center of Italy’s culture, history, and physical landscape. It’s a city that people have been visiting for hundreds of years to experience the unique art and culture. The tourism and travel sector is Florence’s largest employer and makes up the core of its economy. Thanks to the constant influx of tourists, there is a consistent demand for tourist and travel-related positions at travel agencies and tour group operators. If you want to intern at tour groups or agencies that dive into the history of its UNESCO World Heritage Site and local landmarks like the Florence Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio, or learn about art at galleries like the Uffizi Gallery, Florence is an excellent option. Here, you’ll dive into the local culture while also working closely with international visitors to develop cross-cultural communication skills and grow your understanding of how the tourism and travel industry shape a city’s economy and culture.
Advancing your career won’t take up all your time in Florence! You’ll be free to explore this city’s hidden gems during your time off. You can search for your favorite espresso, taste gelato to your heart’s delight, and find local off-the-map galleries. During weekends, you can explore the rest of Italy or go beyond to the many other European countries within your reach. Find out firsthand why the locals call this city “La Bella” (“The Beautiful”) with a tourism and travel internship in Florence!
3. Rome
Rome is a world-famous travel destination known for its vast history going back thousands of years and its delicious Italian cuisine. The Eternal City is bursting with opportunities for travel and tourism professionals, thanks to its thriving tourism industry that offers both local and country-wide tour and travel packages. As the most visited city in Italy and the country’s capital, many tourism and travel companies have their headquarters in Rome, making it a great place to intern at local and regional tour companies that service the area. Here, you can get hands-on experience at a small or mid-sized organization and build your multicultural communication skills as you talk to colleagues and customers from around the world.
Interning abroad in Rome will also give you a deep insight into the culture and history of this famous city. You can use your professional network to get recommendations of the best spots for local dishes—gnocchi alla romana, bucatini, carbonara, pizza, and so much more. You can spend your spare time visiting museums and art galleries and soaking up the local culture. Of course, there’s the rest of Italy to enjoy too, easily accessible from Rome on your days off via train or bus. Get the inside scoop on Italy with a travel and tourism internship in Rome!
4. Paris
The City of Light is known around the world for its landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, its high-quality French restaurants, famous artworks at the Louvre, and its fascinating history and global influence. It’s also the second most visited city in all of Europe, with more than 50 million overnight stays recorded in 2023. Paris is covered with world-class museums, art galleries, and historic monuments, encouraging tourists to see everything this city has to offer. It also has three airports and ten train stations, making transportation easily accessible for tourists. What all of this translates to is an overwhelming abundance of professional opportunities for travel and tourism interns. With an internship here, you can find a placement in a specific niche or go with an agency that offers it all. You’ll receive direct exposure to a wide array of roles and responsibilities at small and mid-sized travel and tourism companies that will help catapult your career toward success.
When you’re not at your internship, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Paris on your own terms. You can take strolls down the Seine, search for the perfect baguette, find your favorite café, or wander down side streets that lead you to exciting discoveries. Say “oui oui” to the experience of a lifetime with a travel and tourism internship in Paris!
5. Granada
Granada is a small city with big benefits for aspiring professionals in the travel and tourism industry. Its smaller size makes it a unique international internship destination that offers the advantages of networking in a more tightly knit community. For anyone who wants to go abroad and experience a more relaxed pace of life in a not-too-busy city, Granada is an excellent choice. With a travel and tourism internship here, you can gain insights into how local and regional tour companies and travel agencies operate. Also, thanks to Granada’s position between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, there are many ecotourism and adventure tourism options available that may not be possible in other cities.
Granada is a stunning city with a deep history. If you choose to intern here, you can discover why it is so beloved by locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy the benefits of a city life with nature that’s never far away. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture—eat delectable tapas, visit heritage sites like the Alhambra Palace, and connect with the welcoming locals. For authentic local culture and unbeatable natural landscapes, you can’t go wrong with a travel and tourism internship in Granada!
Looking to impress employers with an international travel and tourism internship? Connect with new cultures and develop your career simultaneously with AIFS Abroad!
An international travel and tourism internship is an incredible way to gain hands-on experience while immersing yourself in diverse cultures across the globe. AIFS Abroad provides unparalleled opportunities for aspiring travel and tourism professionals in some of the world’s most exciting tourist destinations. With inclusions such as housing, insurance, career readiness programming, excursions and activities, on-site staff, and emergency support, you’ll have a stress-free global education and professional development experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to stand out in the competitive travel and tourism industry with an internship abroad!