By Kristin Barton
One of the nicest things about being a wellness professional is that we are employable in many places on the planet. There are exceptions, of course, but by and large we can work in most developed countries and expect to make a decent living.
Have you always wanted to work and live in a tropical paradise? Or perhaps the idea of immersing yourself in the bustling city life of London or Edinburgh calls to your heart. Would you enjoy doing yoga every day in Costa Rica or Hawaii as part of your job’s perks? Do you dream of sailing the azure blue waters of the Caribbean? These enchanting scenarios aren’t just pipe dreams! They’re real opportunities to work in the most exciting places in the world.
Some of the most compelling reasons for wellness professionals to consider employment in tourism include steady, guaranteed paychecks (no worries about rustling up clients on your own dime!), the possibility of receiving benefits packages, not having to rent your own treatment facilities nor provide consumable supplies, opportunities for travel and adventure, and access to happy, affluent clients (folks are in great moods when they’re on vacation and tend to tip generously). 
While you will need a minimum of certification in your chosen wellness field and proficiency in English to land most wellness-related jobs in leisure tourism today, you’ll have an edge over the competition if you can also claim the following:
- Proficiency in French, Spanish, Polish, German, or Italian
- Certification in multiple related modalities, such as holding both a massage license and an esthetician license (required in many resort spas), or certification in Reiki, Healing Touch, Quantum Touch, etc.
- Skills in adjunct therapies that require no certification, such as ear candling, tuning fork therapies, raindrop technique, light therapies, etc.
- Excellent grasp of professional etiquette
If the high seas seem to call your name, why not check out a job on one of the many cruise lines that serve international travelers? Whether you’re a personal trainer, an esthetician, or a massage therapist, there are loads of job opportunities for sea-faring adventurers! As with any job, there are pros and cons. Here’s a great article that discusses massage therapy jobs on cruise ships: http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/585/Cruise-Industry-Employment
Those who prefer to stay on land might enjoy working at one of the many resorts and hotels of the world. These include tropical locations, dude ranches, ski resorts, urban 4-star high-rises, and picturesque country villas where the well-to-do go to relax and play. For national and international job opportunities at resorts and hotels, check out http://www.beachfrontjobs.com/
If you’re a person who enjoys intentional community and cooperative work efforts, a work exchange retreat just might be a nice opportunity for you. These exchanges often include more than one type of work and usually include just your room and board (rather than a paycheck), but often provide unique training and cultural opportunities that entice the adventurous and conservation-minded wellness professionals among us. Some work exchanges do include stipends and even unique wellness training opportunities, like this jewel of a program in New York. http://eomega.org/omega/staff/seasonal-staff-experience/
Why not enjoy the plethora of opportunities for travel and adventure that wellness work offers on the world-wide scene? Take a look at these great tourism positions and see what you think. It could be the experience of a lifetime!
