Tourism and leisure business specialist (Kaufmann/Kauffrau für Tourismus und Freizeit)
You design, sell and organise travel, excursion and leisure offers: a paid 3-year business training, in contact with visitors and tourism partners.
What a tourism and leisure business specialist does
They develop and sell tourism and leisure products, advise customers, organise events and support the marketing of a tourist office, a park or a travel company.
Advise and sell
Inform customers about tourism offers, sell services and use the booking systems.
Create offers
Develop tourism and leisure products, negotiate terms and monitor service quality.
Organise and promote
Plan events, run advertising and retain customers, with cost calculation.
This occupation is for you if…
- you enjoy advising visitors from all cultures
- you have a head for figures and organisation
- you like dreaming up leisure and travel offers
- you accept evenings and weekends in high season
Less suitable if…
- you dislike figures, calculations and spreadsheets
- you refuse to work evenings, weekends or seasonally
- you dislike constant contact with the public
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Tourism advice and salesBooking systemsEvent organisationMarketing and advertisingCost calculationProfessional foreign languagePersonal qualities
People skillsIntercultural opennessCreativityRigourNegotiating skillHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
Getting to know the firm
- Firm and tourist region
- Organisation and IT
- Basic accounting
Sales and events
- Sales, advertising, purchasing
- Event design
- Intermediate exam
Quality and management
- Event organisation
- Costs, management control
- Chosen option, final exam
Exams and qualification
A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place around the middle of the 2nd year. The final exam before the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) covers tourism products and services, business management, economics and society, then a case-based discussion. Qualification: IHK certificate.
You are paid during the training
Gross monthly pay during the training. These amounts are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Business training paid from the first year
- Creative job, in contact with visitors from many countries
- A chosen option to specialise
- Route to Tourismusfachwirt or tourism studies
Difficulties
- Evenings, weekends and public holidays depending on the employer
- Strong seasonality and work peaks
- A lot of calculation and management to master
- Solid written and spoken German is essential
Where it can lead
Qualified business clerk
Work in a tourist office, an agency, a leisure park or a travel company.
Offer or events lead
Develop offers, coordinate partners and organise events.
Tourismusfachwirt or studies
Take the Tourismusfachwirt (tourism manager qualification) or study tourism management.
Other trainings: Hospitality, catering and tourism
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
What is the option in the training?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.