Tourism in Moscow has gradually become more of a concept in recent years, and as a result, career opportunities in this alternative industry are improving and specialized schools have opened up to cater for the demand for professionals in the area.

As Russia’s bustling capital struggles to attain its full potential in the world tourism market, experts say the path to a job in the sector will become a lot easier to travel.

"Finding economically viable work in the tourism industry is becoming more of a reality," said Yury Lagusev, pro-rector of the Russian International Academy of Tourism.

Data from the World Tourism Organization appears to back that up. The WTO says that Russia may rank in the top 10 tourist destinations by 2020, and that it is already generating earnings estimated at $1 billion — 2.5 percent of the current world market — and many of these travelers invariably pass through the capital.

Moreover, industry insiders point out, as foreigners become keener to visit Russia, job opportunities in the sector will not only expand, but shift. Although the market currently leans toward Russians wanting to travel abroad, the number of foreign tourists visiting Moscow is expected to rise rapidly.

However, at present, tourism in Moscow offers only a limited number of job opportunities. Most are management positions. However, the sector is making room for a new breed of specialists in marketing, finance and hospitality.

Tatyana Zavyalova, manager of the Moscow-based Russo Turisto, which publishes an encyclopedia on tourism, says that beyond an obvious interest in travel, aspiring entrants into the industry must possess certain expertise, such as strong communication, accounting and administrative skills. She added that computer literacy and knowledge of foreign languages are important.

"Proficiency in English is a plus, and it goes without saying that the more languages a candidate knows, the greater his chances are of finding a position," she said, going on to specify that travel agents hold the most popular jobs in the industry. In essence, a travel agent assists in the organization of business trips and vacations, wherever possible giving advice as to the most feasible solution for their clients.

However, whereas a few years ago there was no need for special training or education in tourism, now a diploma is required for the more lucrative positions, including top managers and administrators, said Tatyana Zavyalova.

Specialization is an ever-growing necessity in the tourism sector today, and to meet these needs, several institutions have been founded, or have extended their curriculum to accommodate the industry. The International Academy "Intercollege" and the Russian International Academy of Tourism, for instance, produce general and financial managers, guides and specialists in sports-oriented tourism, among others.

Lagusev, of the Russian International Academy of Tourism, said these specializations are currently in high demand, in addition to those offered by travel agencies and tour operators. His and other institutes also train specialists in informational, strategic, legal and ecological management — relatively new additions to the sphere of business in tourism.

Students are presented with the prospect of practical experience locally or abroad, in countries such as Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus, and upon completion of their studies may receive a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD in their respective specialties.

Lagusev said that the average salary of a travel agent is about $200 per month, while a manager’s salary ranges from $1,500 for a top manager in a travel agency to as much as $3,000 monthly for a manager at a prestigious hotel. The reason for the gap in wages arises from the difference in duties carried out, as well as job location, he said.

Despite its humble status, city officials say the future for tourism in Moscow is encouraging. According to a Moscow-government press release, Mayor Yury Luzhkov in 1999 initiated the "Complex Development Program of Tourism in Moscow" aiming to revamp tourism, with the hope of drawing more visitors to the city.

Nonetheless, the challenges of today are still notable, as was hammered home at the recent Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition. More than 2,100 companies and organizations representing 90 countries participated in the annual event — but only a handful proposed packages to Moscow and the oblast.