The best travel jobs in the world right now

Alongside the usual resolutions, the new year often brings new ambitions, so if you want to combine your love of travel with your working life, we have just the thing…

According to research by sports retailer Decathalon over two thirds of 18-35 year olds (68%) want to travel more with work. Furthermore, 63% of the 1,000 people polled said they are more likely to accept a job that offers round-the-world travel opportunities, while 37% said they see it as a cost-effective way of seeing more of the world.

With this in mind, we bring you some of the most tempting travel jobs on the market right now. If you manage to bag one, no need to thank us, just promise you’ll never moan about work again.

1. Take travel photos

Are you handy with a camera? Admittedly this travel photography job probably requires more than a passing interest in taking pictures, and we’re pretty sure that unflattering angles will not be tolerated.

Still, if you think you could cope with diva demands, and don’t mind travelling with another family, then this job promises world-wide travel (for up to three months at a time) alongside a salary of £80,000.

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Plus, you’ll also get to attend events such as both the Monaco and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival (pictured above) and the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The downside? You will be expected to work 10-hour days and you need to be willing to drop everything and nip off at the drop of a hat, but with 30 days’ holiday and full sick pay, it will certainly appeal to some.

2. Cruise ship jobs, but not as you know it

We know, we know, the image of working on a cruise ship may not appeal to everybody. But cast aside any horrible flashbacks you have of The Love Boat, plus any cheesy Jane Macdonald-style preconceptions and you might be surprised at the calibre of jobs available.

READ MORE: exhilarating working holidays in the UK 

Uniworld is currently looking for a wellbeing coach for its luxury European river cruises. The role will involve providing a variety of massages, as well as running an exercise programme including yoga, meditation and Nordic walking.

Meanwhile, for more far-flung travel, Royal Caribbean is looking for a multilingual and experienced diving instructor who can run diving courses at some of its many ports of call, which include locations in Thailand, the Bahamas,  Antigua and Australia.

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3. Run a boutique Bali resort

The remote and stunningly beautiful Damai resort in North Bali is looking for a general manager, with the salary of £45,000-£75,000 making the prospect even more appealing.

Hidden high in the hills, with views out to sea or across to ancient volcanoes, this eco-conscious sanctuary is the byword in graceful Balinese calm. There’s a spa on site, a pool-side restaurant and lush gardens, plus on your days off you could visit the famous Pura Ulun Danu temple, go jungle trekking, or discover sacred lakes and secret waterfalls.

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The job ad says preference will be given to those with experience running properties in Asia, but if you have a background in managing luxury hotels elsewhere, it’s probably worth a shot.

4. Work in Sri Lanka

For the more seriously-minded among you, UN Women, an organisation committed to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, is looking for a project officer for its Peace Building Fund, based out of Colombo, in Sri Lanka.

The job involves managing a project that will work towards long-term reconciliation and sustainable peace by empowering the many military and war widows affected by the Sri Lankan Civil War that ended in 2009.

You’ll need relevant experience and a Master’s degree or equivalent, plus be able to demonstrate cultural sensitivity, plus unquestionable integrity when it comes to ethics and the UN Code of Conduct, but for the right person it will be a rewarding and challenging role.

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5. Volunteer abroad

Doing overseas volunteering is not without its issues. Often it is prohibitively expensive and at other times it’s a battle with your conscience over how much you genuinely want to help versus having the opportunity to go somewhere new and exciting.

Voluntourism, for instance, when travellers squeeze in a little volunteering as part of a longer trip, has often been found to give the tourist more of an experience than be of any real benefit to local communities. One way to combat this is to ensure that the role you volunteer for uses some of your existing skills that may be of real benefit to others.

Agape Volunteers, for instance, is a non-profit charity that offers a range of projects throughout Africa where you can make the most of your strengths. A musician? You could help others realise their potential by running free music tuition in Ghana, while sports fanatics can provide free coaching sessions to help young people develop their untapped talents.

6. Live in a retreat

If modern life is getting you down then there are few places as serene and tranquil as the tiny Scottish isle of Iona, which is currently advertising for a few jobs, including an assistant cook and an operations manager.

Iona has been run as a Christian community since the 1930s, so it’s worth noting that either job will come with an expectation of worship, but if that doesn’t put you off, you can enjoy empty beaches and a communal way of life that will restore your faith in humanity.

Though the island is currently taking a little break from offering residential retreats to visitors while major restoration takes place (due to finish in 2020), it still offers hospitality to those visiting the Abbey church and shop. The assistant cook will be tasked will helping provide a largely vegetarian and locally sourced menu to guests, while the operations manager will help manage staff and volunteers in the lead-up to new living quarters opening in 2020.

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7. Get in line for the best job in the world

Finally, though the role is currently in the hands of French national Eliza Detrez, it’s worth keeping an eye on what has been billed as the best job in the world in case Eliza ever decides to return home.

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Last time the job as park ranger for Queensland through Tourism Australia became available in 2013 it attracted 600,000 applicants, but since it largely involves travelling around Australia and promoting its best assets through a blog and social media (and getting paid $100,000 in the process), it’s small wonder really.