Ms Liu's approach helped her to land a job representing the Miramar Group in Shanghai. Her logic and conclusions, though, are equally valid for Hong Kong, where recent growth in the leisure industry is creating boundless opportunities in sales.

EL Consult principal Alfred Chown said: 'The movement into leisure, travel and hospitality is becoming a much greater force all the time. With the growth in leisure activities, more people are needed to sell travel, hotel and luxury leisure products.'

After relying on manufacturing in the 1980s and strong growth in the banking, finance, trade and logistics sectors before 1997, Hong Kong's economy is clearly taking a new direction in the post-Sars era.

The sales and marketing of luxury leisure and lifestyle products has been on the rise in the past couple of years and sophisticated mainland travellers have been one of the main targets.

Mr Chown said this was only the beginning. He saw destination marketing coming to the fore and for Hong Kong that would include Disneyland and Ocean Park, as well as the chance to shop at luxury superstores such as Louis Vuitton and Armani, and enjoy the hotels, spas and nightlife.

He envisages Hong Kong as the leisure centre of southern China. Macau's casinos and the golf courses in Guangdong will add value to the total leisure experience for inbound travellers.

This will create opportunities on many fronts: promoting the sales of luxury consumer goods and lifestyle products, offering innovative hospitality packages, arranging tours, and providing health and beauty treatments.

'This is a departure from the traditional industries, such as manufacturing, banking and finance,' Mr Chown said.

He expects that business growth in these newer fields will also attract foreign investors to set up in Hong Kong. This will further increase the range of sales and marketing jobs at all levels and open up excellent career development opportunities.

However, selling luxury goods and dealing with international clients will also raise the entry threshold and the standards expected of people in such roles.

Whatever their position, all staff will have to be well trained, service-minded and highly professional.

Many good openings are now being advertised in many different fields for everything from vice-president of sales to frontline posts.

Adecco sales and marketing director Christine Pace said: '[This is] one of the areas in which people will always be needed. It is even more crucial to have a good sales team in an economic downturn. Good salespeople will never be out

of a job.'

Chris Shearn, Drake International's regional manager for Asia, added: 'If you are in a market that is moved by financial reward, there is always a chance.'

While sales skills are regarded as transferable, in some industries product knowledge is essential and contacts are always important. 'The more senior the role, the more important those factors are,' Mr Shearn said.

Mr Chown said that in Asia companies tended to assess the exposure and sales experience of potential recruits more than generic skills, which sometimes made it difficult to transfer between industries.

Even so, a job in sales or marketing can easily lead to senior management positions. People get noticed, are earmarked as future leaders, and get to understand what customers want and how their own company works.

Ms Pace said: 'It is quite hard to find good candidates. In some industries, they don't have basic salaries, only commission, so the turnover is high.'

Those going into the hotel and tourism industry are likely to be the real winners, with opportunities to build long-term careers. Ms Liu knows that and has already been promoted to senior sales executive with the Miramar Group.

Secrets of success

Empathy, being able to relate to others

The ability to build a rapport

Trustworthiness

Charisma

A track record of successfully closing deals

Good cultural fit with the profession or market

The ability to deal with rejection

A goal-oriented attitude

Presentation and communication skills

Networking skills

Drive and ambition

Competitiveness

Willingness to go the extra mile

The desire to be recognised

Independence and self-motivation