Tour manager job profile | Prospects.ac.uk

Tour managers combine a passion for travel with strong organisational and customer service skills to coordinate and accompany groups of holidaymakers on tours in the UK and overseas

You'll ensure that travel arrangements run smoothly and will provide practical support and information to travellers throughout their trip. An in-depth knowledge of specific destinations, areas and regions, including their culture and history, is essential.

You may also take on the role of a tour guide, providing insights and commentary to enhance the overall holiday experience. For overseas tours, language skills and cultural knowledge are particularly valuable.

A successful tour manager must be adaptable, resourceful and highly organised.

Tour managers may also be referred to as tour directors.

Responsibilities

As a tour manager, you'll need to:

Travel coordination

accompany groups travelling by coach, car, boat, train or plane
welcome groups of holidaymakers at their starting point and provide details of travel arrangements and stop-over points
check tickets, travel documents and other relevant paperwork, seat allocations and handle any special requirements
help with passport control, visas and immigration issues
ensure smooth check-ins and settle holidaymakers into their accommodation.

Information and guidance

provide detailed information on itineraries, destinations, local customs and culture
inform passengers of arrival and departure times at each destination on the itinerary and ensure that all group members are accounted for before leaving each stop
advise on local facilities such as restaurants, shops and sightseeing spots
develop specialist knowledge and use this expertise to enhance the tour experience
answer questions and address the expectations of travellers.

Logistics and problem solving

ensure travel arrangements, accommodation and meals meet expectations and run according to plan
organise entry to attractions and coordinate additional transport, such as car hire
address individual traveller needs and resolve any issues - from minor concerns such as locating a pharmacy to more urgent matters such as lost baggage
handle medical and other emergencies, including illness or urgent communication with family members
liaise in advance with hotels, transport providers, restaurants and local service providers to confirm arrangements
occasionally making last-minute accommodation bookings and itinerary adjustments.

Additional duties

organise and attend tourism events, conferences, workshops, seminars and exhibitions
keep accurate records, write reports and provide feedback as part of the post-tour debriefing session.

Salary

Starting salaries for tour managers in full-time employment typically range from £18,000 to £20,000, plus board and lodging when on tour.
Experienced tour managers can expect to earn between £25,000 and £30,000.
Salaries for those at senior level or with extensive experience can be in excess of £30,000.

Pay is usually calculated per day, with rates and expenses varying between companies. Salaries vary depending on the company, location/country visited and type of tour.

Salary may be enhanced by commission and tips; the amount will depend on the clients and the tour. Industry conditions have an impact on salary levels.

The work is often seasonal, with more jobs available during the holiday periods. Tour managers may take on other work to boost their income.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Your working hours are likely to be long and irregular, often extending from early morning to late evening, including weekends and public holidays. You may be on call 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. The role typically requires full-time commitment during tours, but some part-time work may be available.

Most tour managers work on a freelance basis, moving from one tour to another, though some larger tour operators may offer permanent employment.

What to expect

You'll spend most of your time on location, travelling with tour groups, rather than in an office. Some planning and administrative work may be done remotely or at a company's headquarters.
Many tour managers work freelance, securing contracts for individual tours, while larger tour operators may offer permanent or seasonal roles.
Positions are available with travel agencies, tour operators, cruise lines and specialist travel companies, with job availability influenced by tourism trends and global events.
You'll often work independently without direct supervision, managing logistics and holidaymakers' experience, while ensuring the tour runs smoothly.
You'll be on show throughout the tour, so your appearance and clothing must be smart and your behaviour exemplary. You may wear a uniform.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following degree, foundation degree or HND subjects may increase your chances:

archaeology
business with languages
education
geography
history
modern languages
travel, tourism, leisure studies.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification isn't essential.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible, although it may take time to build up the required level of experience. Gaining relevant work experience in customer service, hospitality or travel coordination can help.

Another entry route is via an apprenticeship in the leisure, travel and tourism sector. Apprenticeships combining paid work with study, allowing you to train on the job. With further experience you may then be able to move into a tour manager role.

A good working knowledge of one or more foreign languages is often required for overseas work. Experience of living, working or studying abroad is also useful for roles involving overseas travel.

Skills

You'll need to have:

strong interpersonal skills with a pleasant, outgoing and friendly manner, with the ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds
excellent communication skills for delivering information and engaging with groups
a supportive, tactful and approachable manner to handle client concerns and ensure they have a positive experience
good active listening and problem-solving skills to respond effectively to questions and unexpected situations
excellent planning and organisational skills to manage travel arrangements, itineraries and groups
self-confidence and the ability to take charge, inspire trust and manage large groups
resilience and adaptability so you are able to stay calm under pressure and adjust plans quickly when necessary
good general health and physical fitness, stamina and energy to cope with long hours, extensive travel and the physical demands of the job
decision-making and crisis management skills to handle emergencies effectively
independence, resourcefulness and the ability to use your initiative to solve problems on the go
health and safety awareness to ensure the wellbeing of your clients during the tour
excellent knowledge of your tour destinations as well as a passion for travel, geography, history and culture to enhance your clients' holiday experience.

A first aid qualification is also useful.

A good working knowledge of one or more foreign languages (such as French, Spanish or Italian for European tours) can be beneficial.

Work experience

Getting relevant experience in the tourism industry is important. Working as a holiday representative or travel consultant, or in a customer-facing role at a tourist resort, for example, can provide a valuable insight into the sector and be a useful stepping stone into tour management.

Experience in customer service, hospitality or travel operations in a travel agency or tourist information centre can help you develop key skills in problem-solving, organisation and communication, which are all vital for a tour manager role.

Specialist knowledge in areas such as the archaeology, history or culture of an area or region can also be advantageous, particularly for niche or educational tours.

Attending trade fairs and exhibitions will help you make contacts and get an insight into the industry. The Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) organises a variety of formal and informal events for its members, which are good for networking and gaining knowledge about the industry.

Getting student membership of key industry bodies also provides opportunities for networking and training. The International Association of Tour Managers (IATM), for example, offers affiliate membership to graduates of tourism degree courses or if you're new to tour managing.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Employers of tour managers range from large, national and international tour operators to small, specialist tour companies organising package tours and specialist trips, such as sports tours, music tours, tours to particular countries or regions and educational tours.

You can make speculative applications in the autumn, for tours in the following spring/summer.

You can find the contact details of many tour operators through professional bodies, such as:

Competition is keen so you'll need to be proactive in looking for opportunities. Look at travel brochures and websites for information on different companies. The more experienced tour managers are usually given the more lucrative tours.

Look for job vacancies at:

Professional development

As a new tour manager, you'll usually attend a short induction course provided by your employer. This will introduce you to key destinations, company policies and operational procedures. You may also do a 'shadow tour', where you accompany an experienced manager to observe how a tour is conducted.

Once in post, you'll be responsible for keeping your skills and knowledge up to date. This can include researching local history, culture and activities to provide accurate and engaging information to tour groups. You may also attend study tours, conferences and training courses offered by private providers and professional bodies, such as the ITT and the IATM.

The IATM offers Silver Badge membership to tour managers with at least one season's experience, while Gold Badge membership is available after five seasons. Membership provides networking opportunities, professional recognition and access to industry resources, helping you develop your career.

Career prospects

You'll typically start out in a related role, such as a tour representative or tour guide, before moving into a tour manager role. Work is often seasonal, so you may have to take on other travel or hospitality-related jobs during quieter periods to boost your income. As you gain experience, you're likely to be given the higher-paying and/or specialist tours.

If you work for a large tour operator, you may be able to progress into leadership roles, such as senior tour manager, team supervisor or tour development specialist. Some tour managers transition into office-based roles, managing tour planning, logistics or customer relations.

You could also move into other areas of tourism, working for travel agencies, tourist boards or offices or visitor information centres, for example.

Some experienced tour managers go on to set up their own tour business, either independently or through a franchise opportunity. Specialising in a particular country, region or niche market (such as adventure or eco-tourism) can be particularly useful in these cases.

Tour manager