Tour manager
Travel manager, tour supervisor
Tour managers manage the travel arrangements of holidaymakers and business clients to make sure their trips run smoothly.
Salary range: £16,000 to £30,000
How to become a tour manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like travel and tourism management, although this isn’t essential.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You could take a college course like a Level 4 Diploma in Tourism Management, which may help when looking for work after you finish.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You may be able to get into this job through a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Work
You could move into this job after getting experience in a related role like a travel agent, tour guide or tour rep.
Direct application
You can apply for jobs directly if you have:
- experience of working with people
- a friendly and approachable manner
- a keen interest in the culture, geography and history of the locations covered by the tour
- a good working knowledge of foreign languages if touring overseas
- experience of working overseas if the job you’re applying for is based abroad
Employers may ask for a good general standard of education, like some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), particularly in maths and English.
More information
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Travel & Tourism, which offers industry training courses, news and networking opportunities to members.
Further information
You can find out more about working in travel and tourism through Careers That Move.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be flexible and open to change
- sensitivity and understanding
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of English language
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- welcoming the tour group and telling them about the travel arrangements and stopover points
- making sure accommodation, meals and service are satisfactory
- helping with passport and immigration issues
- speaking about places on the tour (local guides may also be used)
- promoting and selling trips
- advising on sights, local restaurants and shops at each destination
- recording issues that may require follow-up after the tour
- giving advice, solving problems and dealing with emergencies like loss of passports or money, illness or difficulties with accommodation
- managing the travel arrangements for people on business
Working environment
You could work in a hotel or in holiday accomodation.
Your working environment may be crowded, outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a tour operations manager or specialise in particular areas, like food and drink breaks, adventure holidays or business travel.
You could also set up your own tour business.