Tour manager

You could offer services to the public or business clients and would typically:

• meet and greet people
• explain travel arrangements and give details of stopover points
• make sure accommodation, meals and services are satisfactory
• help with passport and immigration issues
• give talks about places of interest or find local tourist guides to do them
• promote and sell trips
• advise on sights, local restaurants and shops at each destination
• record issues that may require follow-up after the tour
• give advice, solve problems and deal with emergencies like loss of passports or money, illness or difficulties with accommodation

• customer service skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

With experience, you could work freelance, become a tour operations manager or specialise in particular types of tour, like food and drink breaks, adventure holidays or business travel.

You could also set up your own tour business.