Tour Operator Work

Working with hotels, airlines and other transport companies for ground travel, in order to execute the arrangements.

They provide customers with advice about where to travel as well as the best means of reaching such destinations. If customers already know where they want to travel to, tour operators may suggest an escorted tour or can help to devise a complex tailor-made itinerary, which will allow the separate elements of their trip to fit together.

Most tour operators are employees although self-employment is also an option. There are about a thousand tour operators in the UK, some of which are large organisations selling over a million trips a year, whilst others are small niche operators giving a very specialised service.

As with many jobs in the travel industry, the gender ratio for the tour operator sector is fairly unbalanced. More women than men work as tour operators but there is no good reason why men should not apply for a position.

Career Progression

There is no formal career progression in this sector and indeed opportunities for progress in the smaller operators can be limited, meaning that it is often necessary to move to a different company to gain promotion. In a larger organisation there is often more opportunity to move from one department to another in order to progress.

Some employees set up their own businesses after gaining experience and developing a good network of contacts in the business.

Salary:

The typical salary earned by a tour operator varies drastically depending upon several different factors. The size of the tour operator, as well as the location, experience, and the range of responsibilities and duties will impact upon the salaries provided to individual employees. If the tour operator specialises in business travel rather than general tourism, employees are likely to earn more money.

Tour operators devise, arrange and promote, with the aim of subsequently selling, holiday and travel products to customers. This promotion is either done through travel agencies or direct to the customer by means of brochures or websites.

Responsibilities:

The typical tasks carried out on a daily basis by a tour operator include:

Providing general and specific advice about different travel destinations
Drawing up complicated travel itineraries and ensuring that all the needs of the customers are met
Making arrangements for transport, accommodation, tours, and activities
Contacting airlines, hotels, and ground transport companies such as coach operators to make suitable arrangements
Advising the customer about travel issues including required documentation and financial matters, such as appropriate exchange rates
Using the computer database to research information about fares and hotel ratings
Dealing with payments
Performing general administration tasks
Dealing with and documenting complaints in an efficient and diplomatic manner
Planning and advertising different promotions
Making alternative arrangements for customers who have had their trips interrupted by unforeseen issues
Evaluating customers’ holidays and issuing appropriate feedback forms
Every now and then, tour operators travel abroad for research purposes
Making presentations to travel groups
Creating and putting up displays at trade shows

Qualifications:

There are no specific requirements needed to become a tour operator. However, good GCSE or A level grades are likely to be viewed positively. More important though, if you do not have a degree or diploma, is work experience in the industry, good organisational skills, experience in a customer services role, and an interest in travel.

Many tour operators start out on Apprenticeships, which are provided by numerous outlets across the country but progression to management roles are unlikely by this route. Some individuals who are keen to become tour operators choose to complete a relevant degree or diploma course such as travel and tourism, hotel management, business studies, IT, marketing, or modern languages.

If graduates in other disciplines are keen to enter the industry they may be at an advantage if they take a pre-entry vocational qualification. One such qualification which is highly regarded in the industry is the Certificate in Travel (Tour Operators). Once in the industry, it is possible to study for the International Air Transportation Association exams

Desirable skills for a potential tour operator include:

Good interpersonal skills
Enthusiasm
The ability to work well as part of a team
The ability to cope under pressure
Good IT skills
Competent organisational skills
Flexibility
Confidence
Good sales skills, both over the telephone and face-to-face
A competent grasp of geography
Good oral and written skills

Experience:

No formal experience is needed before an application to a tour operator is submitted. However, any experience in the retail sector will be viewed positively by employers. If you have completed a customer care course or hold any qualification relevant to sales, this will provide a further boost to your application.

If you are still at school or studying for a degree or diploma, you could try to organise work experience during the vacation period. Contact your local tour operator and ask if they accept individuals for work experience or simply ask for the opportunity to shadow an employee.