Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Videos on the Web
- Tour Operator - from: Youtube Search
- Tour Operator- from: Good Tourism Institute [Video]
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Working Life
Tour operators plan and put together complete holiday packages that they then sell to the public. They sell the holidays by displaying brochures in travel agents or by marketing them directly to the public. Many tour operators are closely linked to airline companies, shipping lines or coach operators.
Some tour operators provide specialist trips such as adventure trips, language courses, trekking holidays or trips to historical sites. Others may specialise in organising business conferences. Tour operators can focus on creating Irish based tours for foreign tourists, or they may create packages for Irish people looking to holiday abroad.
As a tour operator, you have to come up with appealing ideas for holidays and then research possible itineraries and content for the package. As part of the research, you may also have to visit destinations to check the facilities being offered and collect information to be used in advertising brochures and investigate possible new areas and local service providers that could be included in holiday packages.
You would also need to draw up contracts with the services to be included in the package, such as hotels, airlines, coach companies and tour guides. Part of this work involves making sure you get the best price for each service. As well as being a good negotiator, you may need to have additional language skills.
You then have to market and sell the package, by providing detailed information on tours and their availability to travel agents and the public.
Some tour operators also make sure that tours run smoothly and deal with any problems and emergencies as they arise. In large companies, these duties are often carried out by specialist departments; in small companies, one person might undertake most of the duties mentioned.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
- Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
- Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
- Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
- Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
- Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
- Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
- Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
Further Information
- Tourism officer- from: GradIreland
Qualities - Tour Operator
It is vital that you have a pleasant personality, good communication skills and attention to detail as well as excellent organisational skills. You should be computer literate and have good telephone skills.
You must be able to work in a team and work closely with colleagues, in order to achieve business objectives.
Having a working knowledge of an additional language, such as Chinese, Arabic, French, Spanish or German is a distinct advantage, and in some cases, may be specified for entry to the job.
Interests - Tour Operator
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Entry / Progression - Tour Operator
People develop towards this career from various qualifications, but previous experience in the travel industry, sales, marketing, and customer service are often required by employers.
Building up part-time or seasonal work in the Tourism & Hospitality sector, as well as developing foreign language skills will improve your chances of getting a job as a Tour Operator. The most relevant subjects to study include business and tourism.
If you want to develop your career further, you can aim to progress to a management role in a tour operating business, or even start up your own tour operation after several years’ experience in the sector. Studying business and tourism subjects at undergraduate or graduate level will also help you progress.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: tour guiding, bus coach driving, business administration, office administration.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: tourism business, languages, business administration, event management, travel.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Sales.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: business, event management, travel, tourism, languages, business administration.
Search for CAO Courses
Pay & Salary - Tour Operator
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €35k
Salaries vary based on employer, location. role, and duties.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed
Last Updated: February, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Tour Operator
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sports and leisure assistants, Travel agents, Air travel assistants, Rail travel assistants, Leisure and theme park attendants, Travel agency managers and proprietors, Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
Despite some growth since 2022, employment in 2023 was below the levels observed five years’ previous. Most employed were female and almost two-fifths worked part-time. There was a relatively high volume of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a feature of these occupations.
The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 employment levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels. Levels of consumer spending and the green agenda will be some of the factors driving demand for these roles in the coming years.
Useful Contacts - Tour Operator
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Fáilte Ireland
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International Air Transport Association (IATA)
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Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
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Irish Tourism Industry Confederation
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Incoming Tour Operators Association (ITOA)
