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.

The Work

As a Tourism Officer, you support the implementation of innovative tourism initiatives and marketing is a key feature as you try to promote tourism in a region or country.

Although the titles are similar, it’s important to note that Tourism Officer is a very different role to Tourism Information Officer. While information officers work in tourist information centres and provide information about local attraction to individual tourists, the Tourism Officer has a strategic role and rarely works directly with individual tourists.

You work in partnership with key agencies and communities and your work involves lots of planning and preparation. The work is likely to be a combination of desk work and work ‘on the road’, visiting tourism businesses and communities in your designated area.

Typical duties include:

• market research
• producing promotional material and displays
• writing reports, business plans and press releases
• making presentations
• liaising with local businesses and the media
• sourcing funding and managing budgets

Tourism Officers can work for local and regional authorities, Fáilte Ireland, or the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. But even some large and privately owned Tourist attractions may employ a Tourism Officer, or Tourism Development Manager, to develop tourism strategies and marketing campaigns.

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.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

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.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Qualifications required for this role vary, most employers recruiting a Tourism Officer will look for a Third level qualification in a relevant area.

Relevant subjects include: Hospitality, Business and management studies, Marketing and Public relations.

Experience of working in Hospitality, but also personal experience of Travelling may be beneficial. 

In public services and agencies, there are often opportunities to progress your career to more senior positions, such as management and director roles.

Depending on your background and expertise, you may also develop your career in a specific field, such as marketing or hospitality management. Build you skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications of the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Tourism Careers. 

Training & Development

FET Centre PLC Course: Travel, Tourism, Hospitality NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Higher Education CAO entry: Culture, Tourism, Marketing, Hospitality, Heritage, Business & Management at NFQ Level 6-8 Search our CAO Coursefinder.  

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €46k

Salaries vary dependiong on empoyer, location, role, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ LGMA/ Forsa/ Gov.ie

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Although employment numbers have been increasing since 2022, they have yet to return to pre-COVID-19 levels. Over half of those employed were female, almost two-fifths were aged 15-24 years, and half were in part-time roles (one of the highest shares outside of hospitality occupations).

Vacancy posts advertised on DSP Jobs Ireland included summer camp counsellors, lifeguards and tour guides. Due to the small numbers employed in this occupation, detailed analysis is not possible; however, CSO Census data indicates that approximately half of those within this occupation were engaged as air travel assistants or travel agents.

Factors such as consumer spending trends and environmental initiatives are expected to influence future demand for these roles.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA)

  • AVEA C/o Ground Floor, Unit 5, Sandyford Office Park, Sandyford Dublin 18
  • +353 (0)1 293 6807
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

  • Head Office, 44 Kildare St, Dublin 2
  • LoCall 0761 001 601 (+ 353 1 670 7444 outside Ireland)
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here