subject: Tour Operator Jobs Can You Make The Grade? [print this page] This article will discuss one of the key roles in the travel industry - tour operator jobs. Just what skills will you need to possess to be considered for this kind of position, and what are the general responsibilities that apply to tour operator jobs?
The Role
Tour operator jobs can be an exciting and rewarding career choice. In a nutshell, tour operators liaise with hotels, airlines and other transport companies in order to arrange and create holidays that they then sell on to their clients. They promote these packages or offers through different avenues including travel agents, travel websites and brochures. They can provide travel-centric advice on transport, accommodation and excursions in a customers chosen destination. Specifically, tour operators specialise in creating multifaceted, tailor-made holidays. An operator may be employed by a company or work as a self-employed tour operator. Should you secure a role as a tour operator, you could be working across a wide variety of destinations and types of holidays, or you could find yourself working for a specialist company who concentrate on one destination, or one type of holiday - for example a company that concentrates on skiing holidays in France.
Qualifications
As opposed to travel agent jobs, tour operator jobs do not necessarily require specific qualifications, but good A-level, degree and diploma grades would, of course, be regarded favourably. If you do not have any of these qualifications then you will need to posses some level of work experience in the industry. Good communication skills and an efficient, friendly telephone manner are also essential. You may sometimes find apprenticeships offered as junior tour operators, but if you want to progress into more managerial roles, a relevant degree or diploma in travel and tourism or hospitality is a good idea. An excellent qualification to obtain, if this is the area you would like to work in, is a Certificate in Travel (Tour Operators).
Tour Operator Role
Tour operator jobs will require you to perform a wide variety of tasks, and excellent time management skills are necessary. You will need a good grasp of geography and, more specifically, have an excellent understanding of the destinations to which your company specialises in order to give optimum advice to customers, whether face to face or over the phone (this will depend on the type of company who employs you). You will be required to create complicated itineraries and travel arrangements with airlines, coach operators, train and other transport companies, to include all the elements your clients require for their holiday. You will also need to forge and maintain good working relationships with hotels and excursion companies.
Other aspects of tour operator jobs include attendance at trade shows, making presentations to various travel groups, as well as administrational and financial duties. There will also be a certain amount of travel involved, and you will need to visit new destinations to research possible hotels, excursions and local attractions.
The role of a tour operator is diverse and one day you may be in the office, while the next you could be on a plane heading to a potential new hotel, or setting up a stand at a trade show. You will need to be confident and comfortable talking to people and forging new working relationships - this job is not for the shrinking violets!
by: Barbara Kolosinska
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