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Tour manager

Alternative titles for this job include Travel manager, tour supervisor

Tour managers manage the travel arrangements of holidaymakers and business clients to make sure their trips run smoothly.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

28 to 30 seasonal

You could work

on call as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Tour manager

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like travel and tourism management, although this isn't essential.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could take a college course like a Level 4 Diploma in Tourism Management, which may give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job through a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could move into this job after getting experience in a related role like a travel agent, tour guide or tour rep.

Direct Application

You can apply for jobs directly if you have:

  • experience of working with people
  • a friendly and approachable manner
  • a keen interest in the culture, geography and history of the locations covered by the tour
  • a good working knowledge of foreign languages if touring overseas
  • experience of working overseas if the job you're applying for is based abroad
Employers may ask for a good general standard of education, like some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), particularly in maths and English. 

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Travel & Tourism, which offers industry training courses, news and networking opportunities to members.

Further information

You can find more information on careers in the travel industry from the Institute of Travel & Tourism.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work in a hotel or in holiday accomodation.

Your working environment may be crowded, outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Travel Consultant Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: 145 GRANVILLE STREET, BIRMINGHAM

Apprentice Sports Travel Consultant (Salary - £15,600)

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: THE GLASS BOX, 6 FRIENDLY STREET, HUDDERSFIELD
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

FdA TOURISM MANAGEMENT

  • Provider: TEC PARTNERSHIP
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Grimsby

FdA Tourism and Events Management

  • Provider: NEW COLLEGE DURHAM
  • Start date: 13 January 2026
  • Location: Durham
Find courses near you

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