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Tourist information centre assistant

Tourist information centre assistants give information to visitors about transport, tourist attractions and local services and activities.

Average salary (a year)

£14,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

28 to 30 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

How to become a tourist information centre assistant

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • applying directly

College

You could take a college course like:

  • Level 2 Award in the Principles of Customer Service in Leisure, Travel and Tourism
  • Level 2 Diploma in Travel and Tourism
  • Level 3 Applied Certificate in Tourism

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course

More information

Direct application

You could apply directly for jobs. There are no set entry requirements but it may help if you have:

  • a good knowledge of the local area and its attractions and facilities
  • experience of customer service and cash handling
  • the ability to speak one or more foreign languages
  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C)
You may get tested on local knowledge and your ability to research queries. 

More information

Further information

You can find out more about working in travel and tourism from the Hospitality Guild.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • administration skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties might include:

  • answering customer queries in person, by phone and email
  • finding information using computer systems, leaflets, timetables, guidebooks and national tourist information centre (TIC) reference kits
  • making bookings for coach travel, theatre performances and accommodation
  • setting up displays within the centre and re-stocking literature
  • keeping up to date with local accommodation, places to visit, activities and events

Working environment

You could work at an information centre, at an airport building, at a library, at a port or in a museum.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a TIC supervisor or manager.

You could also move into local authority tourism departments, regional or area tourist board jobs, or to other areas of the travel and tourism industry.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a tourist information centre assistant right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

TRAVEL AND TOURISM EXTENDED CERTIFICATE LEVEL 2

  • Provider: Southport College
  • Start date: 02 September 2019
  • Location: Southport

Extended Certificate in Travel & Tourism Level 2

  • Provider: Lincoln College
  • Start date: 02 September 2019
  • Location: Lincoln
Find courses near you

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