- Pursue relevant education. Some employers may require a bachelor’s degree, while others need only a high school diploma or certificate. …
- Gain experience. …
- Develop a professional network. …
- Perfect your social skills. …
- Identify a mentor.
How to Become a Tour Manager with Sam Jennings
What does a tour manager do?
The key responsibilities of a tour manager include:
Who is a tour manager?
A tour manager is a travel expert who oversees the smooth operation of travel, lodging, and other arrangements for event attendees, vacationers, and other groups. Tour guides accompany their clients throughout the tour and provide them with information about the itinerary, including the arrival and departure times, as well as the destinations.
How to become a tour manager
The fundamental steps you can follow to become a tour manager are as follows:
1. Pursue relevant education
Depending on the employer, a bachelor’s degree may be required, while others may only require a high school diploma or certificate. Most employers favor candidates with degrees in entrepreneurship, business management, music, communication, marketing, or a related field. Additional suggested courses to stand out from the competition include business law, psychology, logistics, accounting, or tourism and travel management.
2. Gain experience
Once you have earned your degree or certification, look for an internship opportunity so you can work as a tour manager’s assistant and learn more about the duties associated with this position. You could also decide to work as a tour guide volunteer and observe how they perform their duties. If your internship goes well, you might be eligible for an entry-level position with the same employer.
3. Develop a professional network
Establishing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with coworkers, partners, business executives, and other professionals is what networking entails. You can connect with potential employers, advisors, and mentors through networking. When you are still pursuing your education, during your internship, and over the course of your career, networking can begin at any time.
4. Perfect your social skills
You need to have excellent social skills if you want to be a great tour manager. Being able to speak in an approachable way and maintaining constant communication with curious visitors are requirements of the job. Being sociable also means that you are knowledgeable about topics that are pertinent to your itinerary, such as people’s cultures, geography, and tourist hotspots. By honing your social skills, you can make your clients’ tours more memorable and improve their overall experience.
5. Identify a mentor
Having a tour management mentor can help you learn more about the industry and get any questions you may have answered. A mentor can also give you moral support in trying times, like the period following a job loss. Most importantly, having a professional mentor shows that you are passionate and committed to your field, which gives you a leg up whenever a position opens up.
What skills should a tour manager have?
The following competencies are necessary for tour managers to succeed in their careers:
FAQ
What education do you need to be a tour manager?
There are several education requirements to become a Tour Manager. Tour Managers usually study Business, Communication or Marketing. Tour managers typically hold a bachelor’s degree (73%), while 12% hold an associate’s degree.
What skills are needed to be a tour manager?
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work handle stress.
- Time management skills.
- Knowledge of foreign languages.
- Organisational skills.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Problem solving skills.
- Customer friendliness.
What does a tour manager do?
Their responsibility is to ensure that everything proceeds without a hitch, which typically entails making travel arrangements, working with venues, managing finances, facilitating media interactions, and researching local services at each tour stop.
How much does a tour manager Charge?
A tour manager will typically charge more if they are also the artist’s personal manager. Tour managers working with bigger artists can charge anywhere from $5000 to $10000 per week, though they can occasionally charge as little as $2000 per week.
