tourist information centre assistant entry requirements

Tourist Information Centre Assistant

Tourist information centre assistants give information to visitors about transport, tourist attractions and local services and activities., what you will do:.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• answer customer queries in person, by phone and email
• do research using things like the internet, travel guides and timetables
• provide accurate information on things to see and do and where to stay
• make bookings for travel, entertainment, visitor attractions and accommodation
• set up displays within the centre and re-stock literature
• keep up to date with local accommodation, places to visit, activities and events
• act as an ambassador for the local area and attractions
• serve and sell souvenirs and other items from gift shop

You’ll need:

• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others ( teamwork skills )
• administration & organisational skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding

Entry Requirements:

Becoming a Tourist Information Centre Assistant doesn’t typically require specific subjects, but having a foundation in certain subjects and skills can be beneficial for pursuing a career in this field. Tourist Information Centre Assistants provide information and assistance to tourists, helping them make the most of their visits. Here’s a list of subjects and skills that can be helpful for this role:

• English: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for a Tourist Information Centre Assistant. You’ll be interacting with tourists and providing information and guidance, so effective communication is crucial.
• Mathematics: Basic math skills can be important for handling financial transactions, such as selling tickets or providing information about fees and charges.
• Geography: Knowledge of local geography and landmarks is important, as you’ll need to provide directions and recommendations to tourists.
• Foreign Languages: Proficiency in foreign languages can be a significant asset, especially if your location attracts tourists from various countries.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• applying directly

College You could take a college course like:

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

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
• the ability to speak one or more foreign languages

You may get tested on local knowledge and your ability to research queries.

Working Hours and Environment:

Your typical woking hours could be variable.

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

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could become a Tourist Information Centre (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.

Related Careers.

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Tourist information centre assistant

£15k - £25k

Typical salary

Hours per week

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

• Provide information and advice to tourists about local attractions, accommodation and transport
• You'll need to build up a good knowledge of the local area and have excellent communications skills
• Additional language skills are helpful but not essential

Tourist information centre assistants provide information and advice to tourists about travel, accommodation and things to see and do in the local area.

DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES

• 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

You might also be responsible for selling items like guidebooks, postcards and stamps, local craft items, gifts and souvenirs. You may also need to visit local attractions as part of your role, so you can recommend them to customers.

DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT

Your hours will vary depending on your location, but you may need to work weekends and bank holidays. Many jobs are part-time, and some Tourist Information Centres (TICs) only open for the summer season. You could work in a separate TIC building or in places like local authority offices, libraries, museums, ports and airports.

You'll need

There are no set entry requirements but it may help if you have GCSEs including English and maths, a good general knowledge of the local area and its attractions and facilities, a travel and tourism qualification, experience of customer service and cash handling, and the ability to speak one or more foreign languages. You'll also need customer service skills, listening skills and a desire to help, networking skills to build relationships with people like hotel and guesthouse owners, the ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure, and IT skills. To get started you could take a college course such as a Level 2 Award in the Principles of Customer Service in Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Level 2 Diploma in Travel and Tourism, or Level 3 Applied Certificate in Tourism.

CAREER PROSPECTS

With experience, you could become a TIC supervisor or manager. Alternatively, you could move into local authority tourism departments, regional or area tourist board jobs, or to other areas of the travel and tourism industry.

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Tourist information centre assistant

Help visitors to get the most out of your local area by telling them about transport and things to do.

Also known as: tourist information officer, tci

About the job

Source: National Careers Service

Entry level

Experienced

people are currently employed

100 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You would help visitors to get the most out of your local area by telling them about transport and things to do.

Answer customer queries in person, and by phone and email

Give information using computers, leaflets, timetables, guidebooks and national Tourist Information Centre (TIC) reference kits

Make bookings, for example for coach travel, theatre performances and accommodation

Set up displays within the centre, and keep the place tidy

Keep up to date with local accommodation, places to visit, activities and events

Restock literature

Sell goods like guidebooks, postcards and stamps, local craft items, gifts and souvenirs.

You may get the chance to visit local attractions so that you can recommend them to visitors.

Environment

Explore more information about this job.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:

What you need to know about jobs in travel and tourism

Like the sound of this career?

Browse courses in Scotland related to ' Tourist information centre assistant '

Select qualification level(s)

Other careers that you might like

• Resort representative
• Tour manager
• Tourist guide

Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

• attention to detail
• empathising
• verbal communication
• cooperating
• positive attitude

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website .

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

Administration and Information Technology

English and Communication

Gaelic (Learners)

People and Society

Social Subjects

Skills for Work: Travel and Tourism

There are no set entry requirements but a good general education is useful.

Due to the competitive nature of entry, studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) (SCQF level  7) or a Higher National Diploma (HND) (SCQF level  8) or a degree (SCQF level  9/10) in tourism may be useful.

For entry to an HNC or HND in tourism you usually need one to two Highers For some HND tourism courses you may need Higher English. 

For a degree in tourism you will need three to five Highers. For some degree level courses you may need Higher English and National 5 Maths.

Subjects that demonstrate your employability such as Skills for Work Travel and Tourism (SCQF level  4/5).

A qualification in sign language may be helpful but is not essential.

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What is a tourist information assistant and how to become one

A tourist information assistant delivers hospitality and translation services to tourists. They provide customer service and support, offering deals on tourist attractions, excursions, and cruises. They present detailed excursion and event information to traveling tourists to generate business. They assist with driver assistance and credit card reconciliation. They travel for educational purposes to promote tourism. They use cash registers and credit card machines, answer multiple phone lines, and direct callers to various departments. They represent their state in trade shows, conferences, and related events. They assist tourists in making reservations for accommodations and attractions. They maintain a friendly, professional appearance and develop accurate knowledge of tour sites and history. They suggest local attractions to guests and assist tourists with directions.

How long does it takes to become a tourist information assistant?

It typically takes 1-2 years to become a tourist information assistant:

• Years 1-2: Accumulating the necessary work experience in providing information to visitors, handling customer inquiries, and promoting tourism. This experience can be gained through entry-level positions or internships in tourist information centers, visitor bureaus, or travel agencies.

The timeline assumes that the aspiring tourist information assistant already has a high school diploma, which is the typical education requirement for this role. On-site and on-the-job training, which typically lasts less than a month, are also included in the work experience accumulation period.

Avg. Salary $34,070

Avg. Salary $59,228

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80 %

Asian 4.84 %

Black or African American 8.98 %

Hispanic or Latino 17.38 %

Unknown 4.24 %

White 63.76 %

female 50.00 %

male 50.00 %

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00 %

Asian 7.00 %

Black or African American 14.00 %

Hispanic or Latino 19.00 %

White 57.00 %

female 47.00 %

male 53.00 %

Stress level is high

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life balance is good

Key steps to become a tourist information assistant

Explore tourist information assistant education requirements.

The educational requirements for a tourist information assistant are typically a high school diploma or an associate's degree. According to the data, 66.93% of tourist information assistants have a high school diploma, while 22% have an associate's degree.

According to Jane Doe, a career counselor at XYZ University, "A high school diploma or an associate's degree in a relevant field such as hospitality, tourism, or communications can be beneficial for those seeking a career as a tourist information assistant. However, relevant work experience and strong communication skills are often more important than a specific degree."

Most common tourist information assistant degrees

Bachelor's

Master's

Complete relevant tourist information assistant training and internships

Research tourist information assistant duties and responsibilities.

Tourist information assistants provide top-notch service to visitors, offering advice on local attractions and helping them make reservations. They also handle customer service and support, including managing phone lines and processing transactions. Additionally, they stay informed about the history and sites of the area they serve, and may even travel for promotional events.

• Assist with client management of Medicaid population-transportation, faxing of client information to manage care plan and physicians.
• Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.

Prepare your tourist information assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tourist information assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tourist information assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Tourist Information Assistant Resume templates

Apply for tourist information assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a tourist information assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
• Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Tourist Information Assistant Job

Are you a Tourist Information Assistant?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average tourist information assistant salary

The average Tourist Information Assistant salary in the United States is $34,070 per year or $16 per hour. Tourist information assistant salaries range between $23,000 and $49,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do tourist information assistants rate their job?

Updated June 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Search Tourist Information Assistant Opportunities

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

• Answer customer queries in person, by phone and email
• Do research using things like the internet, travel guides and timetables
• Provide accurate information on things to see and do and where to stay
• Make bookings for travel, entertainment, visitor attractions and accommodation
• Set up displays within the centre and re-stock literature
• Keep up to date with local accommodation, places to visit, activities and events
• Act as an ambassador for the local area and attractions
• Serve and sell souvenirs and other items from gift shop

As a Tourist Information Centre Assistant, you could work at an information centre, at an airport, at a port or in a museum.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Tourist Information Centre Assistants tend to work between 28 to 30 hours a week. You could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays. 

Starting: £15,000

Experienced: £25,000

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
• the ability to speak one or more foreign languages                                                                                                            

You could apply directly for jobs or you could take a college course like Level 2 Award in the Principles of Customer Service in Leisure, Travel and Tourism. You may need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course. 

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Tourist information centre assistant

Average annual salary

£15,000 to £25,000

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

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

DirectApplication

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
• 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.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• administration skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding

What you'll do:

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

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• answer customer queries in person, by phone and email
• do research using things like the internet, travel guides and timetables
• provide accurate information on things to see and do and where to stay
• make bookings for travel, entertainment, visitor attractions and accommodation
• set up displays within the centre and re-stock literature
• keep up to date with local accommodation, places to visit, activities and events
• act as an ambassador for the local area and attractions
• serve and sell souvenirs and other items from gift shop

Location : You could work at an information centre, at an airport, at a port or in a museum. Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Starter : £15,000 Experienced : £25,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

28 - 30 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a Tourist Information Centre (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.

Related Jobs

Airline customer service agent, resort representative, airport information assistant, customer service assistant, entry requirements.

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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)

£15000 to £25000 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

28.0 to 30.0 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• applying directly

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), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

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
• 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.

Career Tips

You're likely to find paid or volunteer work with local authority tourist information centres, national parks, museums and sites of cultural and historical interest.

What it takes

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

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• administration skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• 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.

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• answer customer queries in person, by phone and email
• do research using things like the internet, travel guides and timetables
• provide accurate information on things to see and do and where to stay
• make bookings for travel, entertainment, visitor attractions and accommodation
• set up displays within the centre and re-stock literature
• keep up to date with local accommodation, places to visit, activities and events
• act as an ambassador for the local area and attractions
• serve and sell souvenirs and other items from gift shop

Working environment

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

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and simliar opportunities.

With experience, you could become a Tourist Information Centre (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.

Related careers

• Airline customer service agent
• Resort representative
• Airport information assistant
• Customer service assistant

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Tourist information centre assistant apprenticeships

Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c. > Tourist Information Assistant

Retail and sales | Sports and leisure | Travel and tourism

Tourist information centre assistant

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

You can get into this job through

• a college course
• applying directly

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

Direct Application

• 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) 

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 
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

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

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.

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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)

£15000 to £25000 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

28.0 to 30.0 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• applying directly

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), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

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
• 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.

Career Tips

You're likely to find paid or volunteer work with local authority tourist information centres, national parks, museums and sites of cultural and historical interest.

What it takes

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

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• administration skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• 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.

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• answer customer queries in person, by phone and email
• do research using things like the internet, travel guides and timetables
• provide accurate information on things to see and do and where to stay
• make bookings for travel, entertainment, visitor attractions and accommodation
• set up displays within the centre and re-stock literature
• keep up to date with local accommodation, places to visit, activities and events
• act as an ambassador for the local area and attractions
• serve and sell souvenirs and other items from gift shop

Working environment

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

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and simliar opportunities.

With experience, you could become a Tourist Information Centre (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.

Related careers

• Airline customer service agent
• Resort representative
• Airport information assistant
• Customer service assistant

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Tourist Information Center Assistant Careers

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Job descriptions and industry overviews

Tourist information manager: job description.

targetjobs editorial team

25 Jan 2023, 13:39

Tourist information managers and officers manage services that promote and supply information to the general public about local and regional visitor attractions, accommodation, transport, amenities and events.

The UK tourism industry is a multi-billion pound industry employing millions of members of staff.

What does a tourist information centre manager do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Due to Covid-19, you may find it difficult to gain work or experience in the tourism industry. As we explain here , however, recruiters will not view time out of work due to the pandemic as a 'gap' in your CV. For guidance on searching for work during this difficult time, take a look at our advice for job hunting during a pandemic .

The work of a tourist information manager may include supervising staff, preparing publicity materials and displays, answering queries from the public, administering accommodation services, selling souvenirs and taking bookings.

Other tasks include:

• marketing services
• centre management and administration
• maintaining statistical and financial records
• investigating and publicising visitor attractions and ensuring information held is current.

Some evening, weekend and public holiday work may be required during peak tourist seasons. Promotional opportunities are available for employees who are willing to change job location or to move into related areas of employment.

Typical employers

• Local authorities
• Commercial landowners
• Tourist information departments
• Commercial tourist attractions
• National parks
• Wildlife trusts
• The Forestry Commission
• The National Trust
• English Heritage.

Vacancies are advertised online, by careers services and in relevant publications such as Leisure Management and Marketing Week , as well as their online equivalents.

Qualifications and training required

There are routes into tourist information for both university graduates and school leavers.

A language, travel, tourism, business studies, marketing or geography degree may be helpful; however, commercial experience and the right soft skills are often more important than relevant qualifications.

Relevant work experience is essential and can be gained via seasonal employment, or by working as a volunteer or paid assistant in a tourist information centre. Language skills may also be useful.

Key skills for tourist information centre managers

• Good local knowledge
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• Communication skills
• Resourcefulness
• Commercial awareness
• Adaptability.

targetjobs editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the targetjobs content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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Tourist information centre manager

Tourist information centre managers oversee services that provide information and promote the local area and attractions to visitors and locals

As the manager of a tourist information centre, you'll promote the local services available, including:

• accommodation
• leisure facilities
• visitor attractions.

You'll book accommodation, sell tickets for local events, order and sell gifts and souvenirs, run special events and generate marketing opportunities.

Your management duties will include the daily running of the centre, networking, staff management and recruitment, and ensuring targets are met.

Tourist information centres are also known as visitor information centres, so jobs may be advertised as visitor information centre manager.

Responsibilities

As a tourist information centre manager, you'll need to:

• publicise the centre's services and implement marketing strategies to raise the profile of the centre, increase footfall and sales, and generate more income
• marketing may include managing social media and creating promotional campaigns
• control and monitor the centre's budget to make sure targets are met in the most cost-effective way
• gather information on, and work with, local businesses and visitor attractions
• buy merchandise and souvenirs for the tourist market to sell in the gift shop
• research and visit attractions and accommodation
• keep up to date with changes in tourist activities and events
• plan and organise events
• produce guides and other marketing literature
• communicate information to members of the public and deal with enquiries in person and by post, email, social media and phone
• operate accommodation and other booking services, selling tickets for travel and local events
• ensure the centre is well presented, organised, easy to use and accessible, and that leaflets and posters are well stocked
• prepare reports for senior management and attend meetings with senior managers and tourism businesses
• manage the recruitment and training of staff
• supervise staff and volunteers, assigning responsibilities and delegating tasks accordingly
• work out staff rotas and cover for the centre.
• Starting salaries for tourist information centre officers or assistants range from £15,000 to £20,000.
• With experience and progressing to a supervisor level, you could earn up to £25,000.
• If you're in a managerial role, you can expect to earn in the region of £25,000 to £35,000.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll usually work around 37 hours a week over five days, often including weekends. Part-time, temporary or seasonal work is common.

Some centres, particularly in urban areas, are open seven days a week, including bank holidays. In smaller places, however, centres may have reduced opening hours during the winter or be closed on certain days and only open, for example, at the weekend when people are more likely to visit.

What to expect

• Tourist information centres exist in most cities and many towns and in rural areas of interest to tourists and visitors. They can also be found in libraries, ports, motorway services and airports.
• As this is a public-facing role you'll be required to dress smartly, possibly even in uniform.
• You can be very busy, particularly in the tourist season when you have to deal with a large number of enquiries.
• Most travel in the working day is local, mainly to visit attractions, events and businesses.
• You may need to travel to other centres to compare working practices and systems, and to attend conferences or trade events, which may be held anywhere in the UK. This could mean the occasional overnight absence from home.

Qualifications

You don't need a degree to become a tourist information centre manager. You could start as an assistant and, with experience, work your way up to the role of manager. You could also move across from another retail or customer-focused job.

Entry is possible with a degree in any subject but useful degree, HND or foundation subjects include:

• archive and museum studies
• business or management studies
• information technology
• librarianship or information management
• modern languages
• politics, government or public administration
• travel, tourism or leisure studies.

Personal qualities and proven business skills are seen as just as important for the role as academic qualifications.

You'll need to have:

• excellent communication skills for dealing with customers and contacts in local businesses and visitor attractions
• good interpersonal and management skills to lead a team of staff
• a methodical, motivated and customer-focused approach to work
• an enthusiastic, friendly and confident manner
• problem-solving ability and negotiating skills to successfully run the centre
• knowledge of the UK, especially the area where you're applying for work
• IT skills to help with website development, social media, e-commerce and online booking
• business or commercial awareness
• language skills - not essential but can be useful for speaking to tourists from different countries.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience in the tourism, travel or leisure industry is important, especially in a busy front-line role dealing with the public. Part-time, and in some cases seasonal, opportunities are available in:

• tourist information centres
• local authority leisure departments
• travel agencies
• tour companies.

Experience in retail, marketing or the information sector (for example, in a library or museum) is also useful.

Some tourism-related degrees include an optional work placement year that can help you build up relevant experience. Getting involved with local groups or associations is also useful and shows your commitment to the area.

Many tourist information centre managers have had previous jobs in other related sectors and use the skills and experience they've built up to move into managing a tourist information centre.

Find out more about the different kinds of  work experience and internships  that are available.

The main employers of tourist information centre managers are local authorities, usually district, borough or city councils.

Other employers include:

• national parks
• wildlife trusts
• water authorities
• private tourist attractions
• area tourism partnerships
• the National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland
• English Heritage
• The Forestry Commission.

Funding for tourist information centres is no longer guaranteed and councils have had to make cutbacks in recent years. This, along with more people accessing information on the internet, has created some uncertainty about the future of tourist centres. The use of volunteers has also made paid positions more competitive.

In some cases, where funding is limited or removed altogether, tourist information centres have survived by merging with council one-stop shops and offering a reduced service, or by moving into the private sector and merging with local businesses or attractions.

Look for job vacancies at:

• jobsgopublic
• local authority and council websites - for contact and website details, search Find your local council .
• Local Government Jobs
• Tourism Management Institute - vacancies accessible to TMI members.

Professional development

Most of your training will be on the job. You may receive induction training and there may also be opportunities to attend training and courses on specific topics, such as:

• customer care
• merchandising
• disability awareness
• management.

You'll also be required to familiarise yourself with local attractions and facilities.

Funding for training may be available from your local authority. You're largely responsible for your own continuing professional development (CPD) and will need to identify your own training needs, e.g. in managing staff, and then look out for relevant training opportunities.

Becoming a member of a professional body can be useful for networking and professional development opportunities, and give you access to the latest industry news. Relevant organisations include:

• Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT)
• Tourism Management Institute
• The Tourism Society

The national tourism resource Visit Britain provides useful news, insights and resources for tourism professionals.

Career prospects

You may begin your career as a tourist information centre assistant. With experience, there may be opportunities to move into a supervisory position and on to manager level. Alternatively, you may move sideways into the role from a management post in a related sector.

Career development may involve moving into other local government posts within tourism or marketing. Another possibility is to join one of the regional or national tourist boards, where the work may involve the development of the tourism strategy for the area and marketing the region to visitors.

The experience you gain as a tourist information centre manager can also be used in information services, for example, in libraries and information management. However, for this type of move, a postgraduate qualification may be necessary. Alternatively, you could move into the retail sector or the service or hospitality industries.

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• Home: Explore careers

Tourist guide

Alternative titles for this job include tour guide, blue badge guide.

Tourist guides show visitors around places of interest like cities, historic buildings and art galleries.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

28 to 30 seasonal

You could work

freelance / self-employed flexibly

How to become

How to become tourist guide.

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• a college course
• volunteering
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by private training organisations

You could do a travel and tourism qualification like:

• Level 2 Certificate in Travel and Tourism
• Level 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism

This will give you an insight into the tourist industry and help you develop some of the skills to work as a tourist guide.

Having a language like French, German, Italian or Spanish, or a history qualification can also be useful for this type of role.

Entry requirements

You may need:

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

More Information

• search for courses
• funding advice
• equivalent entry requirements

Apprenticeship

You may be able to gain some of the skills needed in this role through apprenticeships like:

• Level 2 Customer service practitioner
• Level 3 Event assistant
• Level 3 Cultural learning and participation officer

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

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

Volunteering

Organisations like the National Trust and English Heritage offer opportunities to gain experience as a tour guide through volunteering.

Direct Application

Many people become tourist guides as a second career, for example teachers who want to work during school holidays or actors who need work between acting roles.

If you have customer service, teaching or language skills or you have experience of working with people, you may be able to apply directly.

Other Routes

You can do 3 levels of training to get a tour guide badge:

• level 2 - white badge
• level 3 - green badge
• level 4 - blue badge

You can apply to local tourist guide associations for training, or major tourist attractions that run their own schemes.

Guide London offers blue badge training, which usually takes around 18 months, and some heritage organisations, like York Minster , have their own training courses.

Career tips

An outgoing and friendly personality, plus being able to speak a second or third language, will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Experience of dealing with the public and giving presentations will also help.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a guide from the Institute of Tourist Guiding .

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• sensitivity and understanding
• an interest and knowledge of history
• a good memory
• knowledge of English language
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

In this role you could:

• guide people around a castle, gallery, historic house or garden
• escort groups of tourists around a site
• give information about the history, purpose and architecture of a site
• accompany groups on day tours to a number of places of interest
• answer questions and suggest other places to visit
• organise or arrange for additional trips and visits

Working environment

You could work at monuments and castles, in a museum, at an art gallery or in parks and gardens.

Your working environment may be physically active, outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

With experience you could work for a tour operator as a regional tour supervisor or manager.

Current opportunities

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Courses In England

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• Start date: 09 September 2024
• Location: Brighton

Applied Diploma in Tourism

• Provider: ST PETER'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE
• Start date: 04 September 2024
• Location: Gloucester

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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How to become a Tourist Information Officer

Tourist information officers provide travel, hospitality and accommodation information to tourists, promote tourism, and assess tourist opportunities for local communities.

• Related Courses

Personal requirements for a Tourist Information Officer

• Enjoy working with people
• Good interpersonal, communication and customer service skills
• Good organisational skills
• Comfortable working with computers
• Good geographical knowledge

Education & Training for a Tourist Information Officer

You can work as a tourist information officer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. You can also become a tourist information officer through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional information

A highly desirable skill amongst tourist information officers is the ability to speak a second language. Most people are expected to have a strong retail background or qualifications in hospitality and tourism.Tourist information officers have to be familiar with all the tour operators and the various attractions and services in their region. As part of ongoing training, they take part in industry familiarisations, going to hotels or motels to personally rate the accommodation.

Duties & Tasks of a Tourist Information Officer

Tourist information officers:

• Answer questions from tourists, visitors, local residents and other tourism industry colleagues, in person, over the phone, via email or online
• Make suggestions on tours, travel routes, accommodation and local attractions
• Provide literature and information on local, interstate and international tours and places of interest
• Maintain literature and brochure stocks
• Sell souvenirs and other merchandise
• Discuss transport, accommodation and tour availability and cost
• Arrange bookings and documentation for travel and accommodation, and collect payment
• Assist travel agents and tour operators in preparing itineraries for tourists
• Undertake general clerical and office duties
• Coordinate volunteer or part-time staff
• Put together statistics concerning the number and nature of enquiries
• Be responsible for overall presentation of the information centre.
• Provides literature and information on local and inter-island tours and places of interest.
• May work in a call centre.
• Discusses transport availability and cost.
• Answers inquiries from tourists and offers suggestions about tours, travel routes, accommodation and local customs.

Employment Opportunities for a Tourist Information Officer

Tourist information officers are employed in a wide range of agencies in the tourism and hospitality industry, and in private and government organisations involved in tourist promotion, planning and development. Tourism officers can be involved in providing information on and promoting travel to the local area, the state or international destinations.Despite tourism being important in the Australian economy, some small tourist information centres are staffed by volunteers and do not hire professional staff. Some larger centres are broadening their scope and employing staff with higher levels of training.

Specializations

Tourism manager.

A tourism manager manages a tourism information centre, which includes business management, staff supervision and development, office systems management and the provision of services. Tourism managers may also act as the executive officer for the local tourism committee and make sure services are in place to respond to day-to-day tourism enquiries. They check and regularly report to management on the status of the tourism marketing budget and on tourism awareness or new initiatives on behalf of the employers to industry, media, community or interest groups. They may also contribute to the planning, development and implementation of tourism marketing strategies and encourage community involvement and awareness.

Tourist Information Officer

Average age

Future Growth

Gender Share

Average full-time

Skill level rating

Very high skill.

Unemployment

Average unemployment.

Full-Time Share

Employment Size

Employment by state

Age brackets

Education level

Related courses.

Associate Degree in Tourism

William angliss institute vic.

Bachelor of Arts (Global Studies)

University of canberra.

Associate Degree of International Hotel and Tourism Management

Southern cross university, bachelor of business and enterprise, bachelor of arts.

Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

University of newcastle, bachelor of development studies / bachelor of social science, bachelor of social science, bachelor of tourism, hospitality and events, bachelor of arts/ bachelor of event and tourism management, graduate diploma of business in global hotel leadership, request information update, media presenter, museum attendant, travel consultant.

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Tourist Guide

The job and what's involved.

Tourist guides accompany visitors to sites or areas of interest. They use their knowledge and expertise to make sure that visitors get the most from their visit. Guides occasionally work with individuals but usually look after groups ranging from a few people up to around 50.

The work of a tourist guide may involve:

• Taking visitors around cities, religious sites, historic buildings, industrial heritage sites, gardens, museums and other places of interest.
• Providing detailed information about a site's history, purpose, inhabitants, architecture, furniture, paintings, ornaments, flora and animal life.
• Answering questions and possibly directing visitors to other places of interest and related sites.

Tourist guides may work with British and overseas tourists. Some conduct tours in one or more foreign languages.

Guides can be based in one place, such as a cathedral, castle or historic house. Others accompany individuals or groups on day tours - on foot, in coaches, trains or ships, or perhaps on bicycles or horseback.

They may take visitors around a village or town, a city and its surrounding countryside, or a region. Some work as 'driver guides', driving small parties of tourists in cars or minibuses.

Guides who have the 'Blue Badge' qualification may carry out a variety of work, from sightseeing coach tours to tailor-made tours for special-interest groups. They may work with groups of first-time visitors to the UK, individual politicians, businesspeople, or even visiting world leaders.

Guides sometimes specialise in particular types of tours, for example, gardens or art galleries.

Working hours vary considerably. Many guides only work during the summer months. They often work long hours during the busy tourist season, sometimes 40 or more hours a week. They may have early starts and late finishes. If they work in a historic building, their hours are likely to depend on its opening times. Evening and weekend work is common.

Guides work indoors and outdoors and can be on their feet for long periods of time. Some may spend time away from home.

Starting salaries may be around £11,920 a year. Experienced guides may earn around £12,000 to £18,000.

Getting Started with this Career Choice

The number of tourist guides has remained stable during recent years, although opportunities are limited. The Institute of Tourist Guiding has around 2,000 'Green Badge' and 'Blue Badge' guide members in the UK. About 800 of them work in London. The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides represents around 1,900 guides across the UK. There are also some guides who do not belong to these organisations. Volunteer guides are numerous.

A large number of guides who earn money from guiding are self-employed. Some visitor attractions and historic properties, such as those run by The National Trust, employ guides, particularly during the summer.

Guides can advertise their services through the Institute of Tourist Guiding and other guide organisations. They may also find work through guide booking agencies.

Education and Training

There are no set entry requirements. GCSE's (A*-C) and A levels are useful, and some guides have a degree. It helps to have studied history or to have other specialist knowledge. Guides need a good knowledge of the subject area to be covered.

Fluency in at least one foreign language can be a great advantage. Any foreign language spoken by visiting tourists is useful, but the greatest demand is for German, Italian, French and Spanish. A high level of language ability may be required. Many guides working in a foreign language are native speakers who now live in the UK.

Although not essential, it can be helpful to have a tourism-related qualification before training as a guide. Examples include:

• BTEC Level 2 Certificate in preparation for tourist guiding.
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in travel and tourism services, which can include guiding as a specialisation.

The Diploma in travel and tourism may be relevant for this area of work.

For many, tourist guiding is a second career. People with a wide variety of backgrounds become guides, and experience of working with people is especially useful. Tourist guiding is often combined with another occupation. For example, teachers and lecturers can work as tourist guides during holiday periods, and 'resting' actors sometimes train as tourist guides.

The Institute of Tourist Guiding offers qualifications at three levels and accredits courses that are run by colleges and training providers.

The three levels of qualifications include:

Level 2 - covering commentary or presentation on one fixed route, which could be in a gallery, cathedral or stately home, or perhaps an open-top bus.

Level 3 - the 'Green Badge' - introducing and training guides to work in two contrasting environments, such as on a walk and at a historic site, often within a town or city.

Level 4 - the 'Blue Badge', for guides who can work in a range of environments, such as on a site, walk, or moving vehicle. It also covers working in a wider geographical area or region, along with tour planning and management skills. Many tourist guides train for the 'Blue Badge' qualification, which is essential to work in certain places, such as Windsor Castle or Westminster Abbey.

Courses are usually part time, with attendance during the evenings and at weekends. Those attending must pay their own course fees.

Apart from the London Blue Badge course, few courses are available on a regular basis. Courses outside London usually take place when there is sufficient local demand. The Institute of Tourist Guiding has a waiting list of people who are interested in training in their local area.

A Few More Exams You Might Need

Once in employment, guides may study for Institute of Tourist Guiding qualifications unless they already have them. Owners of sites and visitor attractions may provide their own training for in-house guides.

It is important that guides keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Institute of Tourist Guiding members, for example, can follow a continuing professional development (CPD) scheme. It includes activities such as personal research, taking courses and attending conferences and exhibitions.

Featured Job Guide - Oil Drilling Roustabout

Oil Drilling Roustabouts and Roughnecks work as part of a small team on offshore oil or gas drilling rigs or production platforms. Roustabouts do unskilled manual labouring jobs on rigs and platforms, and Roughneck is a promotion from roustabout.

Roustabouts do basic tasks to help keep the rig and platform working efficiently and Roughnecks do practical tasks involved in the drilling operation, under the supervision of the driller.

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Skills and Personal Qualities Needed

A tourist guide should:

• Have a clear voice.
• Be confident when speaking to groups of people.
• Be enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their subject.
• Be able to absorb and remember large amounts of information.
• Have patience.
• Be able to keep track of people in a group.
• Be flexible and able to cope with emergencies or unexpected incidents.
• Have stamina.
• Provide a high level of customer service.
• Be fluent in another language or languages, if working with non-English speaking tourists.

Your Long Term Prospects

Some experienced guides work as guide trainers. It may be possible to work for a tour operator as a tour manager.

Guides may also enter other areas of travel and tourism, such as travel agency or tourist information centre work.

Get Further Information

Association of Professional Tourist Guides, 128 Theobald's Road, London WC1X 8TN Tel: 020 7611 2545 Website: www.aptg.org.uk

The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides, The Guild House, 52d Borough High Street, London SE1 1XN Tel: 020 7403 1115 Website: www.blue-badge-guides.com

Institute of Tourist Guiding, Coppergate House, 16 Brune Street, Poplar, London E1 7NJ Tel: 020 7953 8397 Website: www.itg.org.uk

Institute of Travel and Tourism, PO Box 217, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 8WY Tel: 0844 499 5653 Website: www.itt.co.uk

People 1st, Second Floor, Armstrong House, 38 Market Square, Uxbridge UB8 1LH Tel: 01895 857000 Website: www.people1st.co.uk

Other Related Jobs

• Event Organiser
• Holiday Centre Worker/Manager
• Holiday Representative
• Museum Visitor Services Assistant
• Tour Manager
• Tourist Information Centre Assistant
• Travel Agent

Additional resources

Additional articles for job seekers and those already in a job .

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