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Tour/holiday representative

Tour/holiday representatives look after groups of tourists staying at international resorts, where they are responsible for every aspect of their holiday.

People from the UK jointly take over 10,000,000 holidays abroad every year.

Tour and holiday representative job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Holiday representatives are responsible for ensuring that holidays run smoothly and fulfil all of their promises. Typical duties involve:

undertaking pre-holiday research into local facilities
inspecting hotel safety and cleanliness
offering sightseeing advice
organising and leading excursions and entertainment
liaising with accommodation owners, agents, coach companies etc
problem solving
resolving conflict with clients
referring complaints and problems to senior management
writing reports.

Tour representatives may be 'on call' 24 hours a day. The work is not particularly well paid, but food and lodging are usually factored in. While it can be stressful at times, there is also a lot of fun involved.

Typical employers of tour and holiday representatives

travel agents
hotels
private villa and apartment owners
tour and coach operators
camping holiday companies
sports and sailing clubs.

Vacancies are advertised via the internet, in newspapers and trade publications including Overseas Jobs, The Travel Trade Gazette and Travel Weekly. Networking and speculative applications are advisable, for which the Travel Trades Gazette Directory may be helpful.

A few companies operate head office-based graduate training schemes. Paid summer vacation jobs may also be available with some employers. Applications for these should be made during the autumn prior to entry.

Qualifications and training required

The competition for places can make relevant experience or qualifications necessary. These include degrees or NVQs in leisure, travel, tourism, management, business, languages or hotel and catering management.

Experience gained within the hotel, tourism or travel trades (particularly overseas) are advantageous. Familiarity and knowledge of key holiday destinations, foreign language skills, first aid or a driving licence can also be useful.