Tour Manager Duties & Responsibilities
The role and function of a Tour Manager includes the following duties and responsibilities:
- Accompany groups travelling by coach, or in some cases by car, boat, train or plane
- Welcome groups of holidaymakers at their starting point and announce details of travel arrangements and stop-over points
- Check tickets and other relevant documents, seat allocations and any special requirements
- Help with passport and immigration issues
- Assist holidaymakers with check-in and settle them into their accommodation
- Communicate a range of information on itineraries, destinations and culture
- Inform passengers of arrival and departure times at each destination on the itinerary and ensure that all members of the group are back on the coach before departing from each stop
- Develop a specialist area of knowledge
- Use professional knowledge to answer questions from holidaymakers and to fulfil their expectations of the tour
- Make sure all travel arrangements run according to plan and that accommodation, meals and service are satisfactory
- Organise entry to attractions and transport, such as car hire
- Ensure that the tour is running smoothly for individual members of the group
- Respond to questions and offer help with any problems that arise, ranging from simple matters, such as directing a member of the group to the nearest chemist, to more serious issues, such as tracing lost baggage
- Deal with emergencies, such as helping a holidaymaker who is ill or those needing to contact family members urgently
- Make contact in advance with places to stay or visit to check details and arrangements
- Liaise with hotels, coach companies, restaurants and other clients
- Advise about facilities, such as sights, restaurants and shops, at each destination
- Occasionally make accommodation bookings on proposed dates
- Organise and attend tourism events, conferences, workshops, seminars and exhibitions
- Write reports and maintain records
- Provide feedback after a tour as part of a debrief session.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Tour Manager duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Tour Manager roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.