Tourist information centre manager

Tourist information centre managers are in charge of managing employees and activities of a centre which provides information and advice to travellers and visitors about local attractions, events, travelling and accommodation.

The following job titles also refer to tourist information centre manager:

tourist information centre (TIC) manager
tourist information supervisor
tourist information centre supervisor
tourist information point manager

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as tourist information centre manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Tourist information centre manager is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to tourist information centre manager.

tour operators manager
hospitality entertainment manager
accommodation manager
camping ground manager
travel agency manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of tourist information centre manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of tourist information centre manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

destination manager
tourist animator
tourism product manager
customer experience manager
hospitality revenue manager

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of tourist information centre manager.

Local area tourism industry: The characteristics of local sights and events, accommodation, bars and restaurants and leisure activities.
Tourism market: The study of the tourism market on a international, regional and local level and considering worldwide tourist destinations.
Geographical areas relevant to tourism: The field of tourism geography in Europe as well as the rest of the world in order to point out relevant tourism areas and attractions.

These skills are necessary for the role of tourist information centre manager.

Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
Distribute local information materials: Hand out leaflets, maps and tour brochures to visitors with information and tips about local sites, attractions and events.
Comply with food safety and hygiene: Respect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Provide tourism related information: Give customers relevant information about historical and cultural locations and events while conveying this information in an entertaining and informative manner.
Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
Develop financial statistics reports: Create financial and statistical reports based on collected data which are to be presented to managing bodies of an organisation.
Handle personal identifiable information: Administer sensitive personal information on customers securely and discreetly
Oversee the design of touristic publications: Monitor the design of marketing publications and materials for the promotion of tourism-related products.
Oversee the printing of touristic publications: Manage the printing of marketing publications and materials for the promotion of tourism-related products.
Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
Keep up to date on local events: Follow the information about upcoming events, services or activities by checking information sheets and online communication.
Design materials for multimedia campaigns: Draft and develop materials to be produced for a multimedia campaign, keeping in mind budgeting, scheduling and production.
Maintain customer records: Keep and store structured data and records about customers in accordance with customer data protection and privacy regulations.
Build a network of contacts with suppliers of tourist services: Establish a widely spread network of suppliers in the tourism industry. Prepare the best possible package and tourist services.
Respond to customers’ inquiries: Answer customers’ questions about itineraries, rates and reservations in person, by mail, by e-mail and on the phone.
Apply foreign languages in tourism: Use the mastery of foreign languages orally or written in the tourism sector in order to communicate with collaborators or customers.
Handle touristic quantitative data: Gather, process and present quantitative data in the touristic sector about attractions, events, travelling and accommodation.
Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Develop tourist information materials: Create documents such as leaflets, brochures or city guides to inform tourists about local, cultural, social and historical activities and places of interest.
Analyse data about clients: Study data about clients, visitors, customers or guests. Gather, process and analyse data about their characteristics, needs and buying behaviours.
Assess an area as a tourism destination: Evaluate an area by analysing its typology, characteristics and its application as a tourist resource.
Build business relationships: Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.
Develop strategies for accessibility: Create strategies for a business to enable optimum accessibility for all clients.
Manage medium term objectives: Monitor medium term schedules with budget estimations and reconciliation on a quarterly basis.
Design press kit for media: Draft promotional materials to be distributed among members of the media for promotional purposes.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of tourist information centre manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of tourist information centre manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Maintain working relationships: Ensure effective working relationships with colleagues and others. Maintain them over long periods of time.
Read maps: Read maps effectively.
Prepare travel packages: Make holiday and travel packages ready and arrange, travel, accommodation, logistics and services such as chartered airplanes, taxis, car rental or excursions for clients.
Schedule shifts: Plan staff time and shifts to reflect the demands of the business.
Coordinate operational activities: Synchronise activities and responsibilities of the operational staff to ensure that the resources of an organisation are used most efficiently in pursuit of the specified objectives.
Assist clients with special needs: Aid clients with special needs following relevant guidelines and special standards. Recognise their needs and accurately respond to them if needed.
Manage website: Monitor online traffic, make estimations and improvements to one’s website.
Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
Perform market research: Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

1439 – Services managers not elsewhere classified

 

 

---

 

 

References

1. Tourist information centre manager – ESCO