Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

A reservations manager manages the reservations department of hotels, airlines, car rentals and event management companies. That means that he/she manages the day to day operations of the reservations office and its staff.

As a reservations manager, you help the reservations department with their day-to-day duties, and oversee that reservations policies and procedures are followed. Keeping accurate records of bookings on the reservation system is important and in smaller hotels and hospitality companies, the reservations manager may also be directly involved in generating sales to potential customers.

A reservations manager makes plans related to sales targets and sometimes also relating to rates based on demand and availability. You would communicate new or changed rates and promotions to the reservations team and you may also liaise with travel agents and other partner service providers about packages and discounted offers to encourage more revenue.

In hotels, the reservations manager typically reports to the Revenue Manager and works closely with the Sales and Front Desk teams at the hotel to ensure the maximisation of all bedrooms and hotel sales opportunities.

As a manager, you may also have the responsibility for recruiting new and training existing staff.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Answer inquiries pertaining to hotel policies and services, and resolve occupants' complaints.
• Participate in financial activities, such as the setting of room rates, the establishment of budgets, and the allocation of funds to departments.
• Confer and cooperate with other managers to ensure coordination of hotel activities.
• Greet and register guests.
• Monitor the revenue activity of the hotel or facility.
• Manage and maintain temporary or permanent lodging facilities.
• Train staff members.
• Observe and monitor staff performance to ensure efficient operations and adherence to facility's policies and procedures.
• Coordinate front-office activities of hotels or motels, and resolve problems.
• Inspect guest rooms, public areas, and grounds for cleanliness and appearance.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

You will generally need quite a lot of relevant work experience to be considered for a reservations manager position. An academic qualification can boost your chances of getting the job, it may not always be required.

Typically, Reservations Managers have experience from working in the Hospitality sector at lower levels, perhaps in the Reservations team. Working your way up from an entry level job to a management job may take some time, but can be helped by studying Business and Tourism courses.

Courses in Business and Tourism are the most common, where you can expect to study both general business courses and specialised hospitality courses.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Full & Part time courses in Business, Hospitality, Customer service and Supervisory Management NFQ level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Business management NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry: Hospitality Management, Travel & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Business & Management Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Hospitality Management, Travel & Tourism, Business & Management NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

As a Reservations Manager, you can develop your career further by progressing to positions of even more responsibility, such as Duty or General manager.

Your best chance to progress is by building up experience and by undertaking additional qualifications and training. There are both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Hospitality Management which can help you progress in your career.

Professional organisations sometimes offer training or networking events, so check out:

Failte Ireland

Irish Hotels Federation

Restaurants Association of Ireland 

Catering Management Association of Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €50k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
IHF/ Excel/ Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a lower than average employment growth rate for this occupation over the five-year period, employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022 with an additional 5,700 persons employed, surpassing 2019 levels. Approximately a third working in these roles were non-Irish citizens, above the national average, and employment permits issued related to roles for restaurant managers, hotel, duty and accommodation managers.

Advertised vacancies in the OVATE data grew strongly (by nearly a third), albeit from a low base. Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for restaurant managers but also for managers in catering, food and beverage and hotel. The future demand for hospitality managers will depend on the performance of the different segments of the hospitality sector, with a greater requirement for restaurant managers likely compared to accommodation-related managers.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hotels Federation

  • 13 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6
  • 01 497 6459
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hospitality Institute

  • 12 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Rd, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 662 4790
  • Click Here

• Irish Self Catering Federation

  • +353 (0) 47 32042
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here