Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 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.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

Work activities

• Identifying new markets and business opportunities and arranging meetings with potential customers.
• Visiting or engaging potential customers for new business and developing and maintaining relationships.
• Making accurate cost calculations to provide customers with quotations
• Negotiating the terms of an agreement with a view to closing sales.
• Linking with trade exhibitions, events, and demonstrations to represent the employing organisation.
• Advising on forthcoming product developments and discussing special promotional events.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
• Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
• Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
• Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
• Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
• Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
• Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
• Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.

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.

Qualifications required for this role vary, most employers recruiting a Tourism Officer will look for a Third level qualification in a relevant area.

Relevant subjects include: Hospitality, Business and management studies, Marketing and Public relations.

Experience of working in Hospitality, but also personal experience of Travelling may be beneficial. 

In public services and agencies, there are often opportunities to progress your career to more senior positions, such as management and director roles.

Depending on your background and expertise, you may also develop your career in a specific field, such as marketing or hospitality management. Build you skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications of the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Tourism Careers. 

Training & Development

FET Centre PLC Course: Sales, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Sales Apprenticeship at NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO entry: Culture, Tourism, Marketing, Hospitality, Heritage, Business & Management  NFQ Level 6-8 Search CAO Courses. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €90k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Prosperity.ie/ Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Morgan McKinley/ Clark/ Excel/ Osborne

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).

Although employment levels grew between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation, numbers employed remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small in the Labour Force Survey for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels.

Approximately a third of persons employed in this occupation work part-time, higher than the national average. The extent to which employment in these occupations will recover to their prepandemic levels is uncertain as affordability and attractiveness for air travel services in particular remains vulnerable to increased energy costs, and consumer demand and preferences given the green agenda and cost of living pressures.

• Irish Hotels Federation

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

• Fáilte Ireland

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