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.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• 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.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 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.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

The Work

As a tourist information officer you may work in one of more than 100 public Tourist Information Offices and Visitor Information Points across Ireland. Your main responsibility is to help tourists discover local places of interest and provide independent information, free maps and guides and booking services for attractions and activities.

Some of your other day-to-day duties may involve organising and stocking information leaflets and brochures, and sell tourist merchandise like souvenirs, postcards and Irish-made products. You may also be researching new local attractions or transport options to make sure that you always have relevant and up-to-date information.

Visitors will often come in with a specific question or looking for directions to a specific site, so it is important that you familiar with the local area.

Essentially, your task is to promote the region or city to tourists, and although your job is not to ‘sell’ or promote specific hotels or restaurants, you stock their leaflets and advertising material in the office. You also need to make sure that the office is well presented at all times.

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

• Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
• Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
• Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
• Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
• File and maintain records.
• Receive payment and record receipts for services.
• Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents.
• Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
• Analyse data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
• Collect, sort, distribute, or prepare mail, messages, or courier deliveries.

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

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.

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.

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 & Marketing, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

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

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €44k

Salaries vary by employer, location, role, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ LGMA/ Forsa/ Gov.ie

Last Updated: March, 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.

• Fáilte Ireland

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

• National Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA)

  • AVEA C/o Ground Floor, Unit 5, Sandyford Office Park, Sandyford Dublin 18
  • +353 (0)1 293 6807
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here