Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Holiday Representative- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- 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 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.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Working Life
Resort representatives (reps) look after tourists on behalf of a travel company. They may be based at a holiday resort abroad or in a resort or hotel in Ireland. Being based abroad is appealing to many who want to travel and see a new part of the world while they work, but you may need to be fluent in both English and the local language.
Reps have a very busy schedule and may work long hours. When a new group of tourists are due to arrive, the rep escorts them from a point of arrival, ensures that their accommodation is satisfactory, and introduces the facilities of the resort to them. Reps make themselves available to answer any questions and deal with any problems.
Reps also organise, promote and sell excursions, and sometimes accompany tourists on these. If they have special expertise, they may also provide guided tours. These activities may also allow reps to earn commission.
They are expected to provide help with problems such as lost passports or illness, and they are essential in gathering and sharing information if there are delays or cancellations in travel arrangements.
There can be some paperwork involved as they need to record any complaints, accidents, or problems with the accommodation.
Some reps specialise in different areas, such as looking after and run activities for guests' children, or organising sports activities like skiing or surfing for example.
The work is usually seasonal, either summer or winter, depending on where you work, and holiday reps are typically employed by tour operators.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
- Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
- Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
- Conduct educational activities for school children.
- Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
- Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
- Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.
- Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
- Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.
- Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.
Qualities - Holiday Representative
You will need good organisational ability, a flair for public relations and the ability to cope with the stressful nature of the work. You should have a good sense of humour, enthusiasm and stamina to cope with long working hours. Maturity, an outgoing personality, common sense and good communication skills are important.
The ability to converse in at least one foreign language is usually required, and applicants' conversational ability may be tested.
Interests - Holiday Representative
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
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.
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.
Entry / Progression - Holiday Representative
Previous experiences in travel and hospitality, or in sales and customer service can give you an advantage. Some employers may require that you can speak an additional language.
Key Skill Certs:
- Health & Safety or First Aid courses
- Child Protection
- Manual Handling
These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder.
If you want to develop your career further, you can aim to progress to a team leader, supervisor or management role. Studying hospitality and tourism subjects at undergraduate or graduate level may help you progress.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: sales, retail, business, office admin, tour guiding.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: hospitality, tourism, sales, marketing, customer care, community, youthwork.
Search for PLC Courses
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: hospitality, sales, marketing, customer care, tourism, community, youthwork.
Search for CAO Courses
You can also use holiday rep experience and the skills developed to go into other areas of travel and tourism, such as tourist information, travel agencies or hotel management in the tourism & hospitality sector.
Pay & Salary - Holiday Representative
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €34k
The national minimum wage is €12.70, see rates below. Salaries vary based on employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Gov.ie/ Indeed/ Talent
Last Updated: February, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Holiday Representative
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sports and leisure assistants; travel agents; air and rail travel assistants; holiday representatives, tour guides; Leisure and theme park attendants; Travel agency managers; proprietors Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.
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.
Useful Contacts - Holiday Representative
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Fáilte Ireland
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Incoming Tour Operators Association (ITOA)
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Irish Tourism Industry Confederation
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European Tourism Association
