Tour co-ordinatorPeople who work as tour guides and leaders provide information on places to visit. They typically accompany a group on tour, whether for a day trip or a longer visit. Those working as coach drivers are responsible for safe and comfortable travel. Jobs4u title: Tour manager Paul Whittem is senior golf tour co-ordinator for Scotland Tours. He is based at their office in Dunfermline, Fife. What does your job involve? I deal with enquiries and arrange golf tours in Scotland, mainly for small groups of North Americans. Clients contact us via our website or membership associations that are aware of us. We have quite a bit of repeat business. Once I know my client’s requirements, I build up an itinerary. This can include playing at any of Scotland’s major golf courses, accommodation nearby, and transport. Once the itinerary has been approved, I make all the bookings. Do you meet your customers? I greet them on arrival in Scotland – usually at an airport or sometimes a railway station. I provide packs of information and vouchers for their stay, and answer any questions they may have. I assist them to their hire cars or coach. If their organiser or leader has any queries or problems during the stay, they contact me by phone. Do you have regular routines? Not really. My daily work is very flexible, depending on what groups and tours I’m working on at the time. Some plan up to six months ahead, others want to come quite soon after their first enquiry. They usually stay in Scotland for around a week. What hours do you work? Normally, I work from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. There has to be some flexibility at peak periods between May and September. I sometimes work late building itineraries, and most groups arrive over the weekend. What is your working environment like? I’m office based, but I also get out and about meeting groups on arrival. I sometimes visit golf courses and hotels on our itineraries because they invite me, or because they have had changes or developments.
How did you get into this type of work? I left school after the sixth year, and studied television and video production. I was looking for a job until I could find work in that field. I saw this advertised, was already interested in golf and travel, applied and got the job. I’ve been here six years now! Did you need specific qualifications? Not really. It depends on the company, though. Some now prefer applicants to have a degree or HND in a subject like travel and tourism. Others like to employ younger people and train them in their own style. What skills and qualities are needed? It’s important to have a good eye for detail. Some itineraries are complex and some groups have lots of specific requirements. Building an instant rapport with the organiser and group is also important. You also have to react quickly if anything goes wrong. It could be seven out of eight people who turn up, as the eighth person’s passport has expired and they may arrive a day or two later. It could be lost luggage or transport problems. Have you had any on-the-job training? When I arrived, I was assigned a specific person to shadow and learn about the job, systems and contacts. I also researched more about the geography of Scotland, major golf courses and hotels in my own time. I was interested and it was valuable to have better knowledge. What are the main challenges? Last-minute problems and changes, usually things outside of my control. I have to make alternative plans and keep in touch with everyone affected. Occasionally, clients phone to say they’re coming next week! That means lots of juggling of priorities, especially during periods like the Edinburgh Festival when so much accommodation is fully booked. What do you like best about your job? I like the satisfaction when a tour comes together. I like building itineraries for different people. No two itineraries are quite the same. What are your plans for the future? I’m very happy to stay here a while longer. I enjoy what I do. Perhaps I might work for myself doing something similar. Paul’s route
Paul’s tips
Related jobs Holiday centre worker/manager ££ Salary information Salaries vary according to employer and geographical location, but new tour managers usually earn up to £12,000. With experience, this can rise to around £15,000 or more. Very experienced tour managers, or department heads in larger companies, may earn up to £25,000 or more. Getting in
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