Case studies: Freelance tour manager: Dave

Dave completed an HND in leisure management and a masters in business management. After working and travelling abroad to gain life and work experience he now works as a freelance tour manager.

After doing an HND in Leisure Management, I spent time in Canada on a BUNAC programme, worked in health clubs, managed a public house, worked as a holiday rep in Ibiza, a guide and activities organiser in Austria and a sales rep for Cadbury’s. Then a tour in California turned me on to the idea of tour management. I got a short-term job with a tour company, but then took a year to do a Masters in Business Management before going back to tour management on a freelance basis.

The advice I would give to someone who wants to pursue a career in travel is to learn some life skills and people skills and to travel as much as possible – it’s not enough to have been a passenger on one trip. Visit trade shows and speak to company representatives to find out what skills and qualities they’re looking for in a tour manager.

In my experience, at the interview stage you’re sometimes deliberately put under pressure to test your reactions and a lot of people fall apart in the first 30 minutes of the interview. This is all for a reason because you will be responsible for the welfare of other people in foreign countries.

My day-to-day responsibilities are all to do with customer service – that is, front-line, face to face, sometimes without anyone to back up my decisions. I have to make decisions at all levels, depending on the situation and sometimes have to manage emergencies. I’m also responsible for the group’s health and safety and I deal with local staff, guides and ground handlers. It’s important to have cultural awareness and sensitivity about the destination you’re working in. Other important aspects of the work are cash handling, accounting, report writing, presentation of information on a tour and local knowledge. I’m also a lead guide at times, which involves leading biking or trekking expeditions.

In my job, I really enjoy the group dynamics and dealing with individuals, and the most rewarding thing is when one person comes up to you at the end of the challenge/tour saying thank you with a big smile on their face. Nothing beats this because they will remember you forever. It’s even better when this happens with the entire group, but that’s not a regular thing, unfortunately. What I like least is encountering ignorant and selfish travellers.

In my current work situation, I’m lucky in being able to pick and choose the tours I want to work on when they’re offered to me, as well as running my own painting and decorating firm for the rest of the time. It’s possible to be a tour manager for as long as you like, but if you want to progress your career to a higher level, it will probably involve moving into a more static office role. These jobs are usually filled by internal recruitment from the organisations travel team.