Tourist information centre assistant

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• volunteering
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge needed in this job, for example:

• customer service in leisure, travel and tourism
• travel and tourism

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Volunteering

Local visitor information centres, national parks, museums and sites of cultural and historical interest often have volunteering opportunities for information assistants. This can be a good way to get experience in the tourism industry.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. There are no set entry requirements but it can help if you have:

• a good knowledge of the local area and its visitor attractions and facilities
• customer service experience
• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C)

Further information

You can find out more about careers in the travel and tourism industry from Visit England and Take Off in Travel .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• administration skills
• active listening skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day-to-day tasks

As a tourist information centre assistant, you would:

• answer customer queries in person, by phone and online
• research information like travel guides, maps and timetables
• give advice on things to see and do, travel tips and places to eat and stay
• book tickets for travel, entertainment, attractions and events
• set up displays, re-stock literature and sell gift items and souvenirs
• keep up to date with what's available for tourists who visit your region

Working environment

You could work at an information centre, in a museum, at monuments and castles or at an airport.

You may need to wear a uniform.

With experience, you could become a tourist information centre supervisor or manager.

You could also move into related areas, like tour guiding, or work in museums, historical attractions or galleries.