Tour Manager Resume Guide
Tour Managers coordinate and oversee all aspects of a tour, from planning to execution. They book venues, arrange travel plans for performers and crew members, manage budgets and schedules, promote the tour through marketing campaigns, handle customer service inquiries during the tour dates, and ensure that everything runs smoothly throughout the duration of their project.
Organizing tours and keeping track of a large group of people is second nature to you. But potential employers aren’t aware of your skills, so to make them take notice, you need to write an eye-catching resume that highlights your experience in the field.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Tour Manager Resume Sample
Eliane O’Keefe
Tour Manager
eliane.t.o’[email protected]
858-976-1465
linkedin.com/in/eliane-o’keefe
Summary
Skilled tour manager with over 5 years of experience in the tourism industry. Proven track record for organizing and managing large-scale tours, leading to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business. Experienced at coordinating travel logistics, from transportation arrangements to arranging accommodation. Possess a deep knowledge of tourist destinations around the world that enables me to craft unique itineraries for each group I guide.
Experience
Tour Manager, Employer A
Richmond, Jan 2018 – Present
- Introduced over 40 groups of travelers to local attractions and cultural sites, providing detailed information about the history, culture and customs; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 25%.
- Led group tours in 8 different languages across 20 countries in Europe; handled all logistics including arranging transportation, booking accommodations & restaurants plus organizing daily activities for over 1,000 people every year.
- Mentored a team of 10 tour guides on how to deliver informative talks as well as provide personalized services according to each traveler’s needs; achieved 100% customer feedback rating within 3 months.
- Consistently exceeded sales targets by negotiating discounted rates with hotels/restaurants/attractions along the routes; generated an additional $20K revenue annually through upselling packages & merchandise items during tours.
- Compiled comprehensive travel itineraries for customers based on their preferences and budget constraints while ensuring that all necessary documents (visa applications etc) were ready prior to departure date.
Tour Manager, Employer B
San Bernardino, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Revised and reorganized tour itineraries for up to 40 customers per day; reduced average processing time from 3 hours to 1 hour.
- Proficiently managed bookings and travel expenses, ensuring that all tours were completed within budget; saved $12,000 on transportation costs in the last quarter.
- Assisted with customer service inquiries and complaints in a timely manner while providing accurate information regarding destinations and attractions worldwide.
- Arranged activities such as sightseeing trips, cultural visits, dinners & shows during the tours according to clients’ preferences; increased satisfaction ratings by 15%.
- Coordinated daily logistics of each tour including transfers from airports/hotels/train stations; ensured punctuality at all times with zero delays reported over 12 months period.
Skills
- Event Management
- Tour Management
- Music Industry
- Music
- Entertainment
- Social Media Marketing
- Music Production
- Live Events
- Tourism
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Tour Professional
American Society of Travel Advisors
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
The summary/objective at the beginning of your tour manager resume should be like a movie trailer – it should give the hiring manager an overview of who you are and why they should hire you. In this section, highlight key skills such as your ability to plan complex itineraries, manage large groups of people, and handle customer complaints quickly and efficiently. You could also mention any awards or recognition you have received for outstanding service in the past.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Energetic tour manager with 3+ years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. Proven track record of success managing small to large-scale tours for a variety of clients, from families to corporate groups. Expertise in planning, budgeting, marketing campaigns, customer service follow-ups and onsite support during events. Committed to delivering exceptional experiences that result in long term relationships with customers.
Passionate tour manager with over 10 years of experience in planning, organizing and executing world-class tours for groups ranging from 5 to 500 people. Highly experienced at managing budgets and developing creative itineraries that maximize customer satisfaction while achieving cost efficiency goals. Led the successful organization of 8 international trips resulting in a 94% satisfaction rating among customers.
Professional tour manager with 10+ years of experience managing groups of up to 25 people on both domestic and international tours. Skilled in creating itineraries, supervising budgets, and overseeing the safety of travelers while providing a memorable customer service experience. Looking to join ABC Tours as an experienced tour manager and utilize my organizational skills to ensure successful trips for clients.
Driven tour manager with 8+ years of experience managing and organizing large-scale tours. Proven track record of successful tour completion, developing marketing materials to promote the tour, making sure all safety regulations are followed, budgeting for expenses and creating a positive environment for the performers. Successfully organized 5 international tours ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months in length.
Detail-oriented tour manager with 10+ years of experience planning, organizing and managing international tours for groups. Proven success in creating itineraries that maximize enjoyment while adhering to budget constraints. Achieved an average satisfaction score of 97% from customers on 15 completed trips. Now seeking a role at ABC Tour Company to bring my expertise and enthusiasm for travel to the team.
Hard-working and experienced tour manager with 5+ years of experience in the tourism industry. Skilled at managing a variety of travel-related tasks including developing itineraries, organizing transportation and accommodation, and providing exceptional customer service to travelers from around the world. Seeking to bring my expertise as an organized problem solver to ABC Travel Agency’s team.
Accomplished tour manager with 8+ years of experience leading and organizing international tours for groups ranging from 30 to 50 people. Proven record of providing excellent customer service, managing travel logistics, budgeting, and meeting tight deadlines. Currently looking for a new challenge at ABC where I can use my knowledge to help create unforgettable experiences for travelers.
Amicable and experienced tour manager with 10 years of experience in the hospitality and travel industry. Proven success leading over 200 international tours, providing exceptional customer service to guests while meeting company goals. Skilled at managing large groups, arranging transportation/accommodations, and resolving any issues that may arise during a tour.
2. Experience / Employment
Next comes the work history section, which should be written in reverse chronological order. This means that your most recent job is listed first.
When writing out the details of what you did, stick to bullet points for easy readability and comprehension by the reader. You want to provide detail on what you did as well as any results or accomplishments achieved during each role.
For example, instead of saying “Managed tour logistics,” you could say, “Successfully managed all logistical aspects of a 10-day international tour involving 15 people; ensured timely arrival at all destinations while staying within budget.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Coordinated
- Scheduled
- Organized
- Monitored
- Supervised
- Negotiated
- Researched
- Booked
- Arranged
- Led
- Directed
- Managed
- Assisted
- Advised
- Troubleshot
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Represented a tour company in providing group tours to 25+ cities around the world, ensuring that client itineraries were met and expectations exceeded.
- Reduced tour costs by 10% through careful negotiation of hotel room rates, travel fares & other package components for over 500 customers annually.
- Monitored customer feedback on a regular basis and took appropriate corrective measures; achieved an average satisfaction rating of 9/10 from clients over 2 years as Tour Manager.
- Accurately kept track of all finances related to each trip including payment collection, refunds & reimbursements resulting in zero financial discrepancies at year-end audit review.
- Supervised the work of 8+ local guides during international trips; conducted training sessions weekly to ensure they consistently provided quality service while adhering to safety guidelines at all times.
- Reliably coordinated and managed over 110+ international tours for groups of up to 50 people, ensuring all travel arrangements were made on time and within budget.
- Structured the itineraries of each tour with a detailed overview of activities, transportation routes, accommodation & food choices; reduced overall expenses by 17%.
- Coordinated airport transfers, bookings at local attractions and other necessary services while keeping customers informed throughout entire duration of trips; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 10%.
- Facilitated group excursions to tourist destinations around the globe through logistical planning including flight tickets procurement and visa applications processing for participants from multiple countries in under 2 months’ time frame.
- Troubleshot any problems or issues that may arise during tours such as delayed flights or currency exchange discrepancies quickly & efficiently; minimized disruption to travelers’ experiences significantly resulting in zero complaints lodged against company name this year thus far.
- Directed safe and enjoyable tours for over 100 guests per month, utilizing local knowledge to create an authentic experience; improved customer satisfaction ratings by 16%.
- Organized complex travel itineraries and logistics for 20+ international trips annually, including booking flights and accommodations, coordinating transportation from airport to hotel/venue, managing tour budgets of up to $50K.
- Researched new destinations worldwide and created detailed profiles on attractions & activities in each location; developed a database of 25+ potential tourist spots that increased group bookings by 30%.
- Independently managed all operational aspects of the business such as staff scheduling/training, marketing campaigns & client services ensuring seamless delivery throughout each journey.
- Improved overall efficiency through implementation of innovative technologies like cloud-based ERP systems which enabled real-time tracking & monitoring of operations while reducing administrative costs by 10%.
- Formulated tour plans and travel arrangements for over 200 international tours, ensuring that itineraries were cost-effective while providing an enjoyable experience for all travelers.
- Managed a team of 5 tour guides, coordinating tasks and delegating responsibilities to ensure smooth operations at all times; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 35%.
- Efficiently handled ticketing reservations across multiple airlines, booking flights and accommodations within budget on a timely basis with zero errors in the last 6 months.
- Participated in regular meetings with clients to discuss possible destinations & activities as well as provide tailored service solutions based on individual requirements; upsold tour packages worth $7000 monthly on average from referrals received during these sessions.
- Expedited administrative processes such as visa applications, passport renewals & foreign currency conversions which saved an estimated 25 hours of time every month for travelers going abroad or returning home safely.
- Achieved a 15% reduction in overhead costs by negotiating cost-effective hotel, airline and transportation services for 10+ tour groups of up to 30 people.
- Negotiated pricing discounts with vendors while planning and scheduling 32 tours over the past year; saved an average of $1,850 per tour.
- Advised customers on various cultural aspects pertaining to travel destinations around Europe, such as etiquette rules and language nuances; received positive feedback from 98% of surveyed customers post-tour conclusion.
- Diligently monitored each group’s progress through daily check-ins at every stop along their itinerary; ensured no one was left behind or missed any scheduled activities/event visits due to lateness or misdirection issues during the trips’ duration.
- Streamlined operational processes related to resource allocation (e.g., buses & guides) between multiple concurrent tours resulting in increased efficiency gains totaling 40 hours annually across all tours combined.
- Optimized tour route planning by mapping out the most efficient routes for 10+ long-haul trips per year; reduced travel time by 15% and saved over $2,000 in fuel expenses.
- Demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities while managing a team of 8 tour guides on 40+ different tours throughout Europe; ensured that all travelers enjoyed safe experiences and timely arrivals at each destination.
- Spearheaded customer service initiatives to boost traveler satisfaction ratings from 80% to 95%; increased referrals through word-of-mouth marketing and increased revenue by $8,000 in 6 months’ period.
- Prepared detailed itineraries outlining daily activities before each tour commenced, ensuring that all logistical needs were met along the way such as transportation arrangements & accommodation bookings.
- Substantially improved communication with customers both pre/post trip via email campaigns & social media presence; achieved an increase of 30% engagement rate across platforms within 3 months’ time frame.
- Presented tour packages to over 200 customers per week, showcasing the attractions and activities available at each destination; achieved a sales increase of 15% in just 3 months.
- Developed an innovative marketing strategy for tour destinations which resulted in increased bookings by 25%.
- Confidently led groups of up to 50 people on tours around various parts of the country, ensuring that all safety procedures were adhered to at all times.
- Utilized effective communication techniques when interacting with clients from different cultural backgrounds and received positive feedback from customers about their experiences throughout their tour journey.
- Assessed customer requirements before designing customized itineraries tailored specifically towards individual interests and preferences; raised customer satisfaction levels by 20%.
3. Skills
The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization may need someone with experience in international travel and another might prefer someone who is well-versed in the local area.
It’s important to tailor your resume skills section accordingly, as many employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) which scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
Besides just listing relevant skills here, you should also discuss them further throughout other sections of your resume; this will help demonstrate that you have an extensive knowledge base when it comes to tour management.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- A&R
- Advertising
- Audio Engineering
- BAND
- Bands
- Concert Production
- Concerts
- Corporate Events
- Editing
- Entertainment
- Event Management
- Festivals
- Hospitality
- Hospitality Industry
- Hotels
- Leisure
- Leisure Travel
- Live Events
- Live Sound
- Marketing Communications
- Music
- Music Industry
- Music Management
- Music Production
- Pro Tools
- Production Management
- Record Labels
- Recording
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Networking
- Sound
- Sound Design
- Stage
- Stage Management
- Studio Recording
- Talent Booking
- Teaching
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Theatre
- Time Management
- Tour Management
- Tour Operators
- Tourism
- Travel Management
- Travel Planning
4. Education
Adding an education section to your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you recently graduated and don’t have much experience, include it below the resume objective. However, if you’ve been working as a tour manager for years with plenty of responsibilities to showcase, omitting an education section is perfectly acceptable.
If including an education section, try to mention courses or subjects related to the job duties of a tour manager that could be useful for employers looking at your application.
Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your proficiency in a particular field. They show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to become certified, which can make you stand out from other applicants.
When listing certifications on your resume, be sure to include any relevant ones for the job you’re applying for. This will give hiring managers an indication of how well-versed you are in certain areas and could help increase your chances of getting hired.
Certified Tour Professional
American Society of Travel Advisors
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Eliane O’Keefe, this would be Eliane-O’Keefe-resume.pdf or Eliane-O’Keefe-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Attaching a cover letter to your resume is a great way to show potential employers why you are the ideal candidate for the job. Cover letters can be used to provide recruiters with more information about who you are and what skills and experiences make you an excellent fit for their company.
A cover letter should typically consist of 2-4 paragraphs, each focusing on different aspects such as introducing yourself, detailing your qualifications, highlighting relevant experience and explaining why this particular role interests you. Although not always necessary, writing a customised cover letter will give hiring managers deeper insights into who you are as a professional – making it easier for them to decide if they want to take things further with your application!
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Veronica,
I am writing in response to your job posting for a Tour Manager. With more than 10 years of experience managing tours for groups of up to 100 people, I am confident I would be an asset to your organization.
As Tour Manager for [company name], I was responsible for all aspects of tour management, including itinerary planning, hotel and transportation booking, and on-tour customer service. In my previous role as Assistant Tour Manager with [company name], I gained valuable experience working with high-profile clients and coordinating complex travel logistics. My attention to detail and ability to think on my feet have served me well in both roles and have resulted in positive feedback from customers.
In addition to my tour management experience, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from [university name]. This combination of education and practical experience has given me the skills necessary to successfully manage any type of tour.
I am available anytime via phone or email should you need further information about my qualifications or want to discuss this opportunity further. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Eliane