Tourist information centre (TIC) assistants provide information to help customers make the most of their visit to the local area. This can be in person, in writing and on the telephone.

The job involves:

• usually working as a member of a team
• using a range of reference materials to answer enquiries and make bookings for customers. These include computer systems, leaflets, brochures, timetables, guidebooks and national TIC reference kits
• making bookings, including coach travel, theatre performances, places to visit, memberships or discount cards, events in the area, hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation, and sightseeing tours
• setting up displays inside the centre or in the windows
• answering enquiries
• keeping up-to-date with the accommodation, places to visit, activities and events in the area
• re-stocking free literature and goods for sale
• selling goods such as guidebooks, postcards and stamps, local craft items, gifts and souvenirs
• keeping the TIC neat and tidy.
  

Hours and Environment

Hours vary according to location. Most centres open daily in peak periods. Some TICs only open for the summer season.

TIC assistants may work weekends and bank holidays.

There are some full-time TIC assistant positions, but a lot of jobs are part-time and/or seasonal.

Skills and Interests

To be a tourist information centre assistant you should:

• have a smart appearance
• have a pleasant, friendly manner
• enjoy working with the public
• have good listening and questioning skills, both face to face and on the telephone
• be able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure, and prioritise work
• have a good general knowledge of the local area and its attractions/facilities
• have enthusiasm for constantly updating your knowledge and skills
• have computer/keyboard skills.

Entry

There are no set entry requirements to work as a TIC assistant, but employers will expect you to have a good general education and may prefer you to have GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3). English, maths, history, and geography are useful subjects. 

It will be useful if you have:

• the ability to speak one or more foreign languages (this is usually essential for work in an airport, port or major tourism destination)
• knowledge of sign language
• experience of customer service and cash handling.

You will not necessarily need to have done any training before looking for work, as employers will often consider the right personal qualities for the job to be as important as/more important than qualifications. The following qualifications could be relevant, but are not essential:

• NVQs/SVQs in Customer Service or Travel and Tourism gained in previous employment 
• AVCE in Travel and Tourism
• GSVQs in Travel and Tourism levels II and III
• BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Travel and Tourism.
  

Training

As a new TIC assistant, you will be trained mostly on the job, but may attend Tourist Board induction courses. You may attend other specialist TIC skills courses, covering areas such as:

• specific TIC services
• national reference material
• product knowledge
• selling and promotional skills
• Welcome Host customer care training courses
• other training relevant to the TIC's systems and services.

You may be able to work towards NVQ/SVQs in Travel and Tourism Services at levels 2 and 3. In Scotland, you might be able to study for the HNC in Tourism Services as an alternative to the SVQ.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

Most TICs are run by local authorities, regional/area tourist boards or other local organisations. TICs are either situated in their own separate building or in a:

• local authority office
• library
• museum
• independent visitor attraction
• port
• airport terminal 
• motorway service area.

There is a list of TICs on the Britain Express website. Please see Further Information.

Seasonal or casual staff may be able to move into a permanent position in the TIC. Full-time or part-time staff are often promoted to supervisory or management positions if vacancies occur. There are sometimes opportunities to move into local authority tourism departments, regional or area tourist board posts or to other areas of the travel and tourism industry.

Vacancies may be advertised in local newspapers, jobcentres, in local authority job bulletins, which are available in libraries and other public offices and on the recruitment website for local government www.LGjobs.com

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Tourist information centre assistants may from around £12,000 to around £15,000 (for full-time hours).
Managers may earn up to around £21,000.

Further information

2nd Floor
Armstrong House
38 Market Square
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1LH
Tel: 0870 060 2550 PO Box 217
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 8WY
Tel: 0870 770 7960