Tour Operator
(Industry Course)
Accreditation — Partially accredited through QCTO
The Tour Operator course combines practical tourism-industry training with business-development learning from the New Venture Creation programme. It is designed for people who want to establish and manage their own tour operator business rather than train only for employment in an existing tourism company.
The New Venture Creation component provides accredited business skills, while the Tour Operator industry component focuses on the practical knowledge needed to develop, cost, market and deliver tourism products and services. Information about occupational programmes and accreditation is available from the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) .
| New Venture Creation QCTO-accredited business skills programme focusing on general business practices. | Tour Operator Industry Course Tourism-specific knowledge and practical business skills for operating a tour company. |
| Approx. 15 days | Approx. 10 days |
Purpose of the Skills Program
The programme develops the knowledge, practical skills and business awareness required to establish and operate a tour operator business.
Learners work with tourism products, itinerary development, costing, marketing, quotations, customer service, bookings, tour delivery and the operational responsibilities involved in running a tourism business.
Methodology
Training can be presented at the client's venue where group training is required. Classroom-based face-to-face delivery is available, while online sessions can also be scheduled where appropriate.
A Learning Management System (LMS) is used to manage learning activities and Portfolio of Evidence documentation. Practical activities focus on developing realistic tourism products and the business documents needed to operate a tour company.
Course Duration
The Tour Operator industry component is scheduled over approximately 10 days. The combined programme duration depends on the New Venture Creation component and agreed rollout.
What you will learn
The industry course covers the practical processes involved in researching tourism products, developing itineraries, costing tours, marketing services, managing customers, preparing quotations and delivering organised tours safely and professionally.
Knowledge Component
-
Topic 1: Research on Destinations and Products
- Research other successful tour operators
- Research laws regulating the tourism industry
- Research prominent tourist destinations
- Determine a niche market
-
Topic 2: Development of a Tour Itinerary
- List tourism products and markets
- Describe a single itinerary in detail
-
Topic 3: Costing of an Itinerary
- Identify costing factors
- Calculate financial aspects of the tour
- Develop a tour budget
- Calculate break-even for a tour
-
Topic 4: Marketing Tours
- Develop a Facebook advertisement
- Develop a website layout for the business
- Apply word-of-mouth marketing principles
-
Topic 5: Target Market Development and Sales
- Analyse market segmentation
- Identify customers
- Determine how to reach customers
- Consider customer retention
- Determine a suitable niche market
-
Topic 6: Quotations, Terms and Conditions
- Define what is included and excluded
- Develop a quotation template
- Develop an invoice structure
-
Topic 7: Tour Arrangements
- Tour operator accreditation and legal considerations
- Accommodation arrangements
- Food and refreshment arrangements
-
Topic 8: Delivery of the Tour
- Arrival protocols
- Briefings on do's and don'ts
- Booking confirmation and food arrangements
- Control measures during tours
- Responding to unforeseen events
- Tourist safety
- Medical emergencies
- Vehicle breakdown procedures
- Tourist guide protocols
-
Topic 9: Conclusion and Follow-up
- Client departure and outstanding matters
- Follow-up communication
- Upselling future tours
-
Topic 10: Occupational Health and Safety
- Insurance considerations
- Accessibility considerations
- Incident management
- Safeguarding the business
Practical Component
- Develop a plan for a functional tour operator website.
- Develop a visible and photographic tour product.
- Develop important business and tour contracts.
- Develop operational templates for a tour operator.
- Finalise a practical business plan for the tour operator.
Included:
Learning materials, LMS access, facilitation, assessment, moderation, certification where applicable and classroom facilities are included according to the agreed programme arrangement.
Not included:
Meals, transport and personal data or connectivity costs are not included unless specifically stated in the quotation.
Cost
Pricing is supplied on quotation and may depend on group size, delivery method, venue arrangements and the combination of industry and business-training components selected.
Who should study the Tour Operator course?
The Tour Operator course is intended for people who want to start or develop their own tourism business. It is particularly useful for aspiring tour operators, tourism entrepreneurs, guides who want to expand into packaged tours and people who want to understand the commercial side of operating tourism experiences.
The focus is not simply on guiding tourists. Participants consider the broader processes required to turn tourism products and experiences into a structured business, including research, pricing, marketing, customer management and operational planning.
Tour Operator course and itinerary development
A successful tour product starts with good research. Learners investigate destinations, tourism products, customer interests and market opportunities before developing itineraries that combine suitable experiences, timing and logistics.
Itinerary development is then connected to costing and pricing. Participants consider accommodation, transport, activities, meals, operational expenses and other costs that influence the selling price and profitability of a tour.
Marketing and selling tourism products
Tourism businesses need a clear understanding of who their customers are and how those customers can be reached. The programme covers market segmentation, niche selection, online promotion, social-media marketing and practical methods for communicating tour products.
Learners also consider quotations, terms and conditions and the documentation needed to communicate clearly with customers before bookings are confirmed.
Operating and delivering a professional tour
Tour delivery involves coordinating accommodation, transport, activities, meals, customer communication and safety. Participants consider the procedures that can help a tour operate smoothly while also preparing for unexpected problems.
Topics include customer briefings, emergencies, vehicle breakdowns, medical situations, health and safety, accessibility and the practical responsibilities involved in protecting both customers and the tourism business.
Starting a tour operator business
The combination of industry-specific tourism content and business-development learning gives participants an opportunity to connect tour planning with the wider requirements of running a small business.
By the end of the programme, learners should have a clearer understanding of how to research, package, cost, market and deliver tourism products while developing the systems and documentation needed to support an operational business.
Continue your professional development
Explore our other Skills Programmes for additional occupational and business-learning opportunities, or contact Occupational Studies for information about enrolment, group training, programme delivery and quotations.