jobfacts

Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.

SOC 2020 6219

Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of leisure and travel service occupations not elsewhere classified in minor group 621: Leisure and travel services.

Also calledResort representativeHoliday repCustomer services repOverseas repTour managerTravel managerand 38 more titles
Typical full-time pay£26,7002025 Provisional
People in the job27,000across the UK
New adverts a month168↓ 3%on last year · 358th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
What full-time leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c. earn, 2025
£26,700 typicaln/ptop 10%
n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less thanNot published
Lowest 20% earn less thanNot published
25%Not published
Median£26,700
75%Not published
Top 20% earn more thanNot published
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £26,700
North EastNot published by ONS–
North WestNot published by ONS–
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS–
East MidlandsNot published by ONS–
West MidlandsNot published by ONS–
East of EnglandNot published by ONS–
LondonNot published by ONS–
South EastNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
ScotlandNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
Show as table
UK median, £26,700
North EastNot published by ONS
North WestNot published by ONS
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS
East MidlandsNot published by ONS
West MidlandsNot published by ONS
East of EnglandNot published by ONS
LondonNot published by ONS
South EastNot published by ONS
South WestNot published by ONS
ScotlandNot published by ONS
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £25,600
  • 2024 £25,700
  • 2025 Provisional£26,700
↑ 4% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 168 jobs for leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c. are advertised each month.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (1 in all)
Show as table
Aug 2026158
Jul 2026151
Jun 2026166
May 2026213
Apr 2026148
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 2026145
Jan 2026158
Dec 202586
Nov 2025184
Oct 2025286
Sept 2025156
Aug 2025159
Jul 2025183
Jun 2025188
May 2025199
Apr 2025184
Mar 2025213
Feb 2025231
Jan 2025191
Dec 2024120
Nov 2024145
Oct 2024160
Sept 2024148
Aug 2024152
Jul 2024178
Jun 2024220
May 2024222
Apr 2024196
Mar 2024174
Feb 2024170
Jan 2024196
Dec 2023167
Nov 2023116
Oct 2023133
Sept 2023149
Aug 2023152
Jul 2023168
Jun 2023259
May 2023299
Apr 2023247
Mar 2023251
Feb 2023304
Jan 2023259
Dec 2022242
Nov 2022238
Oct 2022278
Sept 2022265
Aug 2022260
Jul 2022279
Jun 2022336
May 2022403
Apr 2022307
Mar 2022308
Feb 2022289
Jan 2022353
Dec 2021198
Nov 2021205
Oct 2021280
Sept 2021273
Aug 2021251
Jul 2021298
Jun 2021265
May 2021248
Apr 2021232
Mar 2021289
Feb 2021276
Jan 2021211
Dec 2020181
Nov 2020223
Oct 2020408
Sept 2020236
Aug 2020287
Jul 2020188
Jun 2020233
May 2020225
Apr 2020120
Mar 2020187
Feb 2020277
Jan 2020242
Dec 2019147
Nov 2019213
Oct 2019228
Sept 2019287
Aug 2019228
Jul 2019251
Jun 2019256
May 2019279
Apr 2019158
Mar 2019224
Feb 2019204
Jan 2019281
Dec 2018118
Nov 2018217
Oct 2018229
Sept 2018200
Aug 2018179
Jul 2018212
Jun 2018193
May 2018211
Apr 2018204
Mar 2018264
Feb 2018250
Jan 2018254
Dec 2017122
Nov 2017221
Oct 2017216
Sept 2017174
Aug 2017308
Jul 2017221
Jun 2017268
May 2017286
Apr 2017298
Mar 2017295
Feb 2017270
Jan 2017299
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
20%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for leisure and travel services, which includes leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London131
City of Edinburgh21
Manchester15
Glasgow City11
Liverpool11
Leeds10
Birmingham9
Cambridge8
Cardiff8
Belfast8
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c. are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. Fewer than 10 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.
19%!
21%!
8.6%!
14%!
20%!
17%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–2419% (small sample)
25–3421% (small sample)
35–448.6% (small sample)
45–5414% (small sample)
55–6420% (small sample)
65+17% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent44%
Higher education below degree!12%
A levels or equivalent!22%
GCSEs or equivalent!18%
Other qualifications!3%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent44%
Higher education below degree12% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent22% (small sample)
GCSEs or equivalent18% (small sample)
Other qualifications3% (small sample)

Main employers: other reservation service and related activities (29%), travel agency activities (5.8%), other amusement and recreation activities (4.8%), activities of sport clubs (3.5%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
44%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
None
none leads directly into this work

Routes in

Resort representative

You can get into this job through:

College

You can do a college course in travel and tourism or customer service, which may be helpful when looking for work.

If you want to work with children on their holidays, for example organising activities, then doing a childcare qualification at college could be useful.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apply directly

To apply directly for resort representative jobs, you'll usually need:

  • to be 18 or over
  • a friendly and outgoing personality
  • experience of working with the public
  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and maths

If you apply for a job as a children's representative, you may need a qualification in childcare, though companies will often give training to successful applicants.

It's important to check job descriptions carefully when applying to make sure you know exactly what skills are required. For example, as a winter sports activities representative, the ability to ski may be needed, though for ski resort hotel reps, this may not be the case.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

It can be helpful if you have a working knowledge of one or more foreign languages, although tour companies may offer training in basic language skills for the country you'll be working in.

Many jobs are seasonal, so salaries and hours can vary. Often, you can top up your monthly pay with commission on products you sell to holidaymakers, for example extra day trips or passes to attractions. Your accommodation may also be included as part of your contract.

Further information

You can get more information about careers in the travel and tourism industry from Take Off in Travel.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for resort representative. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Tour manager

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like travel and tourism management, although this isn't essential.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a college course in a related subject like tourism management. This would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job by applying to do a Travel Consultant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could move into this job after getting experience in a related role like a travel agent, tour guide or tour rep.

Apply directly

You can apply for jobs directly if you have:

  • experience of working with people
  • a friendly and approachable manner
  • an interest in the culture, geography and history of the locations covered by the tour
  • a good working knowledge of foreign languages if touring overseas
  • experience of working overseas if the job you're applying for is based abroad

Employers will look for a good general standard of education, with GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), particularly in maths and English.

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Travel & Tourism, which offers industry training courses, news and networking opportunities to members.

Further information

You can find more information on careers in the travel industry from the Institute of Travel & Tourism and Take Off in Travel.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for tour manager. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Tourist guide

You can get into this job through:

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.

Other ways in

Volunteering

Local visitor information centres, national parks, museums and sites of cultural and historical interest often have volunteering opportunities to work as a tourist guide.

Apply directly

Many people become tourist guides as a second career, for example students who want to work during holidays or actors who are between acting jobs.

An outgoing and friendly personality will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Experience of dealing with the public, giving presentations or speaking in public can also help.

Other routes

You could take training through the Institute of Tourist Guiding to get your tour guide badge. There are 3 levels of training, that vary in length:

  • White Badge - 2 to 3 months
  • Green Badge - 5 to 6 months
  • Blue Badge - 12 months

You can also apply to local tour guide associations, private training providers, or major tourist attractions that run their own schemes, for example Guide London, York Minster and the National Trust.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

A second language or a history qualification can also be useful for this type of work though is not essential.

Further information

You can learn about how to become a tourist guide from the Institute of Tourist Guiding.

You can get more information about careers in the travel industry from Take Off in Travel.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for tourist guide. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Tourist information centre assistant

You can get into this job through:

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.

Apply directly

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)

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

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for tourist information centre assistant. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • observes regulations concerning the carrying capacity of vehicles and controls the boarding of passengers accordingly
  • receives passengers, checks tickets and guides them to their seats, makes announcements regarding travel arrangements and places of interest, and deals with passengers’ queries
  • makes local arrangements at stopover points for food and accommodation
  • responds to enquiries and complaints, books excursions and other entertainment and provides other assistance and advice to holidaymakers
  • signals to driver when to stop and start bus, collects fares from passengers and issues tickets and changes destination indicators as necessary
  • completes way-bill at scheduled points on route and balances cash taken with tickets issued
  • receives passengers on ship, examines tickets and other documentation, directs them to their cabin and assists with any luggage
  • makes announcements to passengers and deals with enquiries
  • serves food and beverages to passengers

Skills

  • analyse work-related written reports
  • carry out pre-flight duties
  • communicate verbal instructions
  • conduct full-scale emergency plan exercises
  • deal with challenging work conditions
  • deliver outstanding service
  • execute flight plans
  • follow verbal instructions
  • give instructions to staff
  • handle stressful situations
  • handle veterinary emergencies
  • inspect cabin service equipment
  • maintain relationship with customers
  • manage the customer experience

Knowledge

  • airport planning
  • air transport law
  • common aviation safety regulations

Suits people who like

  • Organising and following procedures
  • Leading and persuading

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for leisure, travel and related personal service occupations, a group of 11 jobs that includes leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c..
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 5.6%about 41,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 2035421,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.