Tourist information officer
Also known as: tourist receptionist, tourist point information officer, tourist information agent, tourist assistant, tourist centre officer
About this occupation
Tourist information officers provide information and advice to travellers about local attractions, events, travelling and accommodation.
Essential skills and knowledge
- communicate with customers
- collect tourist information
- apply foreign languages in tourism
- maintain working relationships
- process booking
- distribute local information materials
- demonstrate intercultural competences in hospitality services
- local area tourism industry
- provide directions to guests
- develop tourist information materials
- process reservations
- devise special promotions
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers (O*NET 39-3031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Sell or collect admission tickets, passes, or facility memberships from patrons at entertainment events.
- Clean facilities.
- Provide assistance with patrons' special needs, such as helping those with wheelchairs.
- Maintain order and ensure adherence to safety rules.
- Examine tickets or passes to verify authenticity, using criteria such as color or date issued.
- Refuse admittance to undesirable persons or persons without tickets or passes.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Social, Enterprising
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$32,910 a year (2025), 121,770 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
- Passenger Attendants
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
- Cashiers
- Receptionists and Information Clerks
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Flight Attendants
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.