You could start as an assistant office manager in a health centre or hospital and do training to work your way up.
A Destination Manager is responsible for promoting and developing a particular location as an attractive destination for tourists and visitors. This role involves working with local businesses, government bodies, and travel companies to enhance the visitor experience, create marketing strategies, and organise events or tours. Duties may include managing budgets, overseeing promotional campaigns, monitoring visitor feedback, and ensuring that facilities and services meet expectations. Destination Managers play a key role in sustainable tourism, aiming to balance visitor numbers with the needs of the local community and environment. Strong communication, organisation, and leadership skills are essential for this career.
The average salary for a Destination Manager in the UK ranges from £28,000 to £45,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
The UK travel and tourism sector employed around 3.2 million people in 2023, with roles like Destination Manager seeing steady demand as tourism rebounds.
There are typically between 300 and 600 Destination Manager positions advertised annually across the UK, often with travel companies, tour operators, and destination marketing organisations.
Works to develop and promote tourism activities within a specific city, organising events, liaising with local businesses, and enhancing visitor experiences.
Oversees the daily running of a holiday resort, ensuring guests have a positive experience by managing staff, facilities, and services.
Plans and manages events or attractions within a tourist destination, such as festivals, exhibitions, or guided tours, to attract more visitors.
Gain a broad understanding of how the tourism and hospitality sector operates.
Start by reading about the tourism industry in the UK and worldwide. Look for information about different types of destinations, key trends, and challenges such as sustainability and seasonality. Explore organisations like VisitBritain and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for up-to-date information.
Learn the basic principles of destination management and its role in tourism.
Read about what destination managers do, including marketing, stakeholder engagement, and event planning. Free online courses, webinars, and industry blogs can provide a good introduction. Understanding these principles will help you see how tourism benefits communities and economies.
Study for qualifications in tourism, hospitality, business, or related fields.
Consider taking A-Levels in subjects like Geography, Business Studies, or Travel and Tourism. For higher education, a foundation degree, HND, or bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management, Event Management, or Hospitality is highly valuable. Many universities offer courses that include work placements or internships.
Improve your ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds.
Learning additional languages, such as Spanish or French, can be a great asset. Practice public speaking, report writing, and negotiation skills, as Destination Managers often work with diverse groups and lead meetings or presentations.
Work or volunteer in tourism, events, or hospitality to develop real-world skills.
Look for part-time jobs or volunteering opportunities in local tourism offices, hotels, visitor attractions, or with event organisers. These experiences will help you understand how destinations are managed and give you valuable contacts in the industry.
Connect with professionals and join relevant organisations.
Attend tourism conferences, local business events, or seminars. Join professional bodies such as the Tourism Management Institute or Institute of Hospitality. Building a network can lead to mentorship, job opportunities, and a deeper understanding of current challenges in destination management.
Seek entry-level or assistant roles within tourism boards, councils, or private sector companies.
Roles such as Destination Management Assistant, Tourism Officer, or Events Coordinator are good starting points. Tailor your CV to highlight relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. Use your network to learn about job openings and get recommendations.
Stay updated with new trends and continuously improve your skills.
Attend courses and workshops on marketing, project management, and sustainable tourism. Consider gaining further qualifications such as a postgraduate diploma or a master’s degree in tourism or a related field. Keeping your skills current will help you progress to more senior roles.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Destination Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Destination Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning and coordination of travel and tourism experiences, similar to a GP practice manager who manages the operations and administration of a healthcare practice. Both roles require strong organisational skills, coordination, and management of resources to ensure smooth service delivery to clients or patients.
You can get into this job through:
You could start as an assistant office manager in a health centre or hospital and do training to work your way up.
You could apply directly to become a GP practice manager.
You'll usually need to have a business background and be an experienced manager with a management qualification.
It might be useful if you have experience working in health or social care.
You could do a training course with the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR) to get qualified.
Qualifications include:
You can do these courses at an approved training centre, college or online. For some qualifications, you'll need to be working in a job related to health.
You'll be expected to understand how NHS values apply in your work when applying for a course.
You could join the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR) or the Institute of Health and Social Care Management for professional development opportunities.
You can find out more about becoming a GP practice manager from Health Careers.
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