Tour Sales Staff: What Do They Do, How Much Salary?

What is a tour sales staff member understood to be?

A tour sales staff member (also called tour sales) is the person directly in charge of introducing, advising and selling travel products and services. Some popular services include package tours, resort combos or experience programmes for individual and business customers.

These people play the role of a bridge between the travel company and customers, helping guests choose a journey suited to their needs, budget and trip purpose. The work of this position not only stops at selling tours but also includes seeking potential customers, building relationships, caring for guests before – during – after the trip,…

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Distinguishing the tour sales staff positions

When learning about the tour sales staff profession, many people usually confuse the positions in the business department. Below are the common types of tour sales staff and the main difference of each position.

Inbound tour sales

Inbound tour sales is the sales staff position responsible for advising, introducing and selling travel-tour programmes for foreign guests coming to Vietnam. Inbound staff usually work with guest sources provided by the enterprise or from international partners, carrying out contact, designing a suitable journey and supporting customers throughout the tour-booking process.

This work requires good communication skills, an understanding of the domestic travel market and the ability to use foreign languages, especially English, to interact effectively with international guests. Inbound tour is seen as a key business strategy of many travel companies. Because if done well, it can help the enterprise develop sustainably and expand its global influence.

Outbound tour sales

Outbound tour sales focuses on advising, introducing and selling tours abroad to domestic customers. That is, Vietnamese travellers who have a need to participate in international trips.

Because it usually has to link with international partners and bear higher operating costs, the revenue from outbound tours is sometimes not as dominant as inbound at Vietnamese travel companies. However, this is still an important position in the business department, bringing opportunities to come into contact with the international market and diverse customers.

The particular work of travel sales staff

The work of travel sales staff is particular because it both combines sales skills and requires an understanding of the travel industry and customer needs. Below is a detailed analysis of the main tasks:

• Exploiting and seeking new customers: Tour sales staff are responsible for expanding the guest source and seeking potential customers.
• Supporting and caring for existing customers: Maintaining the relationship with customers who have used the service helps increase the rate of returning guests, creating reputation and fame for the enterprise. Sales staff usually send information about new tours and promotions or support resolving problems arising during and after the trip.
• Researching, building travel tours, advising and selling tours: This is the part of the work that requires the combination of travel knowledge and sales skills. Tour sales staff research destinations, plan itineraries, calculate costs and advise on tours suited to the customer’s needs and budget.
• Some other related work: Besides the main tasks, tour sales staff also participate in other work such as coordinating with the marketing department to build promotion programmes, reporting revenue, monitoring contracts,…

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Income and promotion opportunities of tour sales staff

The income of tour sales staff usually includes a basic salary, commissions and sales-based bonuses. According to a survey by Jobok – a leading recruitment unit in Vietnam, the common basic salary today ranges from about 8 – 15 million VND/month, depending on experience, company scale and the market in charge. At small companies, the basic salary can be lower, from 5 – 8 million VND.

When adding sales commissions and bonuses, the total income of many tour sales staff can reach 15 – 30 million VND/month, even higher in peak season or when sales exceed the target. Some positions in large cities such as Hà Nội or HCMC even offer an income from 15 – 35 million VND/month, depending on skills and the role held.

The promotion opportunity in the profession is also very clear. After accumulating experience and proving capacity, tour sales staff can be promoted to business team leader. This position is responsible for managing the team, planning sales and monitoring work performance.

In addition, they also have the opportunity to be promoted to tour operations management positions, coordinating between the business department and tour operations, participating in building and supervising service quality. With solid experience, a higher path is to become a travel business director or take on leadership positions in the travel company, responsible for strategy, market expansion and product development.

Recruitment requirements for tour sales staff

To become an effective tour sales staff member, candidates not only need a passion for travel but must also meet some requirements regarding knowledge, skills and experience. Below are the common recruitment requirements that travel companies usually set for this position.

Necessary skills

To become a successful tour sales staff member, you need to equip many important skills. First of all is communication and persuasion skills, which help advise on tours effectively and create trust with customers. Next is sales skills, from seeking potential customers to closing orders, while also knowing how to care for existing customers to increase the return rate.

Besides, organisation, planning and time-management skills are also very necessary to design tours, arrange itineraries and coordinate with service providers. In addition, tour sales staff should have foreign-language skills to serve foreign guests, along with skills in using online marketing tools and customer-management software.

Qualities

Besides skills, a tour sales staff member needs to possess suitable qualities to develop their career. First of all is being dynamic, enthusiastic and eager to learn, which helps proactively seek opportunities, adapt to changes and learn about new destinations.

Next is patience and the ability to withstand pressure, because the work usually encounters difficult customers or busy peak seasons. In addition, being progressive and creative in advising and designing tours helps staff enhance service quality, while also creating a competitive advantage and promotion opportunities in their career.

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HUFLIT: A quality programme meeting international standards

HUFLIT stands out as one of the outstanding educational institutions in innovating training methods, affirming quality that meets international standards. One of HUFLIT’s biggest strengths is training proficient English, helping students confidently communicate and work in the international environment.

The training programme of the Tourism – Hotel faculty meets FIBAA accreditation standards, built so that students both firmly grasp specialised knowledge and develop the foreign-language skills necessary for their future career. With more than 30 years of teaching experience, the University also possesses a team of reputable lecturers rich in practical experience and enthusiasm, while applying a modern training method that combines theory – practice.

Besides, HUFLIT supports students with reasonable tuition and diverse scholarship policies. This place helps many learners have the opportunity to access quality education without too much financial pressure. The University also builds a widespread enterprise-partner network, creating conditions for students to participate in internships and real-world experiences.

Common FAQs about tour sales staff

What to study to become a tour sales staff member?

To become a tour sales staff member, you should study fields related to travel – tourism, business administration, marketing or foreign languages. This knowledge helps you firmly grasp the tour-organisation process, sales skills, customer management and a clear understanding of the travel market.

How to build a tour sales script that attracts customers effectively?

To use a travel-tour sales script that “attracts customers”, sales staff need to build persuasive content based on the customer’s needs, preferences and characteristics. The script should be divided into clear steps: an impressive opening to draw attention, introducing the tour vividly with outstanding benefits.

Who is a tour sales staff member suited to?

A tour sales staff member is suited to those who love exploring and experiencing travel, while also having good communication ability and being dynamic in the work. This position is especially suited to those with customer-persuasion skills, who know how to build relationships and advise on tours flexibly.

The tour sales staff member is a dynamic position, requiring the combination of travel knowledge, sales skills and good communication ability. For those who love challenges, are ready to learn and make effort, the tour sales staff profession is the door that opens up many sustainable career-development opportunities in the travel industry. If you don’t yet know where to study this field, contact HUFLIT right away!

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