Tour Operator
Designs holiday itineraries and packages and sells them directly to customers or through travel agents.
Overview
A Tour Operator is responsible for accommodating and designing the holiday itinerary and content needed for the holiday. They sell the package either directly to the consumer or use the services of a travel agent to do so.
Where they work
- Travel agencies
- Tour companies
Work environment
You will be working both indoor and outdoor. You are likely to spend time over the phone arranging accommodation, transportation or ticketing options with vendors, such as hotels and airlines. You may travel to different places to evaluate the quality of accommodations or attractions so that you can make appropriate recommendations to customers. You are likely to work 6 days a week, 9 to 10 hours every day. Entrepreneurship: you can start your own business.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have networking skills
- You have leadership and teamwork skills
- You have problem solving abilities
- You possess clear and effective communication skills
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (BBA) in Travel and Tourism Management.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree in any subject and pursue an MBA degree in Travel and Tourism Management.
Alternative route 3
- 1Pursue a Diploma course in Travel and Tourism Management.
Alternative route 4
- 1Experience with government licence or permission to operate as an individual is the prerequisite.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by various institutes as Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying.
Government institutes
- Institute of Hotel Management (centres across India)
- Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
- Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand
- Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana
- Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram
- Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal, Karnataka
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka
- Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi
- Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, Maharashtra
- Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development, New Delhi
- Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Tour Operator
- 2Tour Manager
- 3Tour Director
- 4Tour Leader
- 5Operations Manager
- 6Product Manager
- 7Tourism Manager
Expected income
₹8,000 – ₹65,750 per month or more
These figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Travel Consultant
Designs tour packages around customers' budgets and interests for travel agencies or tour companies, and handles tickets and stays.
Tour Guide
Certified, licensed professional who leads people on tours and trips to heritage sites, museums, outdoor adventures and safaris.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to travelling.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Sumitra Senapaty — Founder of the Women On Wanderlust (WOW) club. She studied Hotel Management at the Catering Institute, Delhi and did a BA at Delhi University. After some years of experience as a hotelier and then as a freelance writer, she started the club for solo women to travel in groups, prioritising their safety and security.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 749 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/tour-operator/india
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card lists 'Welcome Graduate School of Hotel Administration'; the institute's name is Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, corrected here. The last pathway option reads 'Experience with government license or permission to operate as an individual is the prerequisite' — approval and registration rules for tour operators are set by the Ministry of Tourism and State/UT tourism departments, so check the official website.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.