Tourism development agent

Tourism development agent
tourism project manager, tourism development manager, tourism developer
The mission of the tourism development agent is to promote and improve tourist attendance at a site. Good knowledge of the region and its cultural, historical and economic tourism resources allows the agent to analyze the situation. He prepares technical and financial administrative files. He develops a project that he follows to completion. This assumes high availability. His employer? A municipality or tourist office.


Professional life
Few permanent contracts
Associations, development agencies, intercommunal offices or unions, regional or departmental tourism committees, leisure centers... all are potentially employers for the tourism development agent. Job offers are few in number and the agent is often recruited for a specific mission within the framework of a CDD (fixed-term contract). But lasting jobs are rare.
Some specializations
The profession will always be generalist, even if certain teams sometimes tend to specialize in a particular area (cultural, sporting, etc.).
Possible developments
After a few years of professional experience, the development agent can apply to take responsibility for a tourist office, an association, a holiday village, etc. He can also lead a departmental or regional committee of tourism or move towards consulting functions with private consulting firms. From 1450 to 2500 euros gross per month.
Working conditions
Autonomous according to the employer
The working conditions of the tourism development agent and his status may vary depending on whether he is employed by a tourist office, an association, a local authority or even an NGO (non-governmental organization). Very autonomous in small structures, it will depend on a more complex hierarchy in large local authorities. In the latter, he may be required to lead a team.
Irregular hours, frequent travel
Its activity is always diversified (studies of documentation and economic, cultural or sociological data) and multiple contacts are made. Hence, often, numerous meetings in the evening, sometimes on Saturdays, and frequent trips to the field, to arrange premises or organize the work of a team.
SKILLS
Know the economy, history, culture of a territory
The tourism development agent has skills in town planning, geography and sociology. He also has legal, accounting and administrative knowledge
Knowing how to analyze, animate, communicate
In turn manager, "developer", facilitator, legal advisor, the tourism development agent carries out a job of analysis, observation and above all communication. Capacity for adaptation, dialogue, negotiation and leadership of multidisciplinary teams are the qualities required of development agents.
Follow the project until its completion
He must know how to analyze the economic situation of a territory, put together technical and financial administrative files, write sometimes complex reports and studies to follow the project through to its completion.
Nature of the work
From the idea to the promotion of a place
The tourism development agent works for communities and territories that want to improve their tourist numbers: promotion of heritage, creation of a tourist complex, development of business tourism... there is no shortage of ideas to attract visitors.
From analysis to realization
The tourism development agent carries out studies and audits to ensure the relevance of the project. It analyzes the tourist assets to be developed in a territory concerned (remarkable sites, location, transport, accommodation capacities, etc.). It carries out a market study in order to assess the feasibility of the project and its profitability based on its attractiveness to the public. Then, if the project is accepted by its employers, it moves on to its concrete implementation.
From budget to communication
He then establishes a forecast budget and seeks partnerships and financing: private investors, communities, tour operators, etc. It also takes into account the legal aspects of the project. It communicates with the press and the public through advertising campaigns. It can organize events to promote local, artistic, architectural or industrial heritage, natural resources and gastronomic specialties.
Training to enter the profession
The training most suited to the profession: especially masters (bac + 5) in tourism, town planning, regional planning, geography, economics. Most courses are university type, but some schools