Tourism policy director
Also known as: policy director tourism, economic development director, tourism policy manager, tourism strategy director, director tourism strategy, director of economic development
About this occupation
Tourism policy directors develop and implement policies to improve tourism to their region. They develop marketing plans to promote the region in foreign regions, and monitor the operation of the tourism industry. They conduct research to investigate how tourism policies could be improved and implemented and investigate the benefits of the tourism industry to the government.
A specialisation of policy manager.
Essential skills and knowledge
- develop tourism policies
- environmental impact of tourism
- tourism market
- coordinate public-private partnerships in tourism
- deliver presentations on tourism
- tourist resources of a destination for further development
- assess an area as a tourism destination
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (O*NET 13-1161.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text.
- Seek and provide information to help companies determine their position in the marketplace.
- Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
- Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand.
- Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data.
- Gather data on competitors and analyze their prices, sales, and method of marketing and distribution.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Active Learning
US median pay: US$78,760 a year (2025), 899,580 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 LanguageVery important (4.2)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (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 Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational 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.
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- Search Marketing Strategists
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Management Analysts
- Sales Managers
- Data Scientists
- Public Relations Managers
- Advertising Sales Agents
- Financial and Investment Analysts
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.