Tourism Product Manager

As a Tourism Product Manager you develop, package, and manage tourism experiences and itineraries for organisations such as tour operators, destination management companies, and bodies like Fáilte Ireland. Your daily work involves researching the tourism market, identifying gaps or opportunities, and designing new products — from themed heritage trails to adventure tourism packages — that appeal to target visitor segments. You negotiate contracts with accommodation providers, transport operators, and local attractions, then oversee how these products are distributed through travel agents, online travel agencies, and direct sales channels. You work closely with marketing teams, sales colleagues, and external suppliers to ensure products are competitively priced, on-brand, and delivering a high-quality visitor experience. Monitoring contractor performance and gathering customer feedback are ongoing responsibilities that allow you to refine and improve the product portfolio.

A relevant third-level qualification is the typical entry point for this role, with many Tourism Product Managers holding an NFQ Level 7 or Level 8 degree in Tourism Management, Business with Tourism, Hospitality Management, or Marketing. Useful Leaving Certificate subjects include Business, Geography, Modern Languages, Economics, and English, all of which support the analytical, commercial, and communication demands of the role. Courses are offered at institutions such as TU Dublin, ATU, MTU, SETU, and University of Galway, as well as through smaller institutes of technology across the country. A QQI Level 5 or Level 6 PLC in Travel and Tourism, available through Colleges of Further Education, can provide an alternative entry route, particularly if followed by progression to a Level 7 or Level 8 programme via the higher education links scheme. Postgraduate study at NFQ Level 9, such as an MSc in Tourism Management or an MBA, is an advantage for those moving into more senior product development or strategic roles. No statutory professional registration is required for this occupation, though membership of bodies such as the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) or Tourism Ireland networks can support professional development.