Touring internationally as a musician presents both advantages and challenges compared to domestic touring. While tools like smartphones, laptops, and low-cost air travel have made international communication and travel easier, tour managers must still plan far in advance to deal with issues like varying currencies, customs regulations, long travel times, and ensuring all technical needs are met in different countries. A thorough tour itinerary is crucial to coordinate the schedule and contact information for all personnel touring abroad. Pursuing international opportunities can help artists gain broader exposure and support overseas releases, but requires extra preparation.

1. Music Industry
International Touring
Chris Baker
www.musicstudentinfo.com

2. Music Industry
International Touring General
Touring abroad is generally more challenging than at home.
Tour Managers face a wider range of problems however many
developments aid the international tour manager and their
artists.

3. Touring Abroad Advantages
Mobile phones, tri band networks, laptop computers,
bookkeeping software, a single European currency and
increased availability of inexpensive air travel.
Fluency in a second language will also be an obvious asset.

4. Touring Abroad Why?
Why tour abroad?
• Support release of recordings/product abroad.
• Desire larger/broader audience.
• Prestige-international exposure.
• Generate more work.
• Tax advantages.

5. Touring Abroad Issues for Tour Managers 1
• Plan - allow much more time for planning than domestic
tours, some festivals book two years in advance.
• Setting the fee - based on local economy, inflation, instability.
• Travel - transport costs of personnel may vary, seasonal
fluctuations, longevity discounts.
• Programming - programme planning may take place earlier
for a domestic tour, costlier work, extra artists & support.

6. Touring Abroad Issues for Tour Managers 2
• Communication - telephone & fax essential, contract
negotiations, extra admin budget, log distance calls.
• Miscellaneous - expenses often double on tours abroad
-inoculations, working papers, visas, airport taxes.
• Research and investigation - talk with other TM’s

7. Touring Abroad Funding
• Philanthropic organizations (Amnesty International, VSO)
• British Government.
• Consulates & Embassies (also give latest information on
‘stability’of countries)
• British Council fund goodwill tours.

8. Touring Abroad Fee Payment
• Taxes need up to date information about ‘local’ taxes, non-
profit status may not be recognized, and government
reimbursement may take time.
• Advance payments local regulations may prohibit AP’s
• Foreign currency, some promoters may demand to pay in
local currency, include a clause stating the exchange rate at
time of signing the contract.
• Possible provision for renegotiation in the event of currency
‘swing’

9. Touring Abroad Technical Issues
• Equipment - list of equipment, personnel available, hire, cut
down freight costs, age of equipment.
• Customs suspicious of transport of equipment, correct
documentation essential, fee payment to customs agents to
avoid delays.
• Travel arrangements, check reservations, special group
arrangements, lounges & ticket reference numbers.

10. Touring Abroad Technical Issues Cont.
• Freight brokers for travel to multiple countries, tight
schedule, prepare CARNET reserve and take care of space on
freighters, passenger aircraft, and train and truck
transportation, prepare paperwork for border crossing and
customs clearance, set up ground transportation from venue
to venue.

11. Touring Abroad Travel issues
• Longer travel times.
• Airline delays.
• Time zone changes-jet lag & dietary adjustments.
• Technicians - longer set up times.
• Ground transportation, varied depending on country toured,
preparation for tickets, tokens, maps & route.
• Airport departure taxes, currency transfers, currency
declaration, baggage allowance & surcharge.

12. Touring Abroad Itinerary The Bible
• The tour manager is generally responsible for the production
of a tour itinerary: distributed to each person on the tour
before departure.
• The itinerary serves several functions: most significant, to
forestall multiple questions whilst on tour.

13. Touring Abroad Itinerary The Bible
Contents
The itinerary should contain; dates, times, get-in, sound check,
stage time, flight arrivals, departures, interviews, venues,
addresses, personnel contact numbers, promoter details, maps,
foreign customs, local information, sightseeing, local history &
fax numbers.

14. Touring Abroad CARNET
• International customs document that permits duty-free and
tax-free temporary import of goods for up to one year.

15. The End