Tour Guide

Job Description:

Travel guides plan, organise, and conduct long distance travel, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.

Job Category:
Tourism, Hospitality & Entertainment

What you will do:

Your day-to-day will include tasks such as:

  • Provide tourists with assistance in obtaining permits and documents such as visas, passports, and health certificates, and in converting currency.
  • Pilot airplanes or drive land and water vehicles to transport tourists to activity or tour sites.
  • Lead individuals or groups to tour site locations and describe points of interest.
  • Pay bills and record checks issued.
  • Set up camps, and prepare meals for tour group members.
  • Arrange for tour or expedition details such as accommodations, transportation, equipment, and the availability of medical personnel.
  • Resolve any problems with itineraries, service, or accommodations.
  • Instruct novices in climbing techniques, mountaineering, and wilderness survival, and demonstrate use of hunting, fishing, and climbing equipment.

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • an interest and knowledge of history
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • a good memory
  • organisational skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

There are no set requirements, but it might benefit you to do a Diploma in Travel and Tourism (Level 3 in the UK).

Alternatively, you could do a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship. You could also start as a trainee travel guide and receive on-the-job training from your employer. A good general standard of education will be expected and employers may ask for school qualifications in English and Maths or equivalent. Good geographical knowledge and a second language will also be helpful.

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work at monuments and castles, in a museum, at an art gallery or in parks and gardens.

Your working environment may be physically active, outdoors some of the time and you’ll travel often.

Career Path & Progression:

With training and experience, there may be opportunities to progress into senior roles such as:

  • branch or call centre manager
  • operations director
  • regional director
  • managing director

You could also move into other roles in the travel sector, like tour operating.