Tour guides accompany groups of visitors to tourist attractions, whether on day trips or longer visits, and give them information and insights that help them make the most of the experience.
Potential tour guides should be fit and healthy with lots of energy and confidence.
What do tour guides do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills
Due to Covid-19, you may find it difficult to gain work or experience as a tour guide. As we explain here , however, recruiters will not view time out of work due to the pandemic as a 'gap' in your CV. For guidance on searching for work during this difficult time, take a look at our advice for job hunting during a pandemic .
Tour guides show groups round attractions such as historic monuments, cultural centres and beauty spots, and provide them with background information to help them make the most of their visit. They may work with day-trippers or on walking tours, or support tourists on longer visits that involve overnight stays, perhaps to rural or remote locations. Tour guide jobs sometimes also call for chauffeuring and language skills. Typical responsibilities include:
- undertaking research and planning tours
- preparing and giving presentations
- offering sightseeing advice
- organising and leading excursions
- problem solving
- translating and interpreting
- transporting and accompanying tourists.
Many tour guides work on a seasonal basis and combine tour guiding with other work, but there are full-time roles available.
Adverts appear in specialist press publications such as Travel Trade Gazette or Travel Weekly , as well as their online equivalents. It is advisable to make speculative applications.
Qualifications and training required
A degree is not required for entry into this profession. However, it could be an advantage to have national vocational qualifications or a degree in an appropriate subject such as leisure, travel, tourism, or languages.
Work with the general public, or experience gained within the hotel, tourism or travel trades is usually beneficial.
There are accredited tourist guide training programmes that cover a range of destinations, including London, and that enable you to qualify at three different levels for three different types of guiding: at sites, on guided walks, and on a moving vehicle. Blue Badge holders are qualified for all three modes, while green badge holders can offer guided walks and can also act as tour guides at sites in a specific area. White Badge holders can either provide guidance at a specific site or on a walk along a fixed route. The Institute of Tourist Guiding has more information about these qualifications.
Key skills for tourist guides
Potential tour guides should be fit and healthy with lots of energy and confidence, be able to work effectively without supervision, possess a calm 'customer focused' manner, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Language and first aid skills are useful, as is a driving licence.
FAQs
Tour guides plan and implement scheduled activities for guests at an establishment or on a tour. They curate a standard itinerary, making minor adjustments based on the group's demographic and preferences. Tour guides inform tourists about a location's common practices, history, and prohibited acts.
What is the role of a guide? ›
Tour guides lead visitors through tourist attractions and give information about the attractions' natural and cultural significance. Often, they also act as interpreters for travelers who do not speak the local language.
What does a tour guide do on a resume? ›
A good Tour Guide sample resume mentions duties like performing research, organizing trips, offering information and advice about touristic destinations, making travel arrangements, and translating or interpreting. Tour Guides should also solve tourist queries and problems.
What is tour guide skill? ›
A good tour guide is articulate, easy to understand, has the physical capabilities to command attention and project their voice across potentially large groups of people. They should also be able to communicate one on one, answer questions with calm and remain approachable even when under pressure.
What is the 5 qualities of an effective tour guide? ›
5 Characteristics of the Perfect Tour Guide
- There are average tour guides—and then there are the ones people remember forever. ...
- They're deeply knowledgeable, and can answer questions. ...
- They're confident with the details of their job. ...
- They make people laugh. ...
- They listen. ...
- They go the extra mile.
Graduate with subject of Indian History from UGC recognized university with two years' experience in the relevant field. Diploma (Minimum 2 years) in Tour and Travel management from recognized board of education or relevant Advanced Diploma (Vocational) from DGT with two years' experience in the relevant field.
What do you call a tour guide person? ›
Tour guides are often called "docents" or "those who show." In addition, they are sometimes called "tour directors" or "tourist escorts," but these terms also have other meanings. Tour guides work primarily with tourists and visitors but may also work with locals interested in learning more about their city or town.
What is the difference between a tour guide and a tourist guide? ›
If you're interested in learning about the history and cultural significance of a destination, a tour guide is your go-to person. On the other hand, if you need assistance in making travel arrangements and want personalized recommendations, a tourist guide is the right choice.
What is the description of a guide? ›
noun. a person who guides, especially one hired to guide travelers, tourists, hunters, etc. a mark, tab, or the like, to catch the eye and thus provide quick reference. a guidebook.
What are the principles of a tour guide? ›
A tour guide must be passionate about tour. He must also be well aware of each and every detail of the tour. Knowledge helps in raisings satisfaction level of clients. Value for money Always keep in mind that you are providing value for money.
escort groups of tourists around a site. give information about the history, purpose and architecture of a site. accompany groups on day tours to a number of places of interest. answer questions and suggest other places to visit.
What experience should a tour guide have? ›
Key Skills: Exceptional guides have strong communication, genuine enthusiasm, adaptability, keen memory, multilingual capabilities, cultural sensitivity, and are tech-savvy. Know what to look for. Adaptability and Training: In the modern travel scene, adaptability and continuous learning are paramount.
What is tour guide in your own words? ›
Tour guides, or tourist guides, are members of the hospitality and travel industry who show visitors around places of interest. Tour guides may lead groups or individuals through historical sites, museums, geographic destinations and on outdoor excursions.
What is a professional tour guide? ›
What Is a Professional Tour Guide? Professional tour guides lead interpretive tours within cities across the United States and abroad. They provide tourists with information, as well as some entertainment. They may give tours of historic areas, museums, landmarks and more.
What is the job description of a tour desk? ›
Communicate and maintain a healthy relationship with walk- in guests. Resolves all inquiries from guests and ensures customer satisfaction, Preparing invoices and Debit notes for closed sales. Monitoring and follow up the guests deposit payment.
What is the job description of a travel agent? ›
Travel agents offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, and make travel arrangements for clients. Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips.
