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Tour Guide Job Description

Tour guides familiarize people with the history, functions, and customs of a particular region or establishment. Though customers typically include foreigners on vacation, virtually any person can attend a tour.

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Tour Guide Job Description Template

We are searching for a vibrant tour guide to join our established company. The tour guide's responsibilities include planning travel itineraries, familiarizing customers with the locality by vehicle or foot, and ensuring that the group remains safe at all times. You should also stay up-to-date with new attractions that may be of interest to customers.

To ensure success as a tour guide, you should be an excellent storyteller with a knack for customer service. An outstanding tour guide will perform minor alterations to each itinerary to suit the unique interests of each group.

Tour Guide Responsibilities:

• Greeting and welcoming customers to the tour.
• Informing customers about the itinerary for each tour.
• Planning itineraries in accordance with weather forecasts and the length of each tour.
• Scheduling visits and purchasing tickets to museums, galleries, protected parks, and other attractions ahead of time, if required.
• Planning alternate activities in the event that cancellations, closures, or weather prohibit you from attending scheduled events.
• Gathering and maintaining the requisite equipment for each tour.
• Familiarizing yourself with the layout and history of the region or establishment in which you will be working.
• Familiarizing customers with each region or establishment.
• Encouraging guests to apply sunscreen regularly and to remain hydrated, if applicable.
• Directing customers to other, noncompeting services that might be of interest to them.

Tour Guide Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience as a tour guide is advantageous.
• Capacity to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Adherence to prescribed safety codes.
• Excellent conversational skills with a knack for storytelling.
• Personable, humorous disposition.
• Outstanding organizational, time management, and improvisational skills.
• Passionate about traveling.
• Ability to work during evenings and on weekends.

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Tour Guide Job Description [Updated for 2024]

In this era of global travel and exploration, the focus on tour guides has never been more critical.

As tourism evolves, the demand for skilled individuals who can navigate, educate and ensure the safety of travelers grows.

But let’s break it down: What’s truly expected from a tour guide?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the core of this role,
• A hiring manager outlining the ideal candidate,
• Or simply fascinated by the intricacies of the tourism industry,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable tour guide job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career websites.

Let’s dive right in.

Tour Guide Duties and Responsibilities

Tour Guides offer support and information to tourists, visitors and travelers.

They are experts in the history, culture, and landmarks of a specific area and provide meaningful experiences for tourists by engaging and educating them about the area.

The duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide include:

• Planning and preparing tour itineraries
• Leading and accompanying groups on tours of cities, historical sites, and other points of interest
• Providing educational and interesting facts about landmarks and attractions
• Ensuring the safety of the group at all times
• Answering questions and engaging with tourists to provide an interactive experience
• Providing directions and travel advice
• Dealing with emergencies and unexpected situations
• Managing the logistics of tours such as transport and entry tickets
• Performing administrative tasks like confirming bookings and handling payments
• Providing customer service and handling complaints or issues from tourists

Tour Guide Job Description Template

We are seeking an engaging, friendly and informative Tour Guide to provide our visitors with memorable and unique experiences during their visits.

The Tour Guide’s responsibilities include designing and facilitating tours, maintaining knowledge of the tour site or attraction, and providing visitors with interesting, factual information about the site.

Our ideal candidate has excellent public speaking skills, a customer-focused approach and a passion for history and culture.

Ultimately, the role of the Tour Guide is to ensure a high standard of customer service and provide a professional, informative and enjoyable tour experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead guided tours for groups
• Provide detailed information about historical, cultural, or geographical significance of sites
• Answer visitor questions and interact with group members in a courteous, friendly manner
• Ensure safety regulations and procedures are followed
• Assist with ticket sales, reservations, and group bookings
• Keep tour areas clean and organized
• Develop and update tour scripts to keep tours engaging and informative
• Provide feedback to management on tour efficiency and guest satisfaction
• Handle any problems or emergencies that arise during tours

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a tour guide
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills
• Ability to memorize and recite facts clearly and accurately
• Strong customer service skills
• Knowledge of foreign languages is a plus
• First aid certification may be required
• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree in tourism or relevant field is a plus
• Flexible schedule
• Travel discounts
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance options

Additional Information

• Job Title: Tour Guide
• Work Environment: Tour sites and attractions, both indoors and outdoors. Some weekend, holiday, and evening work may be required.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Tour Operations Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $20,000 minimum to $35,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location)
• Employment Type: Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

What Does a Tour Guide Do?

Tour Guides typically work for travel agencies, tour operators, or at specific tourist attractions.

They can also work as freelance individuals offering specialized tours based on their expertise.

Their main responsibility is to guide groups or individuals around sites of interest such as cities, historical landmarks, museums, and natural attractions.

They provide their knowledge and insights about the locations, including historical facts, cultural background, architectural details, and more.

They plan and organize tours considering the interests, needs, and safety of the tourists.

They manage travel logistics such as transportation, accommodations, and meals.

They ensure that the tour runs smoothly and on schedule.

Tour Guides also answer questions, address concerns, and engage with tourists to enhance their travel experience.

They may have to handle unexpected situations or emergencies during the tour.

They are often responsible for ensuring tourists respect the rules and regulations of the sites visited, ensuring both the preservation of the site and the safety of the group.

Moreover, they might be required to provide first aid, and in some cases, they are also responsible for selling tour tickets and managing the financial aspects of the tour.

Tour Guide Qualifications and Skills

A proficient tour guide should possess a unique set of skills and qualifications that enhance their ability to guide and interact with tourists, such as:

• Outstanding communication skills to provide clear, engaging and informative descriptions of places and events.
• Customer service skills to cater to the needs and inquiries of tourists, ensuring a pleasant and memorable experience.
• Interpersonal skills to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, maintaining a positive and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Local knowledge and a passion for history, culture, and geography to educate and entertain tourists about the locality.
• Physical stamina and good health to manage long walks, stand for extended periods, and handle luggage or equipment if necessary.
• Problem-solving skills to handle unexpected situations or emergencies that may arise during the tour.
• Fluency in multiple languages can be a significant advantage, enhancing the ability to communicate with tourists from various parts of the world.
• Time management skills to ensure that the tour adheres to the planned schedule, balancing the need to be informative and enjoyable with the need to be prompt and efficient.

Tour Guide Experience Requirements

Experience requirements for tour guides can vary widely based on the type of tours they are leading.

However, some general experience is usually required in customer service, public speaking, or related areas.

Entry-level candidates may be required to have 1 to 2 years of experience in a customer-facing role, such as working in a hotel, restaurant, or retail environment.

They may also gain relevant experience through internships or part-time roles at museums, historical sites, or tourism companies.

Candidates with over 3 years of experience often have developed their skills in communication, crowd management, and first aid.

They have likely worked in a variety of tour guiding roles, such as city tours, nature tours, or historical site tours.

Those with more than 5 years of experience have usually honed their expertise in a specific type of tour or location and may be ready for a role as a senior guide or tour director.

They may also have experience creating and planning tours, managing other guides, or working in a supervisory role in the tourism industry.

In addition to job experience, many tour guides also have a background in fields such as history, geography, or a foreign language, depending on the specific requirements of the tour.

Many also have professional certifications from recognized tourism or guiding associations.

Tour Guide Education and Training Requirements

Tour Guides generally require a high school diploma or equivalent qualification, although a bachelor’s degree in a field such as history, archaeology, or tourism management can be highly beneficial.

They should have a strong knowledge of the areas and sites they guide visitors through, which is often gained through on-the-job training or previous experience in a similar role.

In-depth knowledge of a foreign language can be a significant advantage in this field, especially for guides working in areas frequented by international tourists.

In many areas, tour guides must also obtain a license or certification, which usually involves passing an examination that tests their knowledge of the area and its history.

Some tour guides may also choose to obtain a certification from an organization such as the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations or the National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, which can enhance their credibility and increase their employment opportunities.

Continuous learning is critical for tour guides, as they must keep up to date with new historical research, changes in local regulations, and trends in the tourism industry.

Tour Guide Salary Expectations

A Tour Guide can expect to earn an average wage of $13.27 (USD) per hour.

However, the actual earnings may differ depending on factors such as experience, the specific location of employment, and the company that they work for.

Tour Guide Job Description FAQs

What skills does a tour guide need.

A Tour Guide should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with a diverse group of people.

They should have a deep knowledge of the area or site they are guiding and be able to present information in an engaging and entertaining way.

They should also have problem-solving skills to handle any unexpected situations, and good physical stamina as the job often involves a lot of walking or standing.

Do Tour Guides need any specific qualifications?

While a degree is not strictly required to become a Tour Guide, having a qualification in a related field such as history, archaeology or travel and tourism could be beneficial.

Many employers prioritize experience and knowledge about the site or region over formal education.

However, some regions require Tour Guides to be licensed or certified, which could involve passing an exam or completing a training program.

What should you look for in a Tour Guide’s resume?

A good Tour Guide resume should showcase a deep knowledge of the area or site, and any relevant qualifications or certifications.

It should also show strong communication and customer service skills, and any experience in handling emergencies or unexpected situations.

Multilingual abilities can be a strong asset for Tour Guides, especially in areas frequented by international tourists.

What qualities make a good Tour Guide?

A good Tour Guide is passionate about their area or site and is enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge with others.

They are friendly, patient and have strong customer service skills, and can adapt their tours to suit the needs of different groups.

They are also dependable and can handle difficult situations calmly and efficiently.

Is it difficult to hire Tour Guides?

The difficulty in hiring Tour Guides often depends on the specific needs of the role.

For popular tourist locations that require a deep knowledge of the site or area, finding a qualified Guide can be challenging.

You may also need to consider language skills, as many tourists may not speak the local language.

Offering competitive pay, flexible hours and opportunities for further training can help attract qualified candidates.

And there we have it.

Today, we’ve journeyed through the intricate maze of what it means to be a tour guide .

Guess what?

It’s not just about pointing out landmarks.

It’s about weaving captivating stories, connecting cultures, and painting vivid pictures of history, one tour at a time.

With our handy tour guide job description template and real-life examples, you’re ready to take the next step.

But don’t stop just yet!

Venture further with our job description generator . It’s your go-to resource for crafting meticulous job listings or polishing your resume to perfection.

Every tour, every story, is a piece of the larger tapestry.

Let’s weave those tales. Together.

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The Editorial Team at InterviewGuy.com is composed of certified interview coaches, seasoned HR professionals, and industry insiders. With decades of collective expertise and access to an unparalleled database of interview questions, we are dedicated to empowering job seekers. Our content meets real-time industry demands, ensuring readers receive timely, accurate, and actionable advice. We value our readers' insights and encourage feedback, corrections, and questions to maintain the highest level of accuracy and relevance.

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Tour Guide Job Description

TOUR GUIDE JOB DESCRIPTION (Seasonal May- October) We are searching for a vibrant tour guide/narrator to join our staff! The tour guide's responsibilities include providing an informative history and tour of Milwaukee, focused on (but not limited to) the Milwaukee River and Inner Harbor of the Bay of Milwaukee. Sightseeing Tours run Wednesday through Sunday for 1.5 hours each cruise.

To ensure success as a tour guide, you should be an excellent storyteller with a knack for customer service. An outstanding tour guide will have a working love and knowledge of our city.

Tour Guide Responsibilities:

• Greeting and welcoming customers to the tour.
• Serve as an Ambassador to our City as well as our Company.
• Tour Guide will be responsible for providing their own personalized narration (templates are available to reference).
• Tour should address the history, architecture, current events and any other fun fact to inform and entertain tourists of Milwaukee as well as local residents.
• Answer general questions.

Tour Guide Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience as a tour guide is advantageous.
• Capacity to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Adherence to prescribed safety codes.
• Excellent conversational skills with a knack for storytelling.
• Personable, humorous disposition.
• Outstanding organizational, time management, and improvisational skills.
• Passionate about Milwaukee with a working knowledge of its history.
• Ability to work during the day on weekdays and/or weekends.

To apply, email [email protected] with your resume and applicable experience. 

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Tour Guide Job Descriptions

The formal definition of a tour guide as set out by the European Committee for Standardization or CEN is as follows:

Tourist guide: Person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area, which person normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority. (Wikipedia)

A tour escort differs slightly and is characterized by the fact that they travel on longer tours, often overnight. “Tour guide,” however, is the generic term used to classify all forms of travel group leaders including those working on motor coaches, trains, on cruise ships, or on walking tours.

Follows are brief descriptions of each kind of tour guide job that you can get:

Sightseeing Tour Guide

A sightseeing tour guide will work predominantly on tour busses or motor coaches.

As the name suggests, they lead groups of tourists on sightseeing trips of their city or countryside. Sightseeing encompasses all forms of attractions and scenic sights, as well as historical landmarks and other interesting places. Sightseeing tour guides will often need to drive the tour bus, as well as provide the narration for the tour. Sightseeing tour guides are usually employed by a tour director. They are chosen for specific tours dependant on their skills and knowledge of an area.

Read more about becoming a sightseeing guide .

Step-On Tour Guide

A step-on tour guide is hired by a tour director or tour guide to provide specific information regarding a particular sight or attraction. As the name suggests, they step onto the bus or train for a certain portion of the tour. The tour guide in charge will make use of a step-on tour guide when entering a large national park or attraction like Disneyworld. In this instance, the step-on guide has far more intricate knowledge about the location. Step-on tour guides are based in the area where they lead tours and usually work for a private company, museum, national park, or resort.

Read more about becoming a step-on guide .

Shore Excursion Guide

A shore excursion guide usually works on board a cruise liner, but can also work for a charter touring yacht, or river cruise vessel. The shore excursion guides, also known as cruise hosts, will take groups of people from the cruise ship onto the shore at various ports along the journey and show them the main attractions. This requires a bit more research on the guide’s behalf, as you will be required to learn about every port city you travel to along the way, and there can be quite a few on one cruise. The guides must be able to speak the local language and will need to know where to find the best shopping spots, ideal dining experienced, organize tickets for museums and other attractions, as well as plan activities for the guests, such as water skiing, hiking, seeing a live theater or music performance and more. Shore excursion guides travel on the cruise ship as well, making this an exciting job to have, as you will get time off while at sea to explore the ship and take advantage of all the magnificent events and activities on board.

Read more about becoming a shore excursion guide .

Adventure, Sport and Eco Tour Guides

Adventure and ecotourism is on the rise and with it comes the need for highly skilled adventure and eco tour guides, as well as sports tour guides. You must be qualified and skilled in a certain type of sport and need to have a passion for adventure. Whether it is hiking through the Amazon, cycling through the French countryside, or leading a safari tour through the African savannah, adventure tour guides must be responsible at all times. They have the lives of their tour group in their hands, and must be fully trained in emergency and first aid. On eco tours and adventure tours, mapping out routes and strategically planning each day is imperative, and you have to understand the climate, weather conditions, and geography and wildlife of the area in order to lead a safe and successful tour. Ecotourism guides aim to educate people about the natural environment they are traveling in. They encourage conservation and preservation of natural ecosystems as well as biodiversity.

Read more about becoming an adventure, sport or ecotourism guide .

Tour Manager/Director

A tour manager is responsible for planning and organizing tours on behalf of tour operators. They often travel to foreign countries with the tour group and are the point of contact for the local tour guides, step-on guides and other suppliers. They make sure that travel documents and visas are in place, book and check the group into their accommodation, organize meals, settle bills, and are in charge of all the mundane tasks so that the travelers can simply sit back and relax.

Read more about becoming a tour manager .

Freelance Guides

Freelance guides usually work on a contract basis per tour and provide visitors to an area with local tour narration and navigation. Freelance guides are frequently hired by tour manager or tour operators who are traveling to your city from overseas. Some freelance guides are also private tour specialists and offer their services to any group of tourists no matter how small to lead them around the city, offer translation services and give them tips and advice for the tour. Private guides will normally meet the travelers at the airport and lead them to various locations and attractions each day. Freelance guides can charge on a per tour basis if working with an accredited operator or director, but may decide to charge per hour or per day if leading private tours, depending on the requirements of the visitors.

Read more about becoming a freelance guide .

GAP Year/Volunteer Guides

One of the best ways to gain experience in the tour guiding industry and to enjoy traveling at the same time is to volunteer for various tours. Safari guides in Africa are often hired on a voluntary basis and also work in conservation of the wildlife. Many GAP year programs exist that offer exciting tour guide opportunities such as leading ski tours in the Alps or working on game fishing tours in Alaska.

Read more about becoming a volunteer tour guide.

Each type of tour guide has a specific role to play in the travel and tourism industry with varying salaries, working conditions, qualifications, and job requirements. Learn more about each tour guide job mentioned above in the following detailed job description pages.

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Job description boat tour guide in canada, description.

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Find out what work is like for a boat tour guide in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Tour and travel guides (NOC 64320).

Tour and travel guides

Tour and travel guides escort individuals and groups on trips, on sightseeing tours of cities and on tours of historical sites and establishments such as famous buildings, manufacturing plants, cathedrals and theme parks. They also provide descriptions and background information on interesting features. They are employed by tour operators, resorts and other establishments or may be self-employed.

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Tour and travel guides have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

• Tour guides
• Transport or escort individuals or groups on tours of cities, waterways and industrial and other establishments
• Describe points of interest, answer questions and supply information
• Provide historical and cultural facts related to the site
• May collect admission fees and sell souvenirs.
• Travel guides
• Escort individuals and groups on vacation and business trips
• Ensure that reservations for transportation and accommodations are confirmed and that prepared itineraries are met
• Visit and describe points of interest and plan and carry out recreational activities
• Resolve problems with itineraries, service and accommodations.

Physical demands

Work environment, physical proximity from others, related job titles.

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 64320), and a list of similar occupations:

• adventure travel site interpreter
• bicycle tour guide
• calèche driver
• factory tour guide
• industrial site interpreter
• travel guide

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations.

• Registrars, restorers, interpreters and other occupations related to museum and art galleries
• Outdoor sport and recreational guides
• Managers in customer and personal services

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

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• Looking for Boat Tour Guide & Host

Looking for a Boat Tour Guide & Host

Bath , United Kingdom

Salary not listed

Job Description

Role starts 1st August - Training provided prior to this date. 

Position : Boat Tour Guide & Entertainment Host

Working Pattern : Saturday

Job Type : Part-time, Temporary

Salary : £9ph (Negotiable for exceptional candidates)

Location : Bath

Are you passionate about Bath and looking for a fun and varied role?

Successful and highly rated tour company, requires tour guides to work on a flexible basis, predominantly on our boat tours.

The role is varied and can include cocktail making, history, activites, dance based tours, countryside walks, storytelling, hen parties and boat crewing. Maybe you have a particular area of interest or you prefer the diversity, either way we would like to hear from you.

Please read 'Applying' below before applying.

This role involves

• Crewing the river trip boat, hosting our guests, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, assisting in tour commentary (with support) and ensuring passengers safety.
• May also give walking tours around Bath, both inner city and countryside.
• Training provided

Please include a short cover note to explain what you are doing currently and confirm your availability and earliest start date. Also, explain briefly how you fit the skills needed and what attracts you to this work. We will be unable to accept applications without this information, but will reply to all applicants who do provide this.

We will close applications once we have found the right candidate

Key Skills & Knowledge

• Personable, outgoing, confident
• Clear communicator with strong public speaking skills
• Good customer experience skills
• Punctuality
• Self-Motivated & trustworthy
• Flexible with work hours
• Good people skills
• Able to use smartphones and payment devices (support given)
• Able to stay positive and resilient
• If appropriate, able to promote and conduct tours in all weathers outside
• Passion for Bath
• Students considered

Some aspects may require confidence in serving drinks, cocktail making, dancing and can be physically demanding.

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: £9.00 /hour

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Salary: £9.00 per hour

GO WILD! *Please mention you found this job on Work the Wilds

Salary and Benefits

Accommodation Included :No

Job: Temporary or Seasonal