tour guide work setting

What does a tour guide do?

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What is a Tour Guide?

A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels. Their primary role is to enhance the travel experience by sharing knowledge and insights about the destinations, attractions, and cultural aspects of the places being visited. Tour guides are well-versed in the history, geography, culture, and traditions of the locations they cover, and they use their expertise to educate and entertain the tourists.

Tour guides are responsible for organizing and leading tours, ensuring that the itinerary is followed, and the group stays on schedule. They may work in various settings, including cities, historical sites, natural landscapes, or cultural landmarks. During tours, guides provide commentary, answer questions, and engage with the tourists, creating an interactive and immersive experience. They may also assist with logistical matters, such as arranging transportation, coordinating entry to attractions, and recommending places to eat or shop.

What does a Tour Guide do?

Tour guides bring destinations to life by providing valuable expertise and insights. While guidebooks and online resources can offer information, tour guides offer a unique and personalized experience that cannot be replicated.

Duties and Responsibilities Tour guides have a range of duties and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for tourists. Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Planning and organizing: Tour guides research and plan tour itineraries, considering factors such as the duration of the tour, the interests of the group, and the availability of attractions. They arrange transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary permits or tickets, ensuring that everything is well-coordinated.
• Providing information and commentary: A primary role of tour guides is to offer informative and engaging commentary about the destinations being visited. They share historical facts, cultural insights, and interesting anecdotes to educate and entertain tourists. Guides should have a deep understanding of the locations, including their history, architecture, local customs, and traditions.
• Leading tours and managing groups: Tour guides are responsible for leading the group throughout the tour. They ensure that the group stays together, follows the itinerary, and adheres to any safety guidelines. Guides should have good organizational and leadership skills to manage groups of varying sizes and diverse backgrounds.
• Assisting with logistics: Tour guides handle practical aspects of the tour, such as coordinating transportation between sites, arranging entry to attractions, and managing timing to optimize the itinerary. They provide directions, answer questions, and offer recommendations for meals, shopping, and other activities.
• Ensuring safety and security: Guides prioritize the safety and security of the tourists. They inform the group about potential risks or hazards, and they take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or incidents. In emergency situations, guides should be prepared to provide assistance and follow appropriate protocols.
• Interacting and engaging with tourists: Tour guides create a welcoming and interactive environment for tourists. They foster a positive and friendly atmosphere, encourage questions, and actively engage with the group. Guides should be approachable and adaptable, catering to the needs and interests of the tourists.
• Resolving issues and addressing concerns: Tour guides act as a point of contact for tourists, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the tour. They handle complaints, resolve conflicts, and provide assistance or alternative solutions when needed.
• Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism: Guides play a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism practices. They educate tourists about local customs and cultural sensitivities, encourage respectful behavior towards local communities and the environment, and advocate for sustainable travel practices.

Types of Tour Guides There are various types of tour guides, each specializing in different areas and catering to specific types of tours. Here are some common types of tour guides and a brief description of what they do:

• City Tour Guides: City tour guides specialize in providing tours within a specific city or urban area. They are well-versed in the history, architecture, landmarks, and culture of the city. Their role is to guide tourists through popular attractions, historical sites, and local neighborhoods, offering insights and commentary along the way.
• Cultural Tour Guides: Cultural tour guides focus on highlighting the cultural aspects of a destination. They provide in-depth knowledge about local traditions, customs, festivals, and arts. These guides may accompany tourists to museums, art galleries, cultural events, or religious sites, helping them understand and appreciate the cultural significance of these places.
• Ecotourism Guides : Ecotourism guides are responsible for designing and planning itineraries that are environmentally and culturally responsible, researching the destination, developing educational materials, preparing necessary equipment, and coordinating logistics such as transportation, accommodation, and meals.
• Adventure Tour Guides: Adventure tour guides lead tours focused on outdoor activities and adventure sports such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or skiing. They possess skills and knowledge in the specific activities offered, ensuring the safety of participants while providing guidance and instruction. Adventure guides may take tourists to remote and challenging locations, coordinating logistics and providing a thrilling experience.
• Historical Tour Guides: Historical tour guides specialize in providing detailed insights into the history of a destination. They are knowledgeable about specific historical periods, events, and significant landmarks. These guides often work in historical sites, monuments, or archaeological sites, sharing historical context and stories that bring the past to life for tourists.
• Specialized Tour Guides: Specialized tour guides cater to niche interests or specific types of tours. Examples include food tour guides who focus on culinary experiences, wine tour guides who provide expertise on vineyards and wine tasting, or art tour guides who lead tours in museums and art galleries, offering interpretations of artworks.

Are you suited to be a tour guide?

Tour guides have distinct personalities . They tend to be social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if tour guide is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Tour Guide like?

The workplace of a tour guide can be quite diverse and dynamic, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. One aspect of their workplace involves cultural and urban settings. City tour guides, for instance, operate within bustling cities, leading tourists through streets, squares, and iconic landmarks. They may work in vibrant neighborhoods, historic districts, or cosmopolitan areas, immersing tourists in the local culture and urban atmosphere. These guides navigate through crowded streets, interact with locals, and provide insights into the city's history, architecture, and vibrant lifestyle. They may also lead tours in museums, art galleries, or cultural centers, where they can showcase the city's artistic and cultural offerings.

Another significant aspect of a tour guide's workplace is outdoor settings. Nature and wildlife tour guides find themselves working in breathtaking natural landscapes, such as forests, mountains, or coastal areas. These guides lead groups on hikes, nature walks, or wildlife safaris, sharing their knowledge about the local flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Their workplace is characterized by stunning scenery, serene environments, and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. Adventure tour guides also operate in outdoor settings, taking tourists on thrilling activities like rafting, rock climbing, or skiing. They work in adventurous and often remote locations, ensuring the safety of participants while providing an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Additionally, the workplace of a tour guide can extend to various modes of transportation. They may lead tours on buses, boats, trains, or even walking tours, utilizing different forms of transportation to explore diverse attractions and destinations. This allows guides to provide a comprehensive experience, showcasing various facets of a region while offering comfort and convenience to tourists.

Tour Guides are also known as: Tourist Guide

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What are the duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide?

Being a tour guide is no mere profession—it's a commitment to education, a dedication to engagement, and a passion for sharing one's surroundings with the world. It's about striking the balance between historian, educator, and companion.

But what exactly does the 'job description' entail? Let's map out the adventurous landscape of a tour guide's duties and responsibilities. 1. Research, Research, Research! Before you charm your audience with tales and trivia, you've got to know your stuff. Dive deep into the history, culture, and stories of the places you're showcasing. Remember, every cobblestone might have a tale to tell. 2. Plan the Perfect Itinerary Crafting a tour is like arranging a melody. You'll decide the stops, the highlights, the duration, and the pace. Your goal? A seamless, engaging experience from start to finish. 3. Safety First As the captain of the ship, the safety and well-being of your crew (read: tourists) is paramount. This means knowing the ins and outs of your route, being prepared for emergencies, and always having a Plan B. 4. Be the Storyteller Your tourists aren't just looking for facts—they're craving stories, emotions, and memories. Weave tales that transport them through time and space. Your narrative can turn a mere statue into a legendary hero. 5. Customer Service Maestro From answering endless questions to handling the occasional hiccup, you're the go-to person for your group. It's your duty to ensure everyone feels heard, valued, and taken care of. 6. Adapt and Overcome Rain pouring down during your outdoor tour? A sudden roadblock on your planned route? A tour guide is always on their toes, ready to adapt, improvise, and ensure the show goes on. 7. Promote Local Businesses Part of your role is also to boost local commerce. Recommending that quaint café around the corner or the artisan shop down the lane not only enhances the tourist experience but also supports local communities. 8. Feedback Loop An astute tour guide values feedback. It's how you refine, improve, and elevate your tours. Encourage tourists to share their thoughts and always be open to constructive criticism. 9. Stay Updated From local events to new historical discoveries, a tour guide is always learning. It ensures your tours remain fresh, relevant, and exciting. 10. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy Last, but by no means least, a tour guide is the embodiment of energy and enthusiasm, combined with the empathy to understand and cater to diverse tourists.

Read More: What are the essential skills for tour guides? Being a tour guide isn't just about knowing the way; it's about paving the way for unforgettable experiences.

It's a role that blends research, storytelling, management, and sheer passion. So, if you've got a penchant for history, a flair for drama, and a heart that loves to meet new people, you're on the right path. Adventure awaits!

Read More:   Discover Tour Guiding as a Profession: A World Full of Travel, Joy and Endless Opportunities

Portobello Institute's QQI Level 6 Tour Guide course allows you to train and qualify as a national tourist guide.

If you are interested in choosing the course for the career you want, you can  book a consultation call  with our expert Travel & Tourism advisor Brandon McLean,  email  [email protected]  or call 01 892 0035. 

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The complete guide to successful tour guide management

By Checkfront Marketing

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As a tour operator, each day is filled with a variety of responsibilities. From juggling the day-to-day operations to helping guests to tour guide management, the job description can be long. 

One of the most important resources you’ll dedicate time to will be to your tour guides. As the face of your business, the quality of experience your tour company provides is directly connected to the skills and traits your tour guides possess. 

Taking the time to educate, coach and engage your tour guides will create an incredible team that offers outstanding experiences.

Wondering how to best support your tour guides? We’ll walk you through some of our top tour guide management tips, including training resources, feedback tips, and more. 

How do I hire great tour guides

A strong team starts with a well-planned and intentional hiring process. To begin, reflect on what your goals are for the company. 

What kind of experience do you want to offer? How about the values you want to live by? And what qualities are important in your staff? 

Once you have a clear idea of what you are looking for in a tour guide, write a compelling job description outlining the tour guide job responsibilities and post it online. 

Then, when you hear back from potential candidates, an interview allows you to get a sense of who the applicants are and why they’d make an incredible tour guide.

At this point, it’s important to dig deeper into skills, values, goals, and personality. These are the things that will filter out those that know what makes a good tour guide from the ones who don’t. 

So, what are the qualities of a good tour guide? There are seven qualities that all great tour guides have in common:

• Communication
• Storytelling
• Flexibility
• Punctuality
• Sensitivity

These qualities can easily be seen when you interview a potential candidate. Be sure to ask questions that help determine their values and goals – these will tell you what the candidate finds important. 

Throughout the interview, you’ll see personality shine through as candidates answer questions. If you get a good first impression, it’s likely your guests will also.

What is a tour guide responsible for

When you break it down to the very basics, there are three core areas that tour guides are responsible for. When it comes to how you manage your tour guides, keep these responsibilities in mind.

1. Providing a great experience

Tour guides are a key part of your guests’ experience. From guiding a tour to sharing engaging stories to providing travel tips and local recommendations, a great tour guide offers immense value to your guests. And the work begins before welcoming guests, so it’s key for your team to know what a tour guide has to do before a tour.

2. Safety of guests

For guests, part of any great experience is knowing that they’re safe and have no need to worry. Inherently, they trust tour operators and tour guides to provide them with an outstanding experience, with safety as the number one priority.

3. Representing your company

As your tour guides are the ones connecting directly with guests, your tour guides represent your business and should demonstrate the values that your company operates on.

How to manage tour guides

Once you’ve determined your vision for your business and have hired a fantastic team, it’s time to manage your tour guides! This isn’t limited to training and scheduling – tour guide management is an ongoing process and should be a regular focus.

When it comes to managing tour guides, it can be challenging to provide a balanced approach. We recommend focusing on the four following categories to provide a well-rounded approach to tour guide management:

You may be wondering how to train a tour guide , so let’s start with the basics. After you’ve hired a tour guide, you’ll want to spend some time creating a solid onboarding plan. Here are some suggestions:

1. Show them around

Give your new team member a tour around the property, introduce them to the rest of the team, and share any basic bits of information that will be helpful for them to know. 

Consider sending them out on tour to get to know the flow and structure while experiencing it as a guest. These tips will make your new tour guide feel at ease, and provide a clear example of what you’re expecting from them as a tour guide.

2. Have them job shadow other guides

As mentioned earlier, it’s a great idea to give your new tour guide an opportunity to learn from other tour guides, as they may be wondering exactly what they’re supposed to do.

Your current tour guides know the route, script, and commonly-asked questions while being ready to troubleshoot, so it’s beneficial to have a new tour guide shadow them. That way, they’ll gain knowledge from their seasoned teammates and experience the tour first-hand as a guest.

3. Supervise their first few tours

While it can be anxiety-provoking to have someone observe their first few tours, it is essential for a new tour guide to get some feedback, both positive and constructive, as they get comfortable in their new role. 

Both new and seasoned tour guides can benefit from ongoing education. Tour guides juggle many responsibilities – managing groups, time management, navigation, entertainment – the list goes on! 

Encourage your tour guides to diversify their skill set by participating in courses related to tour guiding.

What does this look like? The sky is the limit! There are many different courses that can provide value to tour guides. A couple of ideas include:

Photography

Travellers appreciate having photos as souvenirs of their favourite experiences. Tour guides can take some great snapshots of guests while out exploring or immersed in the activity, that you can gift or they can purchase prints for taking home. Not only that, these images can be used for marketing purposes and branding.

Public speaking 

Tour guides spend most of their time speaking to guests, including following the script, providing additional facts, answering questions on the fly, and cracking jokes.

Any tour guide should consider fine-tuning their public speaking skills to make the tour less of a presentation and more of a conversation.

Perhaps the most important thing? Allow your tour guides to pursue courses and educational opportunities that speak to their personal interests. 

This will create a knowledgeable, well-rounded team who feel empowered to pursue and share their passions, which will always result in a better experience for your guests. And whether guests enjoy a tour guide or have a few comments to add, you’ll want to make a point to gather their feedback.

What do I do if a tour guide is consistently late? Or if a tour guide has been receiving negative reviews? 

Feedback is a critical, yet tricky, aspect of tour guide management. It can be uncomfortable to give feedback, but constructive conversations enable your tour guides to continuously grow in their role.

The best way to deliver feedback is to provide actionable steps while taking an empathetic approach. 

Before you have the conversation, first ask yourself if this particular piece of feedback needs to be shared. If it is important to share, there are four principles to follow when sharing feedback:

1. Approach with neutrality

While it can be challenging to keep cool, calm and collected, it is important to enter the conversation without strong emotion. 

Your goal should be to deliver the feedback without causing the tour guide to feeling defensive and creates a space for constructive dialogue.

2. Consider the guide’s perspective

Be understanding and empathetic. Your guides will naturally feel nervous during these conversations. 

To create a dialogue that is both respectful and constructive, avoid accusations, lead with a solution, share your learned experience, and provide general coaching tips.

3. Offer ongoing team training 

Try providing group skill-building sessions – this will benefit tour guides in need of specific coaching as well as seasoned tour guides who may need a refresher. 

Encourage your experienced guides to take a mentorship role with newer guides and let growth happen naturally. 

4. Prioritize regular communication

Make an effort to communicate regularly with all of your staff. That way, a feedback conversation will be one of many conversations you have. Share positive feedback with the entire team and remember to always lead with positivity and support.

We’ve all been there – following the same script every day can become routine and not-so-inspiring.

While interacting with a variety of guests helps break up the routine, a powerful motivator for your tour guides will be opportunities for engagement. This will look different for everyone, but some engaging activities can include:

1. Guide-to-guide education

Every guide will excel at one thing over the other guides. One may have a knack for conflict resolution while another excels at storytelling. 

Encourage your tour guides to share tips and tricks with their colleagues. This will foster a culture of communication and growth within your business, which will keep your tour guides enriched and engaged.

2. Guest speakers

Consider bringing in guest speakers to inspire your tour guides. This could be a local historian who knows all the interesting facts about your region or an inspiring leader in the tourism industry. 

Having someone share stories with your guides can provide new information to share on tours or a newfound passion for the industry.

3. Facetime with each traveller

Ignite curiosity in your tour guides with an inspiring traveller passionate about exploring new experiences. 

This could be someone who loves travel or even an actual guest. Host an ‘ask me anything ’ session where guides can ask a traveller in-depth questions about what it’s like being on a tour, including things like what they wish more tour guides would do or what their favourite tour experience was and why. 

These sessions allow your guides to find answers to any questions they may have about your guests’ experience and provides information that can be used to provide an even better experience for future guests.

4. Share personal stories

Personal stories make tours unique. Encourage your guides to share stories with each other, as they may enhance the route’s narrative. 

For example, if one guide has grown up in a neighbourhood where the tour passes through, other guides can share a story about their colleague to personalize it. 

Alternatively, guides can collaborate and share the stories they tell on their tours to create a collective of stories your guides can share.

5. Encourage professional development

Most people, regardless of the industry they work in, want to continuously grow and develop throughout their careers. 

Invest time in allowing your tour guides to build skills. Whether they’re interested in social media and content creation, evaluating tours, or creating company values, allowing your tour guides to explore a variety of skills will make them well-rounded and content employees. 

Final thoughts

When it comes to tour guide management, there are many things a tour operator needs to consider. At the end of the day, as long as you remember to live by your values, lead with compassion, empower your tour guides, and remain passionate, you’ll create a strong team that provides an outstanding experience for your guests.

Interested in more resources for tour guides? 

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How to look for the qualities of an effective tour guide operator when hiring

By Kevin Tjoe — 24 Jun 2018

amadeus   tips   tour guide   tour operator

Updated June 2022 – Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like giving up on hiring your next tour guide. When you on-board new hires, you’re hit with the realization that they’re just not a good fit, killing any sense of confidence you had about finding the best person for the job. It’s daunting enough finding a new hire – never mind going through the on-boarding process all over again when it doesn’t work out.

Well, there’s good news: selecting your next tour guide role doesn’t have to be that hard. With the right set of criteria of tour guide skills at your disposal, you could easily find the best tour guide for your business, all without the hassle that comes with having it not work out.

Wondering what personality traits do tour guides have that will reveal their future success or failure? To help you answer this, we’ve outlined 10 important qualities of a good tour guide. 

With these tour guide characteristics tips, you’ll know exactly what makes a good tour guide and have the proper tools in place to hire someone who will exceed customer expectations and customer satisfaction. 

1.  Enthusiasm

One of the most fundamental tour guide characteristics is enthusiasm.

Customers can tell if a tour guide doesn’t want to be there. Considering that nobody wants to feel like their presence is a nuisance, it is impossible to provide customers with a fun and engaging tour if it’s obvious that their guide would prefer to be at home.

On the other hand, enthusiasm is contagious. If a customer notices that their tour guide is as excited to be there as they are, they’ll feel a lot more satisfied with their overall experience. Enthusiasm fosters an authentic connection between the tour guide and customers. It’s also the backdrop of all of the other essential characteristics of a good tour guide. An enthusiastic tour guide will be not only willing but excited to grow their skills and engage with the customers.

2.  Organization and punctuality

Besides dressing themselves well, this involves setting expectations prior to the tour – informing customers of location, time, and length of tour, what they need to bring, and any rules or special considerations (if your online booking system doesn’t automate this for you). Your tour guide needs to have organisational skills to be able to run through the structure for each tour in advance.

Ultimately, one of the key characteristics of a good tour guide is effective time management skills and punctuality. They shouldn’t make customers wait for them, and they should end the tour on time.

How punctual are they when it comes to their appointments with you during the interview process? This is a good indicator of how they will be when running your tours.

The speed with which they speak and move the tour along should also be just right – it can’t be too fast or too slow. You don’t want your customers to get bored or feel rushed through certain parts of the tour.

3.  Prepared for anything

A good tour guide is adept at improvising, no matter whether it’s responding to hiccups in the tour’s timing, unexpected customer questions, or responding to crises. It’s key that your tour guides are capable of efficiently detecting and responding to any crisis, no matter how big or small. They should also have a comprehensive understanding of your company’s tour guide insurance policies and how this may relate to their work.

Unexpected situations can crop up where medical assistance is needed. Every guide should know First Aid and carry the appropriate equipment. Can your candidate attend to the injured using this equipment? If not, are they willing to attend First Aid training prior to starting?

4.  Can read the room

A good tour guide will take the initiative to learn about customers on the tour, then include universally relevant information to tailor the examples they use to make it more personal. They need to be aware of who they’re speaking to, the audience needs to see that your tour guide engages with all the attendees.

5.  An engaging storyteller

Obviously, you don’t want people to become disinterested whilst on your tour. Your guide’s personality is a huge part of that. Can they make the tour more interactive? They should be able to invite questions and use demonstrations to help tourists to learn by themselves. 

One of the most essential qualities of a good tour guide is a great customer service experience and the ability to hold good conversations. It’s also important that they have a passion for travel as this will keep the audience interested and engaged .

Make sure that they themselves are interested in the subject matter, because they need to be enthusiastic about what they’re saying.

6 .  Knows their stuff

Another one of the most important characteristics of a tour guide is their ability to retain information.

Your guide must be able to recite facts from memory and be clear in delivering them. Facts have to be accurate – otherwise, they should be able to say they aren’t sure and get back to the customer asking.

Of course, you can’t expect your tour guide to know everything from day one. But hiring a tour guide who demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning and has clearly researched your tour company prior to their job interview, is key to ensuring that your staff are committed to learning and understanding the tours they provide.

7. Multilingual

While it may not be a necessity, speaking multiple languages is an excellent and particularly useful quality of a good tour guide. A multilingual tour guide will dramatically broaden your target audience and help welcome people from varying backgrounds to your tour.

A tour guide doesn’t need to be fluent in dozens of languages for their lingual skills to be handy. All tour guides should at least have a conversational grasp of commonly encountered languages. This knowledge becomes extremely useful if someone has an emergency.

8.  Leadership and initiative

Since they’re managing a group of people, the ability to have a certain level of authority is crucial. Tour guides must be able to lead a group of people without being condescending, snobby, or aggressive. If something unexpected happens on the tour, a good tour guide will be able to take charge in an assertive manner to ensure that all customers receive the right directions.

9.  A good sense of humor

Whilst they don’t have to be total comedians, tour guides need to be quick witted so they can throw in friendly jokes or light banter with the customers. Again, it’s not a stand-up routine, so they should also know when to be quiet. You can gauge this aspect of their personality when they interview for the job.

10. Willingness to learn

 A key part of your tour should be collecting feedback and using it to make it better. Your tour guides should be open to change based on customer criticism – without taking it too personally.

Of course, the ideal tour guide will look differently for each tour operator company as some traits are necessary for certain activities but not others. However, there are certain qualities of a good tour guide that transcend time and place: enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, leadership skills, and punctuality.

Now that you’ve found what makes a good tour guide, it’s time to ensure that your newly hired tour guides are given the right tools they need to succeed.

Rezdy’s all-in-one online booking software simplifies the management of your tour company so you can ensure that your customers receive a satisfying experience. Curious to see how Rezdy can help your tour guides succeeds? Start a  FREE 21-day trial  or  book a demo so you can  experience first-hand the benefits of automated activity booking websites.

If you enjoyed this article then make sure to follow the  Rezdy blog . There are a lot of marketing tools and tour operator tips designed with businesses like yours in mind.

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Travelling Without a Passport

How to Become a Tour Guide

So, you want to get paid to travel the world? Being a tour guide means you get to travel  while working, be the envy of all your friends, and visit dream destinations all over the globe! You’ll meet people from everywhere, wake up in a different city every other day, and truly become a citizen of the world. But do you know what you are getting yourself into, and what it takes to land one of the best jobs ever? Read on to find out how to become a tour guide! 

Travel to: Europe

Important to note: Though a lot of people living on the road are referred to as tour guides, in some countries, they’re tour leaders, managers, directors… the list goes on! It’s important to know that when you’re looking for travelling job opportunities, many tour guide job advertisements will be looking for licensed city tour specialists, who unlike you will be looking to stay put in one city

See Also: Every Question You've Ever Had About Group Tours

How to become a tour guide

If you’ve decided this is the life for you, but don’t know how to go about getting your foot in the door, here’s a behind-the-scenes sneak peek into what it takes to become a tour guide! 

The pros of this job can’t be counted on just one hand, but becoming tour guide doesn’t mean a permanent vacation. It’s a competitive field, and you’ll have to work hard to keep your coveted role. You need to be dedicated, but you also need to know how to have fun.  You’ll live out of a suitcase, answer hundreds of questions every day, and work with many different personalities and cultures from all over the world. A tour guide is at the heart of a tour and can make or break the experience. Translation: there is no such thing a “bad day.”

Your passengers have saved long and hard to come on your tour, and you need to do everything in your power, every day, to make sure they have the trip of a lifetime (no matter how challenging it might be).  You need to be patient, fierce, tenacious, and most importantly possess a genuine passion for your passengers and profession. Still up for the challenge? Here’s what you need to do next! 

Step 1: Research tour operators in advance

Do your research! It’s important to find a tour operator that aligns with your interests. Are you a history lover that enjoys a relaxed pace of travel with a more mature audience? Or do you prefer non-stop adventure and fast-paced city hopping with today’s youth? No matter the operator there’s a tour style that will fit your own, it’s just a matter of doing your homework to find them. And of course, different operators will require different levels of experience and external certifications depending on where their tours travel and what type of experiences you’d be facilitating as their guide. 

You should also find out how much experience you need for the tour operator you have your eye on. Some tour operators won’t require you to have any previous experience and will instead invest huge amounts of time and money in “auditioning” you. These jobs are highly sought after by many young, enthusiastic adventurers, so the stakes are high. You’ll be looking at 2-3 months without an income, travelling through potentially expensive European cities and without any guarantee you have the job until you’ve passed the finish line! Pretty soon into the process, you’ll find out if you are up to the challenge and whether you have the necessary skills, personality and expertise to make it or break it as a tour guide.

Other tour operators may have much shorter training periods, but will need you to know a lot about the region you want to work in: maybe you’ve lived there for an extended period, or speak the language, or you have a degree related to the culture or history of the region. Your speaking skills will be tested in an interview before training, and finally, some operators will look for individuals that have been  guiding or tour leading for at least a couple of years before they will even consider you. If you’re starting out, wait until you’ve got some solid experience under your belt before reaching out to these companies! 

All in all, it’s important to choose an operator that fits your personality and travels to destinations you feel passionate about! 

Step 2: Remember that it’s both a job  and a lifestyle

Living a life on the road is both a lifestyle and a job. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. If you’re one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. You will be on call 24/7, your own needs will always, always,  be the last priority and you’ll find yourself with little to no time to speak with your friends and family back home. If you can make peace with all of the above, then focus on crafting the perfect application, preferably one that touches on your passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work.

Spend plenty of time tailoring your application letter and resume to fit the role and the company you’re applying for. Experience with travel, being able to talk about history, culture, art and much much more at a moment’s notice and charisma will help, but  you also need to think about who their audience is! What can you offer this company (that thousands of other applicants can’t) to convince them they are placing their valued customers in the right hands? 

Be confident in selling your skills, especially the ones essential to successfully running a tour. Highlight any professional experiences like being able to perform under pressure, working with groups, and any relevant language or academic knowledge that will help you to stand out. Give examples of past experiences and anything else that will make your application jump off the page.

Step 3: Prepare for the interview process

The interview round depends on the company’s recruitment process. It could be one meeting or a series of meetings. The tour operator wants to see if you are the right fit for them and the real deal. It’s time to convince them that you can put your money where your mouth is. Come prepared with examples in your head, and be prepared for seemingly-random questions that will test your character, initiative, and even your general know how.

Tour operators invest a huge amount in their tour guides. There are very few other jobs in the world where people work so independently of their managers’ presence from the beginning of their employment. Their brand and their customer’s experience is the most important thing to them, and they should have no doubts that you are a superstar who can do the job professionally and support their goals. Get a good night’s sleep before your interview and enter the room calm, confident, and personable.

See Also: Everything Your Tour Guide Wants You to Know Before You Travel

Step 4: Study, study, study!

You’ve been accepted to progress beyond your application submission. Now’s time to get stuck into preparing yourself to become the rookie tour guide of the year! While organisational and personal skills probably come naturally to you, no one, no matter how much they have studied, is prepared for the questions you will face while on your first tour or training trip. And if you hate studying, you may as well peace out now! 

Where is the closest cash machine? What kind of tree is that? When was that building built? What’s the major industry of that little town we just passed?

The more you know about history, culture, food, language, geography, politics, economy, and flora and fauna before heading out on your training trip, and hopefully your first tour, the better. You will never know all the answers, but you’ll learn smooth ways to own up to that, or find out and provide a helpful response shortly after (hello Google), or direct the passenger to where they might find out.

If the company you’ve applied to work with has a training trip before you embark on your first adventure with real, paying clients, they will be doing all they can to replicate every single possible tricky scenario you could come across on tour. Given that you’re applying for one of the most popular jobs in the world, it’s going to be intense, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get maximum satisfaction out of it. Making it to the end of your training is a huge accomplishment in itself. So p repare well, work hard, keep your wits about you and sleep now, because if you do become a tour guide, you can kiss more than six hours of shut-eye per night goodbye! 

Step 5: Preparing for your first tour as a tour guide

You did it! You may have shed blood, sweat and tears to get here but you can finally call yourself a tour guide! It doesn’t matter if you’re  new to this because everyone has to start somewhere. Celebrate the fact that you’re here because experienced touring professionals believe you have what it takes to take passengers on the trip of a lifetime. So have some confidence in yourself. Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! If you gain their respect and they can see you know what you’re doing, you’re well on your way to being a roaring success.

Now that you’re a tour guide, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Your life will change. This isn’t a run of the mill 9 to 5, but if you’re leading a group of tourists towards the pyramids of Giza then you already knew that! Irregular hours means keeping in touch with loved ones or having a routine isn’t easy, but standing at the foot of the world’s greatest wonders will outweigh the crazy hours and lack of routine. If you love what you do, then none of it will feel like a sacrifice, in fact, you might even say all of the above is the best feeling! Not many people can call the world their office or say their day job includes visiting incredible sights and attractions that the rest of us dream about.

Requirements to become a tour guide

Work permits and passport.

Before you begin your application, do a solid check on the work permit requirements. Are you legally able to work in the country where you’ll be touring, or is there a visa or work permit you’ll need?

Before investing your time, heart, and soul in a solid job application, make sure you’ve got the legal parts covered.

See Also: Most Difficult Countries to Get a Visa

When to apply

Most tour operators will hire in preparation for their peak season. If you’re interested in working in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s best to apply around September, as applications will usually close before the new year to have training arranged in the first months of the year.

If you want to work in a region with year-round tourism (such as South East Asia, for example), check with the company to see when they run their training trips, or when is the best time to apply. If you’re lucky, they’ll tell you they can take an application anytime!

If you’d like to work in Australia and New Zealand, applications are generally taken around mid-year in preparation for the summer. As there is more demand for tour guides in summer months in most regions, the operators hire and prepare new tour guides for the peak season. Those tour guides may then apply or request to also have some winter work.

If becoming a tour guide is for you, maybe it’s time to start doing your research on which companies you’d like to apply to! It may seem like a daunting task, but for those suited to the job, it’s a dream come true.

Have any questions about the process? Ask us in the comments below! 

Finally settled down in Vienna after 9 years of leading tours in Europe, Leona first joined TourRadar in 2016. She speaks four languages and enjoys cooking authentic traditional recipes, walking in the hills around Vienna and arranging beer coasters so they're all facing the same way.

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11 Essential Tour Guide Skills

By: Marium Farooq

January 23, 2024

Table of Contents

Tour guides bear plenty of responsibility in immersing travellers in the culture of a foreign land and serve as the gatekeepers of exploration and discovery. A tour guide is more than just a person who can recite facts about various cities or destinations. They represent the face of the tour company, responsible for engaging the tour group and enhancing the tour experience. Tour guides are the perfect tool for these tours, adding an extra layer of excitement and knowledge to any trip. But behind their effortless charm and extensive knowledge lies a set of essential skills that make them the vital link between travellers and their chosen destinations. From excellent communication to cultural sensitivity, these skills empower tour guides to craft immersive and enlightening experiences that connect travellers with the essence of a place.

Key Skills and Qualities Every Tour Guide Should Possess

Here are some important skills for a tour guide to have that can really make or break the overall tourist experience.

1. Strong Communication Skills 

Strong communication skills are extremely important in tour guiding. Tour guides must be articulate, engaging, and capable of answering multiple guest questions. Communication skills on tours often involve public speaking and active listening to ensure everyone in the tour group feels open and heard. At times, they may even have to address questions they’ve answered multiple times already. According to John Voci, a former tour guide with over a decade of experience, having strong communication skills is at the heart of being a tour guide. This is because they don’t simply deliver a speech but must first understand what the tourists already know about the place, what interests them, and then match their expectations with the information provided. A significant aspect of strong communication is the ability to listen, understand, and respond in a way that maintains the interest of the people receiving the information.

2. The Right Energy

Tour guides’ enthusiasm can significantly impact the overall tourist experience. Often, we encounter individuals who are overly enthusiastic about selling something or tend to exaggerate the service or product, and they often come off as annoying or inauthentic. It is extremely important for a tour guide to be energetic and excited about the experiences while simultaneously sounding genuine and relaxed. This helps create a relaxed vibe that tourists can enjoy.

3. Flexibility and Adaptability

Charisma is natural, but a tour guide can only be fully equipped if they have training in all aspects of tours and potential situations that might arise. Often, unprecedented situations arise where the guide must change the schedule and adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Adaptability and flexibility are not only required for these unanticipated situations but are also essential to meet various guest needs and interests, while keeping to a natural flow of the experience.

It is a constant challenge to determine what information needs to be shared and what would be interesting to the tourists. An expert guide may need to adjust the amount of information provided for different locations or the pace of the tour, especially if the tour group consists of individuals of varying ages. As a result, tour guides can demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in different circumstances, enhancing the overall experience of the tour.

A great memory can take you a long way, especially if you are a tour guide. Memorized facts and stories are a significant part of being a successful tour guide. Often, we underestimate this skill; it takes a considerable effort to learn facts about a place and present them in an interesting way. Whether it’s a trip to a museum, garden, or an art gallery, the tour guide’s ability to share information can truly make or break your overall experience. The guide’s knowledge can have a profound impact on how tourists perceive their experience.

Tour guides must possess an impressive memory to recall small details about everything they are showcasing. Without that insight and knowledge, it may seem hollow, no matter how charismatic the tour guide might be. And don’t forget the power in remembering your guests name can have on creating a special experience.

5. Cheerful and Positive Vibes

This is not necessarily a skill but rather a personality trait. A tour guide needs to be someone who is enjoyable to be around. There are individuals who radiate positive energy, making others want to spend time with them. This type of charisma can truly set apart a successful tour guide. One of the crucial aspects of a tour guide’s role is to organize and ensure everyone is entertained and adhering to the schedule. It is important for tourists to rely on the tour guide for guidance rather than doing their own thing.

When a group of tourists comes together, there is often some social awkwardness as they typically don’t know each other. In such situations, it becomes the tour guide’s responsibility to alleviate that awkwardness and create a more comfortable atmosphere.

6. Storytelling and Creativity

There are millions of ways to deliver a speech, and what sets apart a good tour guide is their ability to improvise, their sense of humour, and the skill to create an engaging storyline from historical facts that might otherwise be challenging to grasp or remember. After all, few people  want to simply receive a lecture while on vacation. One way to gauge the success of a tour guide is to assess the knowledge tourists gain when leaving the experience and how much value they have derived from it. A tour guide might have memorized millions of facts about a destination, but the ability to pull out the right fact for the audience from their personal knowledge bank and present it in a way that is both interesting and engaging truly determines success.

7. Tech-savvy

In a rapidly advancing technological landscape, it’s no secret that technology wields significant influence. The tourism industry places an increased emphasis on social media marketing, and the unmatched benefits of booking software, coupled with a substantial surge in digital content, give a tech-savvy tour guide a distinct advantage over those lacking technical knowledge. A tech-savvy tour guide can assist tour operators in creating content that can be utilized across various marketing channels and platforms to attract more customers.

8. Improvisational skills 

According to John Voci, our Sales Director, who began his career as a tour guide, it is essential for tour guides to quickly assess the group’s state of mind and tailor the tour to create a pleasant experience. For instance, if it’s a walking or biking tour, and the rest point is 30 minutes away but the group members are struggling, possibly due to weather conditions or preexisting health issues, the tour guide might decide to take an early break to ensure the overall experience isn’t too strenuous for the group. This is why tour guides who can easily assess situations and make prompt decisions, instead of strictly adhering to the script or itinerary, are crucial. And to do all this while keeping guests of all speeds engaged takes skill.

9. Professionalism

The work ethic speaks volumes about a tour guide’s ability. They can be smart, humorous, and have extensive knowledge, but if they are unprofessional, miss meetings, arrive late, or are unreliable, they can cause more harm than good. It greatly depends on your guide to elevate your company’s image or potentially tarnish it. 

The element of integrity is non-negotiable as they represent the face of your company. A professional guide ensures your guests enjoy a seamless experience, making your brand shine. They not only impart knowledge but also ensure that guests feel valued and well-cared for throughout the tour. And while angry customers may be rare in the tour guide-to-guest relationship, the ability to handle late arrivals or other poor conditions professionally is key; not just for the tour group, but your company’s reputation.

10. First Aid Training

While not all tours are presented with hazardous conditions, ensuring the safety and well-being of your guests is of utmost importance. Since tour guides typically bear the responsibility for the group’s safety, having proper training becomes an invaluable asset. While nature and historical landmarks offer beauty, they may also present risks that first aid training can equip you to handle. This includes being prepared for scenarios such as allergic reactions, injuries from encounters with animals, minor incidents resulting from slipping and falling, and other unforeseen emergencies.

11. Organization and Time Management Skills 

Organization and time management skills are imperative for a tour guide.  Their responsibilities include planning of itineraries, seamless coordination of transportation, and the essential task of maintaining the tour schedule. Beyond merely adhering to time constraints, tour guides must ensure that the itinerary accommodates exploration and enjoyment for the tourists at each destination.

Being well-organized involves meticulous attention to details, from scheduling transportation to planning activities, ensuring that every aspect of the tour aligns with the expectations and preferences of the tourists. The ability to manage time effectively is not just about punctuality but also about creating a seamless flow that maximizes the tourist experience. An organized tour guide plays a key role in  creating a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable travel experience for the tourist group.

Since guests’ satisfaction typically hinges on the Tour Operator’s ability to deliver an unforgettable experience, the tour guide’s skills directly shape the tourist experience. As the primary point of contact, the ability to facilitate a smooth, engaging, and informative experience can significantly influence their perspective of the entire journey.

The role of a tour guide is not merely about sharing information; it’s about crafting an experience that lingers in the memories of the tourists. The twelve essential skills discussed here underscore the multifaceted nature of a successful tour guide.

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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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Travel agent job description, reservation agent job description, tour guide interview questions, travel agent interview questions, reservation agent interview questions, tour guide job boards, how to hire a foreign employee.

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10 Tips for Being a Good Tour Guide

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• By: Emily Potter

In the spring of 2013, when a hint of warmer weather got us ready to think about being outside, we put together a toolkit with ideas to help you organize a tour in your community . But don’t let the current chilly winter season stop you from giving―or going on―tours.

Instead, use these 10 tips, compiled by Johns Hopkins, Executive Director of Baltimore Heritage , to help you be the best tour guide you can be. (Not a tour guide? These tips can also give you insight into being a good tour goer.)

1. Face the crowd, not what you’re talking about. Tour guides often get so wrapped up in their subject they forget to face the people they are addressing. One secret to avoid this is to designate somebody in the crowd to interrupt you if they can’t hear you.

2. Be personal. No matter how much we love buildings, it’s a fact that people connect with people. So it’s good to have a few personal anecdotes ready, even if they’re just about past tours you've done. You’ll build a more personal connection to your group and create a memorable tour.

3. Tell a story (historical or contemporary). Make sure you have a few fun and compelling stories to tell about the buildings and sites you’re looking at. People are more likely to feel engaged when they are listening to a story, rather than a list of dates and names.

photo by: Marcin Wichary, Flickr

Tell a story, share your passion, get your tour group engaged in the places and sites you're excited about.

4. Get moving right away. Tours often get bogged down before they ever begin with tour guides doing the “big wind-up”―introductions, setting the theme, providing context, etc. Plan to scrap 90% of it.

Hint: If you have a script, the first line should tell you: “Move thirty feet up the street before you say anything.”

5. Don’t worry about being perfect. People don’t expect you to be perfect. Set the stage for human imperfection by acknowledging that people who may know more than you should speak up and share their knowledge with the group. The more interactive the tour is, the better!

6. Get help to get organized. Try to get a volunteer to check people in so you can chat with tour goers. People give tours for many reasons, but a big one is to meet new people, and the time before the tour is a great chance to get to know your group.

Hint: If you don’t have a volunteer beforehand, ask somebody on the spot. (They’ll love it!)

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7. End on time. (Or try very hard to.) Try like crazy to end on time. Nobody wants to feel like they are in tour jail. Tours on paper always seem too short and on the ground are always too long. Two hours is the absolute maximum. An hour to an hour and a half is better.

8. Limit your number of speakers. It’s hard to talk for just five minutes, so when you have multiple guides talking about different subject areas, it’s easy to lose track of time. Avoid it if you can, but, if you do have several different guides with you, designate one as the lead guide and the others as experts in a specific area.

9. Send a follow-up email. Follow up with an email―it can be as simple as a “thank you” note. If you can follow the tour with another contact, by email or otherwise, that’s another step towards creating a better link between the tour taker and your organization.

10. Avoid these traps:

• “12 (or 20…) people on the tour is the max.” Rather, let the space and tour guide set the scene.
• “You MUST plan everything out ahead of time.” In fact, a little spontaneity is good.
• “Don’t do outdoor tours in the winter.” People will still come, even in the snow.
• “Always have a backup plan in case it rains.” Don’t worry, people will come out in the rain, and it’s much easier than rescheduling.

A version of this story was published on 1/5/2016.

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More than just an umbrella and a script, becoming a tour guide is one of the most rewarding jobs for retired individuals, offering the chance to meet new people, entertain, and impart knowledge to an eager audience.

Around the UK and the world at large, many retirees find work as a tour guide an enriching experience that is a pleasure in itself.

With many tourists happy to pay for guided tours, however, there are financial benefits to the arrangement too.

Getting started as a tour guide is relatively easy, but there are a few things you need to know first.

Here, we’ll explain how to become a tour guide, the benefits, skills, and pay you can expect, as well as some tips on finding your feet, including good locations, some courses, and job scouting.

What Does a Tour Guide Do?

Tour guides show visitors around places of interest, including cities, museums, historic buildings, and galleries. Tour guides will take groups on excursions around these locations and impart their expert knowledge as they do so. This knowledge can be on almost anything but the most popular tours tend to be historical, natural, cultural, religious or even culinary in nature.

While film and TV would have you believe tour guides are disinterested script-readers ushering a crowd of people through a city or museum, the reality is usually far different.

A good tour guide will turn an average trip, visit, or holiday into something truly special, bringing a place to life.

The common duties of a tour guide include:

• Speaking knowledgeably on a location
• Guiding groups around a location
• Ensuring the safety of tour attendees
• Communicating in an effective and entertaining manner
• Provide enriching experiences to groups visiting a location

People are looking for a variety of different tour guides. Knowing a certain aspect of a place inside-out is valuable knowledge that many people are happy to pay to have shared. While an intimate knowledge of a city’s history is a guaranteed hit, there are plenty of people who would like to have the natural geology of the local landscape explained to them, or dive deeper into the exhibits in a museum. With modern tourists looking for a variety of experiences, there are plenty of gaps in the market for all sorts of tours.

Your job as a tour guide, therefore, involves leaving people happy that they now know a place a little better than before. This can be achieved in a number of ways and is dependent on your personality. Some guides will rely on humour, charm, and delivery, while others will win over customers with the finer details, professionalism, and expertise. The most popular tour guides tend to combine a bit of both.

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Types of Guide

The most common type of tour guides are:

This type of guide will typically walk, cycle, or bus their way around a city with a group taking in the various significant landmarks and points of interest. This sort of guide will usually have intimate, first-hand knowledge of the city they are giving tours on and know a thing or two the guidebooks may not.

Historical Guide

History tours are always a popular choice with a lot of visitors looking to the past to understand the present. These tour guides will take groups around areas of historical importance such as the site of a battle, the ruins of a Roman villa, medieval Cathedrals, stately homes, and even neolithic groundworks. Visitors look to history tour guides to bring vibrancy and liveliness to these places, helping understand the larger context as well as the interesting tidbits.

Museum/Curation Guide

Many find their experience of a museum or art gallery heightened when they are taken around by a tour guide. Giving background information on the history of an artifact or art piece, tour guides will often curate the finest these locations have to offer, fielding questions, and allowing a better appreciation.

Nature Guide

Nature guides tend to take groups through natural landscapes, explaining the various aspects of the environment. This includes local wildlife, geology, and the prehistoric life that inhabited the area. For a lot of retirees, this sort of tour can prove a great way to keep active, with short and long nature hikes popular amongst tourists.

You can, however, become a tour guide on almost any subject, especially if you choose to go down the freelance route. Tour guides have found success imparting knowledge on all manner of things including, afternoon tea tours, paranormal tours, crime and murder tours, pub tours, and even cemetery tours if notables are buried within your city. There is room for creativity and expression when it comes to giving tours.

Skills You Will Need

Success as a freelance or an employed tour guide requires having a certain skill set. These skills are:

Timekeeping

Ensuring you are where you need to be at all times is one of the trickiest parts of being a tour guide. With some guides fitting multiple tours into a day, starting and finishing on time is vital. This of course needs to be balanced with giving patrons a valuable experience that doesn’t feel rushed. Good timekeeping, therefore, means you can give your group the best value for money and your undivided attention.

Communication

It’s no good having expert knowledge on a subject if you can’t express it. Good communication, then, is a necessary skill in becoming a tour guide. Speaking clearly, loudly, and in an effective manner works best, knowing just the right amount of information to convey without getting bogged down in uninteresting details. However, these skills can be learned over time through practice and engagement.

Expert Knowledge

In-depth knowledge of the tour’s subject is essential. People don’t want to feel like they’re just having an encyclopedia read to them. Instead, they want the personal, engaging, and intimate knowledge of an expert. For employed tour guide work, this knowledge can be acquired and studied, improving your understanding over time, with organisations often giving training and courses. For freelance work, it is best to stick with subjects you already have a deep knowledge of.

Some of the best tour guides not only leave their groups feeling more knowledgeable, but also happier. Winning over your group can be done in a variety of ways. Some guides choose to express their passion for a subject, exciting their group, while others choose a dry-wit that keeps their patrons chuckling.

When taking a group on a tour, they will look to you to lead them. This involves adopting a certain air of authority for the duration of the tour. Not everyone is comfortable doing this but it is necessary for good timekeeping and the safety of your group. On a city tour, for example, shuffling your group out of the way of passers-by and away from nearby traffic will reassure your group you are a professional and have their best interest in mind.

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Benefits of Becoming a Guide in Retirement

Most find that becoming a tour guide is a mutually beneficial arrangement, especially for those in retirement . While groups get to experience a deeper understanding of a place, you as the tour guide get to talk about a subject you are interested in, expand your knowledge, and interact with like-minded people regularly.

Being a tour guide means being paid to talk about something you are passionate about to a captive audience. This is a big responsibility, of course, but is massively rewarding. While loneliness and isolation are often problems for some in retirement, tour guide work is a terrific outlet to interact with people and enrich their experience of a place, often leaving a lasting impression on patrons.

The work is flexible too, especially if you choose to freelance. While maintaining a schedule does help keep bookings flowing, the work is very forgiving when it comes to taking time off. With most tours taking just one or two hours, too, tour guide work can often fit around other commitments such as family duties.

Tour Guide Salary/Pay

Tour guides can expect to make anywhere between £18,000 to £30,000 a year depending on their level of experience, location, and amount of hours worked

Tour guides working in popular tourist cities such as London, York, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Manchester can expect to earn more than guides working in quieter locations.

Earnings from being a tour guide will not be consistent, with more money earned in certain seasons than others. This is typically the summer months when people go on holiday , take day trips, and do more travelling. Good financial planning is therefore necessary.

You can run a tour almost anywhere, but tourist hotspots will prove to be the most lucrative.

The UK’s rich and diverse history as an island makes almost any town or city suitable for tour guiding. With plenty of stately homes, prehistoric sites and natural landscapes, those who live in more rural areas should also not have any trouble finding tour guide work.

Being a tour guide in the UK does not require a license but tourists do tend to look for some form of accreditation.

As one of the world’s most visited places, London is an ideal place to become a tour guide, offering plenty of opportunities to those in retirement.

To guide in London you don’t need a license. However, in order to earn the trust of customers, you will need a City of London Guides Badge and ideally at least a Green Badge from the Institute of Tourist Guiding. A Blue Badge is recommended, however, as it is recognised internationally as a mark of quality and puts tourists at ease knowing they are in the hands of a professional.

These qualifications ensure you are capable of conveying historical and cultural information accurately and in a manner that represents London best.

Aside from the big landmarks and tourist favourites, London also presents the opportunity to host tours on even the most niche subjects. These include Harry Potter tours, Jack the Ripper murder trails, legal tours, and even a tour of the Capital’s public toilets.

The many major towns and cities of Europe are equally suitable for those interested in becoming a tour guide. For those who have chosen to retire abroad , this presents a great chance to impart your local knowledge with tourists looking to get to know a place better.

Like London, capitals and major cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Rome and Paris will always have high demand for tour guides. Each country has their own laws regarding tour guiding, with some requiring a license, such as France.

A good place to start is the  European Federation of Tourist Guiding Association  which provides training and advice on to how to become a tour guide in Europe.

International

Internationally, becoming a tour guide is simply a matter of researching your country of interest, including its rules and regulations.

India, for example, requires a regional license to be held to tour guide following a training course and is issued by the Indian Government’s Tourism Office. This license is only valid for 3 years before needing to be renewed.

Other countries, such as Japan, require no license or accreditation, meaning you can get started right away providing you have enough experience and knowledge.

Tour Guide Courses and Accreditations

There are no legal requirements to becoming a tour guide in the UK. You can simply set up a website or social media page, advertise locally, and start as soon as your first bookings come in.

This is often the route taken by freelancers looking to get started quickly, confident their area of expertise will attract groups. If you have proven experience in your tour subject, this will go a long way to instilling confidence in potential patrons.

While there is no need for a formal qualification, there are plenty of courses up and down the UK that offer training on how to become a tour guide. These courses will instruct you on how to handle large groups, what level of knowledge is necessary, delivering information concisely, and setting up your business or getting a job.

For those who want to acquire this form of accreditation, the  Institute of Tourist Guiding  is the go-to body, providing three levels of certification:

White Badge

Paid or voluntary guiding around attractions such as stately homes and cathedrals, and even  commercial sites .

Green Badge

The green badge accreditation is recommended for city and town tour guides, delivering walking tours on a full or part-time basis.

The most well-regarded tour guide accreditation, the blue badge is recommended for tour guides in busy cities and sites of interest, especially those that require taking groups on various forms of transport.

In order to become a blue badge accredited tour guide, you need to pass a course approved by the Institute of Tourist Guiding or the Scottish Tourist Guide Association. This typically involves up to two years of training and self-study followed by a series of comprehensive exams. These exams involve both written and practical exercises.

The badges can be obtained from various organisations in collaboration with the Institute of Tourist Guiding. The British Guild of Tourist Guiding has a list of course providers  here .

Finding Tour Guide Jobs

There are two ways to get work as a tour guide:

Freelance tour guides will handle the advertising, networking, and business side of things themselves. Getting bookings is a matter of having a website with a form, taking private messages on Facebook and other social media platforms, and receiving phone calls. It will be up to you to ensure your tour is being found, whether this is through word of mouth, online advertisements, being featured in local brochures and magazines, or interacting with potential visitors online.

Employed tour guides will tend not to have to deal with the day-to-day running of the business and are usually paid a regular wage, regardless of how many bookings are taken. The upshot of this is potentially less stress and admin. The downside is you may earn less than your freelance counterparts, and you might not be able to be as flexible.

Finding employed work as a tour guide can be achieved through:

• Job websites such as  Indeed ,  Jooble  and  Linkedin .
• Reaching out to museums, cathedrals, galleries, and other places of interest directly.
• Getting in touch with your  local tourist board  and asking about tour guide opportunities.

Offering flexibility, fair pay, and the opportunity to engage with people as passionate as you about a subject, being a tour guide is a great choice, especially for retirees.

Abbie Jessop is the former Head of Events at Rest Less Events, moderating many of the weekly events. As an avid reader and keen musician, she also runs the Book Club and Desert Island Discs events. She loves chatting to Rest Less Events members at the community events, and relishes the challenge of leading the Book Club Q&A every month.

* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here .

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Beginner’s Handbook: Launching Your Own Tour Guide Business

Main Sections In This Post Steps To Starting A Tour Guide Business Points to Consider Resources Knowledge Is Power Featured Video

Introduction

Starting a tour guide business can be an exciting venture with numerous possibilities. This overview provides helpful insights and information for aspiring entrepreneurs. It covers many examples, giving you a clear idea of what to expect.

Additionally, it highlights important issues to consider, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the journey. You’ll also find valuable resources and information to assist you during the startup phase and when your business is operational.

Feel free to bookmark this page for future reference, and if you find this post helpful, please share it!

Let’s get started with the steps.

Steps to Starting a Tour Guide Business

1. gaining an overview of what you’re getting into.

In the tour guide business, gaining insights and making informed decisions is crucial.

The key to success lies within you. Understanding your feelings about owning and running your own business is important. Investing time in this section will empower you to make better decisions when starting a tour guide business.

a.) Is Starting a Business the Right Step for You?

Passion plays a vital role in finding success as a tour guide. When you have a deep passion for your business, it becomes your driving force.

Challenges and obstacles won’t discourage you; you’ll actively seek solutions. On the other hand, if you lack passion for your business, problems may make you want to give up.

Let’s imagine a different scenario:

Imagine you win a huge lottery jackpot.

You generously help your loved ones and donate to charities. Over the next couple of years, you travel the world, buy your dream house, and even own a vacation home for relaxing weekends.

You have all the cars and gadgets you’ve ever desired. You can buy anything you want effortlessly.

Even after all this, you still have millions of dollars in cash and investments to live as you please.

Now, here’s an important question to consider: Would you still choose to start a tour guide business in such a situation?

If your answer is yes, it indicates that you genuinely have a passion for being a tour guide and you’re on the right track.

However, if your answer is no, it leads to another question:

What would you prefer to do instead? Maybe it’s worth exploring and pursuing that path instead of starting a tour guide business.

For More, See How Passion Affects Your Business

The Reasons for Starting a Business

Starting a tour guide business may sound amazing—being in charge, making important decisions, earning a good income, and living your dream life. It can become a reality if you succeed, but until then, it can be tough.

Before diving into a business, it’s crucial to ensure it’s the right fit for you and that you have the right motivations for starting one.

I recommend reading my article below. It will guide you through essential factors to consider and help you make an informed choice before taking the next steps.

See Considerations Before You Start Your Business to identify key points for a new business owner.

b.) A Quick Overview of Owning a Tour Guide Business

Tour Guide Business Overview

Running a tour guide business involves various responsibilities and offers a unique experience.

As the owner, you are responsible for:

• Organizing and conducting tours
• Ensuring the safety and satisfaction of your clients
• Managing the overall operations of the business

On an average day, your tasks may include:

• Gathering necessary materials
• Planning and scheduling tour routes
• Greeting clients as they arrive
• Offering details about the tour
• Leading clients through different locations
• Sharing interesting facts and stories
• Answering clients’ questions
• Coordinating transportation arrangements
• Making reservations for attractions or accommodations
• Managing any unexpected changes or issues
• Gathering feedback from clients about their experience
• Addressing any concerns or issues raised by clients
• Maintaining records for future reference

Running a tour guide business requires a mix of skills and qualities, including:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• In-depth knowledge of the tour locations
• Ability to adapt to different situations
• Strong organizational and time management skills

It’s a rewarding but demanding role that allows you to share your passion for travel and exploration with others.

Key Points To Succeed in Tour Guide Business

To succeed in a tour guide business, there are several key points to consider:

• Clients expect knowledgeable and engaging tour guides.
• Provide interesting and relevant information about the destinations.
• Offer a memorable and enjoyable experience for customers.
• Online platforms such as social media and websites.
• Collaborate with local travel agencies and hotels.
• Utilize print materials like brochures or flyers .
• Highlight unique features of your tours and showcase customer testimonials.
• Engage with potential customers through targeted advertising and content creation.

In addition to managing the tour guide business itself, two critical aspects are:

• Proper financial planning and management are essential.
• Keep track of expenses, including permits, transportation, and marketing costs.
• Balance revenue generation with cost control to ensure profitability.
• Regularly review and adjust the budget based on business performance .
• Focus on personalized interactions and attention to customer needs.
• Address inquiries and concerns promptly and professionally.
• Encourage feedback and actively work to improve the customer experience.

Understanding customer expectations, implementing effective marketing strategies, practicing sound budgeting, and prioritizing exceptional customer service can increase your chances of running a successful and sustainable tour guide business.

Challenges of Running a Tour Guide Business

Running a tour guide business comes with its fair share of challenges. Some of the key challenges include:

• It’s essential to attract a sufficient number of customers to generate revenue that covers expenses and ensures profitability.
• Effective marketing and promotional strategies are crucial in reaching a wide audience and attracting potential customers.
• Customer satisfaction is vital for the success of a tour guide business.
• Providing exceptional service, personalized experiences, and meeting customer expectations are crucial to keep customers happy and encourage positive reviews and referrals.
• Having enough funds to keep the business operating smoothly is crucial.
• Many businesses struggle or fail due to insufficient funds, especially during slow periods.
• Proper financial planning, budgeting, and managing cash flow are essential to ensure there’s enough money to cover expenses and sustain the business during challenging times.

Addressing these challenges requires a strategic approach, effective marketing efforts, a focus on customer satisfaction, and prudent financial management. By overcoming these obstacles, a tour guide business can thrive and succeed in the long run.

Tour Guide Business Models

There are various types of tour guide business setups, each with its unique business model. Here are a few common examples:

• In this setup, the tour guide operates as a sole proprietor, managing and conducting tours independently.
• The business model revolves around offering personalized tours, charging clients directly for the services provided.
• A tour guide agency acts as a middleman between clients and tour guides.
• The agency recruits and manages a pool of tour guides, matching them with clients’ needs.
• The business model involves earning a commission or fee from both the tour guide and the client for each booking.
• This type of tour guide business focuses on specific niches or specialized tours, such as adventure tours, cultural tours, or eco-tourism.
• The business model involves designing and organizing unique tours, partnering with local suppliers, and charging clients for the specialized experiences provided.
• Online platforms connect tourists with local tour guides.
• The business model typically involves charging a commission or service fee for facilitating bookings between clients and tour guides.
• These businesses cater to corporate clients, providing tailored tours and experiences for team building, conferences, or executive retreats.
• The business model involves negotiating contracts with corporate clients and offering comprehensive packages that include transportation, accommodation, and guided tours.

These are just a few examples of tour guide business setups and their respective business models. The choice of setup and business model depends on factors such as target market, specialization, and preferred level of involvement in tour operations.

c.) Pros and Cons

Pros of Running a Tour Guide Business:

• Exciting and fulfilling work, sharing your passion for travel and exploration.
• Flexibility in setting your own schedule and choosing the types of tours you offer.
• Opportunity to meet new people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Potential for good income, especially during peak travel seasons.
• Possibility of exploring new destinations and continuously learning about different places.

Cons of Running a Tour Guide Business:

• Seasonal fluctuations and unpredictability in customer demand.
• Intense competition from other tour guide businesses in popular destinations.
• Physical and mental demands of managing tours, including long working hours and handling unexpected situations.
• Responsibility for the safety and satisfaction of clients, which can be stressful.
• Challenges in finding a balance between business operations, marketing, and delivering high-quality tours.

It’s important to consider both the pros and cons before starting a tour guide business.

While it can be a rewarding and exciting venture, it also requires dedication, adaptability, and the ability to handle the challenges that come with it.

2. Research

Tour guide business research.

Before starting a tour guide business, conducting thorough research is crucial to make informed decisions.

Gathering quality information will help you determine if this business is the right fit for you. One valuable source of information is connecting with experienced professionals already working in the industry. They possess the knowledge and insights you can rely on.

Spending time with industry experts can be immensely valuable, allowing you to tap into their years of experience and gain valuable insights. I have written an article with helpful ideas to find the right people to talk to and approach them effectively.

To understand what you’re getting into before launching your business, I strongly recommend reading the article linked below. It will provide you with essential knowledge and prepare you for the journey ahead.

See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start  for all the details.

Target Audience

Understanding your target market is crucial for a tour guide business. By identifying your ideal customers, you can tailor your offerings and marketing strategies to meet their specific needs and preferences.

Potential customers who might be interested in what you offer include:

• Travel enthusiasts looking for unique and immersive experiences.
• Families and individuals seeking educational and informative tours.
• Adventure seekers in search of thrilling outdoor activities.
• History buffs interested in exploring historical landmarks and cultural sites.
• Nature lovers eager to discover scenic landscapes and wildlife.

You can improve your advertising and sales efforts by deeply understanding your target market. For more insights and guidance on understanding your customers, refer to How To Understand Your Target Market.

3. Looking at Financials:

In a tour guide business, it’s important to understand the financial aspects involved. Here’s an overview of startup costs, monthly expenses, revenues, and profits to consider:

Startup Costs:

• Accurately estimate the costs required to successfully launch your business.
• Create a comprehensive list of necessary items and get pricing.
• Consider factors like the size of your operation, hiring employees, and location impact on costs.
• Decide whether to purchase new or used equipment.

For more detailed information, refer to my article on  Estimating Startup Costs.

Sales and Profit:

• Your sales depend on factors such as the popularity of your products and services.
• Effective marketing is crucial to reach the right audience and create awareness.
• Calculate the profit per sale and aim for sufficient sales to cover expenses and generate profit.

Ensuring your sales exceed your monthly expenses, including living costs, is essential. Use the provided lists as a starting point for your research, giving you ideas and expectations for your tour guide business.

For More, See Estimating Profitability and Revenue

Sample Lists

Estimated cost list for a new tour guide business, the recurring monthly expenses, and a basic profit projection.

Remember that these figures are estimates and may vary significantly based on location, specialization, market competition, and other factors.

• Business License: $300
• Insurance: $1,500 per year
• Website Design & Development: $2,500
• Online Booking System: $500
• Marketing Materials (brochures, business cards, etc.): $500
• Office Equipment (computer, printer, etc.): $1,000
• Professional Training and Certification: $1,500
• Legal and Accounting Setup: $1,000
• Market Research: $1,000
• Initial Marketing and Advertising: $2,000
• Transportation Vehicle: $20,000

Grand Total for Startup Costs: $31,300

Monthly Expenses:

• Rent (if necessary): $1,000
• Utilities: $200
• Insurance: $125 (yearly insurance cost divided by 12)
• Website Maintenance and Hosting: $50
• Online Booking System Subscription: $50
• Fuel and Vehicle Maintenance: $300
• Marketing and Advertising: $500
• Phone and Internet: $100
• Office Supplies: $50
• Accounting Services: $200
• Miscellaneous (unexpected costs): $100

Grand Total for Monthly Expenses: $2,675

Revenue and Profit Projection:

Assumptions:

• Average price per tour: $50
• Average number of tourists per tour: 10
• Average number of tours per day: 2
• Business operates 25 days per month

Monthly Revenue:

= Average price per tour x Average number of tourists per tour x Average number of tours per day x Operating days per month

= $50 x 10 x 2 x 25 = $25,000

Monthly Expenses: $2,675

Monthly Profit (before tax):

= Monthly Revenue – Monthly Expenses

= $25,000 – $2,675 = $22,325

This is a simplistic projection, and the actual numbers can vary significantly based on many factors.

Conducting a detailed feasibility study and market research to get more accurate figures is highly recommended. Also, don’t forget to consider the taxes in your financial plan.

4. Choosing The Right Business Location

Picking the right place for your tour guide business can make it shine or sink.

If you pick a place where no one is interested in tours, your business will fail before it gets going.

If too many other tour guides are in the same spot, you may find it hard to get customers.

You want a place where people want your tours and there aren’t too many other guides around.

Being in a busy spot can help more people find your tours, but you have to make sure you can still make money after paying more to be there.

On the flip side, you might find a cheap place to run your tours, but will enough people want tours there to keep your business going?

Picking the right place is a big part of making your business a hit. Take your time, do your homework, and make sure you’re making a good choice.

For more about business locations, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.

5. Choose a Business Name

When selecting a name for your tour guide business, it’s important to choose something catchy, appropriate, and memorable.

Consider the following name ideas to spark your creativity and inspire you to create an original name that aligns with your company’s identity:

• Wanderlust Tours
• Explore Adventures
• Guided Discoveries
• Insightful Journeys
• Trailblazers Travel
• Discover Earth
• Enchanting Explorations
• Heritage Guides
• Cultural Compass
• Natural Wonders Tours
• Epic Expeditions
• Authentic Explorers
• Globe Trotters
• Panorama Guides
• Adventure Seekers
• Discover Local
• Hidden Gems Tours
• Heritage Trails
• Eco Explorations
• Inspire Wanderlust

Remember, this list is meant to ignite your creativity and help you brainstorm an original name not used by another business and is available for registration.

Choose a name that resonates with your tour guide business and reflects its unique offers and values.

For this important step, see How to Choose a Business Name.

6. Register Your Company

Registering your tour guide business is paramount as it provides legal recognition and establishes your business as a legitimate entity. Here are some key points to consider regarding registration:

• Enhances credibility and trust among clients and partners.
• Protects your business name and brand identity.
• Allows access to business banking services and financial transactions.
• Ensures compliance with local regulations and laws.
• Research and choose a suitable business structure, such as sole proprietorship , partnership , or limited liability company (LLC).
• Select a unique and memorable business name that aligns with your services.
• Check the availability of the chosen name and register it with the appropriate government agency.
• If hiring employees, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the tax authority.
• Fulfill any additional requirements specific to your location or industry.

Permits and Licenses to Consider for a Tour Guide Business:

• Business License: Obtain a general business license or permit required by your local government or municipality.
• Tour Operator License: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need a specific license to operate as a tour guide or operator.
• National Park or Wildlife Permits: If conducting tours in protected areas, you may need permits from relevant authorities.
• Transportation Licenses: If providing transportation services, check if you require licenses for vehicles or specific routes.
• First Aid and Safety Certifications: Consider obtaining certifications in first aid and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Remember to consult with local authorities or a business attorney to determine the specific permits and licenses needed for your tour guide business based on your location and the services provided.

See, How to Register your Business  for more.

7. Create Your Corporate Identity

In a tour guide business, having a professional and consistent corporate identity (CI) is crucial. Here’s why it’s important and what it includes:

• Creates a positive and memorable first impression of your business.
• Establishes professionalism and credibility.
• Builds brand recognition and trust among customers.
• Helps differentiate your business from competitors.
• Logo: A unique and recognizable symbol that represents your business.
• Business Cards : Essential for networking and sharing contact information.
• Website : A professional online presence to showcase your services and engage with customers.
• Stationery: Consistent design for letterheads, envelopes, and other business documents.
• Business Sign : A visually appealing and informative sign to attract customers.
• Promotional Items: Branded merchandise like pens, keychains, or t-shirts for marketing purposes.

By ensuring a cohesive corporate identity, you present a professional image that resonates with both new and existing customers. It establishes trust and creates a strong brand presence for your tour guide business.

A Corporate ID consists of various components such as your logo , business cards , website , stationary, business sign , promotional items, etc.

See A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages for more.

8. Writing a Business Plan

A business plan is a vital document for your tour guide business. It serves multiple purposes, including acquiring funding and attracting investors. It acts as a roadmap to guide you during the startup phase and when your business is fully operational.

Writing a business plan requires time and effort as it involves creating a vision of your future business. It’s important to carefully express the details and consider all aspects.

The effort invested in creating a business plan is worthwhile because it provides a clear understanding of the necessary steps to start and operate your business successfully.

When it comes to creating a business plan, you have various options:

• Writing it from scratch.
• Hiring a professional.
• Using a template.
• Utilizing business plan software.

Regardless of the option you choose, active participation is crucial, especially if you hire a professional. This ensures your business plan is distinctive and effectively conveys the nature of your tour guide business.

Remember, your business plan can evolve and be optimized as you gain experience. Regularly reviewing and making necessary adjustments is advisable to keep it relevant and aligned with your business operations.

Sample Business Plan for A tour Guide Business

An official business plan would be more detailed and specific and require thorough market research and analysis.

Executive Summary: “XYZ Guided Tours” will offer a variety of thematic city tours, such as historical, culinary, and ghost tours, to both local and international tourists. We will offer personalized, immersive experiences to groups of 1-10, catering to their specific interests and ensuring a unique and memorable adventure.

Company Description: Founded by a group of history enthusiasts, “XYZ Guided Tours” is a startup based in Boston, Massachusetts. Our goal is to provide high-quality guided tours that enlighten, educate, and entertain, leaving tourists with a deep appreciation for the city’s rich heritage and culture.

Market Analysis: The U.S. tourism industry continues to grow steadily, with a notable increase in demand for personalized, local experiences. Our main customers will be tourists visiting Boston, which in 2022, attracted 10.3 million visitors. The demand for guided tours remains high, particularly those with a unique spin or focus.

Organization and Management: Our team comprises a group of enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides, an operations manager, a marketing specialist, and a customer service representative. The founder, John Doe, will oversee all aspects of the business, including partnerships, budgeting, and strategic planning.

Services: We offer thematic city tours, including historical, culinary, and ghost tours. Our services also include custom tours, allowing customers to choose the sites they wish to visit. Each tour lasts approximately 3 hours and includes transportation and a knowledgeable guide.

Marketing and Sales Strategy: Our marketing strategy involves a strong online presence through SEO-optimized content, social media, and partnerships with local businesses. We’ll offer an online booking system through our website and also target hotel concierges, travel agencies, and local event organizers. To incentivize bookings, we’ll offer discounts for early booking and group purchases.

Funding Request: To start the business, we require an estimated $31,300. We are seeking an investor who can provide $15,000 in exchange for a 20% equity stake in the business.

Financial Projections: Based on our analysis, we anticipate a monthly revenue of $25,000 and monthly expenses of $2,675, resulting in a monthly profit (before tax) of $22,325. We predict we will be profitable by the end of the first year of operation, allowing for repayment of the initial investment.

Exit Strategy: If the business is not profitable after two years, we plan to liquidate the company’s assets, repay our investors, and dissolve the company.

Remember, this is a simplified business plan, and a thorough plan would require extensive research, market analysis, and potentially seeking professional assistance.

For information on creating your business plan, see,  How to Write a Business Plan.

9. Banking Considerations

When running a tour guide business, it’s worth considering a nearby bank that caters to business owners. Here’s why:

• Having a dedicated business account separates your business expenses from personal spending.
• It makes expense tracking easier and provides documentation in case of a tax audit.
• Developing a good relationship with your banker is beneficial.
• They can provide assistance and advice, especially when you need funding for your business.
• A trusted banker can help expedite loan processes and make them smoother.
• Consider applying for a merchant account to accept credit and debit card payments.
• This expands your payment options and makes transactions more convenient for customers.
• A positive relationship with your banker can help simplify setting up a merchant account.

By choosing a nearby bank that understands the needs of business owners, you can benefit from specialized services and guidance tailored to your tour guide business. Building a professional rapport with your banker can facilitate financial matters and ensure a smoother operation.

For more, see, How to Open a Business Bank Account. You may also want to look at, What Is a Merchant Account and How to Get One.

10. Getting the Funds for Your Operation

Getting funding for your tour guide business is crucial for starting and operating it successfully.

Here’s an overview of funding options and considerations when seeking financial support:

• Traditional Lenders: Banks and credit unions offer business loans with set repayment terms and interest rates.
• Private Loans: Borrowing from individuals or private lending institutions outside of traditional banks.
• Investors: Attracting investors who provide capital in exchange for a share of your business.
• Selling Assets: Liquidating assets you own, such as vehicles or equipment, to generate funds.
• Collateral: Using personal or business assets as collateral to secure a loan.

Considerations when Meeting with a Loan Officer:

• Prepare a detailed business plan outlining your tour guide business, its potential for growth, and financial projections.
• Demonstrate your industry knowledge, experience, and commitment to the business’s success.
• Highlight how the loan will be utilized to benefit and grow your tour guide business.

Sample List of Documents Needed for a Business Loan Application:

• Business plan and financial projections.
• Personal and business tax returns.
• Bank statements and financial statements.
• Proof of collateral (if applicable).
• Legal and business registrations.

Meeting with a loan officer requires careful preparation and providing the necessary documents to support your loan application.

It’s important to showcase your business’s potential and ability to responsibly manage funds.

See, Getting a Small Business Loan for more.

11. Software Setup

When choosing software for your tour guide business, it’s important to research and consider the following:

• It’s easier to start with a software program from scratch rather than switching to a new system later when your data is already in another program.
• Consider the effort and potential challenges involved in migrating data if you decide to switch later on.
• Look for software providers that offer demos, allowing you to try out the software and assess its suitability for your business.
• Read reviews and participate in online forums to gather insights from other tour guide businesses about their experiences with different software options.
• Research software solutions for tracking expenses and preparing financial documents needed for tax filing.
• Consult with your bookkeeper or accountant to ensure the chosen software meets your accounting needs and integrates well with their workflow.

List of Software Used for a Tour Guide Business:

• Examples: FareHarbor, Rezdy, Peek Pro.
• Examples: HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Salesforce.
• Examples: QuickBooks, Xero, Wave Accounting.
• Examples: Tourwriter, TrekkSoft, TourCMS.
• Examples: WordPress, Wix, Squarespace.

Remember, this is a list of software commonly used in tour guide businesses. Still, it’s important to research and evaluate each option to determine the best fit for your specific needs and preferences.

Check out Google’s latest search results for software packages for a tour guide business.

12. Get The Right Business Insurance

When seeking insurance for your tour guide business, it’s important to consider the following concerns:

Comprehensive Coverage:

• Ensure that the insurance policy covers a range of risks and potential incidents specific to your tour guide business.
• Consider coverage for customers, employees, yourself, premises, property, and any other individuals involved in the activities.

Professional Liability Insurance:

• Consider obtaining professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, to protect against potential lawsuits arising from negligence or inadequate services.

Home-Based Business Considerations:

• If you operate or manage your tour guide business from your home, inform your home insurance agent.
• Understand how running a business from home may impact your existing home insurance policy, as it may need adjustments or additional coverage.

Competent Insurance Broker:

• Work with a knowledgeable and reputable insurance broker who specializes in business insurance.
• Seek their guidance to assess your unique risks and ensure you have sufficient coverage for your tour guide business.

Adequate Coverage Limits:

• Consider the potential financial impact of incidents or lawsuits and choose coverage that adequately protects your business interests.

Remember to consult with an insurance professional who can provide specific advice tailored to your tour guide business and help you navigate the complexities of insurance coverage.

For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance . You can also browse the latest Google search results for tour guide business insurance .

13. Select Suppliers

Selecting suppliers is an important aspect of running a tour guide business. Here’s why it matters and how to foster a strong relationship:

Supplier Importance:

• Establishing a reliable and trustworthy relationship with suppliers is crucial for business success .
• A good supplier can offer competitive prices, enabling you to provide cost-effective services to customers and increase your profit margin.
• They ensure you have a consistent supply of necessary items, allowing your business to run smoothly without disruptions.

Building a Strong Relationship:

• Ensure that both parties benefit financially from the partnership.
• Promptly pay invoices and communicate clearly to establish trust and foster a positive working relationship.

You create a mutually beneficial partnership by cultivating a strong relationship with your suppliers.

This allows you to access quality products at competitive prices, ensuring customer satisfaction and smooth operations for your tour guide business.

For More See,  How To Choose a Supplier.

14. Physical Setup

Tour Guide Business’s Physical Setup/Layout:

A tour guide business’s physical setup or layout encompasses the arrangement of spaces and facilities. It includes considerations such as:

• Reception Area: A welcoming space for clients with seating and information materials.
• Office Space: A designated area for administrative tasks and managing bookings.
• Storage Area: A space to store equipment, supplies, and promotional materials.
• Meeting Room: A dedicated area for client consultations or team meetings.
• Break Room: A comfortable space for tour guides and staff to rest and recharge.

Signage for Tour Guide Business:

To guide and attract customers, setting up appropriate signage is important. Consider the following:

• Business Sign: Install a prominent sign outside your headquarters to increase visibility and attract potential customers.
• Directional Signs: Place signs in key areas to guide visitors to waiting areas, parking, restrooms, or other relevant locations.

Office Setup:

Your office plays a crucial role in managing your tour guide business. Consider the following:

• Organization: Maintain a well-organized workspace to enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Essential Equipment: Ensure your office has necessary tools like computers, printers, and communication devices.
• Functional Furniture: Choose ergonomic and functional furniture to support comfort and productivity.
• Storage Solutions: Implement storage systems to keep documents, supplies, and files organized and easily accessible.

A well-designed office setup promotes a conducive working environment, allowing you to efficiently manage your tour guide business and provide excellent client service.

See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office, for tips and ideas to make your office work for you. Also, have a look at our article About Company Signs.

15. Creating a Website

Having a website for your tour guide business offers several benefits:

• Online Presence: A website provides an online platform where potential customers can find and learn about your services.
• Increased Visibility: It expands your reach by allowing your business to be discovered by a wider audience, including tourists and travelers from different locations.
• Information Hub: Your website serves as a central hub for sharing details about your tours, destinations, itineraries, pricing, and contact information.
• Credibility and Trust: A professional website establishes credibility and builds trust among potential customers, demonstrating your professionalism and expertise.
• Booking Convenience: Visitors can easily book tours or inquire about your services directly through your website, providing convenience for both you and your customers.
• Showcasing Reviews and Testimonials: Displaying customer reviews and testimonials on your website helps build social proof, influencing others to choose your services.
• Marketing and Promotion: Your website enables you to showcase your unique selling points, highlight special offers, and implement digital marketing strategies to attract more customers.

Overall, having a website for your tour guide business enhances your online presence, increases visibility, builds credibility, and provides a convenient platform for attracting and engaging potential customers.

For more, see How to Build a Website for Your Business .

16. Create an External Support Team

An external professional support team is valuable for a tour guide business. These individuals provide advice and services and are not part of your regular payroll. Instead, you engage their services as needed, either through contracts or hourly rates.

Benefits of Having an External Support Team:

• Access to specialized expertise and guidance in various areas.
• Flexibility to utilize their services when required.
• Cost-effective compared to hiring full-time employees for every role.
• Opportunity to tap into a diverse range of skills and perspectives.
• Ability to focus on your core business while relying on professionals for specific tasks.

Building Your External Support Team:

• Accountant: Assists with financial management, bookkeeping, and tax planning.
• Lawyer: Provides legal advice and helps with contracts and regulations.
• Financial Advisor: Offers guidance on investment strategies and financial planning.
• Marketing Specialist: Assists with marketing campaigns, branding, and online presence.
• Technical Advisors: Provides expertise on technology-related matters.
• Consultants: Offers specialized knowledge and assistance in specific areas.
• Network and seek recommendations to find reputable professionals.
• Engage in conversations, attend industry events, and build connections.
• Start with one or two key roles and expand the team as needed.

Having a reliable external support team ensures you can access expert advice and services when needed.

Continuously working on cultivating these professional relationships can greatly benefit your tour guide business in the long run.

For more, see, Building a Team of Professional Advisors for Your Business.

17. Hiring Employees

When starting a tour guide business, you may initially operate independently without hiring employees.

This approach can help manage expenses, especially during the early stages.

However, as your business grows, handling all aspects on your own may become challenging.

Hiring employees can significantly enhance productivity when you find the right individuals for the job .

The following are job positions or outsourced services you may want to consider as your tour guide business grows and becomes successful:

• Tour Guides : Knowledgeable individuals to lead and conduct tours for your clients.
• Operations Manager : Oversees day-to-day operations and ensures the smooth functioning of the business.
• Customer Service Representative : Handles inquiries and bookings and assists customers.
• Marketing Specialist : Develops and implements marketing strategies to promote your business.
• Administrative Assistant : Assists with administrative tasks, scheduling, and record-keeping.
• Accountant : Manages financial transactions, bookkeeping, and tax-related matters.
• IT Support : Provides technical assistance and ensures smooth functioning of technology systems.
• Web Designer/Developer : Creates and maintains your business website.
• Graphic Designer : Designs promotional materials and branding assets.
• Content Writer : Develop engaging content for your website, blog, and marketing materials.

Remember, as your tour guide business grows and becomes successful, you can consider filling these positions or outsourcing the services to support your expanding operations effectively.

For more, see, How and When to Hire a New Employee.

Points To Consider

Marketing ideas.

Marketing your tour guide business is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort. The more you invest in effective marketing techniques, the more revenue you can generate for your business.

You don’t always need a marketing agency to promote your business. Instead, consider it as a way of raising awareness and seizing opportunities whenever they arise. Here are some simple yet effective marketing strategies for your tour guide business:

• Create a professional website to showcase your services, tours, and contact information.
• Utilize social media platforms to engage with potential customers and share updates about your business.
• Provide exceptional customer service to leave a positive impression on your clients.
• Encourage satisfied customers to spread the word and recommend your tours to their friends and family.
• Form partnerships with hotels, travel agencies, and other local businesses to cross-promote each other’s services.
• Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor and Google, as positive reviews can attract new customers.
• Attend tourism fairs, local festivals, or community gatherings to promote your tours and connect with potential customers.

Remember, effective marketing is an ongoing effort, and it’s about raising awareness and seizing opportunities to showcase the unique experiences your tour guide business offers.

See our article How To Get Customers Through the Door ; you’ll find a few ideas you can use.

See our marketing section for articles that will provide ideas to bring awareness to your tour guide business.

Focusing on your skill set and evaluating if you have the right skills is crucial when running a tour guide business. It’s important to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. If you lack an essential skill, you can either learn it or hire someone with that expertise.

Essential Skills for a Tour Guide Business Owner:

• Excellent Communication: Ability to engage and communicate effectively with tourists, conveying information clearly and engagingly.
• Knowledge of Local Attractions: Deep understanding of the destinations, landmarks, history, and culture related to the tours you offer.
• Customer Service: Strong customer service skills to provide exceptional experiences, handle inquiries, and address customer needs.
• Organization and Time Management: Efficiently managing bookings, schedules, and itineraries to ensure smooth operations.
• Problem-Solving : Quick thinking and adaptability to handle unexpected situations or challenges during tours.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Ability to adjust plans and cater to different customer preferences or changing circumstances.
• Public Speaking: Comfortable speaking in front of groups, delivering engaging and informative commentary.
• Leadership and Teamwork: If managing a team of tour guides, leadership skills and the ability to foster teamwork and collaboration.
• Safety and Emergency Procedures: Knowledge of safety protocols, first aid, and emergency procedures to ensure customers’ well-being.
• Sales and Marketing: Basic understanding of sales and marketing principles to promote and attract customers to your tours.

Remember, while some skills can be learned or acquired over time, it’s important to assess your existing skills and continuously work on improving them for the success of your tour guide business.

Hours of Operation:

When determining the hours of operation for a tour guide business, consider the following:

• Determine the specific hours during which you can conduct tours based on the destinations and attractions you offer.
• Consider any restrictions or regulations imposed by local authorities or tourist sites.
• Identify the peak times when most tourists visit your area or when demand for tours is highest.
• Adjust your hours of operation to accommodate these peak hours and maximize customer engagement.
• Take into consideration any seasonal fluctuations in tourist activity.
• Adjust your hours to align with the peak tourist seasons and potentially scale back during slower periods.
• Consider any special events, holidays, or festivals in your area that may attract tourists.
• Extend your hours or offer special tours during these occasions to cater to the increased demand.
• Pay attention to customer preferences and feedback regarding tour timings.
• Adapt your hours of operation to align with the preferences of your target audience.

Remember, the hours of operation for a tour guide business can vary based on factors such as location, tourist demand, and seasonality. Regularly evaluate and adjust your hours to best serve your customers and optimize your business’s performance.

A List of Equipment You May Need for a Tour Guide Business:

• Transportation Vehicle: Depending on the nature of your tours, you might need a car, van, or bus to transport your customers.
• Navigation Devices: GPS devices or apps can be useful in keeping the tour on track and avoiding getting lost.
• Audio Equipment: If you’re guiding large groups, you might need a microphone and portable speakers. Tour guide systems with wireless microphones and headsets could be very useful.
• Mobile Devices: Smartphones or tablets can help with directions, fact-checking, and showing clients visual aids.
• Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot: Internet access can be crucial for online bookings, emergency contacts, or digital presentations during the tour.
• First Aid Kit: It’s essential to have a basic first aid kit for any minor injuries or illnesses.
• Defibrillator: This is critical emergency equipment that can be used in cases of life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
• Weather Equipment: Depending on the climate, you might need items like umbrellas, sunscreens, water bottles, etc.
• Camping Equipment: For outdoor or adventure tours, you might need equipment such as tents, hiking gear, or binoculars.
• Office Equipment: For your administrative office, you might need a computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, etc.
• Promotional Material: Items like business cards, brochures, banners, or signs to advertise your business.

Safety should always be a priority when planning and executing tours, so including equipment like a defibrillator is a prudent choice.

In this section of the post, you will find valuable resources for your tour guide business.

These resources can be used while your business is up and running, and they offer valuable insights into the industry and tips for enhancing your operations.

By exploring these resources, you can better understand the tour guide industry and access useful information to improve your business.

Industry Trends and Statistics

Looking at industry trends and statistics for a tour guide business offers several benefits.

It helps you stay informed about the market, understand customer preferences, make informed business decisions, identify growth opportunities, and stay competitive in the industry.

See the latest search results for trends and statistics related to a tour guide business.

Tour Guide Associations

Trade associations provide several advantages for tour guide businesses. They keep you updated on industry news, offer networking opportunities, and host events that allow you to connect with industry professionals.

These benefits are valuable for staying informed and expanding your network within the tour guide industry.

See the search results for tour guide associations.

Top Tour Guide Business

Examining established tour guide businesses can be beneficial in generating ideas for your own business.

It allows you to identify gaps in the industry that you can fill or uncover areas of improvement that you may have overlooked. This process helps enhance your business strategy and differentiate yourself in the market.

See the latest search results for the top tour guide businesses.

The Future of the Tour Guide Industry

Researching the future of the tour guide industry provides valuable insights for aspiring business owners.

It helps in understanding emerging trends, anticipating customer demands, and adapting strategies accordingly.

This research enables informed decision-making, enhances competitiveness, and increases the chances of long-term success in the industry.

See the search results for the future of the tour guide industry.

Researching industry prices when starting a tour guide business offers several benefits. It helps you understand market rates, determine competitive pricing, and set prices that align with customer expectations.

This research enables you to make informed pricing decisions and position your business competitively in the market.

See the latest tour guide prices.

Tour Guide Businesses for Sale

When considering a tour guide business, there are advantages and disadvantages to buying an existing business that’s already up and running.

The Benefits of buying an established tour guide business include the following:

• Immediate Revenue: You start earning money immediately from the day you take over.
• Skip the Startup Phase: You can avoid the challenges of starting from scratch and focus on growing the business.
• Proven Success: The business has a track record of working and generating revenue, profit, and expenses.
• Existing Customer Base: You already have a customer base, providing a foundation for continued business.
• Established Reputation: The business has built a reputation over time, which can attract more customers.

However, there are also disadvantages to buying an existing business, such as:

• Higher Cost: The purchase price is usually higher due to the value of the customer base and established goodwill.
• Potential Customer Loss: If you want to make changes to the business, it may result in losing some existing customers.
• Inherited Reputation: When you acquire the business, you also inherit its reputation, which may include both positive and negative aspects.

Considering these pros and cons can help you decide whether to buy an existing tour guide business or start from scratch.

See tour guide – businesses for sale to browse the latest listings.

Tour Guide Franchise Opportunities

Considering a tour guide franchise has its advantages and disadvantages, but it’s worth exploring before starting a business from scratch.

Pros of Buying a Tour Guide Franchise:

• Proven Business Model: You can simply follow the established plan created by the corporate office.
• Existing Reputation and Marketing: Benefit from the franchise’s established reputation and marketing efforts.
• In-depth Knowledge: You can access comprehensive business information before getting involved.
• Corporate Support: Receive support and guidance from the corporate office throughout your operations.

Cons of Buying a Tour Guide Franchise:

• Higher Cost: Purchasing a franchise can be expensive due to initial fees and ongoing royalties.
• Limited Flexibility: Making significant changes to the business may require approval from the corporate office.
• Product and Service Restrictions: You are limited to offering only approved products and services.
• Operational Restrictions: Your business operations must adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in the franchise agreement.
• Ongoing Franchise Fees: Regular payments of franchise fees are required as part of the agreement.

Carefully considering these pros and cons will help you decide if buying a tour guide franchise is the right path for your business venture.

See tourism franchise opportunities to browse the latest listings.

Knowledge Is Power if You Use It!

There is a wealth of information available online about the tour guide industry. By following the provided links in the following sections, you can access valuable resources to assist you in your research, startup phase, and ongoing operations of your business.

These resources will equip you with insights and guidance to make informed decisions and enhance the success of your tour guide business.

A Day in the Life

“A Day in the Life of a tour guide business owner” provides valuable tips and insights from industry professionals.

This resource offers an overview of what to expect in a tour guide business’s daily operations, helping you better understand the role and its responsibilities.

See the search results for a day in the life of tour guide business owners.

Publications

Publications are an excellent way to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest information about the tour guide business.

They provide valuable insights, industry trends, and helpful tips to help you navigate and succeed in the tour guide industry.

See the search results for publications related to a tour guide business.

Visiting tour guide forums provides an opportunity to discuss hot topics.

Active participation in these forums allows you to connect with fellow industry professionals, build relationships, and gain insights from their experiences and perspectives.

See the latest search results for the top tour guide forums.

Courses related to the tour guide business offer valuable opportunities to learn, enhance your skills, and stay up-to-date with industry trends. These courses provide practical knowledge, improve your capabilities, and equip you with the necessary skills to thrive in the tour guide industry.

By enrolling in such courses, you can gain valuable insights, learn best practices, and stay current in this dynamic field, ultimately increasing your chances of success as a tour guide business owner.

See the latest courses related to running a tour guide business.

Tour Guide Blogs

Subscribing to tour guide blogs is a great way to gather ideas and stay updated with the industry. You can explore various blogs, subscribe to the ones that resonate with you, and unsubscribe from those that don’t add value.

This curated collection of blogs will provide you with a valuable stream of information that you can utilize in your tour guide business.

Look at the latest search results for tour guide blogs  to follow.

Books are a valuable source of information to support you in starting a tour guide business. They offer in-depth knowledge, practical insights, and guidance to help you navigate the industry successfully.

The latest books about starting a tour guide business are listed on Amazon

Following the news makes staying updated with the tour guide industry easy. Set up alerts to receive timely notifications whenever there is new coverage about the industry, helping you stay informed and abreast of the latest developments.

See what’s in the news about tour guides.

Videos about the tour guide industry provide valuable tips and insights. When watching such videos, pay attention to the related videos that YouTube suggests, as they often cover topics you may not have considered, expanding your knowledge and understanding of the industry.

See the links to YouTube Videos Below.

• Videos related to starting a tour guide can be found here.

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Elden Ring: How To Get The Raging Wolf Armor Set

Quick links, retrieve rya's necklace, seek out volcano manor, join the covenant & complete quests, travel into leyndell, royal capital, build suggestions.

The Raging Wolf Set is medium-weight armor. When obtained, it gives the player additional protection and various resistances against any kind of damage inflicted on the player. Like any armor set in Elden Ring , the Raging Wolf Armor Set consists of leg armor, gauntlets, chest armor, and a helm. Players will need to maneuver through Volcano Manor and join their covenant while completing a few tasks along the way.

Elden Ring: Nepheli Loux Questline - Complete Walkthrough

The armor set was formerly worn by Vargram the Bloody Wolf , "one of the first Tarnished to visit the Roundtable Hold." If players want to acquire the set, they will need to avoid defeating Maliketh in Crumbling Farum Azula as well as Rykard before finding the armor. Additionally, players will need to refrain from killing Knight Bernahl , who is an NPC that is imperative to the quest to get the armor set.

Updated by Chad Thesen on March 20th, 2024: This article has been updated for the purpose of adding additional information to enhance the navigation experience of readers. New information that has been added includes a new section of information covering builds that work well with this armor set, a new way of presenting links for guiding readers, and updated images for a better reading experience.

Go to the area of Liurnia shown above and speak to the NPC known as Rya. Rya can be found complaining about a thuggish thief that stole her precious necklace -- initiating a conversation with her will allow players to help her find it by tracking down the thief . Travel to Boilprawn Shack , which is northwest of where Rya and the telescope are located.

The NPC who stole the necklace is outside the Shack, sitting on the ground. He will sell you the necklace for a cheap price. Go back to Rya and give her the necklace. She will thank you and ask the player if they'd like to join the guild at Volcano Manor -- answer yes.

Elden Ring: 15 Best Strength Scaling Weapons

Players will need to make the long, arduous trip to reach Altus Plateau . Whether taking the Grand Lift of Dectus or navigating the perilous Ruin-Strewn Precipice , Rya can be found waiting for you not far from either location -- by the top of the Lift or near Lux Ruins , depending on how you arrive in Altus Plateau. Rya will offer to make it easier to get to Volcano Manor by taking the player there -- answer yes.

There's an alternate path to reach Volcano Manor and Altus Plateau -- through the Abductor Virgin at the base of Raya Lucaria Academy 's waterwheel -- and while this route is valuable to explore, seeking out Rya in Altus is by far a less bumpy ride.

Inside the manor, take a left to find two NPCs. Lady Tanith , the woman, will be sitting in a chair. Speak to her -- she will ask if the player wants to join the manor. Answer yes. Tanith will hand the player a key to another room within the manor. In the room right of where Tanith is located, there's a large table and a letter on the corner of it -- pick it up . Taking the letter will initiate a quest line imperative to acquiring the Raging Wolf Armor . Next to the table, Knight Bernahl will be sitting in a nearby chair.

If players have already killed Knight Bernahl, they will not be able to progress through the quest and thus will be unable to acquire the Raging Wolf armor set. It is important to keep him alive.

Speak to Tanith once again, and she will inform the player that they have a task. Open the map, and a red dot will appear northeast of the manor and far off to the side, this is where a task is. Keep in mind, the player will need to accomplish two tasks -- before and after each, have a conversation with Knight Bernahl. Travel to this location and defeat the NPC that awaits.

After fulfilling this task, head back to Volcano Manor. Tanith will reward the player, and another letter will spawn on the same table where the other letter was located. Pick it up to initiate another quest. Complete this task for the covenant and then speak to Knight Bernahl . He will give the player a letter -- the next red dot on the map will lead players to the Raging Wolf Armor .

The dot will appear in the Capital City -- players should have at least a couple of Great Runes before heading to this area. Players should try to reach the Fortified Manor , First Floor's exact location. Go into the dimly lit building -- on the floor in the center of the room, there's a sign where you can invade . Players will meet with two NPCs they'll need to fight. This battle can be fairly difficult, even with Knight Bernahl's extra help. Upon defeating both NPCs, players will be rewarded with the Raging Wolf Armor Set.

Outfit Alterations

If players don't like the cape, they can remove it by altering the appearance of the chest piece. Head to the Church of Vows in Liurnia, and you'll find a chest near a Miriel, Pastor of Vows. Inside, players will find the Golden Tailoring Tools . Afterward, players can go to any site of grace and have the cape removed. Thankfully, if the player changes their mind, they can always alternate between armor variations and put the cape back on, which works for many armor sets in Elden Ring.

There are plenty of ways you can build a character in Elden Ring, almost all of which rely on more than focusing on just 1 stat. Vigor is a good all-rounder to survive being killed with 1 hit and is something you should always invest some points into to ensure you have room for error to make use of your flasks before getting back into the thick of things. Besides this universally beneficial stat, you should focus on builds that focus on raising particular stats over all the others.

Strength & Intelligence

Making the best Strength & Intelligence build will focus more on what weapons, talismans, and sorceries you make use of. This means it is an ideal build to try with this armor set as The Raging Wolf armor is not an extremely heavy armor that will grant you a solid range of resistances for when something does hit you. While Intelligence offers range, a build that combines it with Strength will have enemies getting closer than you may like — especially for some of your best follow-up attacks.

Blasphemous Blade Build

Once you have gone through the task of obtaining the Blasphemous Blade , you will be able to make use of numerous builds that revolve around having a high amount of Faith. This will be present in both various Faith builds , as well as the best Strength & Faith build in Elden Ring. The Blasphemous Blade lets you deal out damage while healing any damage you may have lost, but you will also need to be able to roll out of harm's way. When you do get hit, you will be able to get back up on your feet and aggressively get back into engaging your opponent to heal back up.

If the build suggestions above are something you found helpful, you may be interested in where you may be able to get your hands on some of the key items to pull them off. You should check how you can obtain the Dark Moon Greatsword , and if you enjoy having a balance of melee and sorceries, be sure to look into making a build for the Sword of Night and Flame .

Elden Ring: 15 Best Faith Scaling Weapons

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What the New Overtime Rule Means for Workers

One of the basic principles of the American workplace is that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Simply put, every worker’s time has value. A cornerstone of that promise is the  Fair Labor Standards Act ’s (FLSA) requirement that when most workers work more than 40 hours in a week, they get paid more. The  Department of Labor ’s new overtime regulation is restoring and extending this promise for millions more lower-paid salaried workers in the U.S.

Overtime protections have been a critical part of the FLSA since 1938 and were established to protect workers from exploitation and to benefit workers, their families and our communities. Strong overtime protections help build America’s middle class and ensure that workers are not overworked and underpaid.

Some workers are specifically exempt from the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime protections, including bona fide executive, administrative or professional employees. This exemption, typically referred to as the “EAP” exemption, applies when: 

1. An employee is paid a salary,  

2. The salary is not less than a minimum salary threshold amount, and 

3. The employee primarily performs executive, administrative or professional duties.

While the department increased the minimum salary required for the EAP exemption from overtime pay every 5 to 9 years between 1938 and 1975, long periods between increases to the salary requirement after 1975 have caused an erosion of the real value of the salary threshold, lessening its effectiveness in helping to identify exempt EAP employees.

The department’s new overtime rule was developed based on almost 30 listening sessions across the country and the final rule was issued after reviewing over 33,000 written comments. We heard from a wide variety of members of the public who shared valuable insights to help us develop this Administration’s overtime rule, including from workers who told us: “I would love the opportunity to...be compensated for time worked beyond 40 hours, or alternately be given a raise,” and “I make around $40,000 a year and most week[s] work well over 40 hours (likely in the 45-50 range). This rule change would benefit me greatly and ensure that my time is paid for!” and “Please, I would love to be paid for the extra hours I work!”

The department’s final rule, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024, will increase the standard salary level that helps define and delimit which salaried workers are entitled to overtime pay protections under the FLSA. 

Starting July 1, most salaried workers who earn less than $844 per week will become eligible for overtime pay under the final rule. And on Jan. 1, 2025, most salaried workers who make less than $1,128 per week will become eligible for overtime pay. As these changes occur, job duties will continue to determine overtime exemption status for most salaried employees.

The rule will also increase the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (who are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA if certain requirements are met) from $107,432 per year to $132,964 per year on July 1, 2024, and then set it equal to $151,164 per year on Jan. 1, 2025.

Starting July 1, 2027, these earnings thresholds will be updated every three years so they keep pace with changes in worker salaries, ensuring that employers can adapt more easily because they’ll know when salary updates will happen and how they’ll be calculated.

The final rule will restore and extend the right to overtime pay to many salaried workers, including workers who historically were entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA because of their lower pay or the type of work they performed. 

We urge workers and employers to visit  our website to learn more about the final rule.

Jessica Looman is the administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. Follow the Wage and Hour Division on Twitter at  @WHD_DOL  and  LinkedIn .  Editor's note: This blog was edited to correct a typo (changing "administrator" to "administrative.")

• Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• overtime rule

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Under Choose default signature , set the following options. 

In the E-mail account drop-down box, choose an email account to associate with the signature. You can have different signatures for each email account.

You can have a signature automatically added to all new messages. Go to in the New messages drop-down box and select one of your signatures. If you don't want to automatically add a signature to new messages, choose (none). This option does not add a signature to any messages you reply to or forward. 

You can select to have your signature automatically appear in reply and forward messages. In the  Replies/forwards drop-down, select one of your signatures. Otherwise, accept the default option of (none). 

Choose OK to save your new signature and return to your message. Outlook doesn't add your new signature to the message you opened in Step 1, even if you chose to apply the signature to all new messages. You'll have to add the signature manually to this one message. All future messages will have the signature added automatically. To add the signature manually, select Signature from the Message menu and then pick the signature you just created.

Add a logo or image to your signature

If you have a company logo or an image to add to your signature, use the following steps.

Open a new message and then select Signature > Signatures .

In the Select signature to edit box, choose the signature you want to add a logo or image to.

To resize your image, right-click the image, then choose Picture . Select the Size tab and use the options to resize your image. To keep the image proportions, make sure to keep the Lock aspect ratio checkbox checked.

When you're done, select OK , then select OK again to save the changes to your signature.

Insert a signature manually

If you don't choose to insert a signature for all new messages or replies and forwards, you can still insert a signature manually.

In your email message, on the Message tab, select Signature .

Choose your signature from the fly-out menu that appears. If you have more than one signature, you can select any of the signatures you've created.

See how it's done

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Note:  Outlook on the web is the web version of Outlook for business users with a work or school account.

Automatically add a signature to a message

You can create an email signature that you can add automatically to all outgoing messages or add manually to specific ones.

Select Settings   at the top of the page.

Select Mail >  Compose and reply .

Under Email signature , type your signature and use the available formatting options to change its appearance.

Select the default signature for new messages and replies.

Manually add your signature to a new message

If you've created a signature but didn't choose to automatically add it to all outgoing messages, you can add it later when you write an email message.

In a new message or reply, type your message.

If you created multiple signatures, choose the signature you want to use for your new message or reply.

When your email message is ready, choose Send .

Note:  Outlook.com is the web version of Outlook for users signing in with a personal Microsoft account such as an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com account.

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Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Guide

How To Start A Tour Guide Company

Published: December 12, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Lucy Scruggs

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Starting a tour guide company can be an exciting and fulfilling venture for those with a passion for travel and adventure. By sharing your knowledge and expertise of various destinations, you can create memorable experiences for travelers while turning your passion into a profitable business.

As with any entrepreneurial endeavor, starting a tour guide company requires careful planning, research, and execution. From identifying your target audience to developing unique tour packages and establishing a strong online presence, there are several crucial steps that need to be taken to ensure the success of your venture.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of starting your own tour guide company. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer looking to share your experiences or an aspiring entrepreneur with a love for travel, this guide will provide you with the necessary information and insights to turn your dream into a reality.

From conducting market research to obtaining the required licenses and permits, hiring and training tour guides, and creating an effective marketing strategy, we will cover everything you need to know to launch and grow a successful tour guide company. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of starting a tour guide company!

Step 1: Research and Planning

Research and planning are the foundation of any successful tour guide company. It is crucial to thoroughly investigate the market and competition to identify gaps and opportunities. This will help you develop a unique selling proposition and determine the viability of your business.

Start by researching popular tourist destinations and analyzing their current tourism trends. Look for untapped niches or unique experiences that you can offer to differentiate yourself from existing tour guide companies. Consider factors such as cultural, adventure, historical, or eco-tourism to cater to specific traveler interests.

Furthermore, study your competition. See what kinds of tours they offer, their pricing, and their target audience. Identify their strengths and weaknesses to find ways to stand out. Additionally, research the demand for tours in your chosen locations and assess the potential profitability of your business.

In this stage, it is also essential to define your target audience. Determine who your ideal customers will be and tailor your tours and marketing efforts to cater to their needs and preferences. Are you targeting solo travelers, families, adventure enthusiasts, or luxury vacationers? Understanding your target audience will help you customize your offerings and enhance customer satisfaction.

After conducting thorough research, it’s time to create a comprehensive business plan. This plan will serve as a roadmap for your tour guide company, outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections. Include details on your target market, competitive analysis, marketing strategies, operational plans, and financial forecasts.

Your business plan should also highlight your unique selling proposition – what sets your tour guide company apart from the rest. It could be specialized knowledge of a specific destination or a unique approach to customer service. Clearly articulate the value you provide to potential customers.

A well-researched and thought-out business plan will not only help you stay focused and organized but will also be necessary if you plan to secure funding from investors or financial institutions.

By dedicating time to thorough research and careful planning, you will lay a strong foundation for your tour guide company. This groundwork will ensure that you have a clear vision, understand your target market, and are equipped with the knowledge needed to create unique and successful tour experiences.

Step 2: Identify your target audience

Identifying your target audience is a critical step in starting a tour guide company. Understanding the specific demographics, interests, and needs of your potential customers will enable you to tailor your tours and marketing efforts to effectively reach and engage them.

Begin by conducting market research to gain insights into the types of travelers that are interested in the destinations you plan to offer tours in. Look at factors such as age, gender, income level, and travel preferences. Are you targeting budget-conscious backpackers, luxury travelers, or families with young children?

Consider the interests and motivations of your target audience. Are they primarily interested in adventure activities, cultural experiences, or historical landmarks? Do they prefer guided group tours or private excursions? Understanding their preferences will allow you to create compelling tour packages that meet their needs and exceed their expectations.

To further refine your target audience, analyze the data you have gathered and segment it into smaller groups. This will help you create more targeted marketing messages and experiences. For example, you might have a segment of adventure travelers who are interested in hiking and outdoor activities, and another segment of food enthusiasts who want to explore local cuisine.

Once you have identified your target audience segments, create buyer personas that represent each group. These personas will help you better understand the motivations, behaviors, and preferences of your potential customers. You can give them names, ages, and personal backgrounds to make them more relatable.

With your target audience identified, you can now develop marketing strategies and tour packages that resonate with them. Craft your messaging in a way that speaks directly to their interests and needs. Use the language and tone that will resonate with them, whether it’s adventurous, family-friendly, or luxurious.

Consider where your target audience can be found online and offline. Are they active on social media platforms, travel forums, or in specific interest groups? Connect with them through these channels to build awareness and engage with potential customers.

By identifying your target audience and creating buyer personas, you can create experiences and marketing campaigns that are tailor-made for your ideal customers. This approach will help you attract the right travelers and establish a strong brand presence in the market.

Step 3: Create a business plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is essential for the success of your tour guide company. It serves as a roadmap that outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections, and provides a clear direction for your business.

Start by defining the vision and mission of your tour guide company. What is the ultimate purpose of your business? What values do you want to embody? Clearly articulating your vision and mission will help guide your decision-making process and set the tone for your company’s culture.

Next, conduct a thorough analysis of the market and competition. Identify your target market and understand the demand for tour guide services in your chosen locations. Analyze your competitors and identify their strengths, weaknesses, and unique selling propositions.

Outline your unique selling proposition (USP) – what sets your tour guide company apart from the rest. It could be specialized knowledge of a specific destination, unique experiences, exceptional customer service, or a niche market you serve. Your USP will be a key differentiator and will help you attract customers.

Detail your marketing strategies and how you plan to reach your target audience. Include both online and offline tactics, such as social media marketing, content marketing, partnerships with local businesses, and targeted advertising campaigns. Clearly define your pricing structure and outline how you plan to generate revenue.

Develop a thorough operational plan that outlines the logistics of running your tour guide company. This includes acquiring transportation and equipment, managing tour bookings, ensuring the safety and well-being of your customers, and providing exceptional customer service.

Financial projections are a crucial component of your business plan. Estimate your start-up costs, including licenses, permits, equipment, marketing expenses, and personnel. Project your sales and revenue based on market research and competitor analysis. Lay out your expenses and forecast your profitability. These financial projections will help you assess the feasibility and sustainability of your business.

Finally, revisit and revise your business plan regularly to adapt to changing market conditions and the growth of your company. A well-thought-out and regularly updated business plan will serve as a valuable tool for decision-making and attracting potential investors or lenders.

By creating a robust business plan, you will set a solid foundation for your tour guide company. It will provide a clear direction for your business and increase your chances of success in the highly competitive tourism industry.

Step 4: Register your business

Registering your tour guide business is a crucial step to legitimize your operations and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The process may vary depending on your location and jurisdiction, but generally involves several key steps.

First, choose a suitable business name that reflects your tour guide company’s identity and objectives. Conduct a search to ensure that the name is not already in use by another business. Once you have chosen a unique name, register it with the appropriate government agency or authority responsible for business registration.

Next, determine the legal structure of your business. You may choose to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Each structure has its own implications in terms of taxes, liability, and ownership. Consult with a legal professional or business advisor to determine the most suitable structure for your tour guide company.

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need to obtain a business license or permit to operate legally. Research the specific requirements in your area and apply for the necessary licenses or permits. This may include a general business license, tourism-related permits, or permits for operating in specific locations or protected areas.

Ensure that you comply with any applicable local, regional, or national regulations related to tourism and travel. Familiarize yourself with industry-specific regulations and standards, such as safety protocols, insurance requirements, and environmental sustainability measures. Compliance with these regulations will not only protect your customers but also establish trust and credibility with them.

In addition to business registration and licenses, you may need to obtain necessary certifications or accreditations to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to quality. For example, you could pursue certifications in first aid, wilderness training, or eco-tourism practices. These credentials will enhance your professional credibility and give potential customers confidence in your services.

Finally, consider obtaining any required insurance coverage to protect your business, employees, and customers. Explore options for general liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, and vehicle insurance if you will be providing transportation as part of your tour services.

By registering your business and obtaining the necessary licenses, permits, and insurance coverage, you will ensure that your tour guide company operates legally and professionally. Taking these steps will help you build trust with customers and establish a solid foundation for your business.

Step 5: Obtain necessary licenses and permits

Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits is a critical step in starting a tour guide company. This ensures that your business is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements and allows you to operate legally and confidently. The specific licenses and permits you need will vary depending on your location and the nature of your tours, but here are some common ones to consider:

• Tour Operator License: In many countries and regions, tour operators are required to obtain a specific license to operate legally. This license demonstrates that you meet certain criteria, such as having knowledgeable guides, appropriate insurance, and proper safety measures in place.
• Business Licensing: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need a general business license to operate any kind of business. Check with your local government authorities to determine the specific requirements and application process.
• Occupational Permits: Some destinations or tourist sites require tour guides to obtain occupational permits or certifications. These permits may be specific to certain activities such as hiking, scuba diving, or wildlife viewing. Make sure to research and comply with any occupational permit requirements that apply to your tours.
• Special Permits: Certain activities or destinations may require special permits. For example, if you plan to conduct tours in national parks, protected areas, or historical sites, you may need permits from the relevant authorities. Research the specific regulations and obtain the necessary permits to ensure you can legally operate in these locations.
• Transportation Permits: If your tour guide company provides transportation services, such as driving clients to different locations, you may need permits or licenses related to transportation. This could include commercial driver’s licenses, permits for operating tourist vehicles, or transport licenses for specific modes of transportation, such as boats or helicopters.

In addition to these licenses and permits, it’s important to stay informed about any changes or updates to regulations and requirements. Keep abreast of local, regional, and national tourism regulations to ensure ongoing compliance with any changes that may affect your business.

Remember, obtaining the necessary licenses and permits is not only a legal requirement but also a way to demonstrate professionalism and build trust with your customers. By operating with the proper licenses, permits, and certifications, you show your commitment to delivering high-quality tours and experiences.

Consult with local government authorities, tourism organizations, or industry associations to get accurate and up-to-date information about the specific licenses and permits required for your tour guide company. Taking the time to navigate this process will provide a solid foundation for your business and help ensure a smooth and compliant operation.

Step 6: Secure insurance coverage

Securing insurance coverage is a crucial step in starting a tour guide company to protect your business, employees, and customers from unforeseen events and liabilities. Having the right insurance coverage in place will give you peace of mind and help safeguard your financial stability. Here are some key insurance policies to consider:

• General Liability Insurance: This insurance protects your business from third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury. It covers accidents or incidents that may happen during your tours, such as slips and falls, equipment damage, or allegations of negligence. General liability insurance is essential for any tour guide company and provides a safety net against potential legal and financial risks.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance, professional indemnity insurance protects your business against claims of professional negligence, errors, or omissions that may result in financial loss or harm to clients. This coverage is particularly important for tour guide companies that provide specialized knowledge and expertise.
• Commercial Property Insurance: If you have a physical office space or own vehicles, equipment, or other assets for your tour guide company, commercial property insurance will protect them against damage or loss due to fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. This coverage ensures that your business assets are protected and can be replaced or repaired in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If you have employees, workers’ compensation insurance is typically required by law in many jurisdictions. It provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured or becomes ill while performing their job duties. Workers’ compensation insurance provides a safety net for both your employees and your business.
• Vehicle Insurance: If your tour guide company provides transportation services using vehicles, whether it’s vans, buses, or boats, you will need commercial vehicle insurance. This coverage protects your vehicles against accidents, property damage, or injury to passengers or other parties involved.

When securing insurance coverage, it’s important to assess the specific needs and risks of your tour guide company. Consult with an insurance professional or broker who specializes in the travel and tourism industry to ensure you have adequate coverage tailored to your business operations.

Insurance is an investment in the long-term stability and success of your tour guide company. It demonstrates your commitment to managing risks and protecting the interests of your customers and employees. By securing the right insurance coverage, you can confidently operate your business knowing that you are prepared for any potential challenges that may arise.

Step 7: Develop unique tour packages

Developing unique tour packages is a key step in differentiating your tour guide company from the competition and attracting customers with exciting and memorable experiences. By offering distinctive and carefully curated tours, you can cater to the interests and preferences of your target audience and create a strong selling point for your business.

Start by considering the destinations you plan to operate in and the activities and attractions they offer. Research the local culture, history, wildlife, natural landscapes, and other distinctive features that can be incorporated into your tours. Identify the unique selling points of each location and determine how to highlight them in your tour packages.

Think beyond the standard tourist attractions and popular landmarks. Look for hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and authentic local encounters that will captivate your customers. Consider partnering with local experts, artisans, or community organizations to offer exclusive access or immersive cultural experiences.

Segment your target audience and create tour packages that are tailored to their interests and preferences. For example, if your target audience consists of adventure enthusiasts, develop adrenaline-pumping experiences such as hiking, mountain biking, or extreme sports activities. If you cater to families, design tours that are family-friendly and include interactive activities and educational components.

Consider the duration and pace of your tours. Some customers may prefer full-day or multi-day adventures, while others may opt for half-day or shorter excursions. Offer a range of options to cater to different preferences and needs.

When developing tour packages, also consider the logistics and practicalities. Determine the group size, accommodation options, transportation logistics, and any special requirements or accommodations for participants. Ensure that your tour itineraries are well thought out, providing a balance between activities, free time, and opportunities for rest and relaxation.

Think about incorporating unique elements into your tours, such as local food tastings, behind-the-scenes access to attractions, or exclusive events or festivals. These added-value components will set your tours apart and create a memorable experience for your customers.

Regularly review and update your tour packages to keep them fresh and aligned with current travel trends and customer demands. Incorporate feedback from customers and guides to continuously improve and enhance your offerings.

By developing unique tour packages, you can capture the interest and enthusiasm of your target audience and establish your tour guide company as a provider of unforgettable experiences. Be creative, think outside the box, and always strive to deliver exceptional and one-of-a-kind adventures.

Step 8: Acquire transportation and equipment

Acquiring reliable transportation and the necessary equipment is a crucial step in setting up your tour guide company. Depending on the type of tours you offer and the destinations you operate in, having the right vehicles and equipment will ensure smooth operations and enhance the overall customer experience.

Start by considering the transportation needs of your tour guide company. Determine whether you will need vehicles such as vans, buses, boats, or even bicycles, depending on the nature of your tours and the group sizes you cater to. Research the local regulations and requirements for operating transportation services in your chosen locations.

When acquiring vehicles, prioritize safety, reliability, and comfort. Ensure that they are properly licensed, insured, and well-maintained. Regularly service and inspect your vehicles to minimize the risk of breakdowns and ensure the safety of your customers.

Investing in comfortable seating, air conditioning, and amenities such as audio systems and onboard Wi-Fi can significantly enhance the customer experience during transportation. Consider the type and size of vehicles that will best suit your target audience and the locations you plan to operate in.

Additionally, evaluate the need for specialized equipment for specific tours or activities. For example, if you offer hiking tours, you may need hiking gear such as backpacks, trekking poles, and sturdy footwear. If you conduct water-based tours, you might need kayaks, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment. Make a list of the necessary equipment for each type of tour you offer and ensure it is in good condition and regularly maintained.

Consider whether you will purchase or lease the necessary transportation and equipment. Leasing can be a cost-effective option, especially when starting out, as it allows flexibility and reduces the initial financial burden. However, purchasing may be a better long-term investment if you have the financial means and plan to operate your tour guide company for an extended period.

Ensure that you have proper storage and maintenance facilities for your equipment. Consider secure storage for vehicles when not in use and dedicated spaces for storing and maintaining gear. Regularly inspect, clean, and repair your equipment to ensure it remains in good working condition.

Be sure to factor in the costs of acquiring and maintaining transportation and equipment when pricing your tour packages. Calculate the expenses related to fuel, maintenance, insurance, and any necessary permits or inspections. Set appropriate pricing that covers these costs while still remaining competitive in the market.

By acquiring reliable transportation and the necessary equipment, you will be able to efficiently and safely deliver your tour experiences. Your customers will appreciate the comfort and convenience provided, enhancing their overall satisfaction with your services.

Step 9: Hire and train tour guides

Hiring and training knowledgeable and passionate tour guides is a critical step in the success of your tour guide company. Your guides are the face of your business, and their expertise and ability to engage and connect with customers can greatly impact the overall customer experience. Here are some steps to consider:

Start by defining the qualities and skills you are looking for in tour guides. Look for individuals who have a deep knowledge and understanding of the destinations you operate in, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They should be enthusiastic, adaptable, and able to provide exceptional customer service.

Develop a comprehensive job description that outlines the responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations of tour guides. Include requirements such as language proficiency, certifications, previous guiding experience, and any specialized knowledge or expertise relevant to your tour offerings.

Advertise job openings through various channels, such as online job boards, tourism organizations, colleges or universities with tourism programs, and social media platforms. Conduct thorough interviews and consider conducting practical assessments or tests to assess candidates’ knowledge, communication skills, and ability to handle different situations.

Once you have hired tour guides, it’s essential to provide comprehensive training to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver outstanding experiences to your customers.

Offer training sessions on customer service and communication skills, including how to engage with different personality types and handle customer inquiries or concerns. Provide detailed training materials and resources about the destinations, attractions, and activities covered in your tours.

Incorporate training on safety protocols and emergency procedures to ensure your tour guides can handle unexpected situations professionally and effectively. Teach them how to manage potential risks, handle medical emergencies, and provide first aid if necessary.

Encourage continuous learning and professional development by offering ongoing training opportunities. Keep your tour guides updated on new attractions, local events, or any changes in regulations or safety guidelines. This will help them stay informed and deliver the most up-to-date information to your customers.

Evaluate the performance of your tour guides regularly and provide constructive feedback and support to help them improve. Encourage open communication and create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their insights and suggestions for enhancing the customer experience.

Remember to foster a positive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and promotes teamwork. Happy and motivated tour guides are more likely to provide exceptional service and contribute to the overall success of your tour guide company.

By hiring and training exceptional tour guides, you will ensure that your customers receive knowledgeable, engaging, and memorable experiences. Investing in the professional development of your tour guides will not only benefit your business but also strengthen your reputation in the industry.

Step 10: Establish partnerships and collaborations

Establishing partnerships and collaborations is a strategic step in growing your tour guide company and expanding your reach. By forming alliances with other businesses, organizations, and individuals, you can leverage their resources, expertise, and networks to enhance your offerings and attract new customers. Here are some key partnerships to consider:

• Local Businesses: Collaborate with local hotels, restaurants, and transportation providers to create exclusive packages or offer discounts to their customers. This cross-promotion can help increase your visibility and attract new clients. Additionally, partnering with local businesses can provide opportunities for referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Attractions and Cultural Sites: Forge partnerships with popular attractions, museums, historical sites, and cultural institutions. Offer specialized tours that include behind-the-scenes access, exclusive experiences, or discounted entry tickets. These partnerships can add unique value to your tours and attract customers seeking immersive cultural experiences.
• Local Communities: Engage with local communities and indigenous groups to create responsible and sustainable tour experiences. Collaborate with them to incorporate authentic cultural interactions, support local artisans, and showcase traditional practices. By forming respectful partnerships, you can ensure that your tours benefit both tourists and the local communities.
• Travel Agencies and Online Platforms: Partner with travel agencies and online platforms that specialize in tour bookings. This can expand your reach and help you tap into new markets. Make your tours easily bookable through these channels and offer competitive commissions or referral fees to incentivize travel agents and platforms to promote your tours.
• Environmental and Conservation Organizations: Collaborate with environmental and conservation organizations that align with your values. Emphasize eco-friendly practices during your tours and support conservation efforts in the destinations you operate in. This partnership can enhance your brand image, attract environmentally conscious travelers, and contribute to the preservation of natural habitats.

When establishing partnerships, it’s important to ensure that the values, goals, and interests of your potential collaborators align with your own. Seek out like-minded partners who share your commitment to delivering high-quality experiences, sustainability, and responsible tourism practices.

Communicate your vision, unique selling points, and target audience to potential partners. Show how a partnership can benefit both parties by reaching a larger customer base, creating cross-promotion opportunities, and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Regularly review and evaluate your partnerships to ensure they remain mutually beneficial and aligned with your business goals. Maintain open communication with your partners and explore new ways to collaborate, such as joint marketing campaigns, co-branded materials, or co-hosted events.

By establishing strategic partnerships and collaborations, you can leverage the strengths of others to enhance your tour offerings and expand your customer base. These alliances will not only increase your visibility but also open doors to new opportunities and experiences for your customers.

Step 11: Create a marketing strategy

Creating a solid marketing strategy is essential for promoting your tour guide company and attracting customers. A well-planned and executed marketing strategy will increase your visibility, build brand awareness, and ultimately drive bookings. Here are the key steps to consider:

Define your target audience: Revisit your earlier research on your target audience and buyer personas. Understand their demographics, interests, and preferences to tailor your marketing messages and tactics effectively.

Develop your unique selling proposition (USP): Highlight what sets your tour guide company apart from the competition. Identify the unique value and benefits you offer to customers, whether it’s your expertise on specific destinations, exclusive experiences, exceptional customer service, or niche expertise.

Choose the right marketing channels: Select the marketing channels that are most effective in reaching your target audience. This may include a combination of online and offline channels such as social media, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, print advertising, partnerships, and word-of-mouth referrals.

Create compelling content: Develop engaging and informative content that showcases the experiences and destinations you offer. Consider creating blog posts, videos, social media posts, and destination guides that provide valuable insights and build excitement about your tours.

Optimize your online presence: Ensure that your website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for search engines. Use relevant keywords throughout your website content to improve search engine rankings. Leverage social media platforms to share updates, engage with customers, and showcase user-generated content.

Utilize online travel platforms: List your tour offerings on popular online travel platforms, review websites, and booking platforms specific to your target market. Maintain accurate and up-to-date information, respond to customer reviews, and actively engage with potential customers to build trust and credibility.

Offer promotions and incentives: Attract new customers and encourage repeat bookings by offering promotions, discounts, loyalty programs, referral incentives, or early bird specials. Create urgency by using limited-time offers or exclusive deals to generate interest and prompt action.

Collect and utilize customer testimonials: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and testimonials on your website, social media platforms, and review websites. Positive reviews and testimonials provide social proof and can significantly influence potential customers’ decision-making process.

Measure and analyze your marketing efforts: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your marketing campaigns. Monitor website traffic, social media engagement, conversions, and customer feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Adjust your strategies based on data and insights to optimize your results.

Continuously refine and improve: Regularly review and update your marketing strategy based on changing consumer behavior, industry trends, and customer feedback. Stay informed about emerging marketing techniques and technologies to remain competitive in the market.

A well-crafted marketing strategy will help you build brand awareness, attract potential customers, and ultimately increase bookings for your tour guide company. By utilizing a variety of marketing channels and tactics tailored to your target audience, you can effectively reach and engage travelers who are seeking the experiences and destinations you offer.

Step 12: Build a strong online presence

In today’s digital age, establishing a strong online presence is vital for the success of your tour guide company. A robust online presence allows you to connect with a wider audience, showcase your offerings, and build trust and credibility with potential customers. Here are key steps to build a strong online presence:

Create a professional website: Develop a user-friendly and visually appealing website that reflects your brand identity and highlights your tour offerings. Ensure that the website is mobile-responsive, loads quickly, and provides essential information such as tour details, itineraries, pricing, and booking options.

Optimize for search engines (SEO): Implement effective SEO strategies to improve your website’s visibility in search engine results. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant search terms and incorporate them naturally into your website content. Focus on local SEO optimization for the areas you operate in, targeting location-specific keywords to attract potential customers from those regions.

Utilize social media platforms: Create business profiles on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Share engaging and visually appealing content that showcases your tour experiences, destination highlights, and customer testimonials. Engage with your followers, respond to comments and inquiries promptly, and use social media advertising to reach a wider audience.

Produce high-quality content: Develop a content strategy that includes blog posts, articles, videos, and photos that provide valuable insights about your tour destinations and experiences. Share interesting stories, travel tips, and recommendations to establish yourself as an authority in the industry. Regularly update your content to keep your website fresh and attract returning visitors.

Leverage online travel platforms: List your tour offerings on reputable online travel platforms and booking websites that cater to your target audience. Optimize your profiles with compelling descriptions, attractive visuals, and customer reviews. Respond to customer inquiries and reviews promptly to build trust and increase bookings.

Encourage user-generated content: Encourage your customers to share their experiences on social media by using branded hashtags and tagging your company. Repost and share user-generated content to showcase genuine experiences and build social proof. This will not only enhance your online presence but also foster a sense of community and engagement with your customers.

Implement online booking and inquiry systems: Streamline your booking process by offering secure and user-friendly online booking options directly through your website. Provide clear instructions and multiple contact channels for potential customers to inquire about your tours. Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries to demonstrate your commitment to customer service.

Monitor and manage online reviews: Regularly monitor review websites and social media platforms for customer reviews and ratings. Respond to both positive and negative feedback in a professional and timely manner. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and testimonials, as positive online reviews can greatly influence potential customers’ decision-making process.

Invest in online advertising: Consider investing in online advertising campaigns to reach a larger audience and increase brand visibility. Utilize platforms such as Google Ads, social media advertising, or display advertising to target specific demographics and locations. Test and optimize your ads to maximize their effectiveness and return on investment.

Regularly analyze and measure results: Utilize analytics tools to track and analyze the performance of your online marketing efforts. Monitor website traffic, engagement metrics, conversion rates, and customer feedback. Use this data to make informed decisions and refine your online presence and marketing strategies accordingly.

By building a strong online presence, you can effectively reach and engage potential customers, showcase the unique experiences you offer, and establish your tour guide company as a reputable and trustworthy provider. Approach your online presence holistically, incorporating various channels and tactics to create a comprehensive digital footprint that attracts and delights customers.

Step 13: Launch your tour guide company

Congratulations! After careful planning and preparation, it’s time to launch your tour guide company and share your passion for travel and adventure with the world. The launch phase is crucial in creating a strong foundation for your business and generating excitement among potential customers. Here are some key steps to successfully launch your tour guide company:

• Set a launch date: Choose a specific date for your company’s official launch. This will serve as a target to work towards and create a sense of urgency and anticipation.
• Organize a launch event: Consider hosting a launch event to showcase your tour offerings and generate buzz within your target market. This could be a physical event, a virtual event, or a combination of both. Invite potential customers, local influencers, and key stakeholders to attend and experience a taste of what your tours have to offer.
• Create a marketing campaign: Develop a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote your launch. Utilize various online and offline channels such as social media, email marketing, press releases, and local advertising to build excitement and generate interest in your tours. Highlight the unique selling points and benefits of your tour experiences to entice potential customers.
• Offer special promotions: To incentivize early bookings and create a sense of exclusivity, consider offering limited-time promotional offers or early bird discounts to those who book during the launch period. This can help drive initial bookings and generate buzz around your company.
• Launch your website and booking system: Ensure that your company’s website is fully functional, user-friendly, and optimized for online bookings. Make sure all necessary information, including tour descriptions, itineraries, pricing, and booking options, is readily available. Test the booking system to ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience for customers.
• Announce your launch on social media: Leverage your social media platforms to make a big announcement about your company’s launch. Share engaging content, such as photos, videos, or testimonials, to create excitement and anticipation. Encourage followers to share your launch announcement with their networks.
• Establish partnerships and collaborations: Reach out to local businesses, tourism organizations, and influencers to establish partnerships and collaborations. This can help broaden your reach and tap into new customer segments. Collaborate on promotional activities, guest blogging, or cross-promotions to maximize exposure.
• Engage with the local community: Participate in community events, fairs, or trade shows related to tourism and travel. Network with other businesses in the industry and explore opportunities for joint marketing efforts or referrals. Engaging with the local community will help establish your presence and build connections.
• Monitor and adapt your launch strategy: Continuously monitor the results of your launch strategy and adjust your efforts as necessary. Analyze website traffic, booking numbers, customer feedback, and social media engagement to gauge the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Make adjustments to your strategy based on the insights and feedback received.

Remember, the launch of your tour guide company is just the beginning. It’s important to maintain the momentum and continue to refine and improve your offerings and marketing strategies as you grow. Stay attentive to customer feedback and strive to exceed their expectations to build a strong reputation and customer loyalty.

Good luck with your launch, and may your tour guide company thrive and provide unforgettable experiences to adventurers from around the world!

Step 14: Monitor and evaluate performance

Monitoring and evaluating the performance of your tour guide company is crucial for continuous improvement and long-term success. By regularly assessing key metrics and collecting feedback from customers and employees, you can identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement. Here are some steps to effectively monitor and evaluate the performance of your tour guide company:

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs): Define specific KPIs that align with your business goals and objectives. These could include metrics such as customer satisfaction ratings, booking numbers, revenue growth, customer retention rates, or online reviews. Set measurable targets for each KPI to gauge your performance against your goals.
• Utilize analytics tools: Use analytics tools to track and analyze website traffic, social media engagement, and customer behavior. Explore tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, or booking system analytics to gain valuable insights into your customers’ journey and preferences. Analyze the data regularly to identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement.
• Collect customer feedback: Solicit feedback from your customers through post-tour surveys, reviews, and direct communication channels. Encourage honest feedback and listen to their suggestions and concerns. Analyze the feedback to identify areas where you excel and areas for improvement. Implement changes based on customer feedback to enhance the overall customer experience.
• Evaluate employee performance: Regularly assess the performance of your tour guides and staff members. Establish clear performance expectations and provide feedback on their performance. Encourage open communication, and address any training or development needs. Recognize the efforts and successes of your team to motivate and inspire them to deliver exceptional service.
• Monitor online presence and reputation: Continuously monitor online reviews, social media mentions, and travel forums to assess your company’s online reputation. Respond promptly to both positive and negative feedback, and take appropriate actions to address any issues. Positive online reviews can enhance your credibility and attract more customers, while addressing negative reviews can help maintain a positive brand image.
• Compare against industry benchmarks: Research industry benchmarks and compare your company’s performance against them. This can help you gain insights into how you stack up against competitors and identify areas where you may be falling behind. Use this information to set realistic goals and make the necessary improvements to stay competitive.
• Regularly review financial performance: Assess your financial performance regularly to ensure that your revenue and expenses are on track. Compare your financial performance against your projections and identify any discrepancies. Analyze the profitability of your different tour packages and make adjustments to pricing or offerings as needed.
• Implement a culture of continuous improvement: Foster a culture of ongoing improvement within your tour guide company. Encourage feedback and ideas from employees at all levels, and empower them to contribute to the growth and development of the company. Regularly review and update your processes, offerings, and strategies to stay ahead of the competition and meet the evolving needs of your customers.

By consistently monitoring and evaluating the performance of your tour guide company, you can identify areas where you excel and areas that need improvement. Implementing the necessary changes based on feedback and data-driven insights will help you consistently deliver exceptional tour experiences and stay competitive in the market.

Remember, monitoring and evaluation should be an ongoing process, allowing you to adapt to changing market trends and customer preferences. Continuously seek opportunities to enhance your services and exceed customer expectations, while staying true to your business values and objectives.

Step 15: Continuously improve and expand your services

Continuously improving and expanding your services is essential for the long-term success and growth of your tour guide company. By staying attuned to customer feedback, market trends, and industry developments, you can adapt your offerings to meet evolving customer needs and exceed their expectations. Here are some key steps to continuously improve and expand your services:

• Listen to customer feedback: Regularly collect feedback from your customers through surveys, reviews, and direct communication. Pay attention to their suggestions, concerns, and preferences. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance the overall customer experience.
• Monitor industry trends: Stay informed about the latest trends, innovations, and advancements in the travel and tourism industry. Attend industry conferences and trade shows, join professional associations, and follow industry publications and blogs. Understanding industry trends will help you stay ahead of the competition and offer unique and relevant experiences.
• Stay updated on destination knowledge: Continuously expand your knowledge about the destinations you operate in. Stay updated on historical facts, cultural nuances, local events, and emerging attractions. Regularly research and explore new experiences and lesser-known spots to offer your customers fresh and unique tours.
• Introduce new tour offerings: Regularly assess your existing tour packages and consider introducing new offerings to cater to changing customer preferences and emerging trends. Conduct market research to identify gaps and untapped opportunities. Develop niche tours, themed experiences, or special events to attract specific customer segments.
• Invest in technology: Embrace technology to enhance the customer experience and streamline your operations. Use online booking platforms, mobile apps, and digital payment systems to provide convenience and efficiency to your customers. Adopt customer relationship management (CRM) software to effectively manage customer interactions and tailor your communication to their preferences.
• Offer customization options: Provide options for customization and personalization to cater to individual customer preferences. Allow customers to tailor their itineraries or add-on unique experiences to create a truly personalized tour. This level of flexibility will cater to the diverse needs and interests of your customers.
• Invest in employee training and development: Continuously invest in the training and development of your tour guides and staff members. Offer opportunities for skill enhancement, destination knowledge updates, and customer service training. Well-trained and knowledgeable staff will deliver exceptional experiences and contribute to the overall success of your company.
• Seek partnerships and collaborations: Identify potential partnerships and collaborations that can enhance and expand your service offerings. Connect with local businesses, attractions, or destination experts to develop joint ventures or value-added experiences. Collaborations can open new doors for cross-promotion, access to new customer segments, and shared resources.
• Encourage and leverage customer referrals: Satisfied customers can be your biggest advocates. Encourage them to refer your services to their friends, family, and colleagues. Offer incentives or rewards for referrals to motivate customers to spread the word about your tours. Capitalize on positive word-of-mouth marketing to expand your customer base.
• Regularly evaluate performance: Continuously measure and evaluate the performance of your tours, guides, and marketing strategies. Assess key performance indicators such as customer satisfaction, booking numbers, revenue growth, and return on investment. Analyze the data to identify areas where improvements can be made or opportunities for expansion.

By continuously improving and expanding your services, you demonstrate your commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and staying ahead in the competitive tourism industry. Adaptability, innovation, and a customer-centric approach will ensure that your tour guide company remains relevant, grows its customer base, and continues to create lasting memories for travelers.

Starting a tour guide company requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a passion for travel and adventure. By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can establish a successful tour guide company and embark on a fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.

From conducting thorough research and identifying your target audience to creating a business plan, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and developing unique tour packages, each step is crucial in building a strong foundation for your company. Building partnerships, establishing a strong online presence, and continuously monitoring and improving your services are key to staying competitive and growing your business.

Remember, exceptional customer service is the backbone of any successful tour guide company. Hiring knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, listening to customer feedback, and continuously improving your services will ensure that you consistently deliver outstanding experiences to your customers.

Embrace technology, stay informed about industry trends, and seek opportunities for collaboration to enhance your offerings and provide unique experiences. By leveraging digital marketing strategies, building a brand, and creating a strong online presence, you can connect with a wider audience and attract customers from around the world.

Starting and running a tour guide company is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. It allows you to share your love for travel and adventure while creating lifelong memories for your customers. With careful planning, continuous improvement, and a focus on customer satisfaction, your tour guide company has the potential to thrive in the dynamic tourism industry.

So, take the leap, embrace the challenges, and embark on the journey of turning your passion for adventure into a successful tour guide company. With dedication, hard work, and a commitment to excellence, you can create a business that leaves a lasting impact on your customers and the travel industry as a whole.

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• Manor Lords guides

How do marketplaces work in Manor Lords?

And what does “family request more market area” mean?

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Marketplaces in Manor Lords are where all of the stuff your village needs to survive — stuff like firewood, food, and clothes — gets distributed. They’re not a way to make money, though. Your first exposure to them will likely be when you get an alert saying that a “ family requests more market area for their stall .”

Our Manor Lords marketplace guide will explain how marketplaces work to distribute food, fuel, and clothes.

How marketplaces work in Manor Lords

In order to upgrade your Burgage Plots in Manor Lords , those plots need access to a marketplace supplied with fuel, food, and clothing. Building a marketplace is free , and any family that wants to can set up a stall in that marketplace at no cost.

Stalls in a marketplace will sell a mix of goods in one of those same three categories of fuel, food, and clothing . It’s unclear what triggers a family to set up a stall in the market, but, generally, it just kind of happens once you build up a surplus of any one type of good.

Marketplaces are based on priority, not proximity

Marketplaces offer the Burgage Plots around whatever’s for sale inside. But just the presence of a marketplace and stalls isn’t enough. Every family — and remember there can be multiple families on each Burgage Plot — requires one fuel and one food per month (in the winter, from December through February, they require two fuel per month).

What’s available in a marketplace gets picked up by families from the surrounding Burgage Plots, not distributed to them. That means the distribution isn’t even across all plots. It’s more of a first come, first served situation (and the ones that are closer just so happen to get there first).

In order to keep everyone happy and their needs met — both to keep your approval from dropping and for upgrading Burgage Plots — you’ll have to have enough food and enough kinds of food for everyone to pick it up from the market before those plots closest to the market come back for the next month’s supply. In the image above, for example, you can see that almost everyone picked up vegetables for the month (except for the plots farthest out), but only the few plots directly touching a marketplace got any berries.

The requirements to upgrade a plot aren’t one-time checks. Those plots require those goods every month thereafter. Upgrading from Level 1 to Level 2, for example, means that the food requirements for that Burgage Plot increase by one food per family per month.

Why aren’t my goods going to the marketplace?

As with everything in Manor Lords , keeping everyone fed involves a lot of moving pieces. Just growing or making food doesn’t always mean it’ll make it to the marketplace and then into your Burgage Plots (and then your families’ bellies).

First, check your granary and storehouse . Everyone will automatically drop their goods in those — different types of food get stored in each — but that doesn’t mean it’ll make it to a market stall. You might have to assign one family (or more, as your town grows) to the granary and storehouse. Those families will both go get stuff to store, but also set up stalls to sell that stuff.

Additionally, check your trading post (if you have one). When you set up a trade route, you establish a desired surplus . This is a way to make sure you don’t export goods you want to keep. This desired surplus applies to the granary and storehouse, so, if you set the surplus to aim for too high at the trading post, you’ll inadvertently prevent those goods from making it to the marketplace.

Hovering over a marketplace plot will show you how many stall locations are unclaimed inside. If you’re running out — or even if your town is just spreading out too far — you can always add another marketplace plot. Manor Lords treats all of the marketplaces in a region as one unit, but the stalls get built wherever there’s people with stuff to sell and others who need said stuff. Spreading out your marketplaces makes it easier for families to get what they need.

• Beginner’s guide
• Burgage Plots
• How to farm
• Marketplaces
• Regional wealth
• Your first town

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