a tour guide job

What does a tour guide do?

Would you make a good tour guide? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.

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

• Job Descriptions
• Hospitality and Tourism Job Descriptions

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.

Try Betterteam

Post your jobs to 100+ job boards

• Reach over 250 million candidates.
• Get candidates in hours, not days.

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.

Related Articles:

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.

Tour Guide Job Description [Updated for 2024]

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

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

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

Whether you are:

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

You’ve come to the right place.

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

Let’s dive right in.

Tour Guide Duties and Responsibilities

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

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

The duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide include:

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

Tour Guide Job Description Template

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

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

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

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

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

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

Additional Information

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

What Does a Tour Guide Do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

They ensure that the tour runs smoothly and on schedule.

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

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

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

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

Tour Guide Qualifications and Skills

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

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

Tour Guide Experience Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tour Guide Education and Training Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tour Guide Salary Expectations

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

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

Tour Guide Job Description FAQs

What skills does a tour guide need.

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

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

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

Do Tour Guides need any specific qualifications?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What qualities make a good Tour Guide?

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

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

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

Is it difficult to hire Tour Guides?

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

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

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

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

And there we have it.

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

Guess what?

It’s not just about pointing out landmarks.

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

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

But don’t stop just yet!

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

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

Let’s weave those tales. Together.

Reasons to Become a Tour Guide (Unleash Your Inner Storyteller!)

How to Become a Tour Guide (Complete Guide)

Disadvantages of Being a Tour Guide (Missing Personal Peace!)

Jobs That Kill: Professions With the Highest Mortality Rates

Easy Earnings: The Appeal of Low-Stress Work

Play for Pay: Fun Jobs That Will Make You Love Mondays

Stressful Beyond Words: Jobs That Challenge Every Fiber!

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

Similar Posts

Art Supplies Retailer Job Description [Updated for 2024]

Bird Surveyor Job Description [Updated for 2024]

Baking and Pastry Instructor Job Description [Updated for 2024]

Speech Therapist Job Description [Updated for 2024]

Big Data Architect Job Description [Updated for 2024]

Blockchain Quality Assurance Engineer Job Description [Updated for 2024]

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Travelling Without a Passport

8 Reasons Why Being a Tour Guide is the Best Job

Everyone is telling you to quit your day job, live the dream, escape your office cubicle and travel the world, right? You’re sitting at your desk reading this, dreaming of open roads and stunning sights, but probably wondering ‘how the hell can anyone afford that?’

The answer, my friends, is to earn while you’re travelling.

There’s a number of different paths to earning as you travel; teaching English overseas, working remotely for your company, becoming a virtual assistant or even travel blogging – but only one option that will enrich your travel experience. Becoming a tour guide is one of the most rewarding and exhilarating ways to see the world, learn about a country’s culture and history while sharing your love of travel with people just like you.

Here’s 8 reasons why being a tour guide is the best way to travel the world and still earn a living.

1. You’ll learn a valuable skill set for a future career

Tour Guides wear multiple ‘hats’ while running a trip. It may look like your guide is having a relaxed holiday alongside the group, but the reality is that a tour guide is a travel agent, therapist, accountant, event manager, historian, conflict resolution manager, tax and currency expert and professional public speaker. All skills which carry across impressively to any future career.

Depending on what types of tours you decide to lead, you’ll also be required to become certified in a few different core competency areas which are irreplacable skills to possess for your own travels as well.

2. You will see more countries & cities than you ever thought possible

In most cases, a tour guide does not just do the same tour loop for an entire season. A fully trained tour guide will have the opportunity to guide many different itineraries for their tour company – meaning you will visit, study and experience new destinations multiple times! Start racking up that country count, you’re about to become a professional full-time traveller.

See Also: The Truth About Being a Tour Guide: Exposed

3. You will be living the dream

You will be paid to travel. Your job, every day, will be to show first-time travellers their way around a new destination. As a tour guide, ‘work’ means being a part of someone’s happiest holiday memories. You are actually required to have fun for a living while travelling! Be warned – most of your friends back at their desk jobs will be insanely jealous of your daily updates from Monaco, Barcelona and Bali.

4. You’ll become an expert on history, art and architecture

To be a truly excellent tour guide, you need to know your stuff, which means studying up on architectural styles, historical fun facts and the best places to eat, drink and party. This isn’t your boring old history teacher studying – think researching the funniest stories of a royal family or the perfect recipe for goulash to share with your groups.

Pretty soon you will be an expert in Corinthian columns, traditional eating habits in multiple countries and the hilarious history of inter-country grudges. Your pub quiz score is going to go through the roof once you’ve become a tour guide!

5. Your colleagues will be just like you!

Forget trying to make friends with Steve from HR who just doesn’t understand your wanderlust obsession. When you work in the travel industry, all your colleagues are as crazy about travel as you are! You will finally be surrounded by people who understand and encourage your need to see the world and experience new cultures. It will be a relief and inspiration all at once. (Sorry Steve)

See Also: The 11 Best Travel Jobs In The World

6. You can save while travelling

When you are guiding, your transport expenses, accommodation and some meals are all covered – meaning half of what you earn can be saved. With no rent, car payments or gas bills, you can accrue a decent amount in savings while you travel. This means that at the end of a season of guiding you will have some cash stashed for your own travel adventures!

7. You will become a destination expert

Knowing a destination inside out means you’ll know all the best restaurants, bars, cafes and insider tips to maximize the fun you’ll have while also getting the best possible price on meals and drinks.

8. You’ll have friends all over the world

Just like anyone who takes a tour, at the end of a trip you are best friends with the other people who shared the experience with you. That means, as a tour guide, you will have hundreds of best friends who were on your tours scattered across the world.

Next time you go backpacking in Australia, Mexico, South Africa or Canada you’ll have local friends from your tours ready to show you their home towns, and maybe even a free couch to crash on. What an excellent excuse to do even more travelling!

Becoming a tour guide isn’t easy, there are some intensive training and a long interview process, but if you manage to score the job, it is undoubtedly the best way to travel the world and still earn the cash you need to enjoy it! 

So, are you ready to abandon the 9 to 5?

Carly Hulls

Carly Hulls writes at Austrian Adaptation about her expat life in Vienna and the places she discovers on her part-time travels. She is an Australian writer, traveller, brunch-fiend and book-nerd who can’t resist a good castle or historic monument. After 5 years travelling to over 34 countries she currently calls Vienna home, facing the daily struggle of the German language! You can follow her adventures on Facebook , Twitter and Snapchat @CarlyHulls.

Related Articles

• Food & Drink

Your Guide to Amsterdam’s Secret Bars and Speakeasies

One of the most popular cities in Europe, Amsterdam has no...

• Tips & Tricks

Best Destinations for People with Disabilities

The world and its wonders should be available to one and...

The Seven Most Scenic Train Rides in Europe

Forget planes, buses or automobiles: 2024 is the year of the...

How to Make the Most Out of Luscious Laos

Get unlimited access to the world's best travel stories. subscribe now., privacy overview.

• Explore Courses
• Business of Fashion
• Early Years & Montessori
• Facilities Management
• Health Science
• Special Needs Assisting

Knowledge Zone

• Corporate Training
• Meet the Team
• Success Stories
• Booking Info
• Full Time Enrolment
• Part Time Enrolment
• Protection for Learners
• Terms of Enrolment

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. 

You may also like...

What Top Two Qualities Do All Excellent Tour Guides Have?

The Joy of Tour Guiding and Cultural Exchange

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance as a Tour Guide

Portobello insider.

Join our mailing list to receive the latest insights and exclusive content from your chosen department of interest

© 2020 Portobello Institute | Powered by Wurkhouse

Resume Builder

• Resume Experts
• Search Jobs
• Search for Talent
• Employer Branding
• Outplacement

Tour Guide Job Description

Tour guide duties & responsibilities.

To write an effective tour guide job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included tour guide job description templates that you can modify and use.

Sample responsibilities for this position include:

Tour Guide Qualifications

Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.

Licensing or Certifications for Tour Guide

List any licenses or certifications required by the position: CPR, AED, NAATI, CMS, SCUBA

Education for Tour Guide

Typically a job would require a certain level of education.

Employers hiring for the tour guide job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Collage and Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Education, Graduate, History, Communication, Museum Studies, General Education

Skills for Tour Guide

Desired skills for tour guide include:

Desired experience for tour guide includes:

Tour Guide Examples

• Microsoft Word (.docx) .DOCX
• PDF Document (.pdf) .PDF
• Image File (.png) .PNG
• Remain informed of new information (Biosphere 2 programs, scientific research, ) and appropriately relay that information to visitors
• Greet and receive visitors to campus in a friendly and approachable manner
• Be an ambassador and leader on campus
• Provide accurate information and directions
• Conduct walking tours of campus
• Host students that wish to "shadow a current student" or accompany them to your classes
• Assist with Marketing & Communications projects and programs
• Work on weekends (Saturday/Sunday) and during final exams
• New hires will need to attend a mandatory training day
• Expedite all tours by checking guests in, print tickets
• Energetic, personable and friendly manner
• Ability to think on your feet and solve problems under own initiative
• 2 years providing guided experiences and working in an environment that required teaching, coaching, and instructional skills
• Ability to work quickly and remain alert, and to strictly observe safety procedures
• Previous experience working with Outdoor Programs or similar activity (strongly preferred)
• Previous experience working with Outdoor Programs or similar activity
• Use a computer based point of sale system to make reservations and sell tours
• Conduct scheduled tours and give facts and information to guests while snowshoeing, skibiking or snowcating in a safe informative and efficient manner
• Help guests on the mountain or at the base as needed
• Answer questions about the Fraser Valley and surroundings
• Assists in ticket and season pass sales, keep information boards current and orderly
• Assists in ticket sales areas helping guests and giving out information
• Assists other departments as needed on snowmobiles
• Perform daily routine maintenance, fueling, and oiling of snowcats and snowmobiles in accordance with Winter Park policies and procedures, including any cleaning and waxing needs
• Parking and moving snowmobiles and snow cats around base area and mountain in a safe and efficient manner
• Performs occasional snow-packing, trail maintenance pre-season and seasonally, as directed
• This will include dealing with enquires on site, monitoring visitors in the exhibition area and providing product knowledge to visitors
• Answer visitor questions and deal with queries assisting visitors who have special requirements
• Assist with large groups and school parties
• Monitor visitors on the exhibition floor
• Bilingual in Spanish, French or Mandarin a plus
• Ability to navigate uneven stairs and grades up to 10%
• Tour Guides are responsible for proactively approaching all guests to answer questions and provide general tour or Arena information
• Supervise the progress and experience of each assigned tour group
• Familiarization with the Winter Park ski area and mountain terrain
• Maintains knowledge of radio usage
• Transportation of guests or employees around mountain per ski patrol, with events, or per supervisors
• Report and correct, if possible, unsafe conditions regarding equipment and area of work or elsewhere on the area
• Skibike 1/5 of time
• Lift up to 75 Ibs (snowmobile occasionally and helping fallen guests occasionally)
• Carry, up to 20 Ibs (backpack during tours)
• Push/pull up to 75 Ibs (snowmobile) occasionally
• Most positions require general office experience and some assignments require strong billing, accounts payable and receivable experience, and a valid California Driver’s License
• 1 x 7 hour per week (Saturdays and Sundays) contract
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time (approximately 7 miles per day), climb stairs, and comfortably work indoors and outdoors in extreme temperature fluctuations
• Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with the public, fellow employees, managers and volunteers
• Ability to respond professionally to unusual or unexpected situations
• Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule of shifts that routinely include weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Provide exceptional service and go above-and-beyond to ensure guests are fully satisfied with their tour and overall Busch Gardens experience
• Follow up with tour guests, complete surveys, and make Photo CDs for guests
• Be responsible for the safety of tour participants
• Ensure that tour participants complete safety training and sign in appropriately
• Hours during the summer season will vary from 10-30 hours per week depending on tour schedules
• Stoop, kneel, crouch
• Reach, handle, use hands
• Talk, 90% of time
• Hearing, ordinary conversation, 90% of time
• Average acuity/near, often (gauges, forms, computer screens)
• Desire to help wide-eyed tourists and grizzled NYC residents experience art and museums in a very fun way
• Must have flexible daytime availability (including weekends)
• Must be a New York City resident and be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization
• Must live in NYC area (can easily commute to the Met) and be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization
• Ability to speak, read, and write clearly in English
• Must be comfortable with electronics and computers and have access to email
• To communicate closely with Food & Beverage, Housekeeping and Front Office to ensure all tour requirements are met
• Ensure all requests from on site tour operators are addressed in an appropriate and efficient manner
• Prepare and implement tour needs including, back-up staffing, coordination with Donor Ministries, Facilities Department, the President’s Office, and other Wilkes Office departments
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of Samaritan’s Purse projects and activities requiring funding
• Average acuity/far, often (routes, driving, skibiking, night biking)
• Depth perception, constantly (driving, riding safely on ski runs through skiers and people possibly in limited visibility conditions and night time)
• Good field of vision,(peripheral vision for avoiding trees, towers, skiers, etc with equipment)
• Withstand extreme cold and wet occasionally (Tours in adverse conditions)
• Withstand Fumes / odors occasionally (exhaust, diesel)
• Avoiding Hazards (trees, skiers, terrain)
• Warm, friendly, eager, a "people person" with excellent communication skills but also attention to detail
• Must be able to wear required uniform
• College degree required and/or the equivalent in experience
• Extensive knowledge of Santa Fe and the surrounding National Parks and key areas of interest
• A valid ID residency to live in Galapagos Islands
• Naturalist Guide license issued by the Galapagos National Park

Related Job Descriptions

Create a Resume in Minutes with Professional Resume Templates

I am an Employer

I am a candidate.

Team Wanderlust | 31 July 2018

Get paid to travel: become a tour leader.

Do you have what it takes to become a travel guide? It can take you all over the world, but you'll need buckets of passion, endless knowledge and a big dose of patience...

Let’s get this straight: it is a ‘proper job’. Sure, you’ll lose your fear of Monday mornings. And yes, your ‘office’ may be a Kenyan national park, a Himalayan valley or a large area of Amazon jungle. Your friends will think you get paid to go on holiday again and again – a kind of Groundhog Holiday, if you will.

But don’t be deceived: tour leading for an adventure travel company is very much a proper job. The hours are long (when have you worked nine months without a day off?), you’re on call 24/7 and, while it may look easy, behind the scenes it’s a huge amount of work. Your job could be described as being like a swan on water - graceful and calm on the surface, with your legs frantically paddling underneath.

What jobs are there?

Tour leading is not a single job – there are many different kinds of tours, like driving overland trucks from London to Cape Town, or leading rambling groups around the vineyards of Tuscany. There are jobs touring the general sights of countries, sailing the Nile in a dhow, guiding safaris, mountain biking, doing European cultural tours, riding horses, carrying out conservation work, or leading family trips.

Some are more extreme than others – the skills needed for leading a centre-based holiday in the Pyrenees are very different from those required to climb a Himalayan peak or lead a jungle expedition.

What's in it for you?

A lot of travel, of course. You’ll find that leading gives your travel a new depth – when you're working alongside locals, they'll see you as an equal, not as a customer. What other job would let you build a deep friendship with a Vietnamese waitress or a Berber muleteer? Ask most leaders what they most like about the job and the answer won’t have anything to do with travel. You'll learn a lot about yourself, developing your interpersonal and leadership skills in ordinary and extraordinary situations. It's also a job with real autonomy – your boss may be 12,000 miles away!

What are the downsides?

All of these plus points have their down sides. You might repeat the same two-week itinerary ten times, yet you have to be as fresh on the tenth as you were on the first. Whatever goes wrong, you have to deal with it, whenever it happens. Your clients might be rude, your transport connections could be late, or not turn up at all. Yours and your clients' personal belongings can be stolen, or worse, your clients could get ill - and that's all your responsibility to deal with. As well as all of those negatives, it can also be lonely work - having to spend long periods away from your close friends and family.

How to get a job as a travel guide

• Don’t apply unless you are well travelled. Ideally you’ll have explored some unusual parts of the globe and been on some extended trips, such as a career break. But remember, the most important thing isn’t travel – it’s people.
• Stress your people and leadership skills. Anything you can do to prove that you have experience of a service industry, and of leading or teaching people, will be a great benefit.
• Get an understanding of what is required. Research the job thoroughly by checking out all the web-links listed, and getting to know the style of the company you are applying to.
• Visit travel shows and exhibitions. Prove that you’ve done your research and that you aren’t just acting on a whim. Companies will need to see that people are serious about the job.
• Go on a trip with the company you are applying to.  It'll give you a great insight into what it's like to be part of a group on holiday and see a real-life tour leader in action. While you're there, ask the tour leader exactly what they're doing on a day-to-day basis.
• Make sure you have specialised skills, such as a foreign language or a PCV driving licence. While they aren’t essential for all jobs, they are for some, and give you a great advantage. Knowledge of first aid, or specific country knowledge, is also good.
• Be ready to answer the question: “What would make you a good tour leader?” It’s an obvious question, and if you can’t answer it fluently, you shouldn’t be applying.

A word from a pro: Nick Nikolsky

Nick worked as a full-time tour leader over many years, covering everywhere from the faroe islands to cambodia. so how did he do it.

“In my gap year I worked abroad teaching English, then after uni as a diving instructor. I saw an advert for a tour leader in Wanderlust (honest) and applied for the job, expecting to do it for a short while. I ended up doing it full time for five years.

“My first trip was a walking tour in Slovakia. I had been trained in the UK and abroad on an actual walking trip and knew roughly how leading worked, but I was nervous at having to look after 16 people for two weeks all on my own. Needless to say I didn’t let the group know it was my first trip! By the end of the fortnight, I knew this was what I wanted to do as a job.

“You start getting a lot more than just travel experience when you’ve done the job for a year. You build up your people-handling skills, you encounter and solve strange new problems – all of which are great skills for whatever you do in life.”

Top tip: “Be yourself at the interview and if you are enthusiastic about travel and a people person, you should sell yourself without having to try.”

With thanks to Nick Nikolsky, Andrew Aitcheson, Matt Leggett and Debbie Crawford for their help with this guide.

Check out Wanderlust's job site for job opportunities in the travel industry.

Related Articles

Looking for inspiration.

Join our newsletter

Get the very best of Wanderlust  by signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers.

The 8 Step Cheat Sheet for Writing a Tour Guide Job Description

By Kyla Steeves

Share this article:

• Facebook icon
• LinkedIn icon
• Twitter icon

Not having much luck with tour guide hiring ? Is your inbox full of resumes from applicants who seem like they’re just looking for a free ticket to your destination? Or do you often find yourself back at square one because your new hires tend to quit as soon as a better gig comes along?

Luck might not have anything to do with it; perhaps it’s all in your tour guide job description. You see, hiring great tour guides starts with attracting great tour guides. 

If your job posting places too much emphasis on the opportunity to “travel for a living,” you could end up with guides who act more like guests. On the other hand, if you include a super long list of responsibilities, you might turn away too many candidates, including the best of the best, because they think, “not enough tips can pay me to do all that.”

So, how do you write a tour guide job description that boosts your response quality? 

We’ll walk you through the steps! 

Not sure what to ask for the interview either? Grab our handy list of 147 questions for tour guides (with a bonus evaluation form)!

How to write a tour guide job description.

Before writing a tour guide job description, it’s a good idea to brainstorm initial questions an applicant may have about the role. Answering these upfront will give them everything they need to know before applying.

Here are some examples:

• Is the job full-time, part-time, or seasonal?
• What’s the wage? Will I get tips?
• Is it okay if I have no tour guide work experience?
• What types of tours will I get to lead?
• What will a typical work day look like for me?
• Will I need to do anything else on top of guiding?
• What skills do I need to be successful in this role?
• What language(s) do I have to speak fluently?
• Do I need to have any tour guide certifications?
• Is there an opportunity for advancement?
• Will you pay for tour guide training programs ?
• Why should I guide for your tour company?
• How do I apply?

Once you have a good list, work these answers into your tour guide job description by following these steps:

1. Pick the right job title

As guides scroll through listings, the first thing that’ll stand out to them is the job title. While it’s tempting to put something creative here, like “Experience Extraordinaire” or “ [Insert city] Interpreter” or “Adventure Guru,” stick with industry terms because that’s what they’ll use in their job search. In other words, treat your job title like a keyword. 

Of course, you can still set your job listing apart by including your niche. Instead of simply posting “Tour Guide,” you can get more specific by writing “Ghost Tour Guide” or “Chocolate Tasting Tour Guide” or “Safari Tour Guide.” This will also help narrow down applicants by attracting those who love spooky stories, have a sweet tooth, or care about wildlife conservation. 

2. Put salary information

The second thing most guides will look for in a job posting is the pay and hours of work. Since money is often a taboo topic, many companies avoid including the wage in the job listing, preferring to disclose this information in the offer or if asked in the interview. 

But here’s why you should be transparent. According to Undercover Recruiter , top candidates are selective in their job search, so compensation can make the job more attractive, giving them a compelling reason to spend time applying for the position. 

However, if you’re concerned the pay isn’t impressive enough, you can sweeten the deal by highlighting the job perks, such as a flexible schedule, paid vacation, average tips, fun team events, free lunches, room and board, or other seasonal employee benefits . 

3. Start with a hook

Your first sentence has got to be attention-grabbing. The goal is to inspire a tour guide to apply right away by speaking to what they desire most out of a job. Is it getting the chance to act out different characters? Spend time on the water every day? Brag about the history of their city? Or make the mountains their office?

Sharing the number one benefit first can help reel them in and, better yet, help them remember why they applied in the first place once hired. So think of something that makes being a tour guide for your company the best job in the world , even when they have to deal with annoying tourists.

The best way to write a hook is to either frame it as a question like, “Do you know all the best places to eat in Vancouver?” Or paint a picture, “Imagine starting work every morning, feeling the ocean breeze on your face, knowing you’ll get to see a whale today.”

4. Market your tour company

When writing a tour guide job description, a common misconception is that it’s all about making candidates consider why they’d be right for the position. While that’s significant, it’s also important to emphasize why your tour company is a great place to work. 

After all, what’s going to motivate a tour guide to apply? An overwhelming list of duties they can start dreading already? Or knowing they’ll get the chance to work for an awesome tour company they can be proud to tell people about? It’s a no-brainer!

So if you want to make a tour guide excited to join your team, tell them a bit more about your tour company by sharing:

• The kinds of tours you offer 
• Where you take guests (points of interest)
• Your passions and core values 
• How you make your destination a better place

5. Give a brief overview 

After introducing your company, explain how they’ll fit into the picture as a tour guide. This section of the tour guide job description is usually one to four sentences long, which focuses mainly on your overall company objective and what part the tour guide will play. 

Instead of getting right into the day-to-day, answer one of the following questions:

• How will the tour guide contribute to the guest experience?
• What responsibility will they have representing your destination?
• How will they directly influence tourism in a good way?

If you focus more on the impact than the work itself, you’ll naturally create meaning and purpose behind the role of a tour guide , and ultimately, encourage those who align with your mission to apply.  

6. List tour guide job responsibilities

Of course, a tour guide will still want to know what a typical workday will look like for them. Not only does it inform them about the activities you expect them to perform so they can decide if they’re competent, but it also gives them an idea of whether they’ll enjoy their everyday tasks. 

But don’t just write a long, boring list. Similar to the job overview, you should angle the responsibilities to be outcome-oriented. That way, you show significance behind the efforts, helping to fuel an enthusiastic mindset from the get-go.

See the difference?

• Greet and welcome tour groups
• Greet tour groups to make them feel welcome 

Also, try sticking with five to eight key responsibilities of a tour guide by order of importance to keep the list concise and easy to scan. 

7. Include tour guide work experience

One thing you’ll want to remember when detailing your top 10 characteristics of a great tour guide is that unicorns don’t exist. In fact, the more indispensable requirements you list, the fewer applications you’ll get from underrepresented talent. For instance, women typically won’t apply for a job unless they’re 100% qualified . 

So, stay realistic. Instead of conjuring up a dream tour guide, think of the skill requirements more as nice-to-haves and only list the ones that matter most to you. That is unless you need specific certifications or licenses. Then, of course, include that. 

This is also the perfect opportunity to emphasize growth. If you accept entry-level guides, reassure them that you provide on-the-job training. And if you’re looking for someone with more experience, share how you can support taking them to the next level. 

8. Spell out the next steps

Tour guides can easily navigate through a city, but they might get a little lost on what to do next in the application process if you don’t make it straightforward for them.

So make sure to detail:

• What you expect: a resume, cover letter, and proof of certification
• How to apply: phone, email, or in-person
• Who to address: yourself or a hiring manager
• When to submit: a deadline to create urgency

What is a good tour guide job description?

Before we dive into an example, here are a few tips to keep in mind for writing a better tour guide job description:

• Make it easy to read: one big blob of text will turn away candidates right away. Break it up into headings, short paragraphs, and lists
• Write in the second person: use the pronoun “you” to help tour guides see themselves in the role when reading the job description
• Avoid superlatives: remove gender bias by steering clear of over-the-top language, like “rock star,” “ninja ,” or “world-class” 
• Get another pair of eyes: ask one of your current guides to review the description and give their input as they know the job to a tee

Okay, now let’s see everything come together!

Snorkel Tour Guide 

Can you imagine swimming with thousands of leopard sharks daily? Join Salty Stew’s Adventures and lead snorkel tours in the La Jolla Shores of San Diego during leopard shark season from June to September. You might even get to name a few pups!

Operating for over 20 years, Salty Stew’s Adventures has been exploring the rocky reefs, underwater canyons, and magical sea caves of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve and Underwater Park with guests from all over the world by providing sea kayak tours, snorkel tours, and rentals. 

Made up of passionate ocean advocates, we are committed to preserving the local coastal environment and educating visitors about California marine life. As a Snorkel Tour Guide, you’ll get the unique opportunity to inspire people to care about shark conservation as they encounter the friendliest sharks of the sea on our Leopard Shark Snorkel Tour. 

What you’ll do:

• Give brief lessons about the migration patterns and breeding behavior of leopard sharks to emphasize their importance in the ecosystem
• Teach guests the fundamentals of snorkeling to ensure they have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable time
• Contribute to our positive reviews by showing the best snorkeling spots and pointing out various species of reef fish 
• Encourage guests to participate in protecting the new home of leopard shark pups by collecting any trash they see
• Support monitoring and conservation efforts by writing a daily report about your observations 

Who you are:

• An outdoor enthusiast with interest in marine life
• A strong swimmer who’s comfortable in the ocean (lifeguard experience is a plus!)
• Enthusiastic, engaging, and friendly 
• Confident in public speaking and customer service 
• Willing to work weekends and holidays
• Has CPR and First Aid certification 

Why work for us:

• Keep 100% of your tips on top of your wage
• Get on-the-job training with the opportunity to lead advanced kayak and snorkel tours as you gain more experience
• Hang out with the team at Bart’s Pub every Monday night for Music Bingo (wings are on us!)
• Explore the La Jolla coast in your free time with a 50% discount on our snorkel, kayak, and SUP board rentals

Seasonal, full-time

$16/hour, plus tips!

8 hour shifts, weekends 

How to apply: 

If you want to join a tight-knit team of ocean lovers, please send your resume and cover letter to Daryl Johnson at [email protected] before April 1st.

Where to put the tour guide job posting

Okay, your tour guide job description is ready to go. You’ve read it out loud, passed it through a spell check, and even had one of your tour guides give it a once-over. Now what? Do you post it on every job board to get as many bites as possible? That’s probably not the best idea.

To save yourself time — and get more intentional responses — first ask yourself the following questions:

• Where does the industry have the most luck? (You can ask fellow tour operators in the Tourpreneur Facebook Group for advice)
• What places have you found success with candidates before?
• Where does your ideal tour guide hang out online?
• Do you have the budget to pay for a premium posting?

Here are some ideas if you need a little help:

If you’re looking for…

• The most responses: try the main job listing sites, such as LinkedIn , Indeed , Workopolis , and even Craigslist
• Multilingual speakers: target travelers from other countries who want to work overseas on sites like GoAbroad , Travel Massive , and Easy Expat (these are also great sites if you’re specifically looking for fluent English speakers)
• The best in class: connect with TripSchool , International Tour Management Institute , or the Pathways Project for graduates who are trained and ready to put their learnings into action
• Natural entertainers: reach out to local community theatres, improv classes, comedy clubs, or even post a job on Playbill 
• Seasonal guides: go for the high school or college crowd by asking if you can put up a job flyer on campus bulletin boards or nearby coffee shops
• Passionate hobbyists: pay someone to do what they love by dropping a comment in local Facebook groups that are relevant to your niche (with permission)

Final thoughts

Crafting a compelling tour guide job description is just the first step. What comes next is the hiring process. Whether you conduct a phone screening or jump right to the in-person interview, you’ll need to brainstorm the best questions to help you widdle down your top candidates for the perfect fit.

Not sure what to ask during the interview?

Download our 147 Questions to ask Tour Guides!

Know what to ask to get the right hire — every time.

Related Articles

Unlock the power of feedback: how to ask your guests for reviews

“Checkfront has met our every business need, so far. Yes, we have had to reach out to Checkfront support for…

• Guest Experience

How to ask for TripAdvisor reviews

Seeking more online reviews? Learn how to ask for them in a way that gets results.

Search Blog

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Get tips and strategies to grow your business and impress your guests.

Blog Categories

• Booking Management
• Business Tips
• Marketing Strategies
• Operator Highlights

• Be A Better Guide is now Guest Focus

How to Get a Job as a Tour Guide – Tour Guide Jobs

• March 27, 2022

Tour Guide Jobs

Let’s start with some good news. The overall number of tour guide jobs is growing globally, and the UNWTO ( United Nations World Tourism Organization ) reports that global tourism continues to be one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy! When asking how to get a job as a tour guide, I believe there are at least 7 questions you will need to ask yourself first. This video will go through those questions one by one!

I also share some insights into looking for a tour guide job, discuss some of the advantages of working for a smaller or larger tour company and how you can work as a guide internationally or locally.

How to get a job as a tour guide – Resources

Our amazing Be a Better Guide Team put a lot of effort into researching a list of the largest tour guide employers on the planet. There are over 63 companies on this list that hire guides from all over the world! Use it to research what they are up to and reach out if you are interested in their hiring process.  This free PDF can be downloaded right here  .

Here is another one of our videos that will help you understand the distinction between ‘tour guides’ and ‘tour directors’ . You’ll need to decide which has more appeal to you, as it will mean approaching different companies to get your tour guide career underway!

Here is a list of  101 different tour ideas from our friends over at Tourism Tiger . This list is not only amazingly long, but it also shares company websites for each different tour type. Scroll through for inspiration, or maybe even reach out to some of the companies to find your dream job.

Another list from Tourism Tiger that shares over  92 different places where you can list your tours and activities online . This list will be a big help to you if you are interested in becoming a freelance guide or starting up your own tour company! Furthermore, I highly recommend checking out these listing sites and services, as you can find out what other guides and companies are doing in the area you want to work.

Holy cow… that’s a lot of resources!

I know that the getting a job as a tour guide is not easy, and sometimes it can be discouraging. Hopefully, these resources will help you on your way to finding that perfect tour guide job.

As always, be sure to  join the Be a Better Guide community  for more videos, helpful tools and thoughtful discussions on what it means to lead unforgettable tours.

All the best and happy hunting!

Finished watching ‘How to Get a Job as a Tour Guide’?

In the comments below, share any other resources or websites that you found useful when looking for a tour guide job! And if you haven’t yet, grab our free PDF: 63 Tour Companies that Hire Tour Guides  right here .

Transcript:

Just before we get started, here’s a few things that you’ll never hear on a job hunt. “Boy! I can’t wait to start my job search today.” “Gosh! I wish I could work all of these jobs at once.” “Fulltime mustache model needed, pay is generous.”

Hi! Kelsey Tonner here from beabetterguide.com. Perhaps, you’re here because you’re searching for a tour guide job or maybe you just want to learn a little bit more about the industry.

Either way, I can tell you that there are hundreds and thousands of different tour guide jobs all over the world, and there’s more and more every year. The World Tourism Organization recognizes that global tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy, so that’s good news.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that the job hunt is going to be easy or even that there’s necessarily guiding jobs in the place you want to work.

That being said, I put together this video with a few questions that you want to ask yourself when looking for tour guiding jobs. Plus, at the very end, I’ve got an awesome bonus for you to help on your job hunt.

1) Do you want to work in your own country or travel internationally?

This is a pretty big question and it’s going to depend on factors like is there actually tourism in the area you’d like to work.

But as a general rule, it’s easier to get hired as a guide, as a local or national, from the country in which you’d like to work and this makes sense too.

If you think from the traveller’s perspective, somebody who grew up here and spent their whole life here is going to have all kinds of insights into the history, the culture, and etcetera.

But that being said, there’re lots of opportunities where you can work internationally. I’ve had tours in Paris that were delivered by New Zealanders who were studying in Paris, or people from Poland who are working in Croatia or the Czech Republic.

Sometimes, I’ve met national guides who escort groups say from South Korea, so there would be Korean guides who escort them on trips around the world. Those opportunities exist as well.

2) Do you want to be a tour director or a tour guide?

Now, I made a previous video that explained this distinction which I’ll put a link to below.

But very briefly, I think of tour guides as the folks who are with travelers and guests for shorter periods of time, like an afternoon tour or maybe a tour that lasts a couple of days.

Tour guides will tend to have a sort of specific knowledge on a particular topic, let’s say wine making if it’s a wine making tour, or architecture of a city if it’s an architectural tour of a city, or something like the Coliseum if you happen to be leading tours there.

Tour guides can also have specialized skills. If you think of a whitewater rafting guide, they’re probably going to have some paddling skills and rescue skills that go along with that guiding job.

Tour directors or tour managers on the other hand will generally facilitate the logistics of a longer tour or an event, something like a conference.

Now, these can be things like helping with the logistics of transportation, passport and border controls, airport pickups, getting groups and escorting them to restaurants to their accommodation, and often times, they’ll work with multiple guides.

If I’m facilitating a group or leading a group through an itinerary, we might have a wine making tour with the wine making guide, the local guide, on Monday and on Tuesday, we’ll go have that tour of the Coliseum.

Now, much like a tour guide, being a tour director, you can work internationally escorting groups on international itineraries or you can do it in your home country. Most major cities will have something called the destination management company.

If there’s a big event or a conference happening, they’ll work with tour directors and tour managers to help people get out and see the highlights of their country.

Now, you want to think about this distinction, but don’t get too hung up on the terms. There’re lots of companies that use those terms pretty interchangeably and there’re sometimes roles that you can get hired for, they’re kind of a blend of both of them.

3) What type of tours would you like to lead?

Because the tourism industry is so diverse these days, there’re lots of options when it comes to guiding. If you get a job as a brewery tour guide, you’re going to have a very different job than if you’re a fly fishing guide working in some remote wilderness camp.

When it comes to your job hunt, think about what experience you would like to facilitate or what you would enjoy doing on a day-to-day basis and also what skills might make you a good candidate for that job.

Now, to give you some ideas, I’m going to put a link below to 101 different tour ideas. This is going to give you a sense of just how many different tours are operating out there right now, and under each one of those headings there’re some links to actual companies who lead tours in that area.

4) Do you want to work for yourself or work for someone else?

There are pros and cons to both choices. Now, working for yourself, you are most certainly going to have to put in more effort, but the tradeoffs of having more freedom, flexibility, and control over your own business might be worth it to you.

Now, if you’re freelancing and doing this yourself, you will need to be the one responsible for things like licensing, insurance, marketing, sales, and customer service.

But these days, it’s becoming easier and easier to partner with people like TripAdvisor and Viator, getyourguide.com, and Peek just to name a few of the big players who are online tour agents basically who will market and sell your tours for you for a small commission.

There are also peer-to-peer marketplaces, think of Airbnb but for tours and activities. There’re all kinds of websites that are popping up; some of them working, some of them not working.

But I’ll put a link below to another resource which is over 90 different websites where you can list your tour or activity online.

But if you’re interested just in guiding and sort of facilitating that experience and you think that’s what you would enjoy the most, it’s probably the best bet just to work for another company and let them handle the rest.

5) Do you need a license to work where you want to work?

In many highly touristed areas, you actually need a permit or a license to be a tour guide. These are sometimes controlled by national governments or sometimes by municipal or city governments.

Now, in other places, in other parts of the world, it really varies quite a bit. Sometimes you don’t need a license at all. For example, here in Canada, you can work as a guide in Vancouver, in Toronto, and the vast majority of Canada without any kind of license.

However, if you want to be a guide in Montreal or the City of Quebec, you do need a permit.

The best thing to do is to look into your local situation. A good place to start is asking other guides who are already working in that space, and two, try and contact a national tour guide association because they can help with these types of questions.

6) Would you prefer to work for a smaller tour company or a larger tour company?

Smaller tour companies tend to offer more seasonal employment. There tends to be a lot more options to choose from because there are just more smaller companies out there.

And lastly, you tend to have closer relationship with your employers, with your bosses, and even your fellow employees.

Now, larger tour companies can sometimes provide more stability, more work, sometimes better pay, and they can also occasionally provide opportunities for promotion or developing your career.

Now, if you’re interested in working internationally as a global guide, then these large multinational companies are definitely the way to go.

7) What skills can I work on that will make me a strong candidate?

Companies are always looking for enthusiastic, personable, and pleasant people to hire as tour guides.

If you’re a great presenter, if you are organized, and you’ve got a good memory, those are all traits that help and if you’re comfortable leading towards multiple languages, well, that is going to be a huge asset for you as well as any experience you’ve got in the service industry.

If you’re interested in developing those skills or learning more about what makes an incredible tour guide, you should definitely check out www.beabetterguide.com. I hear that site’s amazing!

Now, I can’t quite help you with your local job search just because there’re so many tour guide companies out there, but as a bonus I’ve assembled a list of 63 of the largest tour companies that hire guides and tour leaders every single year.

You absolutely want to check out this list if you’re interested in working for one of the larger tour companies and I think it’s going to be an amazing resource to help you find a job of your dreams. Now, to get that PDF, just use the link below and join up to Be a Better Guide community.

Thank you so much for tuning in today. In the comments below, please share any other advice you would have for job seekers out there, websites that you found useful or resources, please post them in the comments and share this video if you’re inspired.

Thank you so much for being here. I wish you all the luck in the world with your job hunt and I’ll see you next time.

Learn More or Get Registered Here

3 guilt-free tipping systems any tour leader should know about. Part 7 of 8

Share your tipping systems below or let us know about one of the creative systems you’ve seen!

Conversion Rate Optimization for Tour Businesses

In this blog post video, we’re going to talk about bonuses and extras and how you can use them on your tour sales pages to differentiate yourself from your competitors, create fear of missing out and go that extra mile with your ideal target guest.

How to Overcome Objections & Increase Tour Bookings

In this blog post and video, we’ll cover an essential component of high-converting tour sales pages – frequently asked questions (FAQs).

A GUEST FOCUSED APPROACH: LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS

Get the newest tour guide resources: advice, guides, and news on the tours, activities, and attractions industry from a Guest Focus perspective.

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

• Follow us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on YouTube
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Connect with us on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to our blog
• Cool and Unique Jobs (Check them out!)
• Take a Gap Year!
• Alaska Fishing Industry
• On-Demand Delivery Jobs
• Wine Industry Jobs
• Nursing Jobs (High Demand)
• Truck Driving Jobs (High Demand)
• Security Mercenary Jobs
• Becoming a Male Model
• Drone Operator Jobs
• Jobs in the Renewable Energy Industry
• On-Demand Odd Jobs

• Distillery Jobs
• Beach Resort Jobs
• Tour / Travel Gigs
• Pet Sitting Jobs
• Land Tour Section
• Animal Jobs Section
• Working Abroad
• Shared Economy Jobs Section
• Cicerone, Beer Sommelier Jobs
• Teaching / Tutoring / Coaching Gigs
• Backpacking Trip Leader Jobs

Tour Guide Job Descriptions

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

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

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

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

Sightseeing Tour Guide

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

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

Read more about becoming a sightseeing guide .

Step-On Tour Guide

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

Read more about becoming a step-on guide .

Shore Excursion Guide

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

Read more about becoming a shore excursion guide .

Adventure, Sport and Eco Tour Guides

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

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

Tour Manager/Director

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

Read more about becoming a tour manager .

Freelance Guides

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

Read more about becoming a freelance guide .

GAP Year/Volunteer Guides

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

Read more about becoming a volunteer tour guide.

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

• Subcribe to our blog

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Bon Jovi docuseries 'Thank You, Goodnight' is an argument for respect

Eric Deggans

Jon Bon Jovi at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., in 2013. David Bergman/Hulu hide caption

Jon Bon Jovi at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., in 2013.

Hulu's docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story , spends a lot of time building up the Bon Jovi legend — exploring the band's almost unbelievable 40-plus-year run from playing hardscrabble rock clubs in New Jersey to earning platinum albums and entry into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

But what moved me most in the four-part series was something more revealing: its close look at the struggle by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi to overcome vocal problems which nearly led him to quit the band.

Footage of the singer croaking through vocal exercises, undergoing laser treatments, enduring acupuncture and finally turning to surgery is sprinkled throughout the series, which toggles back and forth between his problems in 2022 and a chronological story of the band's triumphs and tragedies from its earliest days.

Refusing to be Fat Elvis

Jon Bon Jovi was interviewed for Thank You, Goodnight . Disney/Hulu hide caption

Jon Bon Jovi was interviewed for Thank You, Goodnight .

Through it all, a question hangs: Will Bon Jovi ever recover enough vocal strength to lead a 40th anniversary tour?

"If I can't be the very best I can be, I'm out," he tells the cameras, still looking a bit boyish despite his voluminous gray hair at age 62. "I'm not here to drag down the legacy, I'm not here for the 'Where are they now?' tour ... I'm not ever gonna be the Fat Elvis ... That ain't happening."

Filmmaker Gotham Chopra — who has also directed docuseries about his father, spiritualist Deepak Chopra, and star quarterback Tom Brady — digs deeply into the band's history, aided by boatloads of pictures, video footage and early recordings provided by the group.

Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora in Thank You, Goodnight Disney/Hulu hide caption

Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora in Thank You, Goodnight

Chopra gets folks from the group's tight inner circle to speak up, including former manager Doc McGhee and guitarist Richie Sambora, who quit the band in 2013. ("Are we telling the truth, or are we going to lie, what are we going to do?" Sambora cracks to his offscreen interviewer. "Let's figure it out.")

But anyone expecting gossipy dish will walk away disappointed. Even major scandals in the band's history are handled with care, including the firing of founding bassist Alec John Such in 1994 (and the admission that his replacement, Hugh McDonald, already had been secretly playing bass parts on their albums for years), drummer Tico Torres' stint in addiction treatment and Sambora's decision to quit midway through a tour in 2013, with no notice to bandmates he had performed alongside for 30 years.

Alec John Such, a founding member of Bon Jovi, dies at 70

Sambora's explanation: When issues with substance use and family problems led him to miss recording sessions, Bon Jovi got producer John Shanks to play more guitar on their 2013 record What About Now . And Sambora was hurt.

"[Bon Jovi] had the whole thing kinda planned out," Sambora says, "which basically was telling me, um, 'I can do it without you.'"

Building a band on rock anthems

Jon Bon Jovi with guitarist Phil X. Disney/Hulu hide caption

Jon Bon Jovi with guitarist Phil X.

The docuseries shows how young New Jersey native John Bongiovi turned a job as a gofer at legendary recording studio The Power Station – owned by a cousin — into a recording of his first hit in the early 1980s, Runaway . His song eventually caught the ear of another little-known artist from New Jersey called Bruce Springsteen.

"The first demo I got of Jon's was a good song," says Springsteen, a longtime friend of Bon Jovi. "I mean, Jon's great talent is these big, powerful pop rock choruses that just demand to be sung by, you know, 20,000 people in an arena."

Music Interviews

Rock star jon bon jovi comes full 'circle'.

Thank You, Goodnight shows the band really took off by honing those rock anthems with songwriter Desmond Child, while simultaneously developing videos that showcased their status as a fun, rollicking live band. Hits like You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin' on a Prayer and Wanted: Dead or Alive made them MTV darlings and rock superstars.

Through it all, the singer and bandleader is shown as the group's visionary and spark plug, open about how strategically he pushed the band to write hit songs and positioned them for commercial success.

"It wasn't as though I woke up one morning and was the best singer in the school, or on the block, or in my house," he tells the camera, laughing. "I just had a desire and a work ethic that was always the driving force."

I saw that dynamic up close in the mid-1990s when I worked as a music critic in New Jersey, spending time with Jon Bon Jovi and the band. Back then, his mother ran the group's fan club and was always trying to convince the local rock critic to write about her superstar son – I was fascinated by how the band shrugged off criticisms of being uncool and survived changing musical trends, led by a frontman who worked hard to stay grounded.

Bon Jovi was always gracious and willing to talk; he even introduced me to then-New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman at one of his legendary Christmas charity concerts. (And in a crazy coincidence, the band's backup singer Everett Bradley is an old friend from college.)

I think the docuseries captures Bon Jovi's skill at leading the group through challenges musical and otherwise — from metal's slow fade off the pop charts to the rise of grunge rock — something the singer rarely gets credit for achieving.

Still, much of Thank You, Goodnight feels like an extended celebration of the band and its charismatic frontman, leavened by his earnest effort to regain control of his voice. If you're not a Bon Jovi fan, four episodes of this story may feel like a bit much (I'd recommend at least watching the first and last episodes.)

More than anything, the docuseries feels like an extended argument for something Bon Jovi has struggled to achieve, even amid million selling records and top-grossing concert tours – respect as a legendary rock band.

The audio and digital versions of this story were edited by Jennifer Vanasco .

Explore the world with tourHQ

• Destinations
• I am a Guide
• I am a Traveller
• Online Experiences
• Currency (USD)

The epicenter of modern Russia, Moscow booms with shiny new skyscrapers, the bulbous onion domes of the tsars and politically-rich Red Square. Explore the metropolis with a tourHQ guide.

Search Cities in Russia

Moscow Tour Guides

Jorge De Reval

I am a happy, enthusiastic, amusing Spanish guy. Lively and hyperactive. Recently became qualified ...

Tanya Neyman

I became a local tour guide 6 years ago in Moscow and now we are a team of passionate guides ...

Ekaterina Smirnova

Please note: I'm away from Moscow June 11-26, 2021. I am a native Muscovite but traveled ...

Vasil Valiev

Occupation: Senior guide-translator. Guiding since 2012 in Altai mountains, North of Russia ...

Marina Spasskaya

Hi there! My name is Marina and I'm a licensed Moscow city guide.Moscow is like ...

Greetings from Saint Petersburg. This is your private tour guide Ali in Saint Petersburg. I was ...

Maria Deulina

Dear friends,My name is Maria, I am a licensed guide about Moscow. Being a native Muscovite I have ...

Ashraf Rabei

My name is Ashraf ...I'm graduated from faculty of tourism and hotel guidance department, in Egypt ...

Hengameh Ghanavati

My name is Hengameh Ghanavati. Im a licenced international tour guide since 2014 and I have ...

Todd Passey

We are a cooperative of highly experienced, certified, professional guides. Each guide takes ...

Tim Brinley

Young at heart, adventurous, organized, good people skills, a good speaker, entertaining, ...

Nikolay Borkovoy

Hace 32 años nací en la ciudad de Moscú. Tengo experiencia trabajando como guía turístico en ...

Anika Socotra-International

Our mission is to provide you with the kind of holiday you want: where you can relax in wonderful ...

Al'bina Andreeva

Moscow guide&photo! Feel Putin vibes and explore the enigmatic Russian soul through history ...

The sprawling, mind-boggling metropolis of Russian Moscow has long been one of the theatrical stages on which the great dramas of Europe and Asia have been played out in grand style. Burned by Napoleon in 1812, immortalised by Tolstoy, utilised by the Bolsheviks and championed as a bastion of heroic defiance by the post-war communists, it’s almost hard to believe just how defining the historical events that found their home on Moscow’s streets have been. Moscow tour guides will easily be able to mark the major must-see landmarks on the map, from the onion-domed orthodox Saint Basil's Cathedral, to the political powerhouse of Red Square just next door, while others will be quick to recommend a ride on Moscow’s famous subterranean metro system, or a visit to the UNESCO-attested Novodevichy Convent on the city’s southern side. But Moscow is a city also in the throes of a cultural wrangling between the old and the new. Creative energies abound here: Boho bars and pumping super clubs now occupy the iconic mega structures of the old USSR; high-fashion outlets, trendy shopping malls and luxurious residential districts stand as testimony to a city that’s now the undisputed playground of the world’s super-rich, while sprawling modern art museums dominate the cultural offering of the downtown districts north of the Moskva River.  

Tell us your destination, date, and group size.

Our team of travel experts and guides will design a tailored itinerary just for you., enjoy your trip with peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of..

Say Goodbye to Travel Stress

Choose Currency Close modal

• USD US, dollar
• GBP British Pounds

Cookie icon We use cookies!

We, and third parties, use cookies for technical and analytical purposes, for marketing purposes and for integration with social media. For more information, refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Consent.

By clicking on 'I agree', you consent to the use of these cookies.

15 Jobs That Will Pay You To Travel

Posted: March 22, 2024 | Last updated: March 22, 2024

There are at least 15 jobs that will pay you to travel. Finding them is the hard part, keeping them is the important part.

It helps to build a reputation first as a guide since you do need to know a lot about a given area to talk about it. But a job like this that will pay you to travel is interesting and can widen your worldview in a big way.

Travel Agent

There are a few companies out there that will pay you to travel so that you can familiarize yourself with the packages they offer. Hey, the more you know, the better you sell.

Working on a Cruise Ship

This should speak for itself since there are only a few people who remain in port when a cruise ship strolls by. If you don’t mind being out at sea for a while, this is a great job for you.

Flight Attendant

Another job that speaks for itself, being a flight attendant does require working with people. But if you can be patient and understanding, as well as slightly authoritative, then you have what you need.

Archaeologist

It sounds like a dream, right? But there are a lot of caveats to this position since even being paid to travel, there’s a lot of fieldwork, and your education level needs to be at an exceptional high before you step into this arena.

Travel Writer

Much like travel agents, travel writers need to know something to write about it. While it’s true that they can use their imagination and creative skills to fill in the gaps, there’s nothing that beats experience.

Environmental Scientist

Between fieldwork and the need to visit one site or another for various reasons, this job is bound to keep a person moving. It might not be the best for people who want to visit home more often, but it’s hardly ever boring.

Storm Chaser

The travel might not be as extensive as other positions throughout the world, but a stormchaser doesn’t always stay still. It’s not like the movie Twister, at least not entirely, but it does keep a person on the move.

Event Planner

These folks need to know the venues that they’re booking, and therefore it’s necessary to take a trip now and again to see what’s what. This helps them to recommend one venue or another and keep their clients happy.

House Sitter

It’s interesting to think about this, but house sitters who can pick up and go at a moment’s notice are popular right now. There are such things as background checks of course, but building a reputation is important enough that a lot of people will keep themselves as honest as they can.

Much like a housesitter, pet sitters need to be vetted to make certain that the family pet, or pets, isn’t being placed in the hands of an inept individual. But being able to travel from one place to another is a big expense, so it’s fair to think that these jobs are very coveted and people don’t let them go lightly.

Photographer

People will travel the world over to get the best possible picture sometimes. A travel photographer will often spend months if not years abroad trying to capture the perfect images. If they find someone willing to pay for that, then kudos to them.

English Teacher

Traveling abroad isn’t uncommon for many teachers as American teachers will make their way to one country or another when their skills are in demand. With that in mind, other teachers are often tapped to teach students various subjects.

Construction Manager

A lot of construction managers might remain in a certain town or city, but those who have an exceptional skill set will be sent to projects around the world at times. Imagine being the person who’s placed on site to make sure something comes through on time or is being managed the way the big bosses want.

It’s very easy to act as a translator over a Zoom or Skype meeting, but some companies want to add a personal touch and send their people to those who need their services. This is the type of position that, if you reach it, is wise to keep for as long as possible.

The post 15 Jobs That Will Pay You To Travel appeared first on SheBudgets .

More for You

The most dangerous state to drive in in the US, according to data—plus, see where your state ranks

19 Things People Treat As Safe That Actually Are Pretty Dangerous

Ancient scroll found at Mount Vesuvius reveals details of Plato’s final hours

House back in turmoil: Marjorie Taylor Greene makes her move to oust Speaker Mike Johnson

The Choco Taco Is Coming Back For A Limited Time

I'm abrosexual - it took me 30 years to realise

The biggest song in country music history, according to data. Plus, see if your favorite is in the top 100.

18 ‘Normal’ Things From the ’80s and ’90s That Are Considered Luxuries Now

US Navy Most Feared Jet Shoots Off From Aircraft Carrier Like a Rocket

Archaeologists Discover 'Unique' Artificial Body Part in 18th Century Skull

Historic grocery chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Krispy Kreme Is Giving Away Free Dozens This Week

Mountain Dew has been banned in nearly 30 countries. Here's why, plus more American favorites that are illegal elsewhere.

A Little Girl Complained Of ‘Monsters’ In Her Bedroom, But It Was Actually 50,000 Bees

Tesla staff say entire Supercharger team fired

Scientists claim people with this blood type more likely to have early stroke

Surprise F-16 Update Issued by Ukraine

'10-foot-tall people' discovered by archaeologists in Nevada cave

The most successful musician of all time, based on data—and see the rest of the top 50

'One of the most intense court days': What Ari Melber saw inside Trump’s criminal trial

California Disney characters are unionizing decades after Florida peers. Hollywood plays a role

The Associated Press

April 28, 2024, 12:11 AM

• Share This:
• share on facebook
• share on threads
• share on linkedin
• share on email

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — During three years of working as a parade performer at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California , Zach Elefante always has had a second or third job to help him earn a living.

Unlike the experiences of his peers at Disney’s parks in Orlando, Florida, where there is a much smaller talent pool, the performers who play Mickey Mouse, Goofy and other beloved Disney characters at the California parks aren’t always provided a consistent work schedule by the company.

It’s among the reasons the California performers are organizing to be represented by a union now, more than four decades after their Florida counterparts did so.

While Disney asks character performers to be available to work at any time, that demand isn’t always rewarded with scheduled work hours, the California performers said.

“A lot of performers get the sense that if they don’t give their full availability, we won’t be in shows … and that will impact other jobs we need to sustain a living in this area,” said Elefante, who lives in Santa Ana, California.

Earlier this month, the California character performers and the union organizing them, Actors’ Equity Association, said they had filed a petition for union recognition.

It’s a different era and a different union doing the organizing this time around, so the California character and parade performers likely will avoid some of the bad blood that the Disney performers in Florida have experienced with their union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

It has been a rocky four-decade marriage in Florida between the performers who put the “magic” in the Magic Kingdom and the Teamsters, a union historically formed for transportation and warehouse workers which had deep ties to organized crime until the late 1980s.

Why now for the California character performers, so many decades after their Florida counterparts organized? Unlike in Florida where performing as a character often is a full-time job, many of the character performers in Southern California have multiple other gigs, often in Hollywood movies and TV.

Elefante performs at rival Universal Studios Hollywood and works as a tour guide for the movie studios. In addition to performing in the “Fantasmic!” show at Disneyland, Chase Thomas works as the director of operations for a theater festival and previously has had jobs as a visual effects coordinator and entertainment licensing agent.

Angela Nichols moved to California to be a TV writer and often works as a writer in addition to her job as an entertainment host at Disneyland, where she assists the character performers when they’re interacting with guests.

“Disney really is a cornerstone of the stories we grow up with in our culture. Being able to watch people immersed in these stories and live it out is magical,” Nichols said. “And when we’re being supported as cast members and performers, we’re able to make that happen. We’re just not being set up for success in the way we need to be at this time.”

When many of their Hollywood gigs dried up because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent actors’ and writers’ strikes, the character performers wanted more consistent scheduling at Disneyland once it reopened after a yearlong, pandemic-related closure. The pandemic also made them more alert to health and safety concerns concerning things like hugging guests or having sanitary costumes.

Most of the more than 35,000 workers at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California already were unionized, and the parades and character department members were among the holdovers.

“A lot of cast members want to do this fulltime and make it work,” Thomas said.

Unlike their Florida counterparts, the character performers in California are being organized by a union devoted to performers. As such, Actors’ Equity Association officials understand the unique needs of the theme park performers in ways that would be difficult for other unions to grasp.

When there is a new stage show, the shoes of the costumes need to be tested to make sure the performers won’t trip or slip on stage. Union representatives make sure “face performers,” whose faces are visible, such as Cinderella, have the right makeup and double check that parade dancers have ice packs available to nurse sore knees.

Unclean costumes are a perennial problem, and it was a top reason for the Florida performers wanting to organize with the Teamsters in the early 1980s. The other reasons included kids kicking Disney villains like Captain Hook in the shins and adults grabbing at the chests of performers playing Mickey Mouse to see if there was a man or woman underneath.

Clean costumes were so important to the Florida character performers that more than two decades ago the Teamsters succesfully inserted a contract clause to assign individual undergarments that the performers could take home to wash after pubic lice and scabies were shared via the garments.

There always existed a culture clash in Florida between the costumed character performers and the traditional Teamsters union leaders of truck drivers and warehouse workers. The drivers often viewed the performers as living charmed lives, paid to dress up every day as if it were Halloween.

Those tensions came to a head in the late 2010s as a new leader of the local Teamsters affiliate in Orlando began targeting the costumed character performers for harassment. The character performers pushed back and the fight went up to James Hoffa , then-head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who intervened.

In California, Elefante is hopeful union representation will give performers a voice in decisions about issues including the larger-than-life costumes, which can cause long-term injuries when ill-fitted, and the safety of performing in parades during rain.

“It’s about having a seat at the table and being a part of the conversation from the performers’ perspective,” Elefante said.

Associated Press reporter Amy Taxin in Orange County, California, contributed to this report.

Mike Schneider’s book, “Mickey and the Teamsters: A Fight for Fair Unions at Disney,” was published in October by the University Press of Florida. Follow him on X , formerly Twitter.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Related News

No need to go guess: Mom knows best what she wants for Mother’s Day

Retired U.S. soccer star Carli Lloyd announces she and her husband are expecting baby in October

The botched FAFSA rollout leaves students in limbo. Some wonder if their college dreams will survive

Recommended.

Human trafficking lessons helps schools in Prince William Co. fight sex and labor trafficking

Longtime Asian American residents raise concerns about DC's 'dwindling' Chinatown

Republican lawmakers criticize DC police's lack of force as GW protests enter 7th day

Related categories:.

Planning a trip to Moscow? Our travel guide contains up-to-date, personal information on everything from what to see , to when to visit , where to stay , and what to eat !

• General Information
• What to see
• How to get to Moscow
• Where to stay
• Where to eat

Why visit Moscow?

Majestic churches, impressive historic fortresses, and palatial buildings: Moscow is a fascinating city whose emblematic architecture reflects the turbulent history that has defined Russia throughout the centuries.

The traces of the USSR can be found around every corner of the city , side by side with the iconic relics of Imperial Russia , like the mythical Red Square , the imposing Kremlin , and the beautiful  St Basil's Cathedral . 

Discover a fascinating world of Cold War bunkers, golden-domed basilicas, world-class art museums, and the legendary "palace of the people,"  as the Moscow Metro has been nicknamed. Whether you fancy watching a classical Russian ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre , perusing the fine arts at the Pushkin Museum , or marveling at the sheer size of the monuments to the Soviet state's achievements at the  All-Russia Exhibition Centre , this travel guide will help you on your way!

Where to start?

If you're going to travel to Moscow and you don't know much about the city yet, the first thing to do is to dive into its legendary history - understanding the past will help you understand the present. Next, check out our practical hints and tips on traveling to the city before discovering which of its most important museums , monuments , and attractions pique your interest.

Looking for a place to stay?

Booking your accommodation in advance is the best way to get great discounts. Our detailed guide on where to stay in Moscow  will help you decide which neighborhood you'd like to look for hotels or apartments in, and our hotel search engine will find you the best deals!

Why is our Moscow travel guide the best?

Introducing Moscow is a  city guide written by travelers for travelers  and contains personalized advice to help you make the most of your trip to the city.

All the information in this guide is valid as of December 2022. If you find any errors or have any comments, please feel free to contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more