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Tour Guide Job Description

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

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Tour Guide Job Description Template

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

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

Tour Guide Responsibilities:

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

Tour Guide Requirements:

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

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Tour Guide Job Description [Updated for 2024]

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

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

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

Whether you are:

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

You’ve come to the right place.

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

Let’s dive right in.

Tour Guide Duties and Responsibilities

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

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

The duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide include:

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

Tour Guide Job Description Template

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

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

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

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

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

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

Additional Information

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

What Does a Tour Guide Do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

They ensure that the tour runs smoothly and on schedule.

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

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

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

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

Tour Guide Qualifications and Skills

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

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

Tour Guide Experience Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tour Guide Education and Training Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tour Guide Salary Expectations

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

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

Tour Guide Job Description FAQs

What skills does a tour guide need.

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

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

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

Do Tour Guides need any specific qualifications?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What qualities make a good Tour Guide?

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

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

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

Is it difficult to hire Tour Guides?

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

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

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

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

And there we have it.

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

Guess what?

It’s not just about pointing out landmarks.

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

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

But don’t stop just yet!

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

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

Let’s weave those tales. Together.

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

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“Tour Guide Job Description”

Table of contents, tour guide job description, responsibilities, requirements and skills.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the role of a Tour Guide. In this post, we’ll explore the Tour Guide job description, key responsibilities, and the essential qualifications and skills required for success in this role.

Tour Guide includes:

• Lead and conduct guided tours for tourists and visitors at various locations.
• Provide historical and cultural information about the tour destinations.
• Ensure the safety and comfort of tour participants throughout the excursion.
• Plan and organize tour itineraries, including transportation and accommodations.
• Interact with tourists, answer questions, and create an engaging and informative tour experience.
• Maintain knowledge of local attractions, landmarks, and points of interest.
• Handle emergency situations and provide first-aid assistance when necessary.
• Collect and manage tour fees, tickets, and related paperwork.

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• High school diploma or equivalent; a degree in tourism or related field is a plus.
• Proven experience as a Tour Guide or in a customer-facing role.
• Excellent communication and public-speaking skills.
• Knowledge of multiple languages is an advantage, especially in multicultural tourist destinations.
• Ability to adapt to different audiences and provide an enjoyable and educational experience.

The role of a Tour Guide is essential in enhancing the travel experience of tourists and ensuring they have a memorable and educational visit to various destinations. Tour Guides play a vital part in promoting tourism and preserving cultural heritage.

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Tour Guide Job Description Template

Tour guides play an essential role in the tourism industry by providing visitors with engaging and informative travel experiences. As a tour guide, you will be responsible for leading groups of tourists to various destinations and providing historical, cultural, or environmental commentary along the way. To help you attract the best candidates for this position, we have created a Tour Guide Job Description Template that outlines the key responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements for this role.

We are seeking a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Tour Guide to lead groups of tourists through our city's top attractions. The ideal candidate will have a passion for history, art, culture, and city landmarks. The Tour Guide will be responsible for creating an engaging and enjoyable experience for visitors while providing informative commentary along the way.

Responsibilities

• Lead guided tours of city attractions, ensuring that each group has a memorable and enjoyable experience.
• Provide informative and entertaining commentary to visitors throughout the tour.
• Answer questions and provide additional historical or cultural context for landmarks and attractions.
• Ensure that tour stays on schedule and that all attractions are visited in the allotted time.
• Coordinate with local businesses and vendors to arrange group discounts and special offers.
• Keep accurate records of daily tours, including the number of visitors, time spent at each attraction, and any feedback received from visitors.
• Stay up to date on all relevant city events and attractions to provide visitors with the most current and informative experience possible.

Requirements

• Prior experience as a tour guide or in a related field such as hospitality or tourism.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• Expert knowledge of the city's history, culture, and landmarks.
• Ability to lead groups of up to 20 people on foot, up and down stairs, and in a variety of weather conditions.
• Flexibility to work weekends and evenings as needed.
• High school diploma or equivalent; college degree in a related field a plus.

If you are passionate about sharing your love of our city with visitors and have the skills and knowledge to create an engaging and memorable experience, we encourage you to apply for this exciting Tour Guide position.

Introduction

A tour guide plays an essential role in the tourism industry as they are responsible for showing around visitors and providing them with information about the places they visit. A good tourist guide should have excellent communication skills, be knowledgeable about the tourist attraction, and posses a friendly demeanor.

Job title and summary

The job title should be concise and reflect the duties that a successful candidate will perform. For example, "Tour Guide" or "Museum Tour Guide" works well. The summary should entail a brief description of the job, its requirements and qualifications.

• Job Title: Tour Guide
• Location: Any city or town known for tourist attractions
• Employment Type: Full-time, Part-time
• Experience: Entry level
• Qualifications: High school diploma or GED, local knowledge on tourist attractions, and fluency in English.

Job Responsibilities

The job responsibilities should outline what the candidate is expected to do, also mentioning the skills or abilities required to perform the job.

• Show visitors around tourist attractions, museums, or landmarks
• Provide historical and cultural information about the places visited
• Assist and educate visitors about the local customs and traditions
• Respond to visitors’ questions and inquiries
• Monitor and enforce tour regulations and safety measures

Skills and Qualifications

List the necessary qualifications and traits that you are looking for in a candidate.

• High School diploma or GED
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Patient and friendly demeanor with a passion for history and culture
• Fluent in English with a command of other languages being a bonus
• Comfortable in public speaking and leading groups of people
• Familiarity with the local tourist attractions and familiarity with different cultures

How to apply

Provide the necessary instructions for submitting an application. This includes the application deadline, contact person, and method of submission.

• Please send your resume and a cover letter to [insert email or address] before [insert deadline if applicable].

Creating a comprehensive tour guide job posting is crucial in attracting the right candidate for this crucial role. A good job posting should reflect the necessary job responsibilities and qualifications accurately while highlighting the perks of the job.

Frequently Asked Questions on Creating Tour Guide Job Posting

If you're looking to hire a tour guide to help visitors navigate your city, historical site, or national park, you need to create a job posting that clearly describes your expectations and requirements. Here are some frequently asked questions on creating tour guide job postings:

What should I include in a tour guide job posting?

• A description of your organization, including its mission and values.
• A summary of the tour guide's responsibilities and duties, as well as any necessary qualifications and experience.
• Information on the work schedule, including any required evening or weekend shifts.
• Details on compensation, benefits, and any other perks of the job.

What are some key skills to look for in a tour guide?

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to speak at least one other language fluently.
• A deep knowledge of the tour site or location, including its history, geography, and culture.
• The ability to adapt tours to meet the needs and interests of different groups.

How can I attract the right applicants for the job?

• Clearly state your expectations and requirements in the job posting.
• Use specific examples to illustrate key skills and qualifications.
• Emphasize the unique aspects of the tour or location, and what makes it an exciting place to work as a tour guide.
• Highlight any non-traditional benefits, such as a flexible work schedule or opportunities for professional development.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in a tour guide job posting?

• Using generic or vague language that doesn't convey your needs and expectations.
• Overemphasizing qualifications or experience at the expense of soft skills, such as communication and interpersonal skills.
• Using outdated or biased language that might discourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.
• Ignoring the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in a tour guide job posting.

Creating a compelling tour guide job posting can help you attract the talent you need to keep visitors happy and engaged. Remember to be clear, specific, and inclusive, and to highlight what makes your tour or location unique and exciting.

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Tour Guide Job Descriptions

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

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

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

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

Sightseeing Tour Guide

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

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

Read more about becoming a sightseeing guide .

Step-On Tour Guide

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

Read more about becoming a step-on guide .

Shore Excursion Guide

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

Read more about becoming a shore excursion guide .

Adventure, Sport and Eco Tour Guides

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

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

Tour Manager/Director

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

Read more about becoming a tour manager .

Freelance Guides

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

Read more about becoming a freelance guide .

GAP Year/Volunteer Guides

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

Read more about becoming a volunteer tour guide.

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

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Change people’s lives

As a CEO, you’ll give our travellers memories to last a lifetime, and change people’s lives by connecting remote communities with the economic benefits of the global tourist chain.

Explore the world

Who can say that they get paid to travel the world? Well, you can! Take a group of travelers on life-changing trips and have the time of your life while getting paid. That’s a serious win-win.

Create happiness and community

Meet people from all walks of life, creating happiness and community for them – as well as for yourself! There’s simply no other job in the world like it.

Job Description Overview

A Tour Guide job description involves leading groups of people on tours for various locations such as museums, historical sites, and natural landmarks. Tour Guides are responsible for ensuring that visitors are informed and entertained while maintaining safety regulations. They provide visitors with interesting facts, answer questions and provide a great experience to make it a memorable trip. Tour Guides must have excellent communication skills, be knowledgeable about the location they are providing information about, and be able to handle any unexpected situations that may arise smoothly. They need to be organized, punctual, and have a friendly disposition. Many Tour Guides work outdoors, which may require them to walk for long periods. A Tour Guide job description encompasses a range of skills, including organization, communication, and problem-solving skills, making it a great career choice for those seeking to work in the Hospitality industry.

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Table of contents, job duties and responsibilities.

• Meet and greet guests
• Give background and historical information
• Navigate guests safely through destinations
• Provide tips and suggestions
• Keep track of time and schedules
• Provide insight and knowledge on local culture and customs
• Ensure guests have an enjoyable and educational experience
• Handle unexpected issues or emergencies
• Follow health and safety guidelines
• Encourage guests to ask questions and engage with their surroundings.

Experience and Education Requirements

To become a tour guide in the hospitality industry, you typically need a high school diploma or its equivalent. You should also have experience in customer service, public speaking, or related areas. It's helpful if you have a degree or coursework in hospitality, tourism, or a related field. You must be knowledgeable about the area where you will be giving tours and be able to give clear and engaging presentations. In addition, you should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, able to handle unexpected situations, and have great communication skills. Employers may also require you to have a valid driver's license and clean driving record if the tour involves driving.

Salary Range

Tour guides play a vital role in the hospitality industry, providing visitors with interesting and informative experiences that make their trips memorable. If you're wondering about the tour guide salary range in the United States, the average annual salary is around $27,400 according to Salary.com. However, the salary can vary depending on the location, experience, and type of tours offered. For example, the average salary for a tour guide in New York City is around $40,000 per year.

In other countries, the tour guide salary range can also vary. According to PayScale, the average salary for a tour guide in Australia is around AU$25 per hour, while in the United Kingdom it is around £11 per hour.

• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/tour-guide-salary
• https://www.payscale.com/research/AU/Job=Tour Guide/Hourly Rate
• https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Tour Guide/Hourly Rate

Career Outlook

If you're considering a career as a tour guide in the hospitality industry over the next five years, the outlook is looking positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of tour guides is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is mainly due to the increase in tourism worldwide. 

As more and more people travel, the demand for knowledgeable and engaging tour guides will continue to rise. Additionally, with the advent of new technology, such as augmented reality, tour guides will have more tools available to enhance the visitor experience. 

To prepare for this career, consider obtaining a bachelor's degree in hospitality or tourism management. Gaining experience in customer service, public speaking, and foreign languages can also help you stand out in the industry. 

Keep in mind that as a tour guide, your schedule may vary depending on the season and demand. However, for those who love to travel, meet new people, and showcase their knowledge and passion for different cultures, this career can be highly rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What does a tour guide do?

A: A tour guide provides information and assistance to tourists during their visits to attractions, sightseeing locations, or events. They ensure the smooth operation of tours, make travel arrangements, and provide educational and entertaining commentary to enhance the tour experience.

Q: What skills are required to become a tour guide?

A: Good communication skills, knowledge of the region, and foreign language proficiency are essential. Confidence, leadership, and excellent customer service abilities are also required.

Q: Is formal education necessary to become a tour guide?

A: While a degree is not necessary, many tour guides complete coursework in fields related to hospitality, tourism, or communications to enhance their knowledge and qualifications.

Q: Are there any safety concerns that tour guides must be aware of?

A: Yes, safety is a major concern for tour guides as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of their guests. Guides must ensure that their guests remain within designated areas, are instructed in proper safety protocols and are familiar with any potential hazards.

Q: How do I become a tour guide?

A: To become a tour guide, you should begin by researching the requirements in your area. Consider pursuing relevant coursework or certification programs to increase your marketability. Seek out experience in the industry, and develop your communication and customer service skills.

Hospitality

Job descriptions:, hospitality manager, restaurant chef, chief steward, hotel night auditor front desk.

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Tour guide: job description

targetjobs editorial team

Last updated: 25 Jan 2023, 13:39

Tour guides accompany groups of visitors to tourist attractions, whether on day trips or longer visits, and give them information and insights that help them make the most of the experience.

Potential tour guides should be fit and healthy with lots of energy and confidence.

What do tour guides do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Due to Covid-19, you may find it difficult to gain work or experience as a tour guide. As we explain here , however, recruiters will not view time out of work due to the pandemic as a 'gap' in your CV. For guidance on searching for work during this difficult time, take a look at our advice for job hunting during a pandemic .

Tour guides show groups round attractions such as historic monuments, cultural centres and beauty spots, and provide them with background information to help them make the most of their visit. They may work with day-trippers or on walking tours, or support tourists on longer visits that involve overnight stays, perhaps to rural or remote locations. Tour guide jobs sometimes also call for chauffeuring and language skills. Typical responsibilities include:

• undertaking research and planning tours
• preparing and giving presentations
• offering sightseeing advice
• organising and leading excursions
• problem solving
• translating and interpreting
• transporting and accompanying tourists.

Many tour guides work on a seasonal basis and combine tour guiding with other work, but there are full-time roles available.

Adverts appear in specialist press publications such as Travel Trade Gazette or Travel Weekly , as well as their online equivalents. It is advisable to make speculative applications.

Qualifications and training required

A degree is not required for entry into this profession. However, it could be an advantage to have national vocational qualifications or a degree in an appropriate subject such as leisure, travel, tourism, or languages.

Work with the general public, or experience gained within the hotel, tourism or travel trades is usually beneficial.

There are accredited tourist guide training programmes that cover a range of destinations, including London, and that enable you to qualify at three different levels for three different types of guiding: at sites, on guided walks, and on a moving vehicle. Blue Badge holders are qualified for all three modes, while green badge holders can offer guided walks and can also act as tour guides at sites in a specific area. White Badge holders can either provide guidance at a specific site or on a walk along a fixed route. The Institute of Tourist Guiding has more information about these qualifications.

Key skills for tourist guides

Potential tour guides should be fit and healthy with lots of energy and confidence, be able to work effectively without supervision, possess a calm 'customer focused' manner, and have excellent interpersonal skills.

Language and first aid skills are useful, as is a driving licence.

targetjobs editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the targetjobs content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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TOUR LEADER JOB DESCRIPTION

Find detail information about tour leader job description, duty and skills required for tour leader position.

What is a Tour Leader called?

She was a tour director who led tours through the city. She was experienced in leading tours and had a creative eye for finding the best places to visit.

What makes a good Tour Leader?

If you want to be a great tour leader, you must be able to communicate effectively. You need to be able to think on your feet and articulate information in an engaging way. You also need to be able to lead a tour with energy and charisma.

What is the difference between Tour Guide and Tour Leader?

A Tour Leader whose main task is to lead the group in order of travel can take place smoothly, while a Tour Guide has a responsibility to give a full explanation about destinations visited by vacationers. However, a Tour Guide can also be more interactive with the group and provide more opportunities for learning about local cultures.

How do you become a Tour Leader?

When it comes to tour leader qualities, it's clear that a burning passion for working with people is what drives these individuals. They have a diplomatic temperament and are excellent at customer service skills. They're also good with organisational skills, having previous tour leader experience. With this experience in hand, they can be a great asset when it comes to guiding your group on their trip.

Is a tour guide a good job?

If you're looking for an exciting way to see the world and learn about a different country's culture and history, becoming a tour guide is the perfect way to go! As a tour guide, you'll be able to share your love of travel with people just like you, and you'll be able to see some of the most amazing places on earth!

What qualifications do you need to be a tour guide?

If you're looking for a fun, exciting way to spend your summer, Betterteam is the perfect company for you! They offer a variety of Tours that will amaze and amuse the clients. The Tours are tailored to fit your interests and skills. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for some excitement, they have something for you!

How can I welcome a tourist in English?

Welcome to the tour! The knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Prague. We'll discuss the different attractions that are available in the city and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for choosing the tour, and they hope to see you soon!

What are the 5 roles of a tour guide?

As a tour guide, you will be responsible for providing tourists with an amazing view of the world and answering any questions they may have. You will also be able to plan and lead excursions, help with translation and interpretation, and transport tourists around the beautiful city of Prague. In addition, you will be responsible for keeping everyone safe while on your tours.

What are the job responsibilities of tour guide?

A tourist guide is someone who helps tourists have a great time by reciting and memorizing the tour scripts, handling customer service interactions, and leading them to areas that they will enjoy. They are also skilled at guiding visitors to where they need to go and providing information about the area.

Is tour guide a leader?

Leading a travel group can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance, it's easy to make the most of your vacation. Tour leaders are in charge of managing group dynamics, and over the course of an overseas trip, they should fulfill their guiding responsibilities to the extent stated in the tour contract. They play the crucial role of coordinating between tour suppliers including, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Leaders should be aware of their guests' needs and desires, and ensure that all necessary accommodations are made available. They should also ensure that all necessary activities are booked and organized in advance so that everyone has plenty of time to enjoy their destination. If you're looking for an exciting and unique experience on your next trip abroad ? look no further than a group led tour!

How can I get a travel job?

Looking to travel the world? There are many ways to get into the travel industry, and there are a variety of job types that can be suitable for you. You can search for entry-level jobs, or explore options such as education and networking. With some research, you can find a job that is compatible with your skills and interests. And if you're looking for travel experiences, you can find opportunities to work as a tour guide or travel agent.

How do I get a job as a travel guide?

If you're looking for a way to get your travel guide certification, there are a few things you need to do in order to get started. first, find a program that will give you the required coursework. Next, gain experience leading groups of travelers. Finally, take on some on-the-job training in order to become a better travel guide leader.

What do tour guides get paid?

In today's world, the Tour Guide is an important part of any travel experience. They are able to provide valuable information about local history and culture, as well as help plan your vacation. A Tour Guide can make a large impact on your trip, and can be a great friend or business partner.

What is another name for tour guide?

This is a tour guide who will help you plan your perfect vacation. He or she will take you on delicious tours of the areas you?ll be visiting and teach you about the culture and history of that place.

Do I need a Licence to be a tour guide?

English guide services are not as regulated as other forms of transportation, such as driving licences or taxi licences. This means that you can advertise yourself as a guide and offer your services to people in London. Additionally, many English guide services are exempt from some of the regulation that other forms of transportation face. For example, guides are not required to have a driving licence or to be registered with the police.

How do you introduce visitors?

"This is Dr. Jane Doe. She is a highly respected member of her community and has many years of experience in the medical field. I would like to introduce her to you, my community members." - source.

How do you write a tour script?

1. Make sure your Tour Script is interesting and engaging for your audience. 2. If you have a strong story, your audience will be more likely to stick around until the end. 3. Try to find a Theme that is relevant to your tour and market them well. 4. Use small, meaningful words throughout your Tour Script in order to make people feel good about what they?re reading. 5. Get rid of jargon and complex terminology in order to make everything easier for the reader! 6. Edit and proofread your Tour Script regularly ? it?s important that every word is on point! 7. Finally, make sure you use effective, memorable marketing hooks throughout your script in order to keep people coming back for more!

What qualities a good tour guide should have?

There are many qualities that make a good tour guide. They must be enthusiastic, communicative, outgoing, and creative. They must also be able to provide an amazing experience for their guests.

What makes a good tour?

If you're looking for a unique and charming tour that takes you around the area, the Red Hill Cottage Tour is the perfect option. The guides are passionate about their subject, and they'll take the time to share interesting stories about the people and places that make this area so special. You'll also get to see some beautiful landmarks, including a chapel where people used to pray for rain, as well as wine cellars that date back to the 1800s.

How can I improve my tour guide skills?

A tour guide is someone who helps visitors experience the beauty and history of a place by leading them on exciting, interactive tours. Tour guides can be excellent communicators, able to provide interesting and informative captions for photos and videos of the sites visited. Tour guides also have a lot to offer in terms of knowledge, etiquette and communication skills.

What is the most critical role of a tour guide why?

In today's world, tourists often need a facilitator to help bridge the gap between the often diverging perspectives of their hosts. Tour guides become bridge-builders, linking the touristic side and local realities. They work to provide a unique visitor experience that is both informative and entertaining.

How do you conduct a tour?

"Our guide, Sarah, took us on a fantastic tour of the city. She was friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the place and shared stories with us as they walked around. Sarah was also very creative and got us up and moving right away. Overall, a great experience and I would definitely recommend her to others!" - source.

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Tour Manager Job Description

Tour manager duties & responsibilities.

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

Sample responsibilities for this position include:

Tour Manager Qualifications

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

Licensing or Certifications for Tour Manager

List any licenses or certifications required by the position: TOUR, PGA, AED, CPR, IWCF, PMP

Education for Tour Manager

Typically a job would require a certain level of education.

Employers hiring for the tour manager job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Collage Degree in Business, Marketing, Education, Nursing, Tourism, Hospitality, Management, Communications, Business/Administration, Accounting

Skills for Tour Manager

Desired skills for tour manager include:

Desired experience for tour manager includes:

Tour Manager Examples

• Microsoft Word (.docx) .DOCX
• PDF Document (.pdf) .PDF
• Image File (.png) .PNG
• Manage electronic hub for all resources to be easily accessed for all outside partners
• Attend site visits as needed
• Manage assigned areas of the advertising budget and process department invoices
• Support Vice President of Marketing as needed
• Create marketing updates and recap presentations
• Successfully drive revenue
• Prospect, generate leads, develop relationships, understand customer needs, present solutions, negotiate, and close new business and renewal clients
• Leverage existing individual network, tournament host committee, club members, title/event/club vendors, community service groups, current clients, TOUR official partners, and other lead generators
• Manage daily and weekly sales activity including outbound calls, face-to-face appointments, proposals sent, and attending networking functions
• Utilize CRM tools to track, measure, and analyze sales activity
• Employ sales protocol that encompasses multi-year, multi-event, and early renewal strategies
• Work collaboratively with client services, operations, finance and ticketing department to ensure fulfillment
• Conduct surveys, executive focus groups, and sponsor summits to enhance the experience of our clients
• Attend various community and charitable functions as a representative of the Bridgestone Invitational
• Sports background with event management or team sponsorship/hospitality sales is preferred
• Highest degree of ethics and professional conduct
• Orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status
• This position may include supervising contractors where applicable
• Review financial statements and data, utilizing financial data to improve profitability
• Respond quickly to customer concerns and correct potential problems before they affect the guests
• Drive high performance meetings and strong communication plans
• Uphold company safety standards to ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees
• Provides leadership and direction to the Studio Tour driver training team to ensure that all drivers are properly recruited, trained, and tested before operating vehicles with guests
• Creates and leads a year-round evaluation program to continually assess Studio Tour drivers with a focus on coaching and documentation
• Set goals and related initiatives toward achieving best in class practices for maintaining a well-trained, proficient driver work force
• Coordinates with Technical Services counterparts to ensure that the tram fleet, supporting vehicles, and backlot attractions are in proper working condition meeting all safety requirements as determined by the company and applicable vehicle codes
• Must be able to work in an industrial/warehouse environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Sales & Marketing, or other related fields
• Problem solving and flexibility to adapt and adjust to changing situations
• Must have minimum of 2 years Event Operations and Support experience
• Coordinates with Ride Compliance and Learning & Development teams to ensure all policies and procedures are being adhered to, and best practices are being followed during the training and evaluation of drivers
• In partnership with the Studio Driver Manager, selects, trains and leads driver trainers
• Provide support with the Russian domestic Trophy Tour
• Oversee Documentation to ensure that buses are built efficiently and meet the scheduling needs
• Ensure that equipment needed to complete job duties are stocked and maintained (squeegees, buckets, uniform items, log books, DVIRs, video cameras)
• Selling and closing sales of Vantage Products
• Conduct surveys, executive focus groups, and partner forums to enhance the experience of our client
• Oversee Marketing Department spend to ensure accurate reporting to finance and other relevant parties
• Promptly communicate with Eventive regarding any changes to the event and/or decisions made that are out of the ordinary
• Daily coordination with Marketing Werks, media/onsite event contacts, temp staff, recruiters/volunteers, technology vendors
• Complete thorough daily event recaps, that include online written reports with event highlights, key learnings, photos
• Drive the truck & trailer from market to market
• Minimum of 10-12 Years of relevant work experience including demonstrated experience in people leadership, training, budgeting, strategic planning, hospitality, and safety/compliance
• 4 year of tour management experience
• CDL Driver’s License and positive driving record
• Proactive and outgoing personality, self-motivated and reliable
• Common knowledge in use of Stereo and AV Equipment
• Lead the Tour Department in ensuring the highest levels of customer service are met and exceed expectations
• Main contact on-site between events, Lowe’s stores and the general public and will effectively manage all aspects of each
• In the instance that the day does not go as planned, make on the spot decisions that may deviate from original plan of action but are necessary in order to be successful
• Other duties as assigned and necessary for a successful promotion
• Any other tasks as requested by the Regional Operations Manager
• Main contact on-site between events, retailers and the general public and will effectively manage all aspects of each
• Brand Ambassador Management
• Assists in recruiting process to screen, interview and hire new Cruise Director/Tour Director positions
• Daily supervision of Cruise Director/Tour Director Staff throughout the cruise season
• Evaluates performance and provides coaching, mentoring and corrective action as needed
• Must be able to lift boxes or materials 25-50 lbs when necessary
• Maximize daily On-site Store Revenue
• Maximize event sales
• Work within Venue Operations guidelines to follow proper procedures to ensure all product inventory is accounted for
• Special interest in student travel or tourism
• Tech savvy a plus
• Responsible for the ongoing management of Central Expenses ensuring timely submission of all aspects of tours, cash flow, post trip e-mails and payroll
• Communicate with and provide support to local suppliers of accommodation, transportation, contracted and optional activities
• Management of overall tour leader (CEO) numbers, recruiting, Wanderer (CEO Orientation) programs when necessary
• Administrative management of all information related to onboarding and offboarding of CEO’s, maintenance of CEO contracts and addendums, documentation of disciplinary actions, absences and holidays
• Manage certain budgetary items and adhere to budgetary restrictions timely submission of expense reports
• Required to carry the emergency phone when necessary, as part of the rotation
• Work collaboratively with the other Central America Managers as the team works toward collective goals
• Monitor projected cost per tour and ensure it is produced within budgets
• Ensure flow of all components and communicate group specific information to suppliers and Tour Directors
• Perform constant analysis to identify itinerary improvements and innovative opportunities for the business
• 3+ years of experience working in the tourism industry
• Knowledge of the tourism market, product and operations – specifically Peru and South America
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and manage a remote team
• Strong office administration and organisational skills
• Ability to travel when necessary for the role
• Innovative thinker, natural problem solver, positive attitude

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The Evolving Danger of the New Bird Flu

An unusual outbreak of the disease has spread to dairy herds in multiple u.s. states..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Sabrina Tavernise, and this is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The outbreak of bird flu that is tearing through the nation’s poultry farms is the worst in US history. But scientists say it’s now starting to spread into places and species it’s never been before.

Today, my colleague, Emily Anthes, explains.

It’s Monday, April 22.

Emily, welcome back to the show.

Thanks for having me. Happy to be here.

So, Emily, we’ve been talking here on “The Daily” about prices of things and how they’ve gotten so high, mostly in the context of inflation episodes. And one of the items that keeps coming up is eggs. Egg prices were through the roof last year, and we learned it was related to this. Avian flu has been surging in the United States. You’ve been covering this. Tell us what’s happening.

Yes, so I have been covering this virus for the last few years. And the bird flu is absolutely tearing through poultry flocks, and that is affecting egg prices. That’s a concern for everyone, for me and for my family. But when it comes to scientists, egg prices are pretty low on their list of concerns. Because they see this bird flu virus behaving differently than previous versions have. And they’re getting nervous, in particular, about the fact that this virus is reaching places and species where it’s never been before.

OK, so bird flu, though, isn’t new. I mean I remember hearing about cases in Asia in the ‘90s. Remind us how it began.

Bird flu refers to a bunch of different viruses that are adapted to spread best in birds. Wild water birds, in particular, are known for carrying these viruses. And flu viruses are famous for also being shapeshifters. So they’re constantly swapping genes around and evolving into new strains. And as you mentioned back in the ‘90s, a new version of bird flu, a virus known as H5N1, emerged in Asia. And it has been spreading on and off around the world since then, causing periodic outbreaks.

And how are these outbreaks caused?

So wild birds are the reservoir for the virus, which means they carry it in their bodies with them around the world as they fly and travel and migrate. And most of the time, these wild birds, like ducks and geese, don’t even get very sick from this virus. But they shed it. So as they’re traveling over a poultry farm maybe, if they happen to go to the bathroom in a pond that the chickens on the farm are using or eat some of the feed that chickens on the farm are eating, they can leave the virus behind.

And the virus can get into chickens. In some cases, it causes mild illness. It’s what’s known as low pathogenic avian influenza. But sometimes the virus mutates and evolves, and it can become extremely contagious and extremely fatal in poultry.

OK, so the virus comes through wild birds, but gets into farms like this, as you’re describing. How have farms traditionally handled outbreaks, when they do happen?

Well, because this threat isn’t new, there is a pretty well-established playbook for containing outbreaks. It’s sometimes known as stamping out. And brutally, what it means is killing the birds. So the virus is so deadly in this highly pathogenic form that it’s sort of destined to kill all the birds on a farm anyway once it gets in. So the response has traditionally been to proactively depopulate or cull all the birds, so it doesn’t have a chance to spread.

So that’s pretty costly for farmers.

It is. Although the US has a program where it will reimburse farmers for their losses. And the way these reimbursements work is they will reimburse farmers only for the birds that are proactively culled, and not for those who die naturally from the virus. And the thinking behind that is it’s a way to incentivize farmers to report outbreaks early.

So, OK, lots of chickens are killed in a way to manage these outbreaks. So we know how to deal with them. But what about now? Tell me about this new strain.

So this new version of the virus, it emerged in 2020.

After the deadly outbreak of the novel coronavirus, authorities have now confirmed an outbreak of the H5N1 strain of influenza, a kind of bird flu.

And pretty quickly it became clear that a couple things set it apart.

A bald eagle found dead at Carvins Cove has tested positive for the highly contagious bird flu.

This virus, for whatever reason, seemed very good at infecting all sorts of wild birds that we don’t normally associate with bird flu.

[BIRD CRYING]

He was kind of stepping, and then falling over, and using its wing to right itself.

Things like eagles and condors and pelicans.

We just lost a parliament of owls in Minneapolis.

Yeah, a couple of high profile nests.

And also in the past, wild birds have not traditionally gotten very sick from this virus. And this version of the virus not only spread widely through the wild bird population, but it proved to be devastating.

The washing up along the East Coast of the country from Scotland down to Suffolk.

We were hearing about mass die-offs of seabirds in Europe by the hundreds and the thousands.

And the bodies of the dead dot the island wherever you look.

Wow. OK. So then as we know, this strain, like previous ones, makes its way from wild animals to farmed animals, namely to chickens. But it’s even more deadly.

Absolutely. And in fact, it has already caused the worst bird flu outbreak in US history. So more than 90 million birds in the US have died as a result of this virus.

90 million birds.

Yes, and I should be clear that represents two things. So some of those birds are birds who naturally got infected and died from the virus. But the vast majority of them are birds that were proactively culled. What it adds up to is, is 90 million farmed birds in the US have died since this virus emerged. And it’s not just a chicken problem. Another thing that has been weird about this virus is it has jumped into other kinds of farms. It is the first time we’ve seen a bird flu virus jump into US livestock.

And it’s now been reported on a number of dairy farms across eight US states. And that’s just something that’s totally unprecedented.

So it’s showing up at Dairy farms now. You’re saying that bird flu has now spread to cows. How did that happen?

So we don’t know exactly how cows were first infected, but most scientists’ best guess is that maybe an infected wild bird that was migrating shed the virus into some cattle feed or a pasture or a pond, and cattle picked it up. The good news is they don’t seem to get nearly as sick as chickens do. They are generally making full recoveries on their own in a couple of weeks.

OK, so no mass culling of cows?

No, that doesn’t seem to be necessary at this point. But the bad news is that it’s starting to look like we’re seeing this virus spread from cow to cow. We don’t know exactly how that’s happening yet. But anytime you see cow-to-cow or mammal-to-mammal transmission, that’s a big concern.

And why is that exactly?

Well, there are a bunch of reasons. First, it could allow the outbreak to get much bigger, much faster, which might increase the risk to the food supply. And we might also expect it to increase the risk to farm workers, people who might be in contact with these sick cows.

Right now, the likelihood that a farmer who gets this virus passes it on is pretty low. But any time you see mammal-to-mammal transmission, it increases the chance that the virus will adapt and possibly, maybe one day get good at spreading between humans. To be clear, that’s not something that there’s any evidence happening in cows right now. But the fact that there’s any cow-to-cow transmission happening at all is enough to have scientists a bit concerned.

And then if we think more expansively beyond what’s happening on farms, there’s another big danger lurking out there. And that’s what happens when this virus gets into wild animals, vast populations that we can’t control.

We’ll be right back.

So, Emily, you said that another threat was the threat of flu in wild animal populations. Clearly, of course, it’s already in wild birds. Where else has it gone?

Well, the reason it’s become such a threat is because of how widespread it’s become in wild birds. So they keep reintroducing it to wild animal populations pretty much anywhere they go. So we’ve seen the virus repeatedly pop up in all sorts of animals that you might figure would eat a wild bird, so foxes, bobcats, bears. We actually saw it in a polar bear, raccoons. So a lot of carnivores and scavengers.

The thinking is that these animals might stumble across a sick or dead bird, eat it, and contract the virus that way. But we’re also seeing it show up in some more surprising places, too. We’ve seen the virus in a bottle-nosed dolphin, of all places.

And most devastatingly, we’ve seen enormous outbreaks in other sorts of marine mammals, especially sea lions and seals.

So elephant seals, in particular in South America, were just devastated by this virus last fall. My colleague Apoorva Mandavilli and I were talking to some scientists in South America who described to us what they called a scene from hell, of walking out onto a beach in Argentina that is normally crowded with chaotic, living, breathing, breeding, elephant seals — and the beach just being covered by carcass, after carcass, after carcass.

Mostly carcasses of young newborn pups. The virus seemed to have a mortality rate of 95 percent in these elephant seal pups, and they estimated that it might have killed more than 17,000 of the pups that were born last year. So almost the entire new generation of this colony. These are scientists that have studied these seals for decades. And they said they’ve never seen anything like it before.

And why is it so far reaching, Emily? I mean, what explains these mass die-offs?

There are probably a few explanations. One is just how much virus is out there in the environment being shed by wild birds into water and onto beaches. These are also places that viruses like this haven’t been before. So it’s reaching elephant seals and sea lions in South America that have no prior immunity.

There’s also the fact that these particular species, these sea lions and seals, tend to breed in these huge colonies all crowded together on beaches. And so what that means is if a virus makes its way into the colony, it’s very conducive conditions for it to spread. And scientists think that that’s actually what’s happening now. That it’s not just that all these seals are picking up the virus from individual birds, but that they’re actually passing it to each other.

So basically, this virus is spreading to places it’s never been before, kind of virgin snow territory, where animals just don’t have the immunity against it. And once it gets into a population packed on a beach, say, of elephant seals, it’s just like a knife through butter.

Absolutely. And an even more extreme example of that is what we’re starting to see happen in Antarctica, where there’s never been a bird flu outbreak before until last fall, for the first time, this virus reached the Antarctic mainland. And we are now seeing the virus move through colonies of not only seabirds and seals, but penguin colonies, which have not been exposed to these viruses before.

And it’s too soon to say what the toll will be. But penguins also, of course, are known for breeding in these large colonies.

Probably. don’t have many immune defenses against this virus, and of course, are facing all these other environmental threats. And so there’s a lot of fear that you add on the stress of a bird flu virus, and it could just be a tipping point for penguins.

Emily, at this point, I’m kind of wondering why more people aren’t talking about this. I mean, I didn’t know any of this before having this conversation with you, and it feels pretty worrying.

Well, a lot of experts and scientists are talking about this with rising alarm and in terms that are quite stark. They’re talking about the virus spreading through wild animal populations so quickly and so ferociously that they’re calling it an ecological disaster.

But that’s a disaster that sometimes seems distant from us, both geographically, we’re talking about things that are happening maybe at the tip of Argentina or in Antarctica. And also from our concerns of our everyday lives, what’s happening in Penguins might not seem like it has a lot to do with the price of a carton of eggs at the grocery store. But I think that we should be paying a lot of attention to how this virus is moving through animal populations, how quickly it’s moving through animal populations, and the opportunities that it is giving the virus to evolve into something that poses a much bigger threat to human health.

So the way it’s spreading in wild animals, even in remote places like Antarctica, that’s important to watch, at least in part because there’s a real danger to people here.

So we know that the virus can infect humans, and that generally it’s not very good at spreading between humans. But the concern all along has been that if this virus has more opportunities to spread between mammals, it will get better at spreading between them. And that seems to be what is happening in seals and sea lions. Scientists are already seeing evidence that the virus is adapting as it passes from marine mammal to marine mammal. And that could turn it into a virus that’s also better at spreading between people.

And if somebody walks out onto a beach and touches a dead sea lion, if their dog starts playing with a sea lion carcass, you could imagine that this virus could make its way out of marine mammals and into the human population. And if it’s this mammalian adapted version of the virus that makes its way out, that could be a bigger threat to human health.

So the sheer number of hosts that this disease has, the more opportunity it has to mutate, and the more chance it has to mutate in a way that would actually be dangerous for people.

Yes, and in particular, the more mammalian hosts. So that gives the virus many more opportunities to become a specialist in mammals instead of a specialist in birds, which is what it is right now.

Right. I like that, a specialist in mammals. So what can we do to contain this virus?

Well, scientists are exploring new options. There’s been a lot of discussion about whether we should start vaccinating chickens in the US. The government, USDA labs, have been testing some poultry vaccines. It’s probably scientifically feasible. There are challenges there, both in terms of logistics — just how would you go about vaccinating billions of chickens every year. There are also trade questions. Traditionally, a lot of countries have not been willing to accept poultry products from countries that vaccinate their poultry.

And there’s concern about whether the virus might spread undetected in flocks that are vaccinated. So as we saw with COVID, the vaccine can sometimes stop you from getting sick, but it doesn’t necessarily stop infection. And so countries are worried they might unknowingly import products that are harboring the virus.

And what about among wild animals? I mean, how do you even begin to get your head around that?

Yeah, I mean, thinking about vaccinating wild animals maybe makes vaccinating all the chickens in the US look easy. There has been some discussion of limited vaccination campaigns, but that’s not feasible on a global scale. So unfortunately, the bottom line is there isn’t a good way to stop spread in wild animals. We can try to protect some vulnerable populations, but we’re not going to stop the circulation of this virus.

So, Emily, we started this conversation with a kind of curiosity that “The Daily” had about the price of eggs. And then you explained the bird flu to us. And then somehow we ended up learning about an ecological disaster that’s unfolding all around us, and potentially the source of the next human pandemic. That is pretty scary.

It is scary, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by it. And I feel like I should take a step back and say none of this is inevitable. None of this is necessarily happening tomorrow. But this is why scientists are concerned and why they think it’s really important to keep a very close eye on what’s happening both on farms and off farms, as this virus spreads through all sorts of animal populations.

One thing that comes up again and again and again in my interviews with people who have been studying bird flu for decades, is how this virus never stops surprising them. And sometimes those are bad surprises, like these elephant seal die-offs, the incursions into dairy cattle. But there are some encouraging signs that have emerged recently. We’re starting to see some early evidence that some of the bird populations that survived early brushes with this virus might be developing some immunity. So that’s something that maybe could help slow the spread of this virus in animal populations.

We just don’t entirely know how this is going to play out. Flu is a very difficult, wily foe. And so that’s one reason scientists are trying to keep such a close, attentive eye on what’s happening.

Emily, thank you.

Thanks for having me.

Here’s what else you should know today.

On this vote, the yeas are 366 and the nays are 58. The bill is passed.

On Saturday, in four back-to-back votes, the House voted resoundingly to approve a long-stalled package of aid to Ukraine, Israel and other American allies, delivering a major victory to President Biden, who made aid to Ukraine one of his top priorities.

On this vote, the yeas are 385, and the no’s are 34 with one answering present. The bill is passed without objection.

The House passed the component parts of the $95 billion package, which included a bill that could result in a nationwide ban of TikTok.

On this vote, the yeas are 311 and the nays are 112. The bill is passed.

Oh, one voting present. I missed it, but thank you.

In a remarkable breach of custom, Democrats stepped in to supply the crucial votes to push the legislation past hard-line Republican opposition and bring it to the floor.

The House will be in order.

The Senate is expected to pass the legislation as early as Tuesday.

Today’s episode was produced by Rikki Novetsky, Nina Feldman, Eric Krupke, and Alex Stern. It was edited by Lisa Chow and Patricia Willens; contains original music by Marion Lozano, Dan Powell, Rowan Niemisto, and Sophia Lanman; and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Andrew Jacobs.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Sabrina Tavernise. See you tomorrow.

• April 24, 2024   •   32:18 Is $60 Billion Enough to Save Ukraine?
• April 23, 2024   •   30:30 A Salacious Conspiracy or Just 34 Pieces of Paper?
• April 22, 2024   •   24:30 The Evolving Danger of the New Bird Flu
• April 19, 2024   •   30:42 The Supreme Court Takes Up Homelessness
• April 18, 2024   •   30:07 The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial
• April 17, 2024   •   24:52 Are ‘Forever Chemicals’ a Forever Problem?
• April 16, 2024   •   29:29 A.I.’s Original Sin
• April 15, 2024   •   24:07 Iran’s Unprecedented Attack on Israel
• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma

Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Produced by Rikki Novetsky ,  Nina Feldman ,  Eric Krupke and Alex Stern

Edited by Lisa Chow and Patricia Willens

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Dan Powell ,  Rowan Niemisto and Sophia Lanman

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

The outbreak of bird flu currently tearing through the nation’s poultry is the worst in U.S. history. Scientists say it is now spreading beyond farms into places and species it has never been before.

Emily Anthes, a science reporter for The Times, explains.

On today’s episode

Emily Anthes , a science reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading

Scientists have faulted the federal response to bird flu outbreaks on dairy farms .

Here’s what to know about the outbreak.

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We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

Special thanks to Andrew Jacobs .

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

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