Tour guides accompany groups of people or individuals on sightseeing, educational, historical, adventure, and other types of tours, walks, and experiences. It’s their job to be knowledgeable about the place they are showing and answer any questions people might have.
If you want a career that will keep you on your feet, are a real people person, and want the opportunity for travel, becoming a tour guide could be the perfect career for you.
What skills do I need as a tour guide?
- Excellent communication skills
- Great interpersonal skills
- Fit & healthy
- Active & energetic
- Adaptable & flexible
- Organised & efficient
- Can work well independently
- Patient & resilient
What does the job involve?
- Meeting & welcoming visitors
- Leading groups through pre-arranged activities
- Providing commentary on places & things of interest
- Answering any questions visitors might have
- Planning an itinerary for the day
- Keeping visitors from wandering or getting lost
- Ensuring visitors are safe & comfortable
- Arranging transport to & from tours
What industries do tour guides typically work in?
- Administrative & Support Services
- Arts & Recreation Services
- Transport, Postal & Warehousing
What Career Cluster do tour guides belong to?
Because the job largely involves connecting people with places and experiences, tour guides are usually strong Linkers.
What kind of lifestyle can I expect?
Part-time and casual roles are quite common for tour guides, so there is plenty of opportunity for flexibility. You will most likely be spending a lot of time on your feet, and will need to work on weekends and during holidays.
Most tour guides can expect to earn an average salary throughout their career.
One main aspect of the job is, of course, travel – you might find yourself moving around to lots of different places before finding the right role for you.
How to become a tour guide
There are generally no formal qualifications necessary to work as a tour guide. However, vocational qualifications in travel or tourism can boost your employability.
You’ll probably also need to obtain certification in first aid and have a driver’s license. Once you have lots of experience, you could even consider opening your own travel agency or tour company.
What can I do right now to work towards this career?
If you’re in high school and you’d like to find out if a career as a Tour Guide is right for you, here’s a few things you could do right now:
- Start thinking about which type of tours you would like to lead. Do you love art and culture, or are you more interested in outdoor adventures?
- See if you can find work experience in the tourism, hospitality, or recreation industry. This can help you build valuable skills and make connections.
- Talk to someone who works as a tour guide or watch videos and see what a day in their life is like.
Where can I find more information?
You can learn more about careers as a tour guide through these organisations:
- World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations
- Tour Guides Australia
- ProGuides New Zealand | Kaiarahi Aotearoa
- British Guild of Tourist Guides
- Irish Tourism Industry Confederation
- National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations-USA
- Tourist Guide Association of Toronto
Similar careers to tour guide
- Chef
- Bartender
- Anthropologist
- Event Planner
- Curator
- Lifeguard
- Delivery Driver
- Park Ranger
Find out more about alternative careers on our Job Spotlights page.