How Do You Become A Tour Guide?
Imagine being paid to take a European cruise, raft the Bi’o-Bi’o or lead treks out of Katmandu. But that’s just half of a tour guide’s job. You’ll also have to take care of every imaginable problem on a trip–and some problems you could never imagine. Step 1 Make sure you have solid people skills as well as infinite patience. Be honest about whether you’re comfortable being “on” for 10, 12, even 18 hours a day. That’s more important than knowing all about art, history or geography. Step 2 Get trained and certified at a school for tour guides, such as International Tour Management Institute (itmitourtraining.com). Although this isn’t essential, these schools may help land a job. Step 3 Get hired by a tour company. The larger the company, the more work you’ll have and the more chance to travel to exotic parts of the world. Step 4 Sign on with a company headquartered in your own country if you want to go abroad. It’s easier than getting a work permit with a foreign company (see 163 Work A
Imagine being paid to take a European cruise, raft the Bi’o-Bi’o or lead treks out of Katmandu. But that’s just half of a tour guide’s job. You’ll also have to take care of every imaginable problem on a trip–and some problems you could never imagine. Make sure you have solid people skills as well as infinite patience. Be honest about whether you’re comfortable being “on” for 10, 12, even 18 hours a day. That’s more important than knowing all about art, history or geography. Get trained and certified at a school for tour guides, such as International Tour Management Institute (itmitourtraining.com). Although this isn’t essential, these schools may help land a job. Get hired by a tour company. The larger the company, the more work you’ll have and the more chance to travel to exotic parts of the world. Sign on with a company headquartered in your own country if you want to go abroad. It’s easier than getting a work permit with a foreign company (see 163 Work Abroad). Expect to operate as
