How to Become a Tour Guide

If you want to become a tour guide, you should have enough experience in dealing with different kinds of people. Attending schools that offer trainings for tour guides is a good idea so that you can get hired easily.

You can start working for a small company and from there, you can work your way up.

The Advantage of Becoming a Tour Guide

The great thing about becoming a tour guide is that you get to explore many places. You can take treks to Katmandu, go rafting at Bi’o-Bi’o, make people see New York, or take a Caribbean cruise. However, this is not just the task of tour guides because you will also be handling all the problems that might come up during the trip. A tour guide should have great skills in dealing with different kinds of people. Oftentimes, you will be working for 10 to 18 hours a day depending on the place that you’re traveling to.

There are schools offering certifications and trainings to become a tour guide. Attending these trainings is not always needed but the schools may be of great help when you’re already looking for a job. Find a tour company and apply for a job. If a large company is able to hire you, you will have a chance to travel to different parts of the world. The tour company should have a headquarters in your area so that you can easily secure a permit.

If you work for a small tour company, you will work as an independent contractor and not as an employee. The insurance coverage will not be covered by the tour company but perhaps you can negotiate for the coverage of your transportation, meals, and hotels. When you’re scheduled for a tour, make sure that you conduct a thorough research about the place of destination. The company will provide you with some of the needed information but having additional info in your hands is an advantage. You will surely feel more confident when dealing with travelers and who knows… perhaps some of them may be able to spread your talent and skills to other tour companies.

Being Organized

You need to be organized. Remember that it’s very important that you juggle time to handle all the details of the travel – from customs, finding luggage, transportation logistics, meals, accommodations, equipments, etc. When something goes wrong during the travel, you need to remain calm. For instance, if you encounter emergency situations like breakdown of the vehicle, monsoons, overbooked hotels, and other related situations, there is no need to panic. In fact, travelers should not see you in a panicked state since you’re expected to handle the worst of all situations. Don’t forget to enjoy the trip as well. When you’ve already attended to the needs of clients, you can now spend some time alone. Become a tour guide and have a chance to earn $22, 110 in a year.

1 Comment

  • Haroon iqbal said on August 1, 2012
    Banihal, jammu and kashmir(india). i am a student .i want to become a tour guide.

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