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How to become a Tour Guide?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered June 03 2022
Career Expert at Talent.com
Depending on where they work, Tour Guides will be required to meet certain qualifications. Most employers only require Tour Guides to meet the minimum working age of their area and have obtained a high-school diploma. Other establishments have more stringent requirements. 

Some establishments, such as museums or wildlife parks, prefer to hire people with a university degree in an area related to the field of the tour. For example, an art museum would prefer to hire guides with a degree in the Arts, whereas a wildlife park would choose someone with a degree in Zoology or a Veterinarian.

While some schools and institutes offer special courses and training for Tour Guides, most employers provide in-house training for the people they hire. A large part of the training involves learning the necessary information pertinent to the tour, such as the history and background of the exhibits in a museum or the landmarks in a city sightseeing tour. The other part of the training is focused mainly on group management. Trainees are taught how to handle large groups of people, including people of all ages and special needs, and manage groups in emergencies.

Tourists may come from all over the world. Therefore, many tour operators and companies prefer hiring Tour Guides proficient in at least two languages. English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic are in the highest demand.

Depending on the type of tour and routes, some Tour Guides might be required to drive a motorized vehicle or operate heavy machinery. In these cases, it is preferable that applicants have experience with such machines, although training is often available to those who don’t possess said experience.

What is required to become a Tour Guide
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent communication skills are essential for Tour Guides, as they need to be able to explain complex information clearly and concisely. They also need to be able to deal with difficult questions from clients and may be expected to spend several hours a day talking to and with people, potentially in multiple languages. 
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
Well-organized Tour Guides will be able to plan and execute tours smoothly, ensuring that all the logistics are taken care of. They must be able to adhere to a pre-designed route to avoid getting lost.
  • A great memory and knowledge of the tour area
Tour Guides are often expected to memorize large scripts regarding the tour, and they may use annotations and other tools to help them remember what they’re supposed to say. Good knowledge of the area being toured is also crucial, as Tour Guides need to be able to answer any questions clients may have about the history, culture, and attractions in the area.
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