How to become a Tour Guide?
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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
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 time management and organizational skills
- A great memory and knowledge of the tour area
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