Do you want to be a...

Tour Guide

Tour guides accompany visitors on local tours and guide tourists within a specific country, region, area, city or site.

They provide special information on history, archaeology, monuments and works of art, the environment, culture, natural and built attractions, places of interest, and any general matters of interest to the visitor.

Being a tour guide is often physically demanding.

During a tour, guides must be available at all times to answer questions and sort out problems.

Manual work such as loading or unloading baggage or other equipment may be required.

Tour guides are often required to spend time away from home, especially those fulfilling the role of tour manager.

TASKS

Tour guides may perform the following tasks:

meet members of a tour on arrival and make introductions
coordinate pre-arranged accommodation and transport and make sure that tour members are comfortable
lead tour groups, drive coaches or limousines, advise tour members of local interest points, and prepare and present tour commentaries
coordinate pre-arranged tour activities such as visits to local attractions, restaurants or shops, train rides, cruises, extended tours, white water rafting, bushwalking and mountaineering
research and share general information on Australian Indigenous cultures
attend to operational problems such as booking errors and amendments, lost luggage or illness
provide first aid if needed
keep in touch with transportation companies
maintain written reports of daily activities and carry out other administrative work

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

mature
able to accept responsibility
patient and tactful
understanding and acceptance of different cultures
good organisational skills
excellent general knowledge of Australia and regional touring areas
problem-solving skills and ability to think logically
excellent communication and negotiation skills
able to cope with the physical demands of the job

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as a tour guide without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications.

You may like to consider a VOC qualification in tourism, travel and tourism, or guiding. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

You can also become a tour guide through an apprenticeship or traineeship in Tourism, Travel and Tourism, or Guiding.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Entry to this occupation may also be improved if you have relevant experience in the hospitality or tourism industries.

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

Companies that specialise in ecotourism or nature-based tourism may require tour guides to hold a diploma or degree in science, ecotourism or a similar subject.

First aid qualifications are generally required by employers. Age limits may also apply.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Most tour guides work casually on a contract or part-time basis, as employment tends to be seasonal. There are some opportunities for self-employment as a tour operator, tour manager or tour guide supervisor who trains tour guides. Some tour guides work at specific attractions such as museums, cultural centres, theme parks and sporting facilities.

Fluency in languages other than English is highly desirable. There is often a demand for tour guides who can speak Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, French and Italian.