Tour Guides

Tour Guides escort visitors on sightseeing, educational and other tours, and describe and explain points of interest.

  • The Job
  • The Facts
  • Related Courses

What the job involves

  • Meets and greets visitors
  • Controls visitors' access to exhibits
  • Plans and rearranges schedules and itineraries
  • Plans, organises and conducts tours
  • Arranges transportation and accommodation for visitors following planned itineraries
  • Arranges entry to places of interest
  • Answers questions, provides commentaries, issues brochures and tour literature, shows audio-visual presentations, and explains components and procedures at tour sites
  • May assist with installing and dismantling exhibits

Key values of workers in Tour Guides

  • Support

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

  • Independence

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Working Conditions

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

  • Recognition

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

  • Achievement

    Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Top skills required for workers in Tour Guides

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

  • Service Orientation

    Actively looking for ways to help people.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.