What Does it Take to Be a Tour Guide or Escort?
Career Description Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.
List of Tour Guide or Escort Job Duties
- Conduct educational activities for school children.
- Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
- Perform clerical duties, such as filing, typing, operating switchboards, or routing mail and messages.
- Drive motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations.
- Distribute brochures, show audiovisual presentations, and explain establishment processes and operations at tour sites.
- Teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment.
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What Every Tour Guide or Escort Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Tour Guides and Escorts say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Tour Guide or Escort Jobs
- Wellness Guide
- Tour Conductor
- Museum Educator
- Establishment Guide
- Historical Guide
Is There Going to be Demand for Tour Guides and Escorts?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 45,800 jobs in the United States for Tour Guide or Escort. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,800 new jobs for Tour Guide or Escort by 2026. The BLS estimates 8,700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Tour Guide or Escort are Utah, Florida, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, North Dakota, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Tools & Technologies Used by Tour Guides and Escorts
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Tour Guides and Escorts:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- SmugMug Flickr
- Global positioning system GPS software
Becoming a Tour Guide or Escort
Learn what Tour Guide or Escort education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Tour Guide or Escort?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Tour Guide or Escort may also be interested in:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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