What is a Travel Guide?

Example of Travel Guide Job Plan, organize, and conduct long distance travel, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.

Daily Life Of a Travel Guide

• Resolve any problems with itineraries, service, or accommodations.
• Arrange for tour or expedition details such as accommodations, transportation, equipment, and the availability of medical personnel.
• Administer first aid to injured group participants.
• Sell travel packages.
• Plan tour itineraries, applying knowledge of travel routes and destination sites.
• Pay bills and record checks issued.

Things a Travel Guide Should Know How to Do

When polled, Travel Guides say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Types of Travel Guide Jobs

• Destination Coordinator
• Tour Coordinator
• International Guest Coordinator
• River Guide
• Travel Agent

Travel Guide Job Outlook

There were about 3,600 jobs for Travel Guide in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Travel Guide by 2026. The BLS estimates 600 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Travel Guide are Maryland, Utah, and Iowa. Watch out if you plan on working in North Carolina, Washington, or District of Columbia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools & Technology do Travel Guides Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Travel Guides may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• Word processing software
• Data visualization software
• Facebook
• Tableau
• Global Positioning System GPS software
• Financial accounting software
• Customer information databases
• Travel Agent CMS

How do I Become a Travel Guide?

What kind of Travel Guide requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Travel Guide?

Related Careers

Those interested in being a Travel Guide may also be interested in:

• Lodging Managers
• Door-To-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers
• Residential Advisors

Are you already one of the many Travel Guide in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Photographers
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Bblackpsu via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More >