Tour Guides and Escorts
What is a Tour Guide and Escort?
A Tour Guide and Escort is a professional responsible for leading and assisting groups of travelers during their journeys to various locations, offering insights, context, and expertise about the destinations. They play a crucial role in enhancing the travel experience by providing information on cultural, historical, and geographical aspects of the places visited. This role often involves planning itineraries, coordinating transportation, and ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all participants. Tour Guides may work independently or with travel agencies, and they can lead tours ranging from local city explorations to extensive international travel. Their ability to engage with diverse groups and adapt to different circumstances contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment and education of tourists. Additionally, Tour Guides and Escorts often serve as a bridge between travelers and local communities, promoting cultural exchange and sustainability in tourism.
Tasks
- Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
- Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
- Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
- Conduct educational activities for school children.
- Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
Technology Skills
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Electronic mail software
- Email software
- Microsoft Outlook
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Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Pear Deck
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Customer relationship management CRM software
- Centaur Systems Centaur Travel Business Management System TBMS
- IBS Software Services Tour Partner
- Softrip Travel Software System
- TourTech Systems TourTools
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Graphics or photo imaging software
- Adobe Photoshop
- SmugMug Flickr
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Internet browser software
- Apple Safari
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
Tools Used
- Electronic charts or maps or atlases
- Mobile medical services first aid kits
- Mobile phones
- Busses
- Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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History and Archeology
Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
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Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
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Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Skills
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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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.
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Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Abilities
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance.
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Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Associate's degree
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Bachelor's degree
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Work Activities
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Detailed Work Activities
- Provide attraction or event information to patrons.
- Respond to customer inquiries.
- Guide patrons on tours.
- Monitor patron activities to identify problems or potential problems.
- Teach daily living skills or behaviors.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$25930.0 - $58620.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.