Tour guide

Overview

Languages

English

Education

• No degree, certificate or diploma

Experience

7 months to less than 1 year

On the road

Work locations may vary. Frequent or constant travel is required from the employee.

Asset languages

• Mandarin
• Japanese
• Spanish

Work site environment

• Outdoors
• In/on water

Work setting

• Urban area
• Remote location
• Various locations
• Staff accommodation available

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Deliver commentaries
• Drive sightseeing or tour vehicle
• Confirm transportation and accommodation reservations
• Co-ordinate recreation activities
• Describe points of interest, answer questions and supply information
• Resolve itinerary and other problems
• Ensure and monitor luggage transfers
• Assist clients with check-in procedures for accomodation and/or transportation
• Utilize microphones or other communication device to provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors
• Co-ordinate activities with local tour guides or leaders of performance groups
• Provide information on tipping customs, currency exchange rates, metric conversion and other details
• Sell souvenirs
• Assist clients/guests with special needs
• Conduct guided tours of museums, gallery exhibitions and historical, heritage and other sites, answer inquiries and provide information
• Transport or escort individuals or groups on tours of cities, waterways and industrial and other establishments
• Transform digitized images using retouching systems, graphic palettes or specialized software

Credentials

Certificates, licences, memberships, and courses 

• Local Tour Guide Certification
• First Aid Certificate
• CPR Certificate

Experience and specialization

Type of guide

• Step-on local guide
• Meet and greet local guide
• On-site local guide
• Driver-guide, local
• Walking tour guide

Tours focus

• Historical sites
• Sightseeing
• Boat tours
• Bus tours
• Walking tours

Number of tours guided

• 1 – 4 tours

Additional information

Transportation/travel information

• Valid driver’s licence
• Willing to travel
• Vehicle supplied by employer

Work conditions and physical capabilities

• Fast-paced environment
• Work under pressure
• Physically demanding
• Attention to detail

Personal suitability

• Client focus
• Dependability
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral communication
• Excellent written communication
• Flexibility
• Organized
• Reliability
• Team player

Benefits

Financial benefits

• Bonus
• Gratuities

Other benefits

• Learning/training paid by employer