Tourist Guide

Tourist guides accompany visitors to sites or areas of interest. They use their knowledge and expertise to make sure that visitors get the most from their visit. Guides usually look after groups ranging from a few people up to around fifty.

The work of a tourist guide may involve:

• taking visitors around cities, religious sites, historic buildings, industrial heritage sites, gardens, museums and other places of interest
• providing detailed information about a site's history, purpose, inhabitants, architecture, furniture, paintings, ornaments, flora and animal life
• answering questions and directing visitors to other places of interest and related sites.

They may work with both British and overseas tourists. Some conduct tours in one or more foreign languages. Guides may be based in one place, such as a cathedral, castle or historic house. Others accompany individuals or groups on day tours.

Salaries may range from around £11,920 up to £25,000 a year. Most tourist guides, however, are self-employed and their earnings vary considerably.

Many guides only work during the summer, but usually work long hours during the tourist season. They work indoors and outdoors and can be on their feet for long periods of time. Some may spend time away from home.

A tourist guide should:

• have a clear voice
• be patient and have confidence when speaking to groups of people
• be enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their subject
• be able to absorb and remember large amounts of information
• be aware and able to keep track of people in a group
• be flexible and able to cope with emergencies or unexpected incidents
• have an interest in a wide range of subjects including history and current events.

The number of tourist guides has remained stable in the past few years, although opportunities are limited.

There are no set entry requirements. GCSEs (A*-C) and A levels are useful, and some guides have a degree.

Fluency in at least one foreign language can be a great advantage and a tourism-related qualification can be useful. It can also be helpful to train for an Institute of Tourist Guiding qualification before working as a guide.

Owners of sites and visitor attractions may provide their own training.

Some experienced guides work as guide trainers. It may be possible to work for a tour operator as a tour manager. Guides may also enter other areas of travel and tourism.

Further details