Most guides begin their careers working part time on one-day tours. Until they master the itinerary and information, they often conduct tours with experienced guides. Career advancement can take the form of leading more complicated tours or of specializing in a certain type of tour or destination. Guides who are good at their work often build up a following of repeat customers who sign up for their tours. These popular guides may then be able to move to a higher-paying tour company. Some choose to open agencies of their own.
Some tour guides may choose to work as travel guides, who plan, organize, and conduct long-distance cruises, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.
Some tour guides become travel writers, reporting on various destinations for the many travel-oriented magazines and newspapers, and writing books as well. Others may move into the corporate world, planning travel arrangements for company business travelers.
- Adventure Travel Specialists
- Amusement Park Workers
- Bicycle Mechanics
- Campaign Workers
- Caterers
- Cruise Ship Workers
- Event Planners
- Exhibit Designers
- Farmers' Market Managers/Promoters
- Flight Attendants
- Fund-Raisers
- Gaming Occupations
- Hosts/Hostesses
- Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors
- Museum Attendants
- Museum Directors and Curators
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- National Park Service Employees
- Park Rangers
- Parking Attendants
- Pilots
- Recreation Workers
- Reservation and Ticket Agents
- Resort Workers
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- Ship's Captains
- Ski Resort Workers
- Spa Attendants
- Spa Managers
- Space Tourism Managers
- Sports Facility Managers
- Sports Instructors and Coaches
- Stadium Ushers and Vendors
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Tour Guides
- Travel Agents
- Wedding and Party Consultants
- Yoga and Pilates Instructors
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors