Inbound Tour Guides

High School

If you hope to become a tour guide, there are several high school courses you can take that will prepare you for the position and improve your chances of finding a job. Perhaps the single most valuable class is a foreign language. Tour guides who can speak a second language fluently will be in the greatest demand. Public speaking courses can also prove to be valuable as guides have to keep up a steady patter of information and engage small groups.

A good tour guide should have a grasp of his or her destination's history and culture; therefore, classes in social studies, sociology, geography, and history are excellent choices. Since knowledge of the arts is also important on many tours, courses in art history or appreciation would also be helpful. Because much of the tour guide's work involves communicating with people—and often involves speaking to groups of travelers—speech classes can help prepare you for this job.

Postsecondary Training

Although there is no formal education requirement for becoming a tour guide, many guides do have some postsecondary training. Many two- and four-year colleges, as well as trade and professional schools, offer courses in tour management and guiding. Some large travel agencies offer their employees in-house training classes.

Some tour guides, especially those interested in leading special interest tours, have bachelor's or master's degrees in various subjects, such as art history and architecture. If you hope to combine your interest in a particular field with a career as a tour guide, you should focus heavily on your area of interest, as well as taking supplemental classes in public speaking and travel and tourism, where available. Some who want to advance in this career and in the hospitality industry may pursue a degrees in hospitality and leisure management.

Certification

Certain programs in tourism, hospitality, and related fields are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. They typically last six months to a year. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

Continuing education seminars, webinars, and other learning opportunities are provided by professional associations, colleges and universities, and online learning platforms. For example, the United States Tour Operators Association and the National Federation of Tourist Guides Association offer educational offerings at their annual conferences. Contact these organizations for more information.