Inbound Tour Guides

Employers

There are about 56,300 tour and travel guides employed in the United States. The major employers of tour guides are, naturally, tour companies. However, most of the major tour operators prefer experienced guides and are unlikely to take a chance on a beginner. Therefore, it may be wise to start on a smaller level.

Aspiring tour guides who are familiar with a certain city, region, or local attraction might want to apply for a job giving tours of that area or site. Industrial plants, colleges and universities, chambers of commerce, museums, historic sites, zoos, and parks may all hire guides or docents to give short, informational tours of their facilities.

Starting Out

The majority of job openings will be in large cities and areas of heavy tourist traffic, such as Disney World or Hollywood or Washington, D.C. Check with travel agencies in these cities or conduct an Internet search using keywords such as tours or tour operators, and include the name of the city in which you want to work. Trade publications are another helpful source. Once you have a list of tour companies, you might send resumes and cover letters to the ones that interest you. Your school's career services counselor or librarian may also help with your search.