Tour Guides and Escorts Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Tour Guides and Escorts

The main tasks and work activities of Tour Guides and Escorts are to teach daily living skills or behaviors, guide patrons on tours, respond to customer inquiries, provide attraction or event information to patrons. In general, for the Tour Guides and Escorts, speaking, social Perceptiveness, active Listening, service Orientation and other 5 skills are required.

Tour Guides and Escorts Job Description
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Tour Guides and Escorts jobs. 21.82% of Tour Guides and Escorts have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 7.74% of Tour Guides and Escorts have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

4.08%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

21.82%

Post-Secondary Certificate

7.74%

Some College Courses

1.52%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

30.96%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

33.88%

Tasks and Work Activities of Tour Guides and Escorts

Conduct educational activities for school children.
Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.
Distribute brochures, show audiovisual presentations, and explain establishment processes and operations at tour sites.
Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
Provide information about wildlife varieties and habitats, as well as any relevant regulations, such as those pertaining to hunting and fishing.
Collect fees and tickets from group members.
Teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment.
Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.
Solicit tour patronage and sell souvenirs.
Speak foreign languages to communicate with foreign visitors.
Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.
Drive motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations.
Perform clerical duties, such as filing, typing, operating switchboards, or routing mail and messages.
Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
Train other guides and volunteers.

Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Persons Outside OrganizationCommunicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTranslating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Teach daily living skills or behaviors.
Guide patrons on tours.
Respond to customer inquiries.
Provide attraction or event information to patrons.
Monitor patron activities to identify problems or potential problems.
Distribute resources to patrons or employees.
Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Provide patrons with directions to locales or attractions.
Administer first aid.
Collect fares or payment from customers.
Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
Organize recreational activities or events.
Promote products, services, or programs.
Sell products or services.
Monitor availability of equipment or supplies.
Drive vehicles to transport patrons.
Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
Gather information in order to provide services to clients.
Train service staff.

Skills and Abilities for Tour Guides and Escorts

SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.

Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Electronic charts or maps or atlasese.g. ActiveMap Tour Guide software
Mobile phonese.g. Cell phones
Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
Emergency medical services first aid kitse.g. First aid kits
Laser fax machinee.g. Laser facsimile machines
Microphonese.g. Microphones
Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizerse.g. Personal digital assistants PDA
Passenger or automobile ferriese.g. Tour boats
Bussese.g. Tour buses
Touring bicyclese.g. Touring bicycles

Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
History and ArcheologyKnowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Tour Guides and Escorts Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Tour Guides and Escorts

Skills and Abilities for Tour Guides and Escorts