Occupation · SOC 39-7011
Tour Guides and Escorts
Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
652 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationTime ManagementReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordination
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageHistory and ArcheologyCommunications and MediaEducation and Training
Technology & tools
Graphics or photo imaging softwareInternet browser softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareElectronic mail softwareWeb page creation and editing software
Representative tasks
Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.Conduct educational activities for school children.Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.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.Drive motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations.Train other guides and volunteers.Provide information about wildlife varieties and habitats, as well as any relevant regulations, such as those pertaining to hunting and fishing.Teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment.Collect fees and tickets from group members.Perform clerical duties, such as filing, typing, operating switchboards, or routing mail and messages.Solicit tour patronage and sell souvenirs.Speak foreign languages to communicate with foreign visitors.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Tour points of interest — describe using prepared notes and scripts under supervisor guidance during scheduled group tours.Visitor escort duties — perform along pre-approved routes through public buildings or cultural sites with direct oversight from a senior guide.Safety regulations and tour policies — follow and communicate to visitors as directed by establishment protocols on entry-level assignments.Visitor questions — respond to basic inquiries using provided reference materials and handouts during guided sightseeing excursions.Travel routes and site sequences — follow pre-selected itineraries as assigned by supervisors for standard group tours.Directions and logistical information — provide to visitors using posted signage, maps, and facility guides in familiar venues.Site history and background content — review and recite from prepared briefing documents before conducting introductory tours.Group monitoring — observe visitor behavior and report compliance concerns to a lead guide during escorted tours.Internet browser and presentation software — use to access tour content and display basic visual materials under trainer supervision.Active listening skills — apply when gathering visitor feedback and relaying concerns to supervising tour staff after each tour segment.
developing
Tour commentary — deliver engaging, accurate narration on points of interest with minimal reliance on scripted notes during recurring sightseeing tours.Visitor groups of varied backgrounds — escort through industrial establishments, art galleries, or heritage sites adapting pace and content to audience needs.Safety and regulatory compliance — monitor visitor activities throughout multi-stop tours and independently address minor infractions using established protocols.Educational activities — conduct structured, age-appropriate sessions for school children visiting museums, historical sites, or nature facilities.Site research — gather and synthesize information on local history, environmental conditions, and group skill levels to tailor commentary for familiar tour types.Travel route selection — choose among known alternatives based on group size, time constraints, and site conditions for standard tour itineraries.Visitor service interactions — handle common complaints and special requests with social perceptiveness and composure during live tour operations.Customer relationship management software — use to record visitor preferences, booking details, and feedback for repeat-client tour management.Time management — coordinate group movement across multiple tour stops to maintain schedules in high-traffic visitor environments.Oral communication — adapt speech clarity and pacing when addressing diverse audiences including non-native English speakers on guided excursions.
proficient
Complex tour narratives — develop and deliver independently researched commentary spanning history, archaeology, and cultural context across full-day or multi-day tours.Non-routine visitor situations — assess and resolve safety incidents, accessibility needs, or unexpected site closures with autonomous judgment during active tours.Expedition planning — research clients' physical abilities, environmental conditions, and logistical constraints to design appropriate outdoor or adventure tour programs.Diverse group dynamics — read social perceptiveness cues and adjust facilitation style in real time to maintain engagement across mixed-ability visitor groups.Educational program quality — evaluate and refine instructional activities for school children based on learning outcomes and curriculum alignment at cultural institutions.Multi-platform content tools — use graphics software, presentation tools, and mobile location-based services to create and deliver immersive tour experiences independently.Tour itinerary optimization — select and sequence sites across an unfamiliar region by synthesizing area knowledge, visitor interests, and operational constraints.Problem sensitivity — identify early signs of visitor distress, group conflict, or environmental hazards and intervene proactively during escorted expeditions.Visitor satisfaction outcomes — monitor tour quality metrics using CRM and spreadsheet software, translating data into actionable improvements for tour content.Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with venue managers, transportation providers, and hospitality staff to ensure seamless delivery of complex tour programs.
advanced
Organizational tour portfolio — design and oversee a full suite of tour products aligned with institutional goals and market demand across multiple visitor segments.Guide team development — mentor and train emerging and developing tour guides in commentary technique, safety protocols, and visitor engagement best practices.Curriculum and content standards — establish research and script development guidelines that ensure historical accuracy, inclusivity, and educational rigor across all tours.Strategic route and site planning — lead region-wide assessments to identify, evaluate, and onboard new tour destinations that expand organizational offerings.Safety and compliance framework — author and implement organization-wide visitor safety policies and regulatory compliance procedures for all tour operations.Technology adoption strategy — evaluate and deploy CRM, web-based, and mobile location tools to modernize tour booking, delivery, and visitor feedback systems.Stakeholder and partnership management — negotiate agreements with cultural institutions, government agencies, and tourism boards to secure exclusive access and co-branded tour programs.Performance culture — set measurable service quality standards and lead regular performance reviews to maintain excellence across a multi-guide tour operation.Crisis response leadership — direct organizational response to large-scale incidents such as medical emergencies or weather events affecting active tours and visitor safety.Brand and market positioning — develop thought leadership content, public presentations, and media communications that elevate the organization's reputation in the tourism sector.
Also known as
68 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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