Occupation

Travel Guides

Human Advantage 77%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.7 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Plan, organize, and conduct long-distance travel, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.

Also Known As: Adventure Guide, Alpine Guide, Cruise Agent, Cruise Consultant, Cruise Coordinator, Cruise Counselor, Cruise Director, Cruise Guide +25 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Arrange for tour or expedition details such as accommodations, transportation, equipment, and the availability of medical personnel.
  2. Plan tour itineraries, applying knowledge of travel routes and destination sites.
  3. Resolve any problems with itineraries, service, or accommodations.
  4. Attend to special needs of tour participants.
  5. Sell travel packages.
  6. Evaluate services received on the tour, and report findings to tour organizers.
  7. Give advice on sightseeing and shopping.
  8. Administer first aid to injured group participants.

Supplemental Tasks (9)

  1. Explain hunting and fishing laws to groups to ensure compliance.
  2. Lead individuals or groups to tour site locations and describe points of interest.
  3. Pilot airplanes or drive land and water vehicles to transport tourists to activity or tour sites.
  4. Sell or rent equipment, clothing, and supplies related to expeditions.
  5. Pay bills and record checks issued.
  6. Verify amounts and quality of equipment prior to expeditions or tours.
  7. Instruct novices in climbing techniques, mountaineering, and wilderness survival, and demonstrate use of hunting, fishing, and climbing equipment.
  8. Set up camps, and prepare meals for tour group members.
  9. Provide tourists with assistance in obtaining permits and documents such as visas, passports, and health certificates, and in converting currency.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
46%
Some College Courses
21%
Less than a High School Diploma
18%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
9%
Bachelor's Degree
6%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Tableau

Software (16)

  • Customer information databases
  • Data visualization software
  • Financial accounting software
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Travel Agent CMS
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (28)

  • Animal sound lures
  • Camping tents
  • Climbing carabiners
  • Climbing harnesses
  • Climbing helmets
  • Climbing ropes
  • Computer laser printers
  • Cordless microphones
  • Digital video cameras
  • Electronic maps
  • Emergency first aid kits
  • Equipment trailers
  • Hunting rifles
  • Hunting shotguns
  • Motor coaches
  • Navigation equipment
  • Passenger vehicles
  • Portable public address PA systems
  • Propane camping stoves
  • Radio frequency RF Receivers
  • Radio frequency RF Transmitters
  • Recreational water vehicles
  • Shuttle buses
  • Smart phones
  • Sport fishing reels
  • Sport fishing rods
  • Tablet computers
  • Touring bikes

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Travel & Leisure Arts, Entertainment, & Design

Zone 2
Travel Guides You are here
Zone 4

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Real Talk

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