Tourist guide

Career path and progression

With experience you could work for a tour operator as a regional tour supervisor or manager. You might also set up your own tour guiding business.

You could move into related jobs with the organisation you worked for as a tour guide. Examples include, marketing officer, volunteer co-ordinator or visitor attraction manager.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• an interest and knowledge of history
• a desire to help people
• sensitivity and understanding
• a good memory
• physical fitness and endurance
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• History - Tourist guides give detailed talks about the history, purpose, and architecture of buildings, monuments, and other sites. They need to research and remember historical events, people, and periods so they can bring places to life for visitors and answer questions confidently.
• English Language - Tourist guides spend most of their time speaking to groups, telling stories, and answering questions clearly and engagingly. Strong verbal communication skills are essential for holding an audience's attention and adapting explanations for different types of visitors.
• Geography - Tourist guides lead visitors around towns, cities, national parks, and the countryside, so they need a strong understanding of landscapes, places, and how environments have changed over time. Knowledge of local and regional geography helps them navigate routes and explain the significance of natural features.

Also relevant

• Art and Design - Tourist guides often work in art galleries and museums, or explain the architectural features and artistic details of historic buildings. Understanding art movements, styles, and visual culture helps them give richer and more informed commentary to visitors.
• Modern Foreign Languages - Tourist guides frequently work with international visitors who may not speak English fluently. Being able to communicate in another language – or even just greet and assist visitors in their own language – makes tours more welcoming and accessible.
• English Literature - Tourist guides sometimes lead themed literary tours or explain the connections between famous writers and the places they visit. Knowledge of literature helps them tell compelling stories and bring cultural history to life for visitors.
• Religious Studies - Tourist guides often show visitors around cathedrals, churches, temples, and other places of worship, explaining their religious significance and traditions. Understanding different faiths and their histories helps them give respectful and accurate commentary.
• Drama - Tourist guides need to be engaging, expressive, and confident when speaking to groups of all sizes. Skills in performance, storytelling, and holding an audience's attention – especially on themed tours like ghost walks – are directly useful in this role.
• Business - Tourist guides may set up their own tour guiding business or progress into management roles within tourism organisations. Understanding marketing, customer service, and how to manage finances helps them build a successful career in the industry.