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• Tailored 1-on-1 coaching at each step to ensure your success.
• Work at your pace so you truly master key concepts and skills.
• Our instructors are active tour guides / tour directors.

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One of the best decisions I've ever made. Investing in training at ITMI changed my life and gave me access to a career that is challenging me and bring me a whole lot of joy! THANK YOU ITMI!! - JOLIE

This is the 3rd online course I have taken and by far, the absolute best. I’ve learned a lot about myself and want to thank each and every one of my instructors and fellow classmates for bringing ... - RON

Celebrating 1 year anniversary from ITMI! In the past year I was a tour director through the Western National Parks and today I'm heading on a plane for my first tour in Europe ... - SETH

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6 Best Training Programs And Courses For Tour Guides

Your tour guides are the face of your company. They’re the ones interacting with your guests on a day-to-day basis and making sure they’re having the best experience possible.

If you want to provide your guests with excellent service, you might want to consider investing in specialized tour guide training. There are a number of programs to choose from, from beginner courses that teach the basics of guiding to more advanced certifications that fully prepare a guide for every kind of tour.

The travel landscape is constantly changing, and keeping your guides up-to-date on the latest trends will help you better meet your guest’s expectations.

In this post, you’ll learn why investing in additional training for your tour guides is a good idea — plus six unique programs to consider.

Why should you invest in training for your tour guides?

What qualities should a tour guide have.

• 6 best training programs and courses for tour guides.

1.  TripSchool

• 2.  International Tour Management Institute

3.  Be a Better Guide

4.  international guide academy.

• 5.  EastguidesWest

6.  Good Tourism Institute

Tour guide training programs help guides hone in on a number of important skills, including their storytelling capabilities and how to solve problems on a tour. Courses on public speaking and group psychology can feel more confident during their tours. In turn, they’ll provide a better experience.

Courses that introduce guides to real-life scenarios and have them work their way through them can be especially useful for those who have never worked as a guide before.

In other words, these training programs specifically focus on developing the traits that make a “just OK” tour guide great.

Finally, additional training can also make your company more reputable. With a certification or two under their belt, your tour guides can make your company stand out from others in your area.

Remember that an excellent tour guide can leave a lasting impression on your guests and make them want to refer your company to their friends. A bad one can do just the opposite. Don’t you think that’s worth the investment?

An exceptional tour guide is an expert on their destination and the tours they’re leading. 

They’re  also charismatic  and know how to connect with guests. The best tour guides love being around people, have superior communication skills, and understand how to read a crowd.

Tour guides should also have great storytelling skills. They should be able to package information into interesting narratives that capture your guests’ attention.

Finally, a great tour guide is always enthusiastic about the experience they’re leading. They know how to get guests excited about your tours and make sure they’re enjoying themselves throughout the whole experience.

6 best training programs and courses for tour guides. 

Most training programs today are available online as well as in person. Whether you’re looking for destination-specific training or quick courses your guides can complete on the go, here are six of the best training programs available for tour guides.

TripSchool offers online courses as well as in-person destination training around the U.S. Co-founded by industry veterans Mitch Bach and Alan Armijo, the company is dedicated to helping both tour guides and operators offer travelers the best service possible.

Your guides can take several online courses with TripSchool, including:

• Local Tour Guide & Experience Certificate:  a complete tour guide training program
• Multi-Day Tour Director Certificate:  a program that’ll teach guides how to design memorable tour experiences
• Start Your Own Tour Business:  a step-by-step guide to starting a travel business
• Storytelling Mastery:  a program to help guides develop their storytelling skills
• Student Tour Mastery:  a guide to working with students specifically

TripSchool also offers in-person training specific to destinations like San Francisco and New Orleans. There are even experience-based programs like “New England Fall Foliage” and “Southwest National Parks” that are tailored to guides operating in those segments.

2.  International Tour Management Institute

The International Tour Management Institute (ITMI) is a well-known program that provides training from experienced leaders in the tourism industry. The tourism school focuses on hands-on, in-person training, although online courses are also available.

ITMI offers one- to two-week online self-study programs, where tour guides can learn the fundamentals of being a travel leader. There’s also a five-week online group training program that features 10 live classes for local guides.

The tour director coaching and certification program is five weeks long and includes four days of in-person field training. This program allows guides to practice their skills in real life and teaches them how to handle situations that may arise domestically and internationally.

All of the courses also include training in socially responsible and environmentally conscious tourism.

Veteran tour guide Kelsey Tonner started the Be a Better Guide project to connect tour and activity entrepreneurs all over the world.

His Online Tourism Academy features practical training programs for tour guides and operators alike. All courses can be completed online and are also available on mobile. They include:

• Create Unforgettable Tours:  A step-by-step program teaching guides or operators how to jumpstart their tour business.
• Scale Your Tour Business:  A program teaching operators how to grow their business.
• Entertain and Captivate:  Teaches tour guides how to use storytelling to captivate their guests.
• Inspire Your Staff:  A course dedicated to honing skills like customer service, public speaking, people skills, storytelling, and more.

The academy has a growing community of over 17,000 members from 40+ countries around the world.

The International Guide Academy started in 1973 with courses in Australia, Hong Kong, and London. In 1988, the academy began offering courses in the U.S. The company expanded to Mexico in 2007 and to Canada in 2010.

Local tour guides can participate in both online or in-person courses that teach leadership, research, and public speaking skills. The academy caps its class sizes at 22 students, which allows for more individual attention during and after the program.

The academy also lets tour operators design custom curriculums that meet their company’s specific needs.

5.  EastguidesWest

East guides West offers training and consulting for tour operators and tour guides in unknown, underrated, and under-valued destinations around the world. The program also connects local tour companies and guides to larger, more well-known Western tour operators.

Tour guide training ranges from starter courses touching on everything you need to know to become a guide to more immersive multi-day, in-person programs. Several online courses are also available, including one on tour problem solving and another about keeping guests healthy.

The Good Tourism Institute places an emphasis on sustainable tourism, the goal being to make the tourism industry a better place for businesses and travelers alike.

The company is working on an online course that teaches how to offer unique experiences that benefit your local community. The course will focus on the latest trends in modern-day tourism, strategy development, office management, communication, and online marketing.

If you’re looking for a way to make your company stand out from others in your area, investing in extra tour guide training is the way to go. Each company on this list offers a variety of different training programs that can help your guides offer the best service possible.

Writer Carla Vianna

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How to become a tour guide

Is becoming a tour guide right for me.

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Still unsure if becoming a tour guide is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a tour guide or another similar career!

Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.

How to become a Tour Guide

Becoming a tour guide involves a combination of education, training, and practical experience. Here is a detailed guide on how to pursue a career as a tour guide:

• Obtain a High School Diploma: Start by completing your high school education or its equivalent. A strong foundation in subjects such as history, geography, languages, and communication will be beneficial in your future career as a tour guide.
• Choose a Specialization: Decide on the type of tours you are interested in guiding. Consider whether you prefer city tours, nature and wildlife tours, historical tours, or any other niche area. This will help you focus your training and develop expertise in your chosen field.
• Acquire Relevant Education: While not always a requirement, pursuing a degree or certificate can enhance your knowledge and credibility as a tour guide. Look for degree programs in areas such as travel and tourism management , cultural studies , or history .
• Gain Local Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with the destinations you wish to guide tours in. Learn about the local history, landmarks, cultural traditions, and attractions. Explore museums, historical sites, and natural areas to deepen your understanding of the area's offerings.
• Develop Language Skills: If you plan to guide tours in a foreign country or cater to international tourists, it's beneficial to acquire proficiency in one or more foreign languages. This will enable you to communicate effectively and cater to a wider range of visitors.
• Obtain Relevant Licenses and Certifications: Check the requirements of the destination or country where you intend to work as a tour guide. Some locations may require you to obtain specific licenses or certifications to operate legally. Research and complete the necessary training or examinations to meet the requirements.
• Gain Practical Experience: Seek opportunities to gain practical experience in the tourism industry. Consider working part-time or as an intern with local tour operators, travel agencies, or visitor centers. This will provide valuable hands-on experience and help you develop your skills in guiding and managing groups.
• Enhance Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential for a tour guide. Work on developing your public speaking, storytelling, and customer service skills. Practice engaging with different types of people and adapting your communication style to suit diverse audiences.
• Join Professional Associations: Consider joining professional associations or organizations for tour guides. These groups provide networking opportunities, access to industry resources, and professional development workshops or seminars.
• Continuously Update Your Knowledge: Stay updated on the latest developments, trends, and attractions in the destinations you guide tours in. Regularly research and read about new historical discoveries, cultural events, or changes in tourist regulations to provide accurate and up-to-date information to your clients.
• Market Yourself: Create a professional portfolio or resume highlighting your qualifications, experience, and areas of expertise. Establish an online presence through a website or social media platforms, showcasing your skills and providing information about the tours you offer.
• Start Guiding: Once you feel confident and ready, start offering your services as a tour guide. You can join an established tour company or operate independently. Consider offering free or discounted tours initially to gain testimonials and build a client base.

Associations and Organizations There are several associations and organizations dedicated to the professional development and support of tour guides. These associations offer resources, networking opportunities, training programs, and advocacy for tour guides. Here are some prominent associations and organizations for tour guides:

• World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA): The WFTGA is an international federation that represents tour guide associations from around the world. It provides a platform for networking, professional development, and advocacy for tour guides. The WFTGA organizes conferences, training programs, and certifications for tour guides.
• National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (NFTGA): The NFTGA is the umbrella organization representing various national tour guide associations. It aims to promote the profession of tour guiding and provide a forum for sharing best practices and professional development opportunities among member associations.
• International Association of Tour Managers (IATM): The IATM is a professional association for tour managers and guides. It offers resources, training programs, and networking opportunities to support the professional growth of tour managers and guides worldwide.
• Professional Tour Guide Associations: Many countries have their own national or regional tour guide associations that provide support, resources, and training for local tour guides. Examples include the National Tour Association (NTA) in the United States, the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides in the United Kingdom, and the Japan Guide Association (JGA) in Japan.
• World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations - Americas (WFTGA Americas): WFTGA Americas is a regional federation representing tour guide associations in the Americas. It focuses on promoting professional standards, fostering cooperation among member associations, and providing educational opportunities for tour guides in the region.
• Cultural and Heritage Interpretation Associations: There are associations that focus on interpretation and education in cultural and heritage sites. These associations provide resources, training, and networking opportunities for tour guides working in museums, parks, historical sites, and other cultural and natural heritage settings. Examples include the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and Interpretation Canada.
• Destination-Specific Associations: Some destinations have their own tour guide associations that cater to the needs of local tour guides. These associations often collaborate with tourism boards, industry stakeholders, and government agencies to support the professional development and recognition of tour guides. Examples include the Association of Professional Tourist Guides and Tour Escorts of Italy (APIT) and the Cape Tourist Guides Association (CTGA) in South Africa.

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Tour Guide Certification: Knowledge and Trust

Becoming a certified tour guide can significantly enhance your career in the travel industry. Tour guide certification not only validates your expertise but also boosts your credibility and professionalism. In this article, we will explore …

Written by: Johny D.

Published on: June 30, 2023

Becoming a certified tour guide can significantly enhance your career in the travel industry. Tour guide certification not only validates your expertise but also boosts your credibility and professionalism.

In this article, we will explore the importance of tour guide certification, the process involved, and the benefits it offers to both tour guides and travelers. Get ready to discover how certification can take your tour guiding skills to new heights and open doors to exciting opportunities.

What is Tour Guide Certification?

Definition and purpose of tour guide certification:

Tour guide certification is a formal recognition of a tour guide’s competence and expertise in providing professional guiding services. It signifies that a tour guide has met specific standards and possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional experiences to travelers.

Types of certifications available:

When it comes to tour guide certifications, there are various types available, catering to different destinations and specializations within the travel industry. Here are some common types of certifications:

• National or Regional Certifications: These certifications are issued by national or regional tourism authorities and focus on specific countries or regions. Examples include the Blue Badge Guide certification in the United Kingdom or the Certified Tour Guide designation by the National Institute of Tourism Promotion in a specific country.
• Cultural and Historical Certifications: These certifications specialize in cultural and historical destinations, providing in-depth knowledge of specific sites and landmarks. For example, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) offers certifications for heritage interpretation and conservation.
• Adventure and Outdoor Certifications: For guides specializing in adventure tourism or outdoor activities, certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or Leave No Trace Trainer Certification can be valuable. These certifications demonstrate expertise in safety, wilderness skills, and sustainable practices.
• Sustainable Tourism Certifications: As sustainability becomes increasingly important in the travel industry, certifications such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification or the Travelife certification showcase a guide’s commitment to responsible and eco-friendly tourism practices.
• Specialized Tour Certifications: These certifications focus on specific types of tours, such as culinary tours, wine tours, or wildlife tours. They equip guides with specialized knowledge and skills required to deliver exceptional experiences in those areas.
• Language and Cultural Interpretation Certifications: For multilingual guides or guides operating in multicultural settings, language and cultural interpretation certifications can be valuable. These certifications ensure proficiency in multiple languages and understanding of cross-cultural communication.
• Professional Association Certifications: Many professional associations, such as the International Tour Management Institute (ITMI) or the Professional Tour Guide Associations in different countries, offer certifications specific to their organization. These certifications demonstrate adherence to professional standards and a commitment to ongoing education and development.

Benefits of Tour Guide Certification

Enhanced knowledge and skills:

Certification programs provide tour guides with comprehensive training, covering various aspects of guiding, including destination knowledge, storytelling techniques, group management, and safety protocols. This training equips guides with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver informative and engaging tours.

Increased credibility and professionalism:

Tour guide certification enhances your professional standing by demonstrating your commitment to the highest industry standards. It instills confidence in travelers, as they know they are in the hands of a knowledgeable and trustworthy guide. Certification sets you apart from non-certified guides and increases your chances of securing employment with reputable tour operators.

What Does Tour Guide Certification Entail?

Educational requirements and training programs:

Tour guide certification typically involves completing a structured educational program that covers a range of topics relevant to tour guiding. These programs may be offered by accredited organizations, colleges, or vocational schools, and can vary in duration and curriculum.

Examinations and practical assessments:

Certification programs often include written examinations to evaluate a guide’s understanding of the course material. Additionally, practical assessments may be conducted to assess guiding skills, such as leading mock tours or demonstrating effective communication with guests.

Where to Obtain Tour Guide Certification

Accredited organizations and institutions:

When seeking tour guide certification, it’s crucial to obtain it from accredited organizations or institutions recognized within the travel industry. Here are some reputable entities that offer accredited tour guide certifications:

• World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA): The WFTGA is a globally recognized federation that promotes and supports the profession of tour guiding. They provide certification programs through their member associations in different countries, ensuring high-quality standards and professional development for tour guides worldwide.
• International Guide Academy (IGA): The International Guide Academy offers comprehensive training and certification programs for aspiring tour guides. They provide both on-site and online courses, covering a wide range of topics such as guiding techniques, destination knowledge, and customer service skills.
• Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG): The Institute of Tourist Guiding is a leading professional body in the United Kingdom. They offer accredited certifications, including the Blue Badge Guide and Green Badge Guide certifications, which are highly respected and recognized qualifications for tour guides in the UK.
• Professional Tour Guide Associations: Many countries have professional tour guide associations that offer certifications. Examples include the National Tour Association (NTA) in the United States, the Japan Guide Association (JGA), and the Professional Tourist Guides Association of South Africa (PTGSA). These associations set standards and provide training and certification programs specific to their regions.
• Local Tourism Boards and Authorities: Local tourism boards and authorities in different countries often offer certifications for tour guides operating within their regions. These certifications ensure guides meet specific standards and possess the necessary knowledge to deliver high-quality tours. Examples include the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) or Tourism New Zealand’s Qualmark certification.
• Vocational Schools and Universities: Some vocational schools and universities offer tour guide certification programs as part of their travel and tourism curriculum. These programs provide comprehensive training and may offer diplomas or certificates upon completion. Examples include the Tourism and Travel Management programs at reputable institutions worldwide.

Online certification programs:

Online certification programs provide a convenient and flexible way to obtain tour guide certification from anywhere in the world. Here are some reputable online platforms that offer tour guide certification programs:

• Udemy: Udemy is a popular online learning platform that offers a variety of tour guide certification courses . These courses cover a wide range of topics, including destination knowledge, guiding techniques, storytelling, and customer service. Udemy courses are self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own convenience.
• Coursera: Coursera collaborates with leading universities and institutions to provide online certification programs, including those related to tour guiding. Their courses are designed by industry professionals and cover various aspects of tour guiding, such as cultural heritage interpretation, sustainable tourism, and destination management.
• Global Travel Academy: The Global Travel Academy offers an online tour guide certification program that covers essential skills and knowledge needed for professional guiding. Their comprehensive course includes modules on guiding techniques, customer service, safety protocols, and destination-specific information. The program provides the flexibility to study at your own pace.
• International Tour Management Institute (ITMI): ITMI offers an online tour director certification program for individuals interested in leading group tours. Their comprehensive curriculum covers topics such as itinerary planning, logistics management, group dynamics, and storytelling. The program includes online training modules, assignments, and practical assessments.
• iGottaGuide: iGottaGuide is an online platform that offers a self-paced certification program for tour guides. The program includes interactive modules on topics such as communication skills, guiding techniques, and destination knowledge. Upon successful completion, you receive a certification recognized by the iGottaGuide network.
• American Tour Guide Association (ATGA): ATGA offers an online tour guide certification program for individuals seeking to become professional guides in the United States. The program covers essential skills, legal requirements, and best practices for guiding in various regions of the country. The certification is recognized within the US tourism industry.

When choosing an online certification program, ensure that the provider is reputable, offers comprehensive curriculum content, and provides support and resources for your learning journey. Consider reading reviews, checking the course syllabus, and verifying the credibility of the certification upon completion.

Importance of Continuous Learning and Professional Development

Staying updated with industry trends and regulations:

The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new trends, regulations, and destinations emerging. As a certified tour guide, it is essential to stay informed and up-to-date with industry developments to provide the best possible experiences for your guests.

Engaging in additional training and specialized certifications:

To further enhance your skills and expand your knowledge, consider pursuing additional training and specialized certifications. These opportunities allow you to specialize in specific areas, such as sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, or adventure guiding, enabling you to offer unique and sought-after experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Is tour guide certification necessary to work as a tour guide?

While certification may not be mandatory in all destinations, it is highly recommended to pursue tour guide certification. Certification enhances your professionalism, provides a competitive edge, and gives you the knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional tour experiences.

B. How long does it take to get certified as a tour guide?

The duration of tour guide certification programs can vary, depending on the depth of the curriculum and the flexibility of the program. Programs can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the intensity of study and practical training involved.

C. Are there different certifications for specific regions or types of tours?

Yes, there are certifications available that focus on specific regions or types of tours. These specialized certifications allow you to delve deeper into the unique aspects and requirements of particular destinations or niche markets within the travel industry.

Conclusion:

Tour guide certification offers numerous benefits for both tour guides and travelers alike. It provides enhanced knowledge and skills, increases credibility and professionalism, and opens doors to exciting career opportunities. By pursuing certification and engaging in continuous learning, you can become a top-tier tour guide, delivering memorable and enriching experiences to travelers from around the world.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the world’s oldest known tour guide certification program was established in 1950 in Switzerland? It aimed to ensure that tour guides met certain standards and provided high-quality guiding services. Since then, tour guide certification has become a global practice, with certifications offered in various countries across the globe.

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4 Tour Guide Training Programs to Improve Your Skills

By Kyla Steeves

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Being a successful tour guide doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t just snap your fingers and wake up as Kelsey Tonner. If you want to differentiate your tour business from others, double your tips, and become a tour director one day, you have to improve your tour guide skills. 

Of course, that might happen naturally as you gain experience over time — especially if you do a self-evaluation at the end of every tour. But one of the best and fastest ways to fine-tune your skills is to take a few tour guide training courses.

By learning directly from the experts, you can get insider tips on real-life scenarios so that you know how to lead tours like a pro, which will help you feel more competent and confident as a tour guide. Not to mention, spruce up your LinkedIn profile with a snazzy tour guide certification to add credibility to your skillset. 

So, where can you get started? We break down the top 4 tour guide training programs in the industry right now. Specifically, those that offer online courses, so that you can level up your tour guide skills in your pajamas during this unsolicited downtime.

(P.S. if you are a tour operator reading this, you can better support your tour guides by offering intensive, in-house tour guide training and encouraging professional development with the following courses below)

Top tour guide training courses

1. TripSchool

If Shane Whaley from Tourpreneur gives something his stamp of approval, you know it has to be good. After taking one of the TripSchool workshops, Shane shared that the learning experience was intense , brutally honest , no sugar coating , and well worth the time and money . (You can see the full review in the Tourpreneur Approved Directory ).

In other words, TripSchool isn’t kidding around. Combining over 40 years of experience in the industry, the founders, Mitch Bach and Alan Armijo, are passionate about helping tour guides grow their skills based on everything they’ve learned first-hand. In fact, they’re often described as the Dynamic Duo by their long list of graduates. 

With TripSchool, you can choose your own training adventure. Between live, interactive workshops, self-paced online courses, and in-person classes, there’s an option for almost any learning style. TripSchool also has a library of tour guide handbooks , written by tour guides, that provide insight on how to lead tours in the most in-demand tourist hot spots of the United States. 

For new tour guides, you might want to start with the Tour Director & Guide Certification . In this course, you’ll learn how to improve your tour guide skills by completing a three-step process:

• Online course: 10 days of covering essential terminology and concepts behind tour directing
• Boot camp: 6 days of applying what you learned to the field with a small class size
• Work and mentorship: TripSchool won’t leave you hanging. After completing the course, you’ll get access to continued education and graduate support to help you succeed in your career

That’s not all, TripSchool also offers a Getting Hired Series, with real critiques from tour operators on what they look for in a resume and interview, as well as short destination training sessions (2-3 hours of jam-packed tips). I can go on and on; you’ll just have to see yourself by checking out the Online Tourism Training Library . 

2. International Tour Management Institute

Around since 1976, the International Tour Management Institu t e (ITMI) is one of the longest-running tour training programs in the industry. Over 8,000 tour guides and travel leaders have graduated from ITMI, who, as alumni, enjoy exclusive access to an online community of tour professionals, the industry’s largest database of tour resources, and the annual ITMI Symposium — a networking and educational event. 

Like the TripSchool, ITMI’s Tour Certification Program breaks up the curriculum into three sections over the course of two months:

• Tour Leading Fundamentals: learn all about the key concepts and skills required in the field (3 weeks of online classes and assignments)
• Learning Lab: spend a full week with your classmates in-destination, and apply what you learned to practical, real-life scenarios (8-day in-person intensive training)
• Career Launchpad: get the support you need with a career action plan and online coaching (3 weeks of one-on-one sessions)

ITMI values the entire program at over $14,000, but tuition is less than half of that. If you’re unsure about investing that much money, think of it like a college degree. An ITMI certificate is recognized internationally, and they partner with over 1,000 tour companies worldwide, so they can help jumpstart your career with suitable job opportunities. 

Don’t wait to apply for admission . ITMI only takes 175 students into the certification program. Or check out what other courses they offer, like the Student Tour or National Parks Master Class. (P.S. if you’re a tour operator, you can work with ITMI to design a customized training program for your tour guides). 

3. International Guide Academy

Like ITMI, the International Guide Academy (IGA) has been around for a long time. First established in 1973, IGA has 47 years of experience training tour guides and directors in four continents, including places like Australia, Hong Kong, and even at sea on a cruise ship.

IGA offers both a tour director and tour guide course, which you can take back to back and receive a tuition discount. It’s important to note that tour guides and tour directors require different knowledge and training, so being able to get both certifications at a lower cost is a double whammy. 

In just seven days, the Tour Guide Class goes over everything you need to know, including travel industry terminology, conduct and ethics, commentary skills, your role as a local expert , and so much more. As a graduate, you also receive lifetime job placement assistance and access to a detailed list of 200+ tour operators and their contact information.

With instructors from all over the world and different cultural backgrounds, IGA is looking to expand its number of international locations where you can do your training. But for now, they’re holding the tour guide programs entirely online, so be sure to check their website for upcoming class dates. 

4. EastguidesWest

Accredited by  ILM  — Institute of Leadership & Management —  EastguidesWest  offers coaching for tour leaders worldwide, especially remote and emerging destinations. Founded by two tour directors who are both ITMI-certified, Sjannie Hulsman-Louwers and Barnaby Davies strive to make tourism education more accessible to all by passing on their knowledge and expertise online and on-site. 

While they invested thousands in their own tourism training, they generously share their insights and how-to at a fraction of the cost in as little as three days. With a primary focus on Western tourism expectations and sustainability, EastguidesWest’s  field training  covers  cultural sensitivity , body language and public speaking, pricing with a business mindset, personalized guest attention, and so much more.

Now, don’t worry if you can’t travel for training. EastguidesWest also has budget-friendly  online tour guide courses  you can work through on your own time, which are currently on sale due to COVID-19. There are twelve courses in total (with more to come), so that’s twelve certifications to spice up your resume and help you land a job with a tour operator.

Speaking of, EastguidesWest connects local tour guides to Western tour operators through an ever-growing global network of tourism professionals. Not to mention, they’ve recently launched a program to help tour guides in need where tour guides can get support from donations. So if you could use some assistance paying for basic necessities right now, send in your tour guide crisis application form.

Other fantastic courses for tour guides

We already know that tour guides wear many hats. They must know how to make a commentary in tour guiding , handle large groups, and have exceptional time management and navigational abilities. But what really makes a tour guide stand out to both tour operators and their guests? Being prepared for almost anything that comes your way with a diverse skillset. 

So, it’s good to take courses outside of guiding to become a more well-rounded and successful tour guide. Here are a few ideas to start you off:

• Improvisation: tour guides have to be on their toes from check-in to check-out. Learn how to keep the funny tour guide jokes going in-between your scripted bits by taking on online class with Second City Works — the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world.
• Public speaking: most of the above tour guide courses will go over effective techniques here, but if you want to fine-tune your public speaking skills to make the tour less of a presentation and more of a conversation, consider taking this LinkedIn course .
• Marketing: many tour operators have enough on their plate already, and could always use some marketing help. Show how invaluable you can be to the operation’s success by helping to grow its online presence. The Tourism Tribe offers a bunch of affordable digital marketing courses for the tourism industry, including Blogging for Tourism , Facebook Ads 101 , and a short Instagram workshop . 
• Videography: tour operators love getting their hands on content to attract and engage social media followers. Help them out by getting incredible footage of their tours (ones you aren’t leading). Here’s an excellent cinematography course on SkillShare with a focus on travel filmmaking. 

Final thoughts

Don’t forget to check out if there are any certification programs offered in your country to improve your tour guide skills. And if you are looking to become an adventure guide, you’ll want to look for specific courses and licenses in your niche. Best of luck in your career as a tour guide!

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Top 11 Tour Guide Certifications

Updated July 12, 2023 18 min read

Certifications are important for a tour guide in the job market because they help to demonstrate their knowledge and qualifications. Certifications show employers that they have the necessary skills and expertise to provide quality service. They also help to differentiate them from other applicants who may not have the same level of experience or qualifications. Certification can also help tour guides gain more confidence when dealing with clients and potential employers, as it provides recognition for their hard work and dedication to the profession.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Tour Guides and explain how they can help advance a tour guide's career.

What are Tour Guide Certifications?

Tour guide certification is a process that certifies an individual as a qualified and knowledgeable tour guide. Through the certification process, individuals can demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to provide tours in a safe and professional manner. The certification process involves taking classes in tourism, customer service, cultural sensitivity, local history and other relevant topics. In addition to providing tangible credentials, tour guide certification also helps to ensure that tour guides are up-to-date on the latest travel regulations and safety guidelines.

Certified tour guides can help make sure tourists get the most out of their trip by providing them with accurate information about destinations. Tour guides can provide insight into local customs, culture and cuisine as well as offer assistance with selecting restaurants or attractions or finding the best deals on accommodations. Certified tour guides can also help make sure travelers stay safe by alerting them to any potential risks associated with certain areas or activities. By having a reliable source of information available for travelers, certified tour guides can help ensure that tourists have a positive experience during their travels.

Pro tip: Look for tour guide certification programs that offer a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on field experience, and online learning. This will ensure you get the most comprehensive training possible to become a successful tour guide.

Related : What does a Tour Guide do?

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Tour Guides today.

1. Certified Tour Guide (CTG)

Certified Tour Guide (CTG) is a professional designation for individuals who have completed an accredited training program and passed a certification exam. It is designed to ensure that tour guides possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe, enjoyable, and educational tours.

The length of time it takes to get certified as a tour guide varies depending on the specific program chosen. Most programs require completion of a certain number of hours of instruction, which can range from 40-100 hours depending on the program.

To become certified as a tour guide, individuals must first complete an approved training program. These programs are offered by various organizations throughout the country and may include classroom instruction, field trips, and hands-on experience. After completing the required coursework, individuals must pass a written exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of becoming certified as a tour guide varies depending on the specific program chosen. Generally speaking, most programs cost between $500-$1,000. This cost includes tuition fees, materials needed for the coursework, and any additional costs associated with taking the certification exam.

2. Certified Professional Tour Guide (CPTG)

Certified Professional Tour Guide (CPTG) is a certification program for professional tour guides. This certification program was created to recognize and promote the highest standards of professionalism and quality in the tour guiding industry. It is designed to ensure that tour guides are providing their clients with a safe, enjoyable and educational experience.

The CPTG certification process includes an online application, a written exam, an interview and a practical assessment. The written exam consists of questions about customer service, tour planning, cultural sensitivity and other topics related to being a professional tour guide. The practical assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to lead tours in different settings.

It typically takes around six months to complete the CPTG certification process. Candidates must submit their applications at least three months before they plan on taking the written exam or practical assessment.

The cost of obtaining CPTG certification varies depending on where you live, but it usually ranges from $300-$500 USD. This cost covers the application fee, exam fee and any additional materials needed for the assessment process.

3. Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA)

Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) is a program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the tourism industry. The program is designed to recognize those who have made a commitment to promoting their city or region as a tourist destination.

The CTA program is offered by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). It consists of an online training course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, hospitality, marketing, and event planning. Once the online course has been completed, individuals must pass an in-person exam to become certified.

It typically takes about six weeks to complete the CTA program. Individuals can register for the program on the DMAI website and pay a fee of $175 USD. After registering, they will be given access to the online course materials and will be able to schedule their in-person exam at a local testing center.

Once individuals have successfully passed the exam, they will receive their official CTA certificate from DMAI and be recognized as Certified Tourism Ambassadors.

4. Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG)

A Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) is a professional designation for those who are knowledgeable about natural and cultural resources, and who have the skills to interpret these resources to visitors. The CIG program is offered by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), a professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in interpretation.

To become certified as an interpretive guide, applicants must complete a comprehensive training program that covers topics such as communication techniques, visitor services, resource management, and interpretation planning. The program typically takes between 6-12 months to complete depending on the individual's background and experience.

The cost of certification varies depending on the type of training program chosen, but can range from $500-$2,000 or more. In addition to the cost of the training program itself, there may be additional costs associated with travel expenses and other materials required for certification.

Once an individual has completed their training program and passed all necessary exams, they will be eligible to apply for certification through NAI. Upon approval of their application, they will receive their official CIG certificate and become part of NAI's network of certified interpreters.

5. National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Certification

The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in the field of interpretation. It is designed to help professionals advance their careers and provide them with recognition from peers, employers, and the public.

NAI Certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of interpretation practices through a written exam. The exam covers topics such as natural history, cultural history, communication skills, visitor services, and resource management. Applicants must also submit evidence of their professional experience in the field of interpretation.

The process for obtaining NAI Certification typically takes about six months. After submitting an application, applicants are required to take the written exam within three months. Once they pass the exam, they must submit evidence of their professional experience within another three months in order to receive certification.

The cost of obtaining NAI Certification varies depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$600 to apply for certification and take the written exam. Additional fees may be required if an applicant needs to retake the exam or if they require additional documentation or verification of their professional experience.

6. American Alliance of Museums Accreditation Program

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Accreditation Program is a rigorous process that assesses the operations and programs of museums against standards developed by the museum field. The program is designed to ensure that accredited museums are operating at a high level of excellence, providing quality services to the public, and managing their collections responsibly.

The accreditation process takes approximately two years from start to finish. During this time, museums must complete an extensive self-study report and host an on-site visit by a team of trained professionals. This team then makes a recommendation to the AAM Accreditation Commission based on its findings. If approved, the museum will be granted accreditation for five years.

To apply for accreditation, museums must first become members of AAM and then submit an application form along with supporting documentation such as financial statements, organizational charts, and policies and procedures. They must also pay an application fee which varies depending on the size of the museum.

Once accepted into the program, museums must complete their self-study report within one year. This document should include information about all aspects of their operations including governance, collections management, education programs, finances, security systems, visitor services and more. After submitting this report they will be assigned an on-site review team who will evaluate their operations in person over two days or more.

At the end of this process, if approved by the AAM Accreditation Commission, the museum will receive its official accreditation certificate and can use AAM’s logo in promotional materials to demonstrate its commitment to excellence in museum practice.

7. American Bus Association Certified Tour Professional

The American Bus Association Certified Tour Professional (CTP) is a professional certification program for individuals in the group travel and tour industry. It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and expertise in the areas of customer service, safety, sales and marketing, operations, finance, and administration.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CTP program. The program consists of an online self-study course and a final exam. The cost of the program is $395 USD plus applicable taxes.

To get started with the CTP program, you must first register online at www.buses.org/ctp. After registering, you will be given access to the CTP course material which includes videos, audio recordings, webinars, and other resources that cover all aspects of group travel management. Once you have completed the course material and passed the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your official CTP certificate from ABA.

8. International Guide Academy Certification

The International Guide Academy Certification (IGA) is a professional certification program designed to provide aspiring tour guides with the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful professionals in the tourism industry. The program is offered through the International Guide Academy, an organization that provides comprehensive training for prospective tour guides.

The IGA certification consists of two components: a comprehensive online course and an on-site field experience. The online course covers topics such as customer service, cultural sensitivity, safety and security, and regional information. It also includes interactive activities and quizzes to help participants learn and retain the material. The on-site field experience is designed to give participants hands-on experience in leading tours, working with customers, and dealing with different types of travelers.

The IGA certification typically takes between 6-12 months to complete depending on how quickly participants progress through the coursework. To get certified, applicants must first complete the online course followed by an on-site field experience at one of several approved locations around the world. Once both components are completed, applicants can submit their application for review by IGA’s panel of experts who will evaluate their performance and award them with the IGA certification if they meet all requirements.

The cost of obtaining the IGA certification varies depending on where you take your courses and field experiences. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2000 USD or more depending on location and duration of study.

9. International Ecotourism Society Certification

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) Certification is a voluntary certification program that recognizes ecotourism businesses and organizations that meet the highest standards of sustainability, conservation, and community engagement. The certification process is designed to ensure that certified ecotourism operators are providing quality experiences while protecting the environment and local cultures.

The TIES Certification process takes approximately six months to complete. To begin the process, applicants must fill out an online application form and submit it along with supporting documents such as a business plan, environmental impact assessment, and financial statements. After submitting the application, TIES staff will review it for completeness and accuracy before proceeding to the on-site audit. During the audit, TIES staff will assess the applicant’s operations against TIES’ criteria for sustainable tourism practices. If all criteria are met, then a certificate of compliance will be issued.

The cost of obtaining TIES Certification varies depending on the size of the business or organization applying for certification. Generally speaking, smaller businesses can expect to pay around $2,500 USD for certification while larger businesses may pay up to $10,000 USD or more.

In addition to obtaining certification from TIES, applicants must also commit to ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements in order to maintain their certification status over time. This includes submitting annual reports on their operations as well as periodic audits by third-party auditors appointed by TIES.

10. Adventure Travel Trade Association Certification

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) is a global network of adventure travel professionals dedicated to promoting responsible, sustainable, and ethical adventure travel. The ATTA Certification program was created to recognize and reward those individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of excellence in their field.

The ATTA Certification program requires applicants to complete a comprehensive application process that includes an assessment of their knowledge and experience in the adventure travel industry. Applicants must also demonstrate their commitment to responsible tourism practices through a series of case studies. After completing the application process, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as sustainability, safety, risk management, customer service, and marketing.

The ATTA Certification program takes approximately two months to complete from start to finish. The cost for the certification is $395 USD for members of the ATTA or $495 USD for non-members. To apply for certification, applicants must first create an account on the ATTA website and then submit their application materials online. Once approved by the ATTA review board, applicants will be required to pay the certification fee before taking the exam.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, applicants will receive their official ATTA Certification certificate and be listed in the official directory of certified professionals on the ATTA website. This listing serves as evidence that they have met all requirements for certification and can serve as proof of expertise when applying for jobs or contracts within the adventure travel industry.

11. Cruise Line International Association Cruise Director Certification

The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) Cruise Director Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize and reward cruise directors who demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, knowledge, and customer service. The certification is valid for two years and requires renewal every two years.

To become certified, applicants must complete a minimum of 80 hours of CLIA-approved training courses in areas such as customer service, hospitality management, safety and security, and cruise operations. Applicants must also pass an examination that covers topics including passenger relations, onboard activities and entertainment, shore excursions, health regulations, and emergency procedures.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the chosen course provider; however it typically ranges from $500 to $2,000. The cost includes the exam fee as well as any additional fees associated with the course provider.

Once certified, cruise directors are required to maintain their certification by completing at least 20 hours of continuing education credits during each two-year period. Credits can be earned through attending seminars or workshops related to cruise operations or taking online courses offered by CLIA-approved providers.

Do You Really Need a Tour Guide Certificate?

Yes, you do need a Tour Guide Certificate if you want to work as a tour guide. Tour guides help people explore their destination and interact with the locals. They provide information on the local culture, history, attractions, and more. Without a certificate, potential employers may not take your application seriously or consider you for the job.

Having a Tour Guide Certificate shows that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to guide tourists around a destination. It demonstrates that you understand the importance of safety, customer service, and cultural sensitivity when dealing with clients from different backgrounds. It also shows that you are up to date on local regulations and laws in regards to tourism.

The certificate is an important step in becoming a successful tour guide because it sets you apart from others who may not have taken the time to get certified. It gives potential employers confidence in your abilities because they know that you have gone through the necessary training to become qualified for the job.

The certification process varies depending on where you live and what type of tour guide position you are looking for. In some places, there are government-issued certificates while other places require applicants to complete courses or workshops before being eligible for certification. You can find out more about these requirements by researching online or contacting local tourism organizations or travel agencies in your area.

In conclusion, having a Tour Guide Certificate is essential if you want to work as a tour guide because it demonstrates your commitment and knowledge of the industry as well as sets you apart from other applicants.

Related : Tour Guide Resume Examples

FAQs About Tour Guide Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a tour guide?

Answer: Most tour guides will have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and must be knowledgeable about the area they are guiding tours in. Depending on the country, additional certifications may be required, such as first aid and CPR certifications.

2. How can I obtain a tour guide certification?

Answer: There are various ways to obtain a tour guide certification depending on the country you live in. Some countries offer government-approved courses that you can take to become certified, while other countries may require you to take an exam or provide proof of your knowledge of the area you will be guiding tours in.

3. Is there an age limit for becoming a tour guide?

Answer: Generally speaking, there is no age limit for becoming a tour guide as long as you meet all other requirements (such as having a high school diploma or passing an exam). However, some countries may have specific regulations regarding the minimum age of tour guides.

4. How much does it cost to get certified as a tour guide?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a tour guide certification varies depending on the type of certification and country you live in. Generally speaking, it can range from around $50-$500 USD depending on the country and type of certification needed.

5. Are there any online courses available for becoming a certified tour guide?

Answer: Yes, many countries offer online courses or programs that allow individuals to become certified as professional tour guides from their own home or office. These programs often include educational materials, video tutorials, practice exams, and even mentorship opportunities with experienced professionals in the field.

Editorial staff

Brenna Goyette

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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Tour Guides

Requirements.

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Education and Training Requirements

High school.

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement to be a tour guide. Courses such as speech, communications, art, sociology, anthropology, political science, social studies, and literature often prove beneficial. Some tour guides study foreign languages and cultures as well as geography, history, and architecture.

Postsecondary Training

Some cities have professional schools that offer curricula in the travel industry. Such training may take nine to 12 months and offer job placement services. Some two- and four-year colleges offer tour guide training that lasts six to eight weeks. Community colleges may offer programs in tour escort training. Programs such as these often may be taken on a part-time basis. Classes may include history, world geography, psychology, human relations, and communication courses. Sometimes students go on field trips themselves to gain experience. Some travel agencies and tour companies offer their own training so that their tour guides may receive instruction that complements the tour packages the company offers.

Other Education or Training

The National Tour Association offers webinars, networking events, and seminars at its annual conference to help members stay up to date with industry trends.

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or licensing.

The National Tour Association offers the voluntary certified tour professional designation to candidates who meet education, employment, and service requirements; complete required course work; and complete a learning portfolio.

Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits

Any experience one can obtain in customer service or leading local tours will be useful. 

Successful tour guides are outgoing, friendly, patient, and confident. They must be aware of the typical travelers' needs and the kinds of questions and concerns travelers might have. As a tour guide, they should be comfortable being in charge of large groups of people and have good time-management and organizational skills. They also need to be resourceful and be able to adapt to different environments. Tour guides need to be fun-loving and know how to make others feel at ease in unfamiliar surroundings. Tour guides should enjoy working with people as much as they enjoy traveling.

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Tour Guide Training Programs

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest percentage of tour guides had obtained a Bachelor’s degree.

The second highest percentage at 23.3% had only a high school diploma with 22% of tour guides having some form of college education. It is most important that you receive training to be a tour guide, whether you only have a high school diploma or a university degree. Various training academies and tourism schools have opened up to offer a more formal education to those who want to become tour guide and tour managers, although this was not the case a few years ago. Cherie Anderson, who we featured in our On the Job section, saw the desperate need for tour guide training programs and opened her online course, Professional Tour Management Training, which is now offered in over 1,300 colleges and universities across the U.S.

Although there is no official requirement in America for tour guides to have formal training, most people prefer to gain the knowledge and skills before going into the industry. Training facilities also often provide job placement and can recommend the best companies and employers to work for. Likewise, employers also prefer to hire candidates who have attended tour guide schools, as it shows that they are serious about the industry and it means that no additional on the job training needs to be given. Training also provides you with the necessary skills to open your own tour operation and gives you a better grasp of the touring procedures in the U.S. as well as overseas. Overseas, tour guides have different rules to follow. For example, in South Africa, tour guides have to be registered with the relevant Provincial Registrar. They have to have a certificate of competency which is issued by the South African Qualifications Authority and must also sign a code of conduct and ethics.

What Do You Learn on Tour Guide Training Course?

An example of what your tour guide training curriculum will consist of is provided here by the International Guide Association.

• Travel Industry Terminology
• How Are Tours Put Together by Tour Operators
• Industry Trends
• Profile of a Tour Manager/Director
• Pre-Tour Departure Preparations
• Public Speaking
• Airline and Airport Procedures
• Baggage Handling and Control
• Client Welcome Preparation, content and delivery
• Hotel Arrivals and Departures
• Motorcoach Commentary
• Cultural Practices
• Being Environmentally Aware on Tour
• How to Research
• Leisure Days on Tour
• City Tours (working with the local Tour Guide or doing it yourself)
• Motorcoach Travel
• Destination Itinerary Planning
• Discussion with a Motorcoach Driver and Teamwork
• Optional Excursions (what they are, how to present them, operate them and money handling)
• Group Psychology
• Passenger Emergencies
• Industry Networking (Preparing your resume, telephone interview techniques and learning about hiring companies and their practices).

This is just a general idea of what a tour guide course can offer. To learn more about training courses and to get relevant contact details of the best accredited schools in the U.S and other countries, keep reading.

Training Academies and Schools

The training programs for tour guides cover various aspects of being a tour guide and offer you in depth education regarding how to do the job, from how to talk on the spot and provide narration, to how to organize and manage a tour group as a director.

Training programs are offered all over the world. In South Africa, tour guides are required to study and to obtain their mandatory certificate of competency must complete a National Certificate or Record of Achievement issued by any THETA (Tourism, Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Education Training Authority) accredited education and assessment suppliers. Training is predominantly offered as a 3 week course.

International Guide Academy

One of the most renowned tour guide and tour director training institutions, offering courses worldwide, as well as on board cruise ships, since 1973, is the International Guide Academy. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, they offer a 10-day International Tour Director program and a 6-day Tour Guide program. IGA is endorsed by the International Association of Tour Managers (IATM) and the American Association of Tour Professionals. Free job placement assistance is offered to all that complete one of the programs. IGA is licensed and bonded.

Contact Details: 8700 E. Jefferson Ave 370190 Denver, CO 80237-0190 Tel: (303) 780-0131 Website: bepaidtotravel.com E-mail company president: [email protected]

Professional Tour Management Training

This online course offered by Cherie Anderson, provides prospective tour managers with in depth information taken from her years of being a tour guide and tour director. Here is what she had to say about her training program:

“When I train my students they are fully equipped. They can go and put on their resumes that they know procedures for international and domestic tours, they know safety procedures and requirements for hotels and airlines, and they know tour briefings. Very often, tour operators and companies will ask you what you cover in your tour briefings, and you don’t know how tours are run with inbound tour operators, outbound tour operators, receptors services, DMC’s, you’re going to have a problem trying to answer that question correctly. You need to know documentation, the legalities, who the major employers are, what they look for and what they market to. When I do my training I share all of the names, I have companies that have contacted me looking for professionally trained tour directors which I post in my online class so when they go to the tour operators, they can say I’m a professionally trained tour director, this is what I know, they can list out their skills and immediately they have the attention of the tour company.”

Contact Details: P.O. Box 592 Lake Forest, CA 92609-0592 Tel: (949)  830-8603 Email:  [email protected] Website:  www.tourtraining.com

International Tour Management Institute (ITMI)

ITMI has been operating for over 30 years offering 2 week travel courses with lifetime job placement assistance, and over 600 tour operator contacts.

Contact Details:   625 Market Street, Suite 810, San Francisco, CA 94105 Tel: (800) 442-4864 or (415) 957-9489 Email: [email protected] Website: www.itmitourtraining.com

WashingTours and Events

World class tour guide training offered in Washington D.C. with seminars and workshops as additional training by world renowned tour director and trainer, Maricar Donato.

Contact Details: Maricar Donato – WFTGA Accredited International Trainer 1711 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Suite 513, Washington, DC 20036-2136 Tel: (202) 234-1806 Fax: (202) 986-7443 Email: [email protected] Website: www.washingtour.net  

Travel Campus

Travel Campus offers an online tour guide course, as well as pre-requisite courses, IATA courses, and ASTA courses in all travel, tourism, and hospitality related careers.

Education Systems LLC 11038 Longdale Circle Sandy, UT 84092 Tel: (800) 288-3987 Website: www.travelcampus.com

Miami Dade Community College Travel and Tourism Management Program

Miami Dade offers a great travel and tourism training program and is one of the biggest in the country. They offer 2 year degree programs, with shorter certification courses in tourism as well. Excellent internship programs and job placement services are offered as well, as this college has many strong connections in the tour industry.

Contact Details: 11380 NW 27th Avenue Miami, FL 33167 Tel: (305) 237-1093

West Los Angeles College Department of Travel

Similar training is offered at this college located in Culver City, California catering for over 700 students.

Contact Details: 4800 Freshman Drive Culver City, CA 90230 Tel: (310) 287-4293 or (310) 287-4200

The Tour Guide Training Corporation of Canada

The leader in Canadian travel training for both local and international tour guides. Classes range from those wanted to start a career as a tour guide and for businesses who wish to train front line staff.

Contact Details: 1 Cecil Found Crescent Courtice, Ontario, Canada L1E 2V9 Tel: ( 416) 737-0616 Email: [email protected] Website: www.traintheguides.com/

The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides

The Blue Badge Tour Guide Training is offered throughout England and Scotland, to provide tour guides with a Blue Badge, the most recognized tour guide license in the country.

Contact Details: The Guild House, 52d Borough High Street, London, SE1 1XN Tel: (020) 7403 1115 Fax: (020) 7378 1705 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Website: www.blue-badge-guides.com or https://www.itg.org.uk/

Tourism Training Australia

A network of training authorities in Australia are listed on this site and it also gives you plenty of resources for furthering your education to be a tour guide in Australia and surrounds.

Contact Details: GPO Box 2493, Sydney, NSW 2001 Level 5, 49 Market St, Sydney, NSW 2000 Tel: (02) 9286 3944 Fax: (02) 9290 1001 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tourismtraining.com.au

THETA (Tourism, Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Education Training Authority) is the official training organization in South Africa for all travel and tourism accredited training programs.

Contact Details: P.O. Box 1329 Rivonia 2128 South Africa Call Centre: 0860-100-221 Tel: 011-217-0600 Email: [email protected] Website: www.theta.org.za

Quick Fact: Some common college majors that will assist you in tour guide jobs include arts and humanities, business, criminal justice, education, engineering, science, social science, technology, and health care.

As you can see, training to be a tour guide is an important part of finding a better tour guide or tour director job and it is easier to be employed by various tour companies if you have training. Job placement is also usually offered by training institutes.

Quick Summary:

• Although important, tour guide training is not required in most states and countries.
• Most tour guide training programs are 2 to 5 weeks long.
• Look for accredited colleges and schools.
• Subcribe to our blog

Professional Tour Guide School

Professional Tour Guide School is located in Arusha Tanzania, registered in 1995 it has been a leading College in training Professional Tour Guides and pioneering projects in sustainable tourism in Tanzania.

Friday, July 29, 2011

• 335. Professional Tour Guide School - PROTS 1995.

Our Contacts:

P.O. Box 12582, Arusha - Tanzania, East Africa.

E-mail: [email protected]

Our Mobile Phones: Mr. Vedasto Izoba, Principal - +255 754 894 077

Mr. Victor Bubelwa, Tour Director - +255 754 046 196,

Miss Angel Izoba, Operations Manager – +255 754 507 077;

Miss Jacquline Minde, Secretary - +255 782 930 700

Our Family:

Welcome to the PROTS Family.

PROTS was established and Registered on September 15, 1995.

We are situated in Sanawari Area, Arusha Town, Tanzania. (See City Map, below ).

For the past 14 years we have worked hard and produced competent guides working with prominent companies and organizations all over Tanzania and in other foreign countries.

Producing professional guides has never been an easy task (in the absence of a National Curriculum ). With our contributions and efforts as a member of the Technical Team the National Curriculum is in place - THE CURRICULUM FOR TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE IN TOUR GUIDING NTA Level 5. Incorporating this National Curriculum our Core Curriculum (below) is very intensive and extensive for most of the needs in the tasks of Professional Tour Guiding & Leadership.

Being guided by the industry demands for Professional Tour Guides we thrived to become trend setters and leaders for tour guides training colleges.

This success is also due to our decision to specialize only in Tour Guiding and Leadership and focused all our efforts and resources in tour guiding training.

Our Location:

We are located in Sanawari Area, Arusha Town, Tanzania.

We are indicated on Arusha City Map as below:

Tourism is growing at a good pace and therefore Professional Tour Guiding has a great role in the tourism industry and the national economy because of the fact that from the time the tourist arrives in the country, goes around the attractions and facilities until he leaves the country, he is in the hands , trust and care of a tour guide.

We welcome you to join PROTS and become a Professional Tour Guide.

Our Mission: Our Mission is to produce Professional Tour Guides and make Tour Guiding a recognized Profession in Tanzania.

Our Vission:

Our Vision is to become a high learning Institution and Center of Excellence for Professional Tour Guides. These entails a lot of strategies, efforts and innovations and we intend to share it with you in our blogspot.

"There's No Substitute for Field Experience!"

We provide tourist groups to interact with our Students on Safari, Mountain and Cultural Exchanges.

Photo: Authentic Explorers guiding team ready to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Authentic Explorers is a sister company of PROTS. Its early achievement is establishing a Scholarship Fund that has already sponsored more that 10 students at PROTS.

Field Trips:

We have three types of Field Trips

• Ones organized by students to National parks.
• Trips with Tourist Groups for the Real Field Experience
• City Tours from Via Via Cafe with tourists guided by our Students.

Photo: A visiting group of tourists exchanging ideas with students in the grounds of the school, before departing for a hike in the village and the base of Mount Meru.

Our Professional Development:

We are working closely with the Government and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. Our trainers attended several training sessions by the Government and International Organizations. Below are the International Trainers from the Ministry inspecting our class during the Tanzania Teacher's Development Program.

Our Maturity:

Core Curriculum:

We have developed a Comprehensive Curriculum (see end of this Page) that has been tested for the past 16 years of our existence and has produced competent professional tour guides many of them holding responsible positions in leading tour companies.

Our Core Curriculum has 11 main Modules as follows:

• General Information - Compiling the Information File.
• Professional Tour Guiding & Leadership Skills - Level One - Standards.
• Professional Tour Guiding & L Skills - Level Two - Guide's Guide to Guiding.
• Wildlife Ecology & Natural History - Photographic Commentaries.
• General Identifications of Animals, Birds and Plants.
• Outdoor Leadership & Wilderness Survival Skills - Level 1 - Don't Die in the Bush.
• Outdoor Leadership & Wilderness Survival Skills - Level 2 - Wilderness First Responder.
• Camp Management.
• Languages - Spoken English & German. Other Extra/Optional Languages, e.g. French, Spanish.
• Projects for Graduation in Advanced and Diploma Level.
• We also conduct short seminars on Job Search & Interviews with Mock Interviews recorded with Sony Video Cameras.

Our Flexibility:

Rolling Program & Tuition Till Success:

We have a Modular Rolling Program that enables a student to join anytime he is ready and graduate only when he attains the optimum Graduation Standards.

Our Marketing & Publicity:

Students Blog Pages:

To enhance employment chances for our graduates, we maintain a Students' Blog with a Page for each student and graduate that displays all his success documents like:

• Field Trips - Photos, Reports and Recommendations from Tour Leaders.
• Examination Papers & Results.
• Personal Details like CVs, etc.
• Projects, Articles and other documents Graduation Documents
• Licenses - Driving, Mountain Guiding, etc
• Travel Documents like Passports.

Displaying these details on the Web has helped Graduates a great deal in during their Job Search. The pages also helps Sponsors, Parents and Guardians to follow up the progress of the student.

Through Google you type the name of the Student with a blogspot link and the page will open like Ramoth Itaeli Shangali.blogspot.com.

Tour Operators and other prospective employers can visit them and choose candidates for Interviews.

Our Graduates:

We also publish information for Individual Pages for our Graduates.

We have a very good number of graduates working with many reputable companies and we are proud of their representation. They are our Ambassadors.

Please visit the graduates website for more directions at www.protsgraduate.blogspot.com

Photo: PROTS has examples to show that we can do it. The Tanzania edition of these famous Discovery series DVDs were filmed under the Professional guidance of Stanford Millinga - PROTS graduate.

Our Perfection:

Our approach is the Competent-Based Education & Training (CBET).

This polishes the Skills, Knowledge, Attitude & Performance (SKAP) gained from the course.

Below: A group photo of Staff, Students and a visiting Tourist group from Joker, Belgium.

Our Participation:

We have a remarkable participation record in National and International projects. We have trained in about 35 projects all over Tanzania under the Tanzania Cultural Tourism Program; African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), FINNIDA, UNESCO and four International training projects like Bale Mountains, Ethiopia and St.Lucia Wetland Park (now iSmangaliso) in Kwa Zulu, Natal - South Africa.

For more info visit the respective pages in this blog.

2 photos Above: Mr. Izoba in Mbeya at Mkapa Conference Hall, during training of tour guides and other stake holders in Southern Tanzania. These seminars were organized by

• Tanzania Cultural Tourism Programme,
• Tanzania Tourist Board and
• the Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism

and funded by the

• World Tourism Organization - UNWTO.

Our Transparency:

School Blog :

A lot is going on at PROTS and we will can't wait to share it with you. Whilst Websites are complicated to maintain and to update, blogs are easy to operate and it really fun to upload latest events and we just can't keep anything away from you. We opened this blog March 2009 and already pages are piling up. But then our space got full and we had to separate it into four Blogs:

The School Blog: www.protschool.blogspot.com

The Students Blog: www.protsstudents.blogspot.com

The Graduates Blog: www.protsgraduate.blogspot.com

The Distant Learning Blog: www.protseclass.blogspot.com

Essentially, the School Blog gives priority to the following areas:

• Highlights: Current events: Like New Programs (Photo Commentaries); Short Seminars; Special Training Programs for Female Guides; SOS Page for Students in Urgent Needs.
• General Info: Core Curriculum, Joining Instructions, Fees Structure, Registration Form.
• Scholarships: AE - Educational Fund, Friends of PROTS, California, Sponsored Students, Supporters of PROTS.
• Courses & Programs: Gen. Knowledge, Prof. Guide Skills, Wildlife Ecology, etc. Field Trips, Training Aids.
• News: Teacher's Dev. Program, National Curriculum Development, PROTS Projects. Government Projects.
• Staff Profiles: Staff CVs, Profiles, Qualifications and progress trends.
• Others: PROTS: Photo Social Events & Photo Album, Izoba Family, Jokes, Volunteers, etc .

Please don't hesitate to give us your feedback and comments.

At the end of this page you can see a list of Contents.

Mr. Vedasto Izoba, Principal.

Karibuni sana.

PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDING & LEADERSHIP – ADVANCED CERTIFICATE COURSE - CORE CURRICULUM 2011.

Incorporating the National Curriculum for Tour Guides NTA Level 5.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION & TOURISM - Information File – Reference Tool.

Alphabetically compiled Information - ready to use notes on different major sectors.

Attractions: Protected Areas, Attraction, Facilities and Amenities. Relevant info on what tourists ask and you can’t depend on your brain. History: Pre-Colonial, Colonial & After Independence ; Important details about Geography: Political, Economic & Physical.

2. PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDING & LEADERSHIP SKILLS. – Level One, Professional Standards .

Tasks & Duties: Dealing with Arrivals & Departures; Luggage Pull; Transfers to Hotels, Check-ins, Check-outs & Billing; Pre-tour & Post-tour Briefings & Presentations.

Professionalism: Qualities of a Prof. Tour Guide, Customer care, Tour procedures, Evaluation & Tour Reports,

Presentation: Communication Skills, Listening Skills, Body Language, etc.

Procedures : Preparing a Tour, Conducting a Tour, Managing Clerical details of the Tour, etc.

Problem Solving: Managing Diff. Situations, Handling Complaints, Emergencies, Lost Items & Lost Passengers, etc.

3. PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDING & LEADERSHIP SKILLS – Level Two. G uides’ Guide to Guiding – Experiences in Guiding Duties .

Professional Tour Guiding Experiences:

What’s Guiding all About, Tourism, Where to Begin,

The Learning Curve, Preparation, Game drives, Walking safaris,

Guiding Principles & Camp Etiquette, Medical Matters,

Photography & Equipment, Female guides,

Freelance Hints, Enjoying Guiding,

Traveler’s Expectations, etc.

4. WILDLIFE ECOLOGY & NATURAL HISTORY. Pyramid of Life – Animal Behaviours.

General Identification: Progressive Lists on: Animals , Birds, Plants, etc.

Pursuit of Food: Grazing, Browsing, Migrating, Hunting, Co-operations, Competitions & Scavenging.

Reproduction: Courtships, Male-Rivalry, Mating, Gestations, Young & Passing Genes into the Next Generation.

Survival Strategies: Avoiding Death, Weapons, Speed & Precision, Camouflage.

Social Organization: Families, Pairs, Solitaries, Communications, Populations, Habits.

5. OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP & WILDLIFE SURVIVAL SKILLS. Level One. Don’t Die in the Bush – South African .

Photographic safaris: Photography & Equipment, Game driving skills, Comfortable Driving of Clients, Game viewing s peed, Spotting animals, Seat rotation, etc.

Walking safaris: Wilderness survival & Mountain climbing skills, Safety Awareness,

Safe & Vehicle care,

Route planning, Leadership & Morale; Equipment, Kits & Clothing;

Accidents, Hazards, Injuries, Illnesses & Attacks, Evacuations.

Equipment: Radio, Tents & Camping gears, Care, Transportation & Repair.

Environmental Studies: Mini Impact & Leave no Trace Approach; Outdoor Living Skills, Time Controlled Plans, etc.

Wilderness Survival Skills: Route planning, Leadership & Morale; Equipment, Kits & Clothing; Accidents, Hazards, Injuries, Illnesses & Attacks, Evacuations, etc.

6. OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP & WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS. Level Two. The Wilderness First Responder - American .

Wilderness Emergency Medical Care,

Legal Issues in Wilderness Medicine,

Patient Assessment, Airway & Breathing, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,

Bleeding, Shock, Injuries - (Spine, Head, Chest, Abdominal, Athletic, Soft tissue),

Fractures, Dislocations, Cold-induced & Heat-induced Emergencies,

Altitude Illnesses, Immersion & Submersion Incidents, Lighting Injuries, Bites & Stings,

Emergencies- (Diving Cardiac, Respiratory, Neurologic, Diabetic, Poisoning, Allergic Reactions & Anaphylaxis, Abdominal), Communicable diseases, Common Simple Wilderness Medical Problems.

7. CAMP MANAGEMENT.

Managing Permanent Camps, Mobile Camps & Public Campsites :

All job description of Camp staff from Watchman to Camp manager. Client Relations skills, methods required to perform Camp duties. Enhancing job performance, encouragement to improve. Learning new skills with a view to promotion, Codes of Conducts, etc.

8. LANGUAGES:

English – Spoken English – Core.

Extra languages: Optional & when available: French, Spanish, Italian, German, etc.

9. PROJECT: Before Graduation, a student will be required to work on a PROJECT from the provided topics related on one of the above modules. Current successful projects are like

• Photographic Commentaries.
• Maasai Culture.
• Comprehensive Details of Animals.
• Comprehensive Details in Birds.
• Tracks & Signs of the Wild ;
• Reproduction in Birds
• Reproduction in Animals
• Phenomenal Strategies in Wildlife , Reptiles or Insects;
• Documentary Hi-Lites;
• Plants – Medicinal & Other Uses;
• Tanzania Nat. Parks & other Protected Areas.

And many more.

NB: All the above is taught using modern training aids, like Computers, Slide Shows, Home Theatres & projectors and state of the art Sonny Digital/DVD Cameras and beamers.

To top it all we provide tourists who are guided by students to National Parks for the inevitable Field Experience!

And much more like Job Search & How to Prepare and Win an Interview.

Our School blog (above) will keep you Up To Date of the school activities, and individual student’s progress. His daily activities like class participation, field trips, efforts and achievement.

Please visit it every time you have a moment.

&&&&&&&&&&&&

FEES LIST & JOINING INSTRUCTIONS - 2011.

FEES LIST. (Special Offer up to Dec 2011)

• Professional Tour Guiding & Leadership Advanced Certificate. $1,000. = per year, $85. = per month.
• Cost Hostel Facilities (Full Board): $1,000. = per year & $85. = per month.
• Total cost for fees & Hostel $ 2,000. = per year. $170=.
• Diploma: Professional Tour guiding & Leadership Diploma (18 months)(US$ 4,500) Paid in two installments.
• e-learning is US$25 per month.

Hostel facilities - Full Board - (Incl. Room, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Utilities - Water & power.

Note : - Full Board Students need to come with mattress (3’ by 6’), beddings and personal toiletries like a bucket for shower, utensils, mosquito net, etc.

JOINING INSTRUCTIONS :

• One joins as soon as he pays. We have a rolling modular system that makes this possible.
• One graduates only when he acquires enough graduation standards.
• A project must be done on any of the provided topics.
• Tuition till Success : One studies until he attains a graduation level. We abide to a SKAP basis (Skills, Knowledge, Attitude and Performance).
• After every three months we do Quarterly Evaluation Reports. And in the last 3 months, one joins the graduation group where we assess his overall performance. This includes the Job Search Seminar.
• There are Periodical Examinations and a final exam before graduation.
• A field trip with tourists and an evaluation report from a tour leader is an added advantage.
• Employed trainees can enroll and attend lectures whenever they have time, and graduate only when they have attained a SKAP level.
• Classes are from 8.00am to 6.00pm. Monday to Friday.

Items to bring when joining:

• 3 Passport size photos,
• 3 Counter Books and other stationeries.
• 1 Mattress (3” by 6”) if staying in Hostel, Personal Items like toiletries, Utensils, Water bucket, Mosquito Net, etc.

Mode of Payment :-

• The whole amount may be paid or at least 50% of the fees must be paid upon registration. The remainder must be paid as agreed by the School Management. Individual arrangements can be done between the Sponsor and the School Management.
• Diploma (US$ 4,500.) Paid in TWO Installments.

Scholarships : Some Scholarships may be available on the following:

· PROTS Certificate – Advanced Level & Diploma : May be partly sponsored by PROTS based on the weight of individual cases and availability of funds.

· Field Trips : Field Trips with real tourists to National Parks are sponsored by PROTS or Karavaan and Joker Tourisme of Belgium see : www.G0-26.be .

• Language (Spoken English, French, Spanish & German) Tshs 15,000. = per month.

NB: This Information Package is given FREE of CHARGE! And if you are sponsoring someone please make sure you get our bank details so as to send the fees direct to us. We will not be re sponsible for any misappropriation of fees sent through a student.

334. Field Trips with Tourists Photo Album - July 2011

The Go-Minus 26 Tourist groups:

http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/06/139.html

The Joker Family Groups:

Please visit the when you have a moment.

Sada http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/04/97.html

Ramoth: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/04/95.html

Elia: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/03/38.html

Nitwa: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/04/81.html

Stephen: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/04/99.html

Heri Sele: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/04/64.html

Frank Gabriel Mshana: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/03/30.html

Hassan Mpendu: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/03/25.html

Sia William Masuki: http://protsstudents.blogspot.com/2011/04/114.html

Above: The tour leader Marijke, a.k.a Chocomama giving a briefing as to what to expect, to do and how to do it. She also recommended the "Leader of the Day" system whereby each student will be responsible for preparations and briefing for the next day's activities. This was every student will have an opportunity to learn and experience the leadership skills.

Joker Family Tours.

This is a special group of family members who are bracing themselves to come to Tanzania and interact with local people and PROTS Students.

We will use this page to keep you up to date with the progress of their special cultural experience.

This is a special group this year:

it’s a family-trip:

the ages of the members are totally different:

There will be children and adults with too:

Peter (51y) & Ilse (44y) (daddy & mom) and the children:

Wannes (17y), Seppe (14y), Robbe (12y)

Lieve (52y) & Marc (53y) (couple)

Bart (23y) & Anouchka (21y) (couple)

Kevin (22y)

Marc (46y) - Tour leader.

Marc - Tour Leader.

Above & Below: Sunday 17th July 2011 - The Tourists and the PROTS Students on their way to Sapuk, they stopped by the school to give pole to Mr. Izoba, the Traininer who was suffering from Malaria and Typhoid!

Above: Herry. Sia and Hassan all smiles as they gear themselves up to hike to Sapuk! I'm like "I told you, this is a great job!" and they go like "You are damn right, Izoba!"

Above: There they go!

Below: Hans Makiluli, Graduate.

Hans traveled with Marc in his previous trip to Tanzania. He will be joining the group on some of the days.

Below are students who will be joining the group and their personal details will be published soon.

Sia William Masuki, Student.

Heri Ahmed Seleman, Student.

Above: Heri is among our students we consider mature. He is cool and a very responsible person. No wonder he has been given a supervisory role of the other students in his group.

Hassan Mpendu, Student.

Mr. Hassan has been a very close Office Assistant for the past four months and he has displayed a great deal of diligence and dependability. We are happy to have him on this trip as it will equip him the field experience he needs.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Frank Gabriel Mshana, Student.

We are still waiting for the Photos from Frank & Marc the tour leader who are now in Zanzibar!

Blog Archive

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Professional Tour Guide Association of San Antonio

• Our Objectives
• Tour Guide Directory
• Corporate Members
• Become a Member
• Members Only

Our General Meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of the month Sign in starting at 5:30pm Meeting starts at 6:00pm Alamo Colleges District Board Room 2222 N. Alamo San Antonio, TX 78215 The Professional Tour Guide Association of San Antonio Trains and Certifies Tour Guides

2024 Board of Directors Bill Simons , President ~ Linda Murray , Vice President ~ Jessica Caccamese , Recording Secretary ~ Brent Salter , Treasurer Bonnie Simons , Membership Secretary ~ David Peche’ , Corporate Secretary

Our trained professional guides

• Lead San Antonio City and South Texas Tours
• Provide Step-on Guiding
• Perform Meet and Greet Services
• Act as Hospitality Personnel
• Lead Mission Tours (including the Alamo)
• Guide Ranch, and Hill Country Tours
• Perform Other Guiding Duties as Needed

San Antonio Tour Guides are skilled in leading tours into the Texas Hill Country and the surrounding South Texas Areas including City Tours of San Antonio, Austin, and the Hill Country Communities.

Additionally, as Tour Guides many are qualified to guide tours on military bases and to our San Antonio missions including the Alamo.

The hospitality of South Texans is legendary – as is that of our guides as they meet and greet visitors to our community.

College tour season is about to kick off. Here are 10 tips from college tour guides to have a successful campus visit.

• As spring starts, colleges around the country welcome parents and students to campus for tours. 
• College tour guides want people to arrive on time, ask the right questions, and have fun.
• They also recommend students take the tour on their own, without their parents.

Spring break is right around the corner, and for many high school students and their parents, that means many will be hitting the road to tour colleges around the country.

To make the most of your visit, Business Insider spoke with college students and tour guides. They know the campuses like the back of their hands, and they know how to walk backward.

Here are the dos and don'ts of college tours from student guides.

1. Get there with no time to spare, but don't be late

You won't get points for arriving early, so try to arrive on time. But if you do happen to arrive late , there's no need to worry.

"If something comes up and you are late, ask your guide what you missed once the tour finishes," Skyler Kawecki-Muonio, a senior at Sarah Lawrence College, told BI. "They will happily fill you in."

2. Dress to impress, but don't sacrifice comfort

It's important to look nice, but you don't have to don a jacket and tie. Tour-goers should put their best foot forward with a sturdy pair of walking shoes , and don't forget to dress for the weather.

"At Fairleigh Dickinson, tours go out rain or shine, so make sure to wear clothes that will keep you warm," Emily Bone, class of '25, said.

3. Don't forget to sign in, but skip the CV

Most schools have a check-in desk where you'll receive a campus map and other literature. But don't bother furnishing schools with your portfolio.

"Students can leave their resumes at home," Henry Millar, a senior at William & Mary, said. "Tour guides generally do not have any sway in the admissions process whatsoever, so feel free to save the paper."

4. Pay attention on the tour, but do it solo if possible

Some schools offer the option of letting parents and kids take separate tours, which has advantages.

"Get excited about your child's potential future in college, but give them some space to see what they think of that school on their own," Nathan Weisbrod, a junior at Wesleyan University, told BI.

Students can comfortably ask questions without a parent present and compare notes afterward.

5. Ask all your questions, but avoid personal interrogations

This is the time to inquire about any aspect of campus life , and don't feel shy about speaking up.

"Tour guides love getting questions because it allows us to cater the tour, especially in small groups, toward the needs and interests of the families on that specific tour," Halle Spataro, class of '24 at Bucknell University, said.

But some topics are off-limits, so don't ask your tour guide about their SAT/ACT scores or what they wrote about in their essay.

6. Speak up, but let the student take the lead

Parents may be tempted to raise their hand again and again, but this tour is about the student, so there should be space to let them shine.

"Try to take the backseat — or the passenger seat — but refrain from driving all of your child's interactions," Julian Jacklin, class of '25 at Reed College, said. "Students who feel they can own that experience usually ask the most questions and engage with the tour more."

7. Say thanks, but don't leave with questions unanswered

Maybe your guide didn't hear you, or your kid was reluctant to speak up. You can still get the information you want before leaving.

"There's a lot of information students are getting that day and a lot of excitement with being in a new place, which can make people forget to ask certain questions," Lorenzo Mars, a junior at Pepperdine University, said.

Therefore, get your tour guide's email address so that you can follow up afterward.

8. You may know exactly what school is right, but keep an open mind

Don't be surprised if a city-living kid is suddenly intrigued by a small-town setting.

"The college search and college experience are all about getting to know yourself better and growing, so on a tour, students have to trust themselves and their judgment of the 'world' they've just stepped into," Thomas Elias, class of '24 at University of Scranton, said.

9. Take in as much as you can, but remember to have fun

Sure, preparing for the next four years can be scary and stressful. But it's also an exciting milestone, so enjoy the ride.

"These tours serve as great opportunities to learn more about colleges — along with their cities, culture, and people," Connor Gee, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, said. "Have fun with it!"

10. Weigh the pros and cons of the school, but don't stop there

Your tour may be over, but you can still learn other ways to immerse yourself in college life .

"See if the school offers additional experiences, like eating in the cafeteria or attending a class," Emily Balda, class of '24 at Seton Hall University, said. "Consider it 'food for thought.'"

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

32 Questions to Ask on a College Visit

Students should feel free to ask questions during an information session or on tour.

Questions to Ask on a College Visit

Getty Images

Prospective students should conduct at least basic research to facilitate questions to ask during the information session or on tour, experts say.

Key Takeaways

• Before a campus visit, students should do basic research on the school.
• Students and their families have various opportunities to ask questions.
• No question is dumb.

College visits, whether in person or virtual, can help give prospective students a better feel of campus life.

Contrary to popular belief, however, students don’t need to have that “a-ha” moment when they eventually find the campus where they belong, says Thyra Briggs, vice president for admission and financial aid at Harvey Mudd College in California.

“I just don't think that happens for most students,” she says. “I don't want students to walk away from a visit where that didn't happen thinking, ‘Oh, this is not the place for me.’ This is a long-term relationship. It's not necessarily love at first sight. … In this age of instant gratification, I think it's an important thing to give a school a chance to affect you in a different way.”

For an in-person visit, families should prepare ahead of time by checking the weather and dressing comfortably as tours are mostly held outside.

"Leave plenty of time at an individual campus and allow yourself to enjoy the experience, be present in the moment and (don't) feel rushed because that could also skew your perception of things," says Bryan Gross, vice president for enrollment management at Hartwick College in New York.

It’s also important, experts say, to conduct at least basic research on the institution – even if it’s just looking at their social media accounts – to help facilitate questions to ask during the information session or on tour.

"We know that for some of you, this may be the first time you are going through this," Briggs says. "For others, it's a different student (going through the process) than the student you had who's older. So there’s no bad questions. ... I would hope that any college would welcome any question a student would ask.”

Here are 32 example questions, collected from college admissions and enrollment professions, that students don't always think to ask on college visits. These questions – edited for length or clarity – were provided by Briggs, Gross and Brian Lindeman, assistant vice president of admissions and financial aid at Macalester College  in Minnesota.

Questions About Admissions

• Does this school consider demonstrated interest?
• Is there an opportunity for prospective students to sit in on a class to experience a real lecture?
• Are there options to receive a lunch or dinner pass at the dining hall to try the food?

Questions About Academics

• Where do students typically study?
• How does advising work?
• What are the academic strengths of this school?
• What opportunities are there for study abroad and exchange programs?
• If available, are these global programs directly run by this school – where faculty members travel with students – or are these study abroad programs outsourced to a third-party company?
• Are these study abroad experiences built into the tuition or are there additional fees to participate?

Questions About Financial Aid

• What is this school's average financial aid package?
• What is the average net cost when students enroll?
• What is the current level of funding with endowed scholarships – how much are donors contributing to scholarships?
• Do you offer merit aid ? If so, what are you looking for in a candidate?

Questions About Campus Housing and Community

• What are the housing options?
• What are the fee structures for these different options?
• Are students required to live on campus ?
• How does your campus define diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging?

Questions to Ask Your Tour Guide to Gauge Campus Life

• What surprised you about this school? What's something you didn't expect?
• What keeps you coming back to this school each year?
• Have we seen your favorite place on campus?
• What event on campus gets the biggest turnout every year?
• If you were struggling with an issue, would you know who to turn to? Who would that be?

Questions About Work and Research Opportunities

• What are the opportunities for undergraduate research on campus?
• How do those research opportunities give students valuable hands-on experiences that enhance their resumes?
• What are some specific ways this school helps students gain hands-on experience through internships ?

Questions About Student and Career Outcomes

• What is the retention rate from freshman to sophomore year?
• What is the five-year graduation rate?
• What is the job-attainment rate of graduates within six months of graduating?
• What percent of students are going on to graduate school ?
• What percent of students are intentionally taking time off post-graduation compared to those who are not able to find jobs?
• What size is the alumni network?
• How are alumni actively engaging with recent graduates to help connect them specifically to opportunities in their fields?

Searching for a college? Get our  complete rankings  of Best Colleges.

Unique College Campus Visits

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Ask an Alum: Making the Most Out of College

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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National Academy of Sciences elects 2 from Carolina

Sociology professor Arne Kalleberg and hepatitis researcher Dr. Stanley Lemon received the honor.

Carolina faculty members Arne Kalleberg and Dr. Stanley Lemon are among the newest members of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences . Their election brings to 19 the number of UNC-Chapel Hill faculty members elected to the academy .

On April 30, the academy announced the election of 120 new members and 24 international members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to membership in the academy is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive.

Arne Kalleberg

Kalleberg is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences. A member of the Carolina faculty since 1986, Kalleberg studies labor force issues at the interface of sociology, economics and psychology. He has written extensively on the emergence of nonstandard work arrangements such as temporary, contract and part-time work in the U.S., Asia and Europe.

His most recent book is  “Precarious Asia: Global Capitalism and Work in Japan, South Korea and Indonesia”  (written with Kevin Hewison and Kwang-Yeong Shin, Stanford University Press, 2021). His book “Good Jobs, Bad Jobs: The Rise of Polarized and Precarious Employment Systems in the United States, 1970s to 2000” won book awards from the American Sociological Association and the Academy of Management.

Kalleberg also holds adjunct professorships in public policy, global studies and management. He is former chair of the sociology department and the global studies curriculum, as well as former senior associate dean for social sciences and global programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and senior associate dean in The Graduate School.

He is the editor of Social Forces, an international journal of social research. In the American Sociological Association, he served as president (2007-08) and secretary (2001-04). He is also an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Stanley Lemon

Lemon is a medical professor in infectious diseases and microbiology and immunology in the UNC School of Medicine. He is also a member of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Lemon came to the UNC School of Medicine’s medicine department in 1972 as an intern, finished his residency in internal medicine and completed a fellowship in the infectious diseases division. He was chief of infectious diseases (1983-90) and associate chair for research (1990-97). His research focused on the molecular biology of hepatitis viruses and how these viruses have evolved to replicate efficiently in the liver and escape host defenses.

In 1997, he left UNC-Chapel Hill to chair the microbiology and immunology department at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he later served as medical school dean. He returned to Carolina in 2010.

Much of Lemon’s research career has focused on elucidating the molecular virology and pathobiology of positive-strand RNA viruses that infect the liver in humans: hepatitis C virus and hepatitis A virus. His team discovered that the hepatitis A virus both escapes from cells and evades neutralizing antibodies by cloaking itself in host membranes. More recently, his lab discovered how cellular  protein and enzymes interact  to allow hepatitis A virus to replicate, resulting in identification of an antiviral drug capable of reversing infectious hepatitis in an animal model.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit organization of the country’s leading researchers. The newly elected members bring the total number of active members to 2,617 and the total number of international members to 537.

Learn more about the new members and see a full list.

UNC School of Medicine graduate Dr. Tika Zbornik Thompson will soon begin a residency in ophthalmology at UNC Hospitals

Spring Commencement 2024 update: Clear bag policy, One Cards, prohibited items

The University will employ some additional measures this year to support safety for everyone.

Commencement speaker preps for space

In this video, Zena Cardman shares her excitement about her space mission and speaking to the Class of 2024.

Safety update about recent campus events

The safety and well-being of our campus community is our top priority. In that vein, we would like to share a safety update related to recent events on our campus. 

Hussman graduate student launches space career

Chris Link will use his strategic communications master’s degree in the aerospace industry.

Senior tennis champ cherishes Tar Heel friends

In this video, Reilly Tran shares the joys of tennis triumphs, Galapagos studies and lifelong relationships.

Public health senior studies brain cancer treatments

Rami Darawsheh affirmed his interest in medicine working with researchers in the schools of medicine and pharmacy.

Graduating tour guide welcomes visitors to campus

At the UNC Visitors Center, Kevin Rivera Araujo helps others “fall in love” with the place he calls home.

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SC State students explore new research and technology on university bus tour

Twenty-six students from the South Carolina State University Health Professions Society set out on a historic bus tour to Georgia on April 11.  

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- They toured professional schools including Augusta University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and Life University in Marietta.

On day one, students toured each institution including research facilities. They were engaged in informational panel sessions during which they were able to have questions answered by the admissions staff.

On the second and third days, students participated in Life University's Leadership Weekend retreat. They toured the campus, explored novel technology, and received on-the-spot acceptances for seniors interested in chiropractic education or professional studies at Life University.

Health Professions Society is a student-led organization dedicated to developing and nourishing many health care professionals from SC State since its founding in 1970.

With prominent alumni from each institution, it only took a few phone calls for senior biology major Taryn Sparkman to orchestrate the bus tour. The trip had a successful outcome with the guidance of the advisor, Dr. James Stukes, biology faculty member Dr. Nicole Strong, and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Transportation Dean Dr. Stanley Iheakwezu.