Tour Guide or better known as Tourist Guide is a type of Information Assistant who provides information regarding tourist spots and services available there. He is the professional who plans the itinerary of the tourists and makes the best possible use of their time and money with minimum fuss. He is also responsible for making the outing of the person full of leisure and free from any kind of worries regarding the knowledge about the spots they are touring.
Travel Guide assesses the desires of the tourists and helps them make the best possible use of their limited time. In the last thirty years or so the world economy has opened up to the world and tourism industry throughout the world has spread its wings. This scenario has increased the importance of the Tour Guides to a considerable extent. Spreading of the aviation industry has further helped this profession. Moreover, the improvement in the standard of living and increasing worldwide interest in tour and travel, and with the various Governments’ encouragement of its activities worldwide, travel and tourism are undergoing massive expansion and improvement. This forecast is quite encouraging for those who are thinking to make Tourist Guide (Information Assistant) as their profession.
There are the specific short term and long term courses available which one can undergo to become a professional Tourist Guide.
Tour Guide Eligibility
The eligibility for admission to Travel and Tourism courses, at the undergraduate level, is higher secondary examination pass, irrespective of the stream and the percentage of marks obtained.
Tour Guide Required Skills
- Tour Guides should have an interest in working with people; excellent communication skills, and a clear voice to speak to groups.
- They should also have the ability to present information in an interesting way; a good memory for facts, figures and events.
- Candidates should have a keen interest in the arts, history and other related subjects such as architecture; good organisational skills for planning tours.
- They must have the ability to manage your time effectively; and an awareness of health and safety issues.
How to become a Tour Guide?
For becoming a Tour Guide, one has to follow the below-given steps:-
Step 1
Interested candidate has to appear in an entrance test conducted by the various institutions providing undergraduate courses for tour and travel, to admit candidates according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam.
These exams are usually held in the month of May-June and consist of Objective type questions based on the relevant subjects the results of these exams are generally out by June/July.
However, some colleges also give admission on the basis of % of marks obtained in the qualifying class.
Step 2
After completing this 3-4 years of course in which one has to go through all the major aspects like Indian history, art and architecture. One has to take the competitive examinations held by the Staff Selection Commission. The selected candidates are appointed as Information assistants in the Tourism departments of the Government. These vacancies are advertised through the employment news.
Institutes offering Courses for Tour Guide
- Kurukshetra University, Haryana
- Delhi University, Delhi
- Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati
- Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
Tour Guide Job Description
To discharge his duties with utmost efficiency, information assistant (tourism) must be up-to-date with every possible past and present information, the history and importance of the place, he is touring with the tourist. A trained professional can correctly inform the tourists, and take care of the requirements of the tourists. Apart from the above-mentioned skills, one also needs to have good communications skills; a good sense of humour can enliven the gathering. They should also have a repertoire of anecdotes and interesting events to keep the tourists interested.
Tour Guide Career Prospects
Besides getting good jobs in Government Tourism Departments the Tour Guide can get lucrative jobs in Private Tour and Travel Companies. Tour Guides can work in either the public or private sectors. Employment opportunities exist in tourism departments and tourism directorates of the union and state governments. They can also work in the private sector with travel agencies and tour operators. For these professionals, good prospects also lie with airlines, hotels and transport. They can also work as Travel Journalists or Travel Writers. Freelancing is a very good option as well. Generally, after gaining experience and recognition in an established travel agency, Guides can start their own firms and become Travel Agents.
Tour Guide Salary
Tourist Guide can expect to get nearly Rs.8,000 to Rs.12,000 as their starting salary with some government or private tourist agency. However, with experience, it can increase too many folds.
