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Tour Guides and Escorts

Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Gather information in order to provide services to clients.
Train service staff.
Teach daily living skills or behaviors.
Guide patrons on tours.
Provide attraction or event information to patrons.
Respond to customer inquiries.
Monitor patron activities to identify problems or potential problems.
Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.
Distribute resources to patrons or employees.
Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
Provide patrons with directions to locales or attractions.
Administer first aid.
Collect fares or payment from customers.
Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
Organize recreational activities or events.
Sell products or services.
Promote products, services, or programs.
Translate information for others.
Monitor availability of equipment or supplies.
Drive vehicles to transport patrons.
Perform administrative or clerical tasks.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
Conduct educational activities for school children.
Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.
Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.
Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.
Distribute brochures, show audiovisual presentations, and explain establishment processes and operations at tour sites.
Drive motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations.
Train other guides and volunteers.
Provide information about wildlife varieties and habitats, as well as any relevant regulations, such as those pertaining to hunting and fishing.
Teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment.
Collect fees and tickets from group members.
Perform clerical duties, such as filing, typing, operating switchboards, or routing mail and messages.
Solicit tour patronage and sell souvenirs.
Speak foreign languages to communicate with foreign visitors.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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