What Do Tour Guide or Escort Do?
Occupation Description Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.
Life As a Tour Guide or Escort: What Do They Do?
- Teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment.
- Distribute brochures, show audiovisual presentations, and explain establishment processes and operations at tour sites.
- Speak foreign languages to communicate with foreign visitors.
- Monitor visitors’ activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
- Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
- Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.
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What a Tour Guide or Escort Should Know
When polled, Tour Guides and Escorts say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Hunter Guide
- Adventure Guide
- Wellness Guide
- Tour Coordinator
- Presenter
Tour Guide or Escort Job Outlook
There were about 45,800 jobs for Tour Guide or Escort in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,800 new jobs for Tour Guide or Escort by 2026. There will be an estimated 8,700 positions for Tour Guide or Escort per year.

The states with the most job growth for Tour Guide or Escort are Utah, Florida, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, North Dakota, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What Tools & Technology do Tour Guides and Escorts Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Tour Guides and Escorts may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- SmugMug Flickr
- Global positioning system GPS software
How to Become a Tour Guide or Escort
What education or degrees do I need to become a Tour Guide or Escort?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Tour Guide or Escort may also be interested in:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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