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How to Become a Tour Director
Tour Directors, sometimes known as tour managers, are professionals
who lead group tours, from a few days to a few weeks long, throughout the world. Tour
Directors come from a variety of backgrounds:
- Some Tour Directors have worked for
years in high-level positions -- there are former lawyers, doctors,
professors & CEOs. For some, this is their
first job out of school or after raising children.
- Some work full time. Some work only part time or as a
summer or retirement job.
- Some have PhDs. Many have not
attended college.
- Some speak 6 languages. Some
speak one.
- Some are in their 70s. Some
are in their
20s.
- Some have traveled the world before
getting into tour directing. Some didn't travel
at all before getting started.
To be a good tour director you need a variety of skills and
talents, among them you need to be likable, detail oriented,
articulate, a leader, enthusiastic about travel, willing and able to
learn about destinations, and an excellent manager of people.
There are many paths to a career in tour
directing.
If you serious about becoming a tour director, you can list your
personal profile at
www.Worldwide-Guides.com As a member, you will
receive a TD web page and receive
emails of openings at tour companies. You can also look at previous questions asked, or ask your
own questions to working tour directors, in the section of the forum:
I
want to be a tour director Below you will find links to schools that train
tour directors. You can find lots of useful information on
their web sites. Attending a tour training program is a great
way to learn the business and to break in.
The following schools and training
programs are listed in alphabetical order. If you would like to
add a school or program, email us at
info@tourdirecting.com
The International Guide Academy (IGA) and The International Tour Manager Academy
(ITMA) based in Denver, Colorado
The
International Tour Management Institute (ITMI)
based in San Francisco , California
Professional Tour Management Training and Staffing based in
Los Angeles, California
Tour Guide Training Corporation of Canada based in Toronto, Ontario |
REGISTER HERE
For Forums & Commentary Bank |
Join or Start a Discussion:
Creative tour techniques,
difficult passengers, your most
embarrassing moments, dumb questions, tours "from hell,"
humor, games and contests, tour director reunions and much more
(go to the
forums)
Why this Site?
TourDirecting.com is a new site where
professional tour directors can connect, share and help one another
(more)
What's Inside
Commentary
Bank
Building the definitive collection of tour commentary. Maps, brochures, quotes,
links,
insights and much more. Connect with TDs in your region
Forums
Creative tour techniques, difficult passengers, your most
embarrassing moments, dumb questions, tours "from hell," humor,
games and contests, tour director reunions and much more
Tour Tools
Recommend the best books, music, video, and other tools for the
road.
Tours & Income
A section dedicated to finding work
and maximizing your income while on the road.
How to
Become a TD
Do you want to be a tour director and get paid to travel?
Learn more about tour directing and how to become one.
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