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Career Details

39-7011.00 - 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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
43,500
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
45,700
Estimate
Change in Employment
+2,200
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+5.1%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Conduct educational activities for school children.
  • Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
  • Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
  • Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
  • Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
  • Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.
  • Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
Supplemental
  • 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.
  • Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
  • Provide information about wildlife varieties and habitats, as well as any relevant regulations, such as those pertaining to hunting and fishing.
  • Collect fees and tickets from group members.
  • Teach skills, such as proper climbing methods, and demonstrate and advise on the use of equipment.
  • Solicit tour patronage and sell souvenirs.
  • Speak foreign languages to communicate with foreign visitors.
  • Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.
  • Drive motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations.
  • Perform clerical duties, such as filing, typing, operating switchboards, or routing mail and messages.
  • Train other guides and volunteers.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 88%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 English Language
  • 83%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 History and Archeology
  • 73%
    Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
 Communications and Media
  • 65%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Education and Training
  • 64%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Geography
  • 58%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
 Fine Arts
  • 57%
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 56%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Transportation
  • 54%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Psychology
  • 52%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Sociology and Anthropology
  • 52%
    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Electronic publications and music
  • ActiveMap Tour Guide software
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
 Duplicating machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
 Pedal powered vehicles
  • Touring bicycles
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • FacebookHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Pear Deck
  • SmugMug FlickrHOT
  • Word processing software
 Data management and query software
  • Centaur Systems Centaur Travel Business Management System TBMS
  • IBS Software Services Tour Partner
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • RBS GoTour Online
  • Softrip Travel Software System
  • TourTech Systems TourTools
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Network applications software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Brightpoint Community College
Eastern Shore Community College
Germanna Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Laurel Ridge Community College
Mountain Gateway Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Southside Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Virginia Western Community College
Wytheville Community College