Travel Guides

What the job really is

Plan, organize, and conduct long-distance travel, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.

At a glance

• Sector: Personal Care & Service
• O*NET-SOC code: 39-7012
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Arrange for tour or expedition details such as accommodations, transportation, equipment, and the availability of medical personnel.
• Plan tour itineraries, applying knowledge of travel routes and destination sites.
• Resolve any problems with itineraries, service, or accommodations.
• Attend to special needs of tour participants.
• Sell travel packages.
• Evaluate services received on the tour, and report findings to tour organizers.
• Give advice on sightseeing and shopping.
• Administer first aid to injured group participants.
• Explain hunting and fishing laws to groups to ensure compliance.
• Lead individuals or groups to tour site locations and describe points of interest.
• Pilot airplanes or drive land and water vehicles to transport tourists to activity or tour sites.
• Sell or rent equipment, clothing, and supplies related to expeditions.

Tools and technology

Facebook, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Structured query language SQL, Tableau, Animal sound lures, Camping tents, Climbing carabiners

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Tour Guides and Escorts
• Travel Agents
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
• Concierges
• Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
• Lodging Managers
• Flight Attendants
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Travel Guides — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.