People hire private tour guides when they want to benefit from a guide’s personal expertise and local knowledge, when they want personalized service, or when they want to follow a specific itinerary. Some private tour guides are experts in specific fields, such as winemaking or local history, while others excel at leading activities like recreational excursions or adventure tours. In general, obtaining a license allows you to work as a private tour guide, after which you can either join a local tour company or work independently.
Whether you want to work in your own country or abroad, most places require tour guides to be licensed, which usually entails paying a fee and passing an exam. Typically, the exam will include questions about a region’s history, transportation systems, and local attractions. It may also be beneficial to study additional information about recommended restaurants and other local businesses in order to pass certain exams.
A logical next step for someone who wants to become a private tour guide after passing the licensing exam is to apply for a job with a tour company that offers private tours. You should also be prepared to submit a resume, and most employers require personal interviews in addition to an application. After being hired, you may be required to gain experience accompanying tours before leading them.
You could also work as a self-employed independent contractor as a private tour guide. Contractors who work for themselves are often able to charge higher rates than tour guides who work for a company. Because many travelers plan their trips using tourism websites, you might benefit from joining an online service that connects people with private tour guides. Members can usually share their experiences, special qualifications or licenses, and client feedback. In addition, such sites frequently conduct background checks and verify the credentials of tour guides.
Good customer service and leadership skills are two common requirements for becoming a private tour guide. Because you’ll likely be working with small, private groups rather than large tour groups, you’ll need to be able to deal with a wide range of personalities. You may also come across groups that require special consideration, such as children, seniors, or others with special needs.
In general, private tour guides have more flexibility in tailoring their services to meet the needs of individual clients. Many visitors value the benefits of traveling with their own personal “insider.” In addition to leading tours, a private tour guide can often provide unique services and personalize the tourist’s experience. Some provide personal shopping services, while others are qualified to assist foreign visitors as interpreters. The best way to become a successful private tour guide is to discover and use your own unique talents.