Tour guides accompany groups of visitors to tourist attractions, whether on day trips or longer visits, and give them information and insights that help them make the most of the experience.

Tour guides accompany groups of visitors to tourist attractions, whether on day trips or longer visits, and give them information and insights that help them make the most of the experience.

What would you be doing?

• Welcoming and greeting guests
• preparing and undertaking research and planning tours
• giving presentations
• offering sightseeing advice
• organising and leading excursions
• problem solving
• translating and interpreting
• transporting and accompanying tourists.

What is expected from you?

Potential tour guides should be fit and healthy with lots of energy and confidence, be able to work effectively without supervision, possess a calm 'customer focused' manner, and have excellent interpersonal skills.

Languages and first aid skills are useful, as is a driving licence.

What about the pay?

Tour guides can earn from a minimum wage to a £20,000 for full time. When not employed full-time, you can earn between £10 to £15 an hour.

What qualifications do I need to get?

A degree is not required for entry into this profession. However, it could be an advantage to have qualifications or a degree in an appropriate subject such as leisure, travel, tourism, or languages.

What about further training?

Work with the general public, or experience gained within the hotel, tourism or travel trades is usually beneficial.

Anything else I might need to know?

Patience and enthusiasm are keys to be a successful tour guide.

Many tour guides work on a seasonal basis and combine tour guiding with other work, though full-time roles are available.

What qualifications do I need to get?

A degree is not required for entry into this profession. However, it could be an advantage to have qualifications or a degree in an appropriate subject such as leisure, travel, tourism, or languages.