Tour Guide

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Tour Guides (6441.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Tour and Travel Guides (G721) 
• 2011 NOC: Tour and travel guides (6531) 
• 2016 NOC: Tour and travel guides (6531) 

In general, tour guides:

• greet customers (tourists) and describe the content and length of the tour
• conduct people on tours of cities, local points of interest, historical sites or establishments such as legislative buildings, cathedrals, bars or wineries
• provide information about the area, related events, attractions, features and facts of interest to the group
• answer questions and distribute information or promotional materials
• ensure that tourists follow applicable safety regulations and rules of conduct
• implement emergency evacuation procedures, should the need arise.

Tour guides often find out as much as possible about the groups they will be guiding beforehand to select points of interest and provide commentary appropriate for the age and interests of the group.

Driver guides operate tour vehicles as well as performing the duties listed above.

Step-on guides frequently work with out-of-town coach drivers who may be unfamiliar with local sightseeing routes. Step-on guides must be familiar with local routes and traffic disruptions, such as road construction. They should be able to provide clear, timely directions as well as narrate the tour. They also must be familiar with the size of the coach and choose appropriate routes to avoid undue negotiating by the driver. Step-on guides interpret features of the local area, which may include geology and natural/human/cultural history.

Meet-and-greet guides welcome arriving tourists, assist with collecting luggage and clearing customs, and take individuals or groups to hotels or tour assembly locations.

Establishment or on-site tour guides escort visiting groups through facilities such as museums, art galleries, night clubs, industrial plants, historical sites or public buildings. In addition to the duties listed above, they may:

• interpret history and culture as it relates to the site
• assist with reception or office administration duties
• escort or drive visitors to their destinations
• show audiovisual presentations or select appropriate music
• conduct educational activities for specific groups, such as school children or people whose first language is not English.

For information about other related guides, see the Related Occupational Profiles section.

Tour guides may be on their feet for much of the working day, pointing out spots of interest and answering questions. They may work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. They may have to work through meal times. They may work on a volunteer, part-time, seasonal or contract basis.

Tour guides need:

• patience
• a good memory for details
• computer skills (for example, to access details on internet and file reports electronically)
• knowledge related to the tours they conduct
• the ability to create a friendly, enthusiastic atmosphere
• the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and children
• the ability to project their voice to be heard by all group participants
• the ability to respond to unexpected situations calmly, quickly and effectively.

They should enjoy meeting and talking to people and sharing information.

Tour guides may be volunteers, or employed by tour operators or organizations that own or operate facilities. They may be employed full time, only for summer months or part time on a year-round basis. Tour guides who are employed full time must be mature. Summer guiding positions often are filled by university students.

Experienced tour guides may advance to supervisory positions. However, advancement opportunities generally are limited and require the ability to train new guides.

Tour guides are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6531: Tour and travel guides. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries: [pdf]

• Information, Culture and Recreation [pdf]
• Business, Building and Other Support Services [pdf]
• Public Administration [pdf]

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) website: www.ahla.ca

Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) website: www.acmg.ca

emerit website: www.emerit.ca

Interpretive Guides Association (IGA) website: interpretiveguides.org

Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) website: www.outdoorcouncil.ca

Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.