When people picture becoming a Tour Director, they think about the travel. The people who actually get hired think about something else first: what the companies doing the hiring are looking for. Here is what Tour Operators want — and how to become that person.
They want a leader, not a planner
This is the piece newcomers get backwards. Tour Operators design and build the itineraries. What they hire a Tour Director to do is bring that plan to life on the ground — leading it, running it, and delivering it flawlessly, day after day. Show them you can lead a group, and you are speaking their language.
Calm under pressure
Flights get cancelled/delayed. Weather changes. A guest feels unwell. Tour Operators hire the person who takes care of these bumps in the road and keeps the day on track without the group ever sensing the strain.
People skills, all day long
A Tour Director spends every waking hour with the same group for the length of the tour. Warmth, patience, and genuine care for people matter every bit as much as knowing the route.
Proof that you are serious
Tour Operators trust their guests and their brand to the person at the front of the group, so they look for a reason to trust you. Training that mirrors the real job is that reason. The International Guide Academy (IGA) has been Training and Certifying Tour Directors since 1973, in person (currently in Denver, CO) with instructors who are active in the industry. Graduates earn the CITM (Certified International Tour Manager) designation and receive Free Lifetime Placement Assistance — an ongoing connection to the very Tour Operators who hire.
Students have come to IGA from almost 100 countries across six continents, from every walk of life and every stage of life, drawn by the same idea: to Be Paid To Travel. If that is you, start here: how to become a Tour Director.
Ready to take the next step? Request a free IGA catalog, book a quick call, or enroll when you are ready.
Safe travels,
Daniel Slater, President
International Guide Academy · daniel@bepaidtotravel.com · 303.434.7557