Instructors

Our Instructors

At IGA, our unique approach to teaching is reflected in everything we do. We pride ourselves on having high-performing instructors who go above and beyond to provide educational services with the latest curriculum.

Our instructors come from diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, perspectives, and lifestyles. Despite their differences, they share a common ability to excel in the Travel and Tourism industry and pass on their knowledge to the students.

Our success as a leading training and certification school can be attributed to our team, and the inclusive environment, fueled by innovative ideas and teaching methods.

Currently, we are expanding the number of locations where you can receive your training while ensuring that the curriculum taught by the very best instructors remains up to date.

Meet Your Instructors

Amit Ariel

CITM , ctg

Amit Ariel, CITM, CTG is the Chief Operations Officer and an Instructor of IGA.

Amit is a graduate of the International Tour Manager and Tour Guide programs and has 35+ years of experience in the travel industry. She has had a diverse and unique career. Since 1985, Amit has held positions in the international travel industry as a Special Groups Tour Operator, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Groups Sales Manager, Certified International Tour Director, and Guide as well as the owner of an Incoming Land Services Company, Ariel Ground Service, Inc.

Amit brings years of travel experience to IGA. In addition to having been an International Tour Director on several continents and has worked on cruise ships in Alaska, the Great Lakes, and U.S. riverboat cruises.

She has led tours domestically and abroad for companies such as Road Scholar, Gate 1, Collette, AHI, and EF Tours. Her travels took her to many U.S. states, including Alaska, abroad to Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Morocco as well as Canada and Cuba and lives by the mantra: “When you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life”! You can contact her at: amit@bepaidtotravel.com

Becky Alexander

CITM, CTG

Becky’s three favorite words are “Adventure, Ambition, and Attitude.” These elements work together to provide bucket-list experiences for guests on her tours. Since graduating first in her class from IGA in 2013, she has led tours for multiple Tour Operators including Globus, Road Scholar, Collette, and Let’s Go Travelin’.

“Because of IGA’s strong reputation and excellent training, I went to work as a tour director immediately after earning my certification. I utilize the valuable skills I learned at IGA on every tour and desire to help others find their successful start in the world of tour directing.”

Becky is a licensed guide in New York City and Washington DC. She has worked as a travel agent and a career college instructor in the field of travel and tourism. She has been published over 70 times, including books, magazine articles, and curriculum. Becky holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Miami University of Ohio. You can contact her at: beckyalexander1@bellsouth.net

Terri Ross

CITM

Terri cares for her passengers so they can feel safe and have the confidence to embrace new places, and new experiences, to take in all that each destination has to offer. For her, this is the most rewarding part of tour directing. She enjoys helping students build the skills they need to become tour directors and make their dreams come true.

Terri graduated first in her class at IGA’s International Tour Manager Program held aboard the Norwegian Dawn in 2014. She launched right into her new career building on her skills as a trainer, artist, and avid traveler. She has worked in Panama, Cuba, Mexico, Costa Rica, and in many states in the USA. “Helping people, being active, and traveling, what could be better than that?” Terri is always delighted when she has her next trip on the calendar and in the works. You can contact her at: terri.ross@comcast.net

Sid Wilson

CTG , CITM

Sid Wilson, CTG, CITM, was one of the first graduates of the International Guide Academy when we came to the USA from London. He brings 30+years of experience in the industry to the IGA classroom and he is in the Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame.

Sid is President and owner of A Private Guide, Inc. since 1991. His company has over 150 different itineraries being offered and his company specializes in cultural and heritage tours, city and mountain sightseeing, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, narrow-gauge railroads, high country festivals, and more. “IGA provided a gateway into a world of enrichment and satisfaction and prepared me to run a successful business in the Tourism Industry.” Contact is: apgsid@comcast.net

Doug Paterson

CITM

Doug Paterson, CITM, a graduate of the International Tour Manager program has 50+ years’ experience as an International Tour Manager, Tour Guide, Driver/Guide, motorcoach operator, and Manager of Training, Safety and Operations for motorcoach companies. His Tour Managing and Tour Guiding have been in Alaska, the South Pacific and Asia. Doug has years of prior teaching experience. As a senior instructor, he advises the students in the fields of Tour Manager/Driver teamwork and emergencies on the road in the Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses. Contact is: dapaterson4@gmail.com

Daniel Slater

CITM, CTG, CTM, President of IGA

Daniel Slater, CITM, CTG, CTM, President/CEO of IGA and senior instructor is a graduate of both certification programs, and has been in the travel industry for over 30 years. He has worked as a motor coach operator, motor coach company owner, and tour company owner. His travels have taken him to 40+ USA states, Mexico, Cuba, China, Canada, Denmark, Jamaica, Colombia, Aruba, Guatemala, Belize, Europe, and numerous Caribbean islands. He has completed multiple tours in China over his career.

When asked “Where is the favorite part of the world in which you travel?”, I usually reply: “Wherever I am at that time”. I know that the world is always changing and, even when I do the same tour back-to-back, I and my passengers can see completely different things from the prior tour. My passengers see and experience different aspects of all the places visited. As for myself, I love to see my passengers enjoying themselves and I get to share their happiness while I ensure the smooth flow of the tour and provide the entertainment and education of their tour as well as all the work required behind the scenes, so to speak, to insure they have a vacation of a lifetime. That is my job and that is what is expected by the Tour Operators that hire me. It is truly the best job in the world.”

Daniel is a professional Tour Guide in Colorado and enjoys his Tour Director assignments.. At the request of the Jamaican Tourism industry, he worked in Jamaica preparing lesson plans for training local Jamaican Tour Guides. He appeared on the Jamaican edition of the Early Morning Show and has been interviewed on local Colorado television. Daniel earned his CITM and CTG from the International Guide Academy, and then further earned his CTM from the International Association of Tour Managers (London) and the University of Breda, The Netherlands. He is a published author and industry consultant and is also active in teaching English to Chinese students. Contact is: daniel@bepaidtotravel.com

Frank Slater

Ph.D., CTG, CITM, and CTM (Europe)

Frank Slater, Ph.D., CTG, CITM, and CTM (Europe), has been with IGA since 1997. He brings his years of corporate, education, and travel experiences to IGA. He has been an International Tour Director on six continents and has worked on cruise ships in Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Europe.

“My certification has opened the world of travel to me. I enjoy researching new places, meeting new people, and sharing my love of travel with my passengers throughout the world. Being able to train new Tour Directors and Tour Guides is very rewarding.”

Frank served on the Advisory Board of Travel and Tourism in Denver. He has been a Tour Director in over 30 USA states including Alaska and Hawaii. Frank is a published author, published photographer, and paid speaker as well as an industry consultant. Contact is: fmslater@hotmail.com

Audra Conklin Taylor

CITM

Environmentalist, wildlife advocate, and tour professional, Audra graduated from the International Guide Academy in 2016. Assisting with Road Scholar tours in Yellowstone National Park inspired her to learn more about the travel industry and her background in communications, personal travel, and caring for people seemed to make her a great fit for the profession. Since graduating, Audra has had a diverse and unique career as a tour director, guide, and operator. Living next to Yellowstone National Park has proven to be the perfect place to launch her own enterprise. Her company, Lamar Valley Touring, delights clients with incredible wildlife-viewing in the “Serengeti of America” where many species of animals abound and, on most days, the famous wolves of Yellowstone are sighted as well.

She has led tours for Road Scholar, Global Travel Alliance and In Our Nature where people from all over the world, ages 2-92, would share her enthusiasm for the outdoors.

Audra graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA with a degree in Communications and was an educator in the nontoxic product industry. This background, combined with her diverse career in the tour business, has led her to create a program for IGA that combines the specifics of outdoor adventure travel and how to teach and practice the highest standards of environmental ethics while touring. Audra welcomes you to contact her at: audra@lamarvalleytouring.com

Natallia Fodemski

CITM

Natallia is originally from Belarus and for the last 25 years has been living in Colorado. She earned her certification as an International Tour Director with the International Guide Academy in 2019. Her tour industry career began in 2009 when she started her own small business Colorado Personal Tour Guide. She has led private and group tours of adults and students, hikes, and adventures all over Colorado State.

Natallia has years of experience working as a Program Coordinator at the Center for Creative Leadership and Colorado College Fine Art Museum. Since earning her certification Natallia has worked for Travel Sphere, Vacations by Rail, Southwest Adventures, Grand Classroom, Road Scholar, and World Strides, touring many North American National and State Parks. Additionally, she earned a Hospitality Business Operation certification from Miami University and a bachelor’s degree from St. Petersburg State University in Russia.

Natallia states “My biggest joy is leading travel adventures and sharing beautiful places on our planet with my fellow travelers.” She can be reached at: natalliafodemski@gmail.com