The Tour Director Certification Trusted by the Industry Since 1973
Ready to talk? Call Daniel directly at 303.434.7557
Founded 1973 · Graduates from 85+ Countries · Maximum 12 Students Per Class · Active-Industry Instructors · Free Lifetime Placement Assistance
What Does a Tour Director Actually Do?
A Tour Director is the professional leader of a group tour — responsible for every detail from departure to return, and for ensuring every passenger has the experience they paid for.
- A Tour Director is also called a Tour Manager and, in some parts of the world, a Tour Escort.
- Tour Operators hire Tour Directors (or Tour Managers) whose responsibilities are varied and comprehensive.
- Tour Directors travel with the group that has been organized by the Tour Operator.
- Tour Directors stay at the same hotels, eat the same meals, go on the same excursions, etc as the passengers do. Tour Directors are responsible for the daily activities and tour logistics.
- It is a Tour Director’s job to ensure that what the passengers have paid for happens in a manner that is acceptable to the passengers and that the passengers have the “vacation of a lifetime.”
- The International Tour Director program covers both domestic and international tours.
Start your journey toward becoming a certified tour director today!
Click here for your scheduled Tour Director Classes for 2026. Whether working in the USA, or other countries, this is the course to take. Scroll down to see your Courses Schedule for 2026.
Who Becomes a Tour Director?
People who become Tour Directors come from every background and every stage of life — teachers, retirees, career changers, veterans, and recent graduates. The common thread is not a résumé. It is a genuine love of travel, people, and being the person others rely on.
What You Will Learn
- All classes are held live, in person, in Denver, CO.
- All programs are taught in English.
The beginning modules (27 hours) in this certification program include:
- Travel Industry Terminology
- Behind the scenes look at how tours are put together and marketed by Tour Operators
- Industry Trends
- The Profile of a Tour Manager/Director
- Pre-tour Departure Preparations
- Airport Departures and Arrivals
- Teamwork with Local Tour Guides
- Hotel Arrivals and Departures
- Managing Optional Excursions
- Baggage Control
- Client Welcomes Content and Delivery
After this foundation, your program (53 hours) covers:
- Public Speaking
- Commentary delivery
- Logistics procedures
- Cultural Practices
- Story Telling & Narration
- Being Environmentally Aware on Tour
- Motorcoach Travel
- Technology on the Road
- Teamwork
- Group Psychology
- Industry Networking
- Getting Hired Practices, Resume & Cover Letter writing assistance
All graduates receive a book specially prepared for that specific class which covers Getting Hired. Throughout the program, the participants are video recorded with copies sent to each student, role-playing, actual motor coach travel is included, and more. With IGA you learn by doing.
What is the Cost?
What is included in the cost of the course?
*All books and class materials
*All instruction as well as access to instructors outside of class hours
- The registration fee – $100 non refundable
- Tuition – $1795
- Total Cost – $1895
What is not included in the cost of the course?
- Housing
- Food
You can train for a new career for less than the cost of a single vacation, and you can recoup the cost in 1-2 tours.
Everything You Need to Know Before You Enroll
- We accept Credit Cards, Checks, PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, Money Orders, and Cash.
- Each course carries its certification leading to rewarding careers. All books, materials, etc. required are included in the tuition.
- Lifetime job placement assistance is available free for all of our graduates.
- Consider checking with your tax accountant or advisor to see if you are eligible for the IRS’s Lifetime Learning tax credit.
- Take BOTH Tour Guide AND Tour Director courses in 18 months and receive an additional tuition discount. This means you can take both the Tour Director course and the Tour Guide course for only $2,595.
- Both courses are independent of each other and lead to separate career paths. They do, however, complement each other. Course content is different in both classes offered.
- There is no instance where the school would withhold a student’s transcript or certificate on the grounds of outstanding tuition debt.
Individuals have the option to establish a payment plan for an outstanding debt. An individual who wishes to establish a
payment plan for a debt owed to the School should contact: Daniel Slater at daniel@bepaidtotravel.com or
303.434.7557
·Complaints pertaining to HB22-1049 may be submitted to the Colorado Student Loan Ombudsperson via email to CSLSA@coag.gov.
