Among the many professionals working in the field of tourism that of thetour leadera real point of reference for travellers during all stages of their journey. This is a highly coveted and somewhat attractive profession because it allows one to get to know new destinations, different cultures and come into contact with people from different parts of the world.
However, it is not as easy as it sounds become a tour guide. In fact, in addition to an innate passion for travel, you need a lot of study, in-depth knowledge and special skills. In this article we will look at all the useful steps to become a professional in this field.
The work of the tour guide
This figure, not to be confused with the tour guide or of the tour operatorIt accompanies travellers within the national and international territory and provides them with assistance during the trip. He also takes care of tourists' movements and visits, without overlapping with the work of the tour guide. In addition to organising day-to-day activities, a good tour guide must also take care of tax and bureaucratic requirements.
How to obtain a tour guide licence
First of all, the figure of the tourist guide in Italy is a profession recognised by law. Therefore, in order to be able to carry out this profession, one must obtain the tour leader licence after passing an examination, the arrangements for which may vary from region to region. In fact, it is also possible to take the exam in a city other than your city of residence.
To be eligible for the exam, one must be of legal age, have a clean criminal record, know English at an advanced level and at least an intermediate level of another language, and hold a high school diploma. The most suitable qualifications are those related to tourism (such as the Liceo Turistico or the Laurea in Scienze del Turismo) and languages (such as the Liceo Linguistico or the Laurea in Lingue). A degree in Literature could also be useful for working in this sector because it guarantees a good basic cultural background.
As a first step in obtaining the licence, one must constantly monitor the websites of the individual provinces, study the programmes indicated in the notices and try to pass the final exam. Although there may be differences depending on the province in which you decide to take the exam, the test generally consists of two papers, one written and one oral. Once you have passed thetour guide examination, you obtain a card, renewable every five years, which is useful for practising the profession. This qualification allows you to working as a tour guide in Italy and abroad.
Obviously, in order to arrive prepared and confident at the final exam, it is always recommended to study following some preparation courses offered by schools and institutes. These guarantee comprehensive knowledge and optimal preparation of examination subjects.
Knowledge required to become a tour guide
To become a tourist guide, it is not only necessary to pass the exam and thus obtain a licence. There are, in fact, several skills to be had in order to be able to exercise this profession, which is full of opportunities for growth, to the best of one's ability. Below are the skills that one needs to possess to become a tour guide:
- General knowledge of the geography of Italy and the World
- In-depth cultural and artistic knowledge of the main tourist destinations
- Knowledge of tourism marketing
- Knowledge of at least two foreign languages
- Broad cultural background
- Knowledge of tourism legislation
- Travel experience
In addition to this basic knowledge, one must also consider the skills that the tour leader must possess. First of all, one must have a high propensity for problem solving, because several unforeseen events can occur during the trip, such as the loss of luggage or the early closure of a cultural attraction. In addition, one must always be helpful, friendly and affable with travellers. Excellent interpersonal skills complete the picture of skills to be had.
If you want to prepare optimally for thetour guide examinationdiscover the course organised by theEuropean Tourism Institute.
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