Tour Guide Resume Guide

Tour guides lead groups of people on tours, providing them with information about the places they visit and entertaining them along the way. They help visitors learn more about an area’s history, culture, and attractions while ensuring their safety throughout the tour.

You know your way around any city like the back of your hand and can take tourists to all the best spots. But tour operators don’t know who you are yet, so to get hired, you must write a resume that highlights your experience as a guide.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Tour Guide Resume Sample

Frieda Wunsch
Tour Guide

[email protected]
687-539-3942
linkedin.com/in/frieda-wunsch

Summary

Driven and knowledgeable tour guide with 8+ years of experience leading groups and providing educational tours to a variety of visitors. Seeking an opportunity to join ABC Tours as their new lead guide, using my expertise in the field and passion for customer service to create memorable experiences for guests from all over the world. Proven track record of exceeding expectations: increased client satisfaction scores by 18% on average within a year.

Experience

Tour Guide, Employer A
Seattle, Jan 2018 – Present

Structured and led 10+ daily tours for groups of up to 30 people, providing comprehensive and entertaining commentary on the historical sites visited.
Spearheaded initiatives that resulted in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction ratings over 6 months through improved tour content & delivery.
Efficiently managed all aspects of tour organization including scheduling, logistics, transportation arrangements and coordinating with local vendors as necessary.
Facilitated interactive activities such as Q&A sessions and hands-on demonstrations to enhance learning experiences during guided tours; increased average retention rate by 20%.
Presented detailed overviews of points of interest while upholding safety regulations at all times; successfully trained 8 new tour guides within 3 months period following company guidelines consistently.

Tour Guide, Employer B
Paterson, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Proficiently guided 300+ tour groups on walking tours of historical sites and attractions, ensuring that all visitors had a safe and enjoyable experience.
Demonstrated excellent communication skills when explaining the cultural history, customs and traditions of different regions to customers in an engaging manner; improved customer satisfaction ratings by 15%.
Developed itineraries for various sightseeing tour packages while optimizing travel time between destinations; saved $1,000 in transportation costs over the course of 6 months.
Mentored 5 new trainees on proper safety protocols during tours as well as appropriate customer service techniques such as listening actively & responding respectfully to inquiries; trained employees completed their certification process within 3 weeks each with flying colors.
Explained complex facts about landmarks & monuments accurately using visuals aids such as maps, timelines and photographs; increased visits per day from 10 to 25 visitors due to positive word-of-mouth reviews from satisfied customers.

Skills

Event Management
Tourism
Teaching
Teamwork
Editing
Hospitality
Time Management
Social Media Marketing
Social Networking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Tour Professional
National Association of Tour Professionals
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

Your resume summary should be a captivating introduction to the hiring manager. Here is where you can highlight your best qualities as a tour guide, such as your extensive knowledge of local history and culture, your ability to engage with visitors from all walks of life, and the positive reviews you have received in the past. Include any certifications or awards that demonstrate how passionate you are about providing an exceptional experience for guests. This will help make sure that employers take notice of your resume!

Below are some resume summary examples:

Detail-oriented tour guide with 5+ years of experience leading educational and leisure tours around the world. At XYZ, created itineraries for groups up to 30 people in size and provided a personalized travel experience for each client. Received company “Most Valuable Player” award for ensuring that all clients had an enjoyable tour experience. Highly organized professional dedicated to making every tour a resounding success!

Dependable tour guide with 7+ years of experience in leading international tours. At XYZ, led 30+ tours annually to various countries across Europe and Asia; managed up to 25 people per tour. Expertise lies in creating itineraries that maximize customer experiences while keeping safety as the top priority. Recognized by customers for providing a unique cultural perspective on every destination visited.

Hard-working and enthusiastic tour guide with 4+ years of experience in the tourism industry. Demonstrated ability to provide engaging and informative tours, while efficiently managing groups up to 40 people. Exceptional customer service skills that help build strong relationships with clients and partners alike. Proven track record of creating memorable experiences for visitors from around the world.

Seasoned tour guide with 10+ years’ experience leading sightseeing tours in the USA, Europe and Canada. Proven success creating memorable experiences for thousands of tourists from all over the world. At XYZ Tours, organized team-building activities and customized itineraries to meet customer needs while maximizing profitability. Enjoys helping people discover new cultures and making lasting memories!

Passionate tour guide with five years of experience in the tourism industry. Proven track record for successfully leading groups of up to 30 people, providing a fun and informative experience while meeting all safety requirements. Developed new tour-package options that increased revenue by 25%. Highly experienced in customer service and knowledgeable about various historical landmarks across Europe.

Professional Tour Guide with 7+ years of experience providing engaging experiences for clients from all walks of life. Proven track record in developing customized tours that benefit the customer’s needs, while also contributing to the company’s bottom line. Seeking to join ABC Tours and use my knowledge and expertise to create unique experiences for customers looking to explore new places.

Energetic tour guide with 3+ years of experience leading groups on comprehensive, engaging excursions. Demonstrated success in providing excellent customer service to enhance clients’ experiences and increase repeat business. Seeking an opportunity at ABC Tours to utilize exceptional communication skills and enthusiasm for travel when guiding diverse individuals around the world.

Skilled tour guide with 8+ years of experience leading groups on sightseeing, cultural, and educational tours. Proven ability to create unique experiences for travelers from diverse backgrounds while promoting the city’s points of interest. Seeking to join ABC Tours as a senior guide and help more people discover the beauty of local attractions.

2. Experience / Employment

In the experience section, you should provide details on your employment history. This section should be written in reverse chronological order, meaning your most recent role is listed first.

When writing about what you did in each job, it’s best to stick to bullet points; this makes the information easier for the reader to digest quickly. When describing what you did, try and include quantifiable results where possible – this will help demonstrate how successful you were at that particular job or task.

For example, instead of saying “Led tours,” say something like “Lead 10+ guided walking tours per week around local attractions with an average satisfaction rating of 4/5.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Guided
Explained
Led
Instructed
Directed
Escorted
Demonstrated
Interpreted
Narrated
Educated
Informed
Answered
Advised
Hosted

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Assessed
Compiled
Coordinated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Resourcefully guided over 500 tourists on 25+ tours of cultural sites, historical landmarks and popular attractions; expedited tour registration process by 20% to maximize efficiency.
Reorganized tour route schedules and reduced travel times between destinations by an average of 30 minutes per day.
Streamlined the collection of fees for services rendered, resulting in a $1,500 increase in revenue within two months.
Educated visitors about local customs and traditions through entertaining stories & anecdotes that were tailored to their interests; achieved customer satisfaction ratings above 95%.
Networked with other guides from nearby cities to share best practices in tour guiding techniques which improved overall team morale by 15%.

Prepared and conducted over 50 guided tours for groups of up to 25 tourists each month, covering historical monuments and cultural sites around the city.
Interpreted a wide range of topics related to local history and culture with accuracy; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 20%.
Effectively managed tour schedules, ensuring that all guests arrived at their destinations on time while maximizing efficiency in available resources such as transportation vehicles and personnel.
Utilized advanced technology tools including interactive audio-visuals (AV) systems to enrich visitor experiences during presentations; achieved an additional 500+ visitors per year due to improved presentation quality & effectiveness.
Revised existing tour itineraries based on customers’ feedback after each tour, making sure that everyone was well informed about upcoming attractions before arriving at them; reduced refunds or complaints from unsatisfied customers by 15%.

Reduced tour group travel time by an average of 30 minutes per trip, increasing the number of tours given each day from 3 to 5.
Advised over 200 visitors daily on the most interesting local attractions and historical sites for their individual interests, resulting in a 20% increase in customers returning for repeat visits.
Formulated & implemented innovative new strategies that increased customer satisfaction ratings by 10%, leading to positive feedback from clients & tourists alike.
Actively engaged with guests during tours while encouraging interaction between them; provided detailed answers to all questions and inquiries related to history or culture of visited destinations.
Achieved 95% client retention rate through efficient communication skills, friendly attitude and exceptional knowledge about the area being toured.

Hosted over 500 guided tours for educational, corporate and leisure groups; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 30%.
Introduced over 1,500 visitors to local attractions, delivering engaging presentations with an emphasis on cultural history.
Meticulously planned daily itineraries that maximized the time spent at each destination while ensuring safety compliance throughout the tour.
Coordinated transportation logistics including ticketing & reservations across 200+ trips in a single season; saved $5K in costs due to efficient planning practices.
Led 40+ walking tours of historical sites and monuments within one city’s downtown core area annually; consistently received positive reviews from customers about tour experience quality.

Improved the tour completion rate by 10% by providing engaging and informative narration to over 500 guests on weekly sightseeing tours.
Represented the company’s interests in a professional manner while conducting customer service operations such as registering visitors, answering queries and managing complaints.
Participated in local tourism events to promote organization services; increased sales revenue of guided excursions by 20%.
Independently managed daily logistical activities including transportation scheduling, itinerary mapping and accommodation bookings with 100% accuracy rating each month.
Narrated historical facts about different attractions during tours across multiple cities, ensuring that all customers were provided with an exciting learning experience throughout their journey.

Educated over 200 tourists on local culture, customs and history of the area during daily guided tours; increased customer satisfaction by 20%.
Optimized tour itineraries according to time availability & budget constraints while ensuring that customers experienced unique experiences in each location.
Escorted small groups (up to 15 people) around city attractions including museums, parks, monuments and places of interest; generated $5,000 worth of revenue from tour bookings last month alone.
Directed activities such as group lunches/dinners at restaurants or site visits with historical experts for a more enriching experience; successfully planned 3-day excursions for 50+ guests over the past year without any issues arising.
Successfully provided logistical support throughout tours like arranging transportation services and providing assistance with check-ins/outs at hotels when required by clients; completed 10+ successful trips in 2020 alone despite travel restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Confidently led groups of up to 30 people on guided tours through historical sites, museums and other local attractions; increased customer satisfaction rate by 25%.
Assessed tourist needs and customized tour itineraries accordingly, ensuring that each individual experienced the most interesting sights in the area.
Compiled detailed histories of all stops along the route, providing engaging explanations as well as answering questions from visitors throughout their journey.
Answered inquiries regarding regional culture, customs and habits from tourists representing over 20 countries around the world with accuracy and clarity.
Informed customers about safety hazards when travelling outdoors or visiting certain areas; reduced potential for incidents among tour group members by 10%.

3. Skills

Even though two organizations are hiring for the same role, the skillset they want an ideal candidate to possess could differ significantly. For instance, one may be on the lookout for an individual with strong communication skills, while the other may focus on people who have a deep knowledge of local history and culture.

To make sure your resume stands out from the competition, you should tailor it to each job that you are applying for. This includes customizing the skills section to highlight those talents which are most relevant to that particular position.

It is also important to note that many employers use applicant tracking systems these days; if they don’t find certain keywords in your resume, then it could be automatically filtered out without ever reaching human eyes. Therefore, include as many pertinent details here as possible – but remember not just list them: elaborate on them elsewhere in your application too!

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Communication
Creative Writing
Editing
English
Event Management
Facebook
Fundraising
Guided Tours
History
Hospitality
Hotels
Leisure Travel
Nonprofits
Social Media Marketing
Social Networking
Teaching
Team Leadership
Teamwork
Time Management
Tour Operators
Tourism
Travel Management
Writing

4. Education

Mentioning an education section on your resume will depend largely on how far into your career you are. If you just graduated and have no prior experience, include the education section below your resume objective. However, if you’ve been working as a tour guide for years with plenty of different responsibilities to showcase, omitting the education section is perfectly fine.

If including an education section makes sense for you, try to mention courses related to being a tour guide that may be relevant to the job position at hand.

Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in a particular field. They can also show potential employers that you have taken the initiative to stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments.

Including certifications on your resume is an excellent way of showing hiring managers that you have been tested in certain areas, making it easier for them to trust that you possess the necessary skillset required for the job.

Certified Tour Professional
National Association of Tour Professionals
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Frieda Wunsch, this would be Frieda-Wunsch-resume.pdf or Frieda-Wunsch-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Providing a cover letter with your job application is an opportunity to show a hiring manager more about who you are as a professional. It should be made up of 2 to 4 brief paragraphs and include information that isn’t already mentioned in your resume.

Cover letters provide recruiters with the chance to get to know you better, what makes you unique and why they should consider bringing you onboard for the role. Writing one can also help make sure employers take notice of your application – even if it’s not required!

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Allie,

I am writing to apply for the position of tour guide at your company. As a lifelong resident of [city name], I have an intimate knowledge of its history and culture, which I would love to share with visitors from all over the world. My outgoing personality and natural ability to connect with people makes me an ideal candidate for this position, as I am able to make even the most shy person feel comfortable within minutes.

In addition to my passion for [city name], I also have experience working in customer service and tourism. For the past two summers, I have worked as a concierge at a five-star hotel, where I helped guests plan their stay by providing recommendations on restaurants, attractions, and events happening in the city. This experience has given me excellent organizational skills that will come in handy when coordinating tours and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

I believe that my combination of local knowledge and customer service experience makes me uniquely qualified for this position. I would love nothing more than to share my love for [city name] with others through your tour company. Thank you for your consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Sincerely,

Frieda