Tour and Travel Guides

(NOC 6531)

in All Sales and Service

Tour and travel guides accompany individuals and groups on trips, on sightseeing tours of cities and on tours of historical sites and places like famous buildings, manufacturing plants, cathedrals and theme parks. They also provide descriptions and background information on interesting features. They work for tour operators, resorts and other businesses or may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$22.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$1,012

Minimum

$6,037

Median

$15,709

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Tour and travel guides accompany individuals and groups on trips, on sightseeing tours of cities and on tours of historical sites and places like famous buildings, manufacturing plants, cathedrals and theme parks. They also provide descriptions and background information on interesting features. They work for tour operators, resorts and other businesses or may be self-employed.

Job duties

Tour guides:

  • Accompany individuals or groups on tours of cities, waterways and industrial and other organizations.
  • Describe points of interest, answer questions and provide information.
  • Give historical and cultural facts related to the site.
  • May collect admission fees and sell souvenirs.

Travel guides:

  • Accompany individuals and groups on vacation and business trips.
  • Make sure that reservations for transportation and accommodations are confirmed and that prepared itineraries are met.
  • Visit and describe points of interest and plan and carry out recreational activities.
  • Solve problems with itineraries, service and accommodations.

Sample job titles

  • bicycle tour guide
  • boat tour guide
  • bus tour guide
  • horse-drawn vehicle sightseeing tour guide
  • industrial site interpreter
  • local tour guide
  • mine guide
  • sightseeing guide
  • tour director
  • tour guide

Skills

  • You should be poised, organized, tactful, and patient. Interpersonal skills and the ability to deal comfortably with strangers are important. You should be resourceful and able to handle the unexpected. Knowledge of the travel business or the specific areas of tourism in which you work will be required. Good communication skills are also necessary. Knowledge of both official languages and/or an additional language is an asset and may be required.

Job requirements

  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Knowledge of both official languages or an additional language may be required for some positions in this group.

Other considerations

  • Many of these jobs are heavily influenced by tourism activity in Nova Scotia, so employment levels tend to vary from year to year and throughout the year. Most people in this group are either self-employed or work for a small to medium-sized business.

By the numbers

Quick look

205

employed in 2016

39.0%

employed full-time

9.8%

self employed

48.8%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
51.2%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
53.9

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

51.2%

Halifax

$7,744 median annual income
29.3%

Cape Breton

$6,279 median annual income
7.3%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
7.3%

North Shore

N/A
4.9%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

25.0%

Transportation and warehousing

25.0%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

16.7%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

16.7%

Public administration

16.7%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

15-24

25.0%

65+

23.0%

55-64

9.0%

25-34

9.0%

45-54

5.0%

35-44

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

36.6%

High school

$6,637 median annual income
26.8%

Bachelor

$6,892 median annual income
12.2%

Less than high school

$5,384 median annual income
4.9%

College Diploma

N/A
4.9%

Master

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Nova Scotia Tourism Talent
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Sector Council
Halifax, NS

Additional resources