The Potential Downsides of Being a Guide

Everyone seems to dream about travelling the world, but only a select few actually do it. If you have made the decision to become a tour or travel guide, congratulations—you’re on your way to one of the most memorable periods in your life. However, being a travel guide isn’t always an easy job. In fact, it can be downright stressful when dealing with certain crowds, countries, and bureaucratic systems. We want you to understand all sides of being a tour guide; below, we have listed a few potential downsides to taking this jump.

You’re the person to deal with problems when they arise. Visiting less-travelled nations may pose certain problems, such as bureaucratic difficulties, visas, and—in some extreme cases—law enforcement. When advertising giving a tour in a specific place, be sure you understand everything about how their governmental systems operate.

Language barriers are real. If you are a tour guide, you are expected to be the middleman between your touring clients and the places they want to visit—whether it’s a National Park, a museum, or a specific restaurant. Most often, you will be the person to purchase tickets and make reservations, which can be difficult—sometimes impossible—in a country whose language you cannot speak.

You are responsible for general safety. A tour guide is expected to keep clients and party members safe at all times. However, this is not always possible—crime is unpredictable, weather-related injuries are often unavoidable, and you cannot always predict safety hazards. Before beginning to guide, be sure to understand the legal nuances of being a guide.