tour director working hours

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What is a tour director and how to become one

A tour director plans and leads tours, both domestically and internationally, for groups of all sizes. They conduct research to develop tour routes and scripts, often specializing in specific regions like Southern California, Great Britain, or Las Vegas. Tour directors coordinate logistics, manage budgets, and maintain relationships with suppliers such as hotels and local attractions. They also engage with guests, providing customer service and sharing historical and regional knowledge. Some tour directors focus on specific types of tours, like cultural and educational tours, while others work on events like national Fiber-One tours or PGA Tour promotions. In all cases, a tour director aims to provide a smooth, enjoyable, and informative experience for their guests.

How long does it takes to become a tour director?

It typically takes 1-2 years to become a tour director:

Year 1: Gaining necessary work experience, such as customer service, public speaking, and time management skills.
Year 2: Completing on-site training for 1-3 months, covering topics such as tour planning, logistics, and safety procedures. Simultaneously, accumulating more work experience in tour guiding and customer service.

Avg. Salary $49,279

Avg. Salary $59,228

Growth Rate 20 %

Growth Rate 0.3 %

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.67 %

Asian 9.78 %

Black or African American 6.32 %

Hispanic or Latino 10.12 %

Unknown 5.36 %

White 67.75 %

female 50.73 %

male 49.27 %

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00 %

Asian 7.00 %

Black or African American 14.00 %

Hispanic or Latino 19.00 %

White 57.00 %

female 47.00 %

male 53.00 %

Stress level is high

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life balance is excellent

Tour Director career paths

A tour director can advance their career by moving into roles like a director of sales or an executive director. They could also consider leadership positions, such as vice president or a board of directors member.

Key steps to become a tour director

Explore tour director education requirements.

The educational requirements for a tour director are diverse, ranging from no formal education to a bachelor's degree. According to the data, 45.84% of tour directors hold a high school diploma, while 22.03% have an associate degree. A smaller percentage, 5.7%, have earned a bachelor's degree.

When it comes to certifications, tour directors often pursue programs such as Certified Tour Professional, Certified Tour Guide/Director, and Travel and Tourism Professional. Common majors for tour directors include Business, Hospitality Management, Communication, Psychology, and English. Notably, top universities for this field are the University of Southern California, San Diego State University, Boston University, New York University, and Howard University.

Most common tour director degrees

Bachelor's

Master's

Start to develop specific tour director skills

A tour director's key skills include planning and coordinating tours, managing logistics, and maintaining relationships with suppliers. They are also responsible for educating and entertaining groups of guests, often with region-specific commentary and storytelling.

Complete relevant tour director training and internships

Research tour director duties and responsibilities.

A tour director's main responsibilities include conducting tours, traveling to different locations, and providing direction on customer relations. They also design tour routes, research history for tour guide scripts, and write the verbatim scripts for the tour guides. Tour directors also handle logistics, manage budgets, and coordinate travel arrangements for artists, bands, and tour crews.

Cover all national shows, obtain credentials, VIP tables, parking as appropriate, manage meet and greets, etc.
Manage communication and event preparation with partners, venues, artists, and staff ensuring logistical requirements are manage effectively.
Perform administrative cruise staff duties when not acting as in-house DJ.
Develop, organize, and execute group and personalize VIP tour programs in Russian.

Get tour director experience

Apply for tour director jobs.

Now it's time to start searching for a tour director job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Tour Director Job

Are you a Tour Director?

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Average tour director salary

The average Tour Director salary in the United States is $49,279 per year or $24 per hour. Tour director salaries range between $23,000 and $102,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do tour directors rate their job?

Updated June 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.