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Tour Guide

Tasks may include:

• arranging entry to places such as museums and exhibitions
• answering questions and giving out information
• leading adventure tourism activities and ensuring people are safe at all times
• maintaining equipment used during adventure tourism activities
• arranging accommodation and meals
• driving a bus or coach
• acting as an interpreter
• marketing the business if it’s a privately-owned tour company.

Skills and knowledge

Tour guides need to have:

• knowledge of New Zealand culture, history, geography, flora and fauna
• leadership skills
• public speaking and listening skills
• knowledge of safety procedures
• planning and organisational ability
• problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• sales and basic maths skills
• business skills, if managing a tour company. 

Personal qualities

To be a tour guide you need to be:

• friendly, outgoing and able to put people at ease
• polite and patient
• responsible and trustworthy
• helpful and perceptive of others’ needs
• able to work well under pressure
• able to remain calm in an emergency
• able to relate to people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds
• able to deal with complaints.