How to become a tourist guide

The Institute of Tourist Guiding is responsible for accrediting professional training courses, setting recognised standards for examinations and awarding the coveted Blue, Green or White Badge.

Working as a professional tourist guide is an incredibly rewarding career. Professional
guides are ambassadors for their regions, city or site, showcasing wonderful landmarks, hidden gems and breathtaking countryside in their historic and contemporary contexts, in an accessible, entertaining and culturally-aware way. It is also a flexible career option, fitting in and around other jobs and your personal lifestyle or responsibilities. Alternatively, professional tourist guiding can be a lucrative freelance career for those choosing to work full time.

So where do you start? The Institute offers three qualifications, which are outlined here.

Once you've browsed the qualifications on offer, please check what courses are currently available in your area. Please browse through our list of current and future courses.