Adventure Travel Guide
- The Job
- Adventure travel guides organise and lead trips to exotic locations around the globe.
- They make all travel arrangements, including reserving lodging and dining, scheduling activities and arranging for visas.
- During the trip, these guides are responsible for educating the group on cultural customs, coaching individuals on the basics of various adventurous activities and overseeing all participants' well-being and safety.
- Adventure travel may include activities such as mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, horseback riding, diving, sailing, cave exploration and white-water rafting.
Skills
- Adventure travel guides need effective communication and people skills as they deal with a variety of people and situations. Contagious enthusiasm and experience in a range of adventurous disciplines will ensure a successful trip.
- It is crucial to be able to exercise good judgment under pressure and be resourceful when dealing with emergency situations that are bound to arise.
- As a leader, adventure travel guides must be reliable and trustworthy to build the group confidence necessary for successful completion of potentially dangerous activities.
Education
- In such a small profession reputation is everything. Building and maintaining good rapport with employers and co-workers is essential. As a relatively new career, there is no accepted standard for training. Universities and travel companies are just beginning to offer programs.
- While there is no specific certification required for adventure travel guides, some of the activities involved require certification that can be obtained through intensive programs.
Outlook
- Although adventure travel is currently tourism's fastest-growing sector, competition is relatively high.
- As Baby Boomers begin to retire and travel, there is expected to be an increased demand for adventure travel guides.
Further information
Association of Professional Tourist Guides www.aptg.org.uk
