What is a Professional Tour Guide?
A professional tour guide is one of the most important roles within the tourism industry. Whilst working at the frontline, guides are the ‘Face of Australia’, with direct contact and with and influence on the experiences had by visitors.
This important responsibility requires reliable and capable guides to ensure a successful outcome.
A TGA-accredited tour guide is someone with extensive location knowledge and experience in guiding.
TGA tour guides conduct thorough research, extensive preparation and excellent delivery of the most memorable and enjoyable interpretive experiences. Creating superior visitor satisfaction, to the benefit of both the growing tourism industry and related businesses.
Many TGA members have completed a Certificate III (or equivalent) in a tour guiding-related course.
As a pre-requisite for membership, TGA guides are individually assessed, and required at all times to hold a current certificate II in Senior First Aid & CPR plus valid tour guide liability insurance to the value of minimum $10mill.
All members of the TGA are bound by the Australian Tour Guides’ Code of Conduct, which ensures professional and superior standards are provided to visitors and guests.
Additionally all new members are assessed and when ready, will become Nationally-accredited guides. National Tour Guide Accreditation Information
All assessed TGA guides are issued with a personal photo ID card identifying them as members of the Association.
Key Skills
- Professional tour guides have a high level of general knowledge
- Most have specialised site and destination expertise
- Good communication and organisational skills
- Providers of excellent customer service
- Tour leadership and management skills
- Qualified in first aid and occupational health and safety
- Ecological, environmental and indigenous awareness
