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Tour Guide Job Description

Tour guides familiarize people with the history, functions, and customs of a particular region or establishment. Though customers typically include foreigners on vacation, virtually any person can attend a tour.

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Tour Guide Job Description Template

We are searching for a vibrant tour guide to join our established company. The tour guide's responsibilities include planning travel itineraries, familiarizing customers with the locality by vehicle or foot, and ensuring that the group remains safe at all times. You should also stay up-to-date with new attractions that may be of interest to customers.

To ensure success as a tour guide, you should be an excellent storyteller with a knack for customer service. An outstanding tour guide will perform minor alterations to each itinerary to suit the unique interests of each group.

Tour Guide Responsibilities:

  • Greeting and welcoming customers to the tour.
  • Informing customers about the itinerary for each tour.
  • Planning itineraries in accordance with weather forecasts and the length of each tour.
  • Scheduling visits and purchasing tickets to museums, galleries, protected parks, and other attractions ahead of time, if required.
  • Planning alternate activities in the event that cancellations, closures, or weather prohibit you from attending scheduled events.
  • Gathering and maintaining the requisite equipment for each tour.
  • Familiarizing yourself with the layout and history of the region or establishment in which you will be working.
  • Familiarizing customers with each region or establishment.
  • Encouraging guests to apply sunscreen regularly and to remain hydrated, if applicable.
  • Directing customers to other, noncompeting services that might be of interest to them.

Tour Guide Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Prior experience as a tour guide is advantageous.
  • Capacity to stand and walk for extended periods.
  • Adherence to prescribed safety codes.
  • Excellent conversational skills with a knack for storytelling.
  • Personable, humorous disposition.
  • Outstanding organizational, time management, and improvisational skills.
  • Passionate about traveling.
  • Ability to work during evenings and on weekends.

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Interview Guy

Tour Guide Job Description [Updated for 2024]

tour guide short description

In this era of global travel and exploration, the focus on tour guides has never been more critical.

As tourism evolves, the demand for skilled individuals who can navigate, educate and ensure the safety of travelers grows.

But let’s break it down: What’s truly expected from a tour guide?

Whether you are:

  • A job seeker trying to understand the core of this role,
  • A hiring manager outlining the ideal candidate,
  • Or simply fascinated by the intricacies of the tourism industry,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable tour guide job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career websites.

Let’s dive right in.

Tour Guide Duties and Responsibilities

Tour Guides offer support and information to tourists, visitors and travelers.

They are experts in the history, culture, and landmarks of a specific area and provide meaningful experiences for tourists by engaging and educating them about the area.

The duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide include:

  • Planning and preparing tour itineraries
  • Leading and accompanying groups on tours of cities, historical sites, and other points of interest
  • Providing educational and interesting facts about landmarks and attractions
  • Ensuring the safety of the group at all times
  • Answering questions and engaging with tourists to provide an interactive experience
  • Providing directions and travel advice
  • Dealing with emergencies and unexpected situations
  • Managing the logistics of tours such as transport and entry tickets
  • Performing administrative tasks like confirming bookings and handling payments
  • Providing customer service and handling complaints or issues from tourists

Tour Guide Job Description Template

We are seeking an engaging, friendly and informative Tour Guide to provide our visitors with memorable and unique experiences during their visits.

The Tour Guide’s responsibilities include designing and facilitating tours, maintaining knowledge of the tour site or attraction, and providing visitors with interesting, factual information about the site.

Our ideal candidate has excellent public speaking skills, a customer-focused approach and a passion for history and culture.

Ultimately, the role of the Tour Guide is to ensure a high standard of customer service and provide a professional, informative and enjoyable tour experience.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and lead guided tours for groups
  • Provide detailed information about historical, cultural, or geographical significance of sites
  • Answer visitor questions and interact with group members in a courteous, friendly manner
  • Ensure safety regulations and procedures are followed
  • Assist with ticket sales, reservations, and group bookings
  • Keep tour areas clean and organized
  • Develop and update tour scripts to keep tours engaging and informative
  • Provide feedback to management on tour efficiency and guest satisfaction
  • Handle any problems or emergencies that arise during tours

Qualifications

  • Proven experience as a tour guide
  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills
  • Ability to memorize and recite facts clearly and accurately
  • Strong customer service skills
  • Knowledge of foreign languages is a plus
  • First aid certification may be required
  • High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree in tourism or relevant field is a plus
  • Flexible schedule
  • Travel discounts
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Employee discounts
  • Health insurance options

Additional Information

  • Job Title: Tour Guide
  • Work Environment: Tour sites and attractions, both indoors and outdoors. Some weekend, holiday, and evening work may be required.
  • Reporting Structure: Reports to the Tour Operations Manager.
  • Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
  • Pay Range: $20,000 minimum to $35,000 maximum
  • Location: [City, State] (specify the location)
  • Employment Type: Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal
  • Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
  • Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

What Does a Tour Guide Do?

Tour Guides typically work for travel agencies, tour operators, or at specific tourist attractions.

They can also work as freelance individuals offering specialized tours based on their expertise.

Their main responsibility is to guide groups or individuals around sites of interest such as cities, historical landmarks, museums, and natural attractions.

They provide their knowledge and insights about the locations, including historical facts, cultural background, architectural details, and more.

They plan and organize tours considering the interests, needs, and safety of the tourists.

They manage travel logistics such as transportation, accommodations, and meals.

They ensure that the tour runs smoothly and on schedule.

Tour Guides also answer questions, address concerns, and engage with tourists to enhance their travel experience.

They may have to handle unexpected situations or emergencies during the tour.

They are often responsible for ensuring tourists respect the rules and regulations of the sites visited, ensuring both the preservation of the site and the safety of the group.

Moreover, they might be required to provide first aid, and in some cases, they are also responsible for selling tour tickets and managing the financial aspects of the tour.

Tour Guide Qualifications and Skills

A proficient tour guide should possess a unique set of skills and qualifications that enhance their ability to guide and interact with tourists, such as:

  • Outstanding communication skills to provide clear, engaging and informative descriptions of places and events.
  • Customer service skills to cater to the needs and inquiries of tourists, ensuring a pleasant and memorable experience.
  • Interpersonal skills to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, maintaining a positive and friendly demeanor at all times.
  • Local knowledge and a passion for history, culture, and geography to educate and entertain tourists about the locality.
  • Physical stamina and good health to manage long walks, stand for extended periods, and handle luggage or equipment if necessary.
  • Problem-solving skills to handle unexpected situations or emergencies that may arise during the tour.
  • Fluency in multiple languages can be a significant advantage, enhancing the ability to communicate with tourists from various parts of the world.
  • Time management skills to ensure that the tour adheres to the planned schedule, balancing the need to be informative and enjoyable with the need to be prompt and efficient.

Tour Guide Experience Requirements

Experience requirements for tour guides can vary widely based on the type of tours they are leading.

However, some general experience is usually required in customer service, public speaking, or related areas.

Entry-level candidates may be required to have 1 to 2 years of experience in a customer-facing role, such as working in a hotel, restaurant, or retail environment.

They may also gain relevant experience through internships or part-time roles at museums, historical sites, or tourism companies.

Candidates with over 3 years of experience often have developed their skills in communication, crowd management, and first aid.

They have likely worked in a variety of tour guiding roles, such as city tours, nature tours, or historical site tours.

Those with more than 5 years of experience have usually honed their expertise in a specific type of tour or location and may be ready for a role as a senior guide or tour director.

They may also have experience creating and planning tours, managing other guides, or working in a supervisory role in the tourism industry.

In addition to job experience, many tour guides also have a background in fields such as history, geography, or a foreign language, depending on the specific requirements of the tour.

Many also have professional certifications from recognized tourism or guiding associations.

Tour Guide Education and Training Requirements

Tour Guides generally require a high school diploma or equivalent qualification, although a bachelor’s degree in a field such as history, archaeology, or tourism management can be highly beneficial.

They should have a strong knowledge of the areas and sites they guide visitors through, which is often gained through on-the-job training or previous experience in a similar role.

In-depth knowledge of a foreign language can be a significant advantage in this field, especially for guides working in areas frequented by international tourists.

In many areas, tour guides must also obtain a license or certification, which usually involves passing an examination that tests their knowledge of the area and its history.

Some tour guides may also choose to obtain a certification from an organization such as the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations or the National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, which can enhance their credibility and increase their employment opportunities.

Continuous learning is critical for tour guides, as they must keep up to date with new historical research, changes in local regulations, and trends in the tourism industry.

Tour Guide Salary Expectations

A Tour Guide can expect to earn an average wage of $13.27 (USD) per hour.

However, the actual earnings may differ depending on factors such as experience, the specific location of employment, and the company that they work for.

Tour Guide Job Description FAQs

What skills does a tour guide need.

A Tour Guide should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with a diverse group of people.

They should have a deep knowledge of the area or site they are guiding and be able to present information in an engaging and entertaining way.

They should also have problem-solving skills to handle any unexpected situations, and good physical stamina as the job often involves a lot of walking or standing.

Do Tour Guides need any specific qualifications?

While a degree is not strictly required to become a Tour Guide, having a qualification in a related field such as history, archaeology or travel and tourism could be beneficial.

Many employers prioritize experience and knowledge about the site or region over formal education.

However, some regions require Tour Guides to be licensed or certified, which could involve passing an exam or completing a training program.

What should you look for in a Tour Guide’s resume?

A good Tour Guide resume should showcase a deep knowledge of the area or site, and any relevant qualifications or certifications.

It should also show strong communication and customer service skills, and any experience in handling emergencies or unexpected situations.

Multilingual abilities can be a strong asset for Tour Guides, especially in areas frequented by international tourists.

What qualities make a good Tour Guide?

A good Tour Guide is passionate about their area or site and is enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge with others.

They are friendly, patient and have strong customer service skills, and can adapt their tours to suit the needs of different groups.

They are also dependable and can handle difficult situations calmly and efficiently.

Is it difficult to hire Tour Guides?

The difficulty in hiring Tour Guides often depends on the specific needs of the role.

For popular tourist locations that require a deep knowledge of the site or area, finding a qualified Guide can be challenging.

You may also need to consider language skills, as many tourists may not speak the local language.

Offering competitive pay, flexible hours and opportunities for further training can help attract qualified candidates.

And there we have it.

Today, we’ve journeyed through the intricate maze of what it means to be a tour guide .

Guess what?

It’s not just about pointing out landmarks.

It’s about weaving captivating stories, connecting cultures, and painting vivid pictures of history, one tour at a time.

With our handy tour guide job description template and real-life examples, you’re ready to take the next step.

But don’t stop just yet!

Venture further with our job description generator . It’s your go-to resource for crafting meticulous job listings or polishing your resume to perfection.

Every tour, every story, is a piece of the larger tapestry.

Let’s weave those tales. Together.

Reasons to Become a Tour Guide (Unleash Your Inner Storyteller!)

How to Become a Tour Guide (Complete Guide)

Disadvantages of Being a Tour Guide (Missing Personal Peace!)

Jobs That Kill: Professions With the Highest Mortality Rates

Easy Earnings: The Appeal of Low-Stress Work

Play for Pay: Fun Jobs That Will Make You Love Mondays

Stressful Beyond Words: Jobs That Challenge Every Fiber!

tour guide short description

The Editorial Team at InterviewGuy.com is composed of certified interview coaches, seasoned HR professionals, and industry insiders. With decades of collective expertise and access to an unparalleled database of interview questions, we are dedicated to empowering job seekers. Our content meets real-time industry demands, ensuring readers receive timely, accurate, and actionable advice. We value our readers' insights and encourage feedback, corrections, and questions to maintain the highest level of accuracy and relevance.

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The 8 Step Cheat Sheet for Writing a Tour Guide Job Description

By Kyla Steeves

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tour guide job description

Not having much luck with tour guide hiring ? Is your inbox full of resumes from applicants who seem like they’re just looking for a free ticket to your destination? Or do you often find yourself back at square one because your new hires tend to quit as soon as a better gig comes along?

Luck might not have anything to do with it; perhaps it’s all in your tour guide job description. You see, hiring great tour guides starts with attracting great tour guides. 

If your job posting places too much emphasis on the opportunity to “travel for a living,” you could end up with guides who act more like guests. On the other hand, if you include a super long list of responsibilities, you might turn away too many candidates, including the best of the best, because they think, “not enough tips can pay me to do all that.”

So, how do you write a tour guide job description that boosts your response quality? 

We’ll walk you through the steps! 

Not sure what to ask for the interview either? Grab our handy list of 147 questions for tour guides (with a bonus evaluation form)!

How to write a tour guide job description.

Before writing a tour guide job description, it’s a good idea to brainstorm initial questions an applicant may have about the role. Answering these upfront will give them everything they need to know before applying.

Here are some examples:

  • Is the job full-time, part-time, or seasonal?
  • What’s the wage? Will I get tips?
  • Is it okay if I have no tour guide work experience?
  • What types of tours will I get to lead?
  • What will a typical work day look like for me?
  • Will I need to do anything else on top of guiding?
  • What skills do I need to be successful in this role?
  • What language(s) do I have to speak fluently?
  • Do I need to have any tour guide certifications?
  • Is there an opportunity for advancement?
  • Will you pay for tour guide training programs ?
  • Why should I guide for your tour company?
  • How do I apply?

Male tour business owner writing a tour guide job description on notepad

Once you have a good list, work these answers into your tour guide job description by following these steps:

1. Pick the right job title

As guides scroll through listings, the first thing that’ll stand out to them is the job title. While it’s tempting to put something creative here, like “Experience Extraordinaire” or “ [Insert city] Interpreter” or “Adventure Guru,” stick with industry terms because that’s what they’ll use in their job search. In other words, treat your job title like a keyword. 

Of course, you can still set your job listing apart by including your niche. Instead of simply posting “Tour Guide,” you can get more specific by writing “Ghost Tour Guide” or “Chocolate Tasting Tour Guide” or “Safari Tour Guide.” This will also help narrow down applicants by attracting those who love spooky stories, have a sweet tooth, or care about wildlife conservation. 

2. Put salary information

The second thing most guides will look for in a job posting is the pay and hours of work. Since money is often a taboo topic, many companies avoid including the wage in the job listing, preferring to disclose this information in the offer or if asked in the interview. 

But here’s why you should be transparent. According to Undercover Recruiter , top candidates are selective in their job search, so compensation can make the job more attractive, giving them a compelling reason to spend time applying for the position. 

However, if you’re concerned the pay isn’t impressive enough, you can sweeten the deal by highlighting the job perks, such as a flexible schedule, paid vacation, average tips, fun team events, free lunches, room and board, or other seasonal employee benefits . 

Tour guide eating free lunch on hike as a benefit of the job

3. Start with a hook

Your first sentence has got to be attention-grabbing. The goal is to inspire a tour guide to apply right away by speaking to what they desire most out of a job. Is it getting the chance to act out different characters? Spend time on the water every day? Brag about the history of their city? Or make the mountains their office?

Sharing the number one benefit first can help reel them in and, better yet, help them remember why they applied in the first place once hired. So think of something that makes being a tour guide for your company the best job in the world , even when they have to deal with annoying tourists.

The best way to write a hook is to either frame it as a question like, “Do you know all the best places to eat in Vancouver?” Or paint a picture, “Imagine starting work every morning, feeling the ocean breeze on your face, knowing you’ll get to see a whale today.”

4. Market your tour company

When writing a tour guide job description, a common misconception is that it’s all about making candidates consider why they’d be right for the position. While that’s significant, it’s also important to emphasize why your tour company is a great place to work. 

After all, what’s going to motivate a tour guide to apply? An overwhelming list of duties they can start dreading already? Or knowing they’ll get the chance to work for an awesome tour company they can be proud to tell people about? It’s a no-brainer!

So if you want to make a tour guide excited to join your team, tell them a bit more about your tour company by sharing:

  • The kinds of tours you offer 
  • Where you take guests (points of interest)
  • Your passions and core values 
  • How you make your destination a better place

Female bringing baby turtles to ocean as one of her tour guide job responsibilities

5. Give a brief overview 

After introducing your company, explain how they’ll fit into the picture as a tour guide. This section of the tour guide job description is usually one to four sentences long, which focuses mainly on your overall company objective and what part the tour guide will play. 

Instead of getting right into the day-to-day, answer one of the following questions:

  • How will the tour guide contribute to the guest experience?
  • What responsibility will they have representing your destination?
  • How will they directly influence tourism in a good way?

If you focus more on the impact than the work itself, you’ll naturally create meaning and purpose behind the role of a tour guide , and ultimately, encourage those who align with your mission to apply.  

6. List tour guide job responsibilities

Of course, a tour guide will still want to know what a typical workday will look like for them. Not only does it inform them about the activities you expect them to perform so they can decide if they’re competent, but it also gives them an idea of whether they’ll enjoy their everyday tasks. 

But don’t just write a long, boring list. Similar to the job overview, you should angle the responsibilities to be outcome-oriented. That way, you show significance behind the efforts, helping to fuel an enthusiastic mindset from the get-go.

See the difference?

  • Greet and welcome tour groups
  • Greet tour groups to make them feel welcome 

Also, try sticking with five to eight key responsibilities of a tour guide by order of importance to keep the list concise and easy to scan. 

Female tour guide greeting a tour group in Russia for tour guide work experience

7. Include tour guide work experience

One thing you’ll want to remember when detailing your top 10 characteristics of a great tour guide is that unicorns don’t exist. In fact, the more indispensable requirements you list, the fewer applications you’ll get from underrepresented talent. For instance, women typically won’t apply for a job unless they’re 100% qualified . 

So, stay realistic. Instead of conjuring up a dream tour guide, think of the skill requirements more as nice-to-haves and only list the ones that matter most to you. That is unless you need specific certifications or licenses. Then, of course, include that. 

This is also the perfect opportunity to emphasize growth. If you accept entry-level guides, reassure them that you provide on-the-job training. And if you’re looking for someone with more experience, share how you can support taking them to the next level. 

8. Spell out the next steps

Tour guides can easily navigate through a city, but they might get a little lost on what to do next in the application process if you don’t make it straightforward for them.

So make sure to detail:

  • What you expect: a resume, cover letter, and proof of certification
  • How to apply: phone, email, or in-person
  • Who to address: yourself or a hiring manager
  • When to submit: a deadline to create urgency

What is a good tour guide job description?

Before we dive into an example, here are a few tips to keep in mind for writing a better tour guide job description:

  • Make it easy to read: one big blob of text will turn away candidates right away. Break it up into headings, short paragraphs, and lists
  • Write in the second person: use the pronoun “you” to help tour guides see themselves in the role when reading the job description
  • Avoid superlatives: remove gender bias by steering clear of over-the-top language, like “rock star,” “ninja ,” or “world-class” 
  • Get another pair of eyes: ask one of your current guides to review the description and give their input as they know the job to a tee

Back view of female tour guide looking at view of Barcelona City

Okay, now let’s see everything come together!

Snorkel Tour Guide 

Can you imagine swimming with thousands of leopard sharks daily? Join Salty Stew’s Adventures and lead snorkel tours in the La Jolla Shores of San Diego during leopard shark season from June to September. You might even get to name a few pups!

Operating for over 20 years, Salty Stew’s Adventures has been exploring the rocky reefs, underwater canyons, and magical sea caves of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve and Underwater Park with guests from all over the world by providing sea kayak tours, snorkel tours, and rentals. 

Made up of passionate ocean advocates, we are committed to preserving the local coastal environment and educating visitors about California marine life. As a Snorkel Tour Guide, you’ll get the unique opportunity to inspire people to care about shark conservation as they encounter the friendliest sharks of the sea on our Leopard Shark Snorkel Tour. 

What you’ll do:

  • Give brief lessons about the migration patterns and breeding behavior of leopard sharks to emphasize their importance in the ecosystem
  • Teach guests the fundamentals of snorkeling to ensure they have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable time
  • Contribute to our positive reviews by showing the best snorkeling spots and pointing out various species of reef fish 
  • Encourage guests to participate in protecting the new home of leopard shark pups by collecting any trash they see
  • Support monitoring and conservation efforts by writing a daily report about your observations 

Who you are:

  • An outdoor enthusiast with interest in marine life
  • A strong swimmer who’s comfortable in the ocean (lifeguard experience is a plus!)
  • Enthusiastic, engaging, and friendly 
  • Confident in public speaking and customer service 
  • Willing to work weekends and holidays
  • Has CPR and First Aid certification 

Why work for us:

  • Keep 100% of your tips on top of your wage
  • Get on-the-job training with the opportunity to lead advanced kayak and snorkel tours as you gain more experience
  • Hang out with the team at Bart’s Pub every Monday night for Music Bingo (wings are on us!)
  • Explore the La Jolla coast in your free time with a 50% discount on our snorkel, kayak, and SUP board rentals

Seasonal, full-time

$16/hour, plus tips!

8 hour shifts, weekends 

How to apply: 

If you want to join a tight-knit team of ocean lovers, please send your resume and cover letter to Daryl Johnson at [email protected] before April 1st.

Male tour guide snorkelling by reef

Where to put the tour guide job posting

Okay, your tour guide job description is ready to go. You’ve read it out loud, passed it through a spell check, and even had one of your tour guides give it a once-over. Now what? Do you post it on every job board to get as many bites as possible? That’s probably not the best idea.

To save yourself time — and get more intentional responses — first ask yourself the following questions:

  • Where does the industry have the most luck? (You can ask fellow tour operators in the Tourpreneur Facebook Group for advice)
  • What places have you found success with candidates before?
  • Where does your ideal tour guide hang out online?
  • Do you have the budget to pay for a premium posting?

Here are some ideas if you need a little help:

If you’re looking for…

  • The most responses: try the main job listing sites, such as LinkedIn , Indeed , Workopolis , and even Craigslist
  • Multilingual speakers: target travelers from other countries who want to work overseas on sites like GoAbroad , Travel Massive , and Easy Expat (these are also great sites if you’re specifically looking for fluent English speakers)
  • The best in class: connect with TripSchool , International Tour Management Institute , or the Pathways Project for graduates who are trained and ready to put their learnings into action
  • Natural entertainers: reach out to local community theatres, improv classes, comedy clubs, or even post a job on Playbill 
  • Seasonal guides: go for the high school or college crowd by asking if you can put up a job flyer on campus bulletin boards or nearby coffee shops
  • Passionate hobbyists: pay someone to do what they love by dropping a comment in local Facebook groups that are relevant to your niche (with permission)

Final thoughts

Crafting a compelling tour guide job description is just the first step. What comes next is the hiring process. Whether you conduct a phone screening or jump right to the in-person interview, you’ll need to brainstorm the best questions to help you widdle down your top candidates for the perfect fit.

Not sure what to ask during the interview?

tour guide short description

Download our 147 Questions to ask Tour Guides!

Know what to ask to get the right hire — every time.

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What does a tour guide do?

Would you make a good tour guide? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.

What is a Tour Guide?

A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels. Their primary role is to enhance the travel experience by sharing knowledge and insights about the destinations, attractions, and cultural aspects of the places being visited. Tour guides are well-versed in the history, geography, culture, and traditions of the locations they cover, and they use their expertise to educate and entertain the tourists.

Tour guides are responsible for organizing and leading tours, ensuring that the itinerary is followed, and the group stays on schedule. They may work in various settings, including cities, historical sites, natural landscapes, or cultural landmarks. During tours, guides provide commentary, answer questions, and engage with the tourists, creating an interactive and immersive experience. They may also assist with logistical matters, such as arranging transportation, coordinating entry to attractions, and recommending places to eat or shop.

What does a Tour Guide do?

An animated tour guide giving a group of visitors information about the area they are in.

Tour guides bring destinations to life by providing valuable expertise and insights. While guidebooks and online resources can offer information, tour guides offer a unique and personalized experience that cannot be replicated.

Duties and Responsibilities Tour guides have a range of duties and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for tourists. Some of the key responsibilities include:

  • Planning and organizing: Tour guides research and plan tour itineraries, considering factors such as the duration of the tour, the interests of the group, and the availability of attractions. They arrange transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary permits or tickets, ensuring that everything is well-coordinated.
  • Providing information and commentary: A primary role of tour guides is to offer informative and engaging commentary about the destinations being visited. They share historical facts, cultural insights, and interesting anecdotes to educate and entertain tourists. Guides should have a deep understanding of the locations, including their history, architecture, local customs, and traditions.
  • Leading tours and managing groups: Tour guides are responsible for leading the group throughout the tour. They ensure that the group stays together, follows the itinerary, and adheres to any safety guidelines. Guides should have good organizational and leadership skills to manage groups of varying sizes and diverse backgrounds.
  • Assisting with logistics: Tour guides handle practical aspects of the tour, such as coordinating transportation between sites, arranging entry to attractions, and managing timing to optimize the itinerary. They provide directions, answer questions, and offer recommendations for meals, shopping, and other activities.
  • Ensuring safety and security: Guides prioritize the safety and security of the tourists. They inform the group about potential risks or hazards, and they take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or incidents. In emergency situations, guides should be prepared to provide assistance and follow appropriate protocols.
  • Interacting and engaging with tourists: Tour guides create a welcoming and interactive environment for tourists. They foster a positive and friendly atmosphere, encourage questions, and actively engage with the group. Guides should be approachable and adaptable, catering to the needs and interests of the tourists.
  • Resolving issues and addressing concerns: Tour guides act as a point of contact for tourists, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the tour. They handle complaints, resolve conflicts, and provide assistance or alternative solutions when needed.
  • Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism: Guides play a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism practices. They educate tourists about local customs and cultural sensitivities, encourage respectful behavior towards local communities and the environment, and advocate for sustainable travel practices.

Types of Tour Guides There are various types of tour guides, each specializing in different areas and catering to specific types of tours. Here are some common types of tour guides and a brief description of what they do:

  • City Tour Guides: City tour guides specialize in providing tours within a specific city or urban area. They are well-versed in the history, architecture, landmarks, and culture of the city. Their role is to guide tourists through popular attractions, historical sites, and local neighborhoods, offering insights and commentary along the way.
  • Cultural Tour Guides: Cultural tour guides focus on highlighting the cultural aspects of a destination. They provide in-depth knowledge about local traditions, customs, festivals, and arts. These guides may accompany tourists to museums, art galleries, cultural events, or religious sites, helping them understand and appreciate the cultural significance of these places.
  • Ecotourism Guides : Ecotourism guides are responsible for designing and planning itineraries that are environmentally and culturally responsible, researching the destination, developing educational materials, preparing necessary equipment, and coordinating logistics such as transportation, accommodation, and meals.
  • Adventure Tour Guides: Adventure tour guides lead tours focused on outdoor activities and adventure sports such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or skiing. They possess skills and knowledge in the specific activities offered, ensuring the safety of participants while providing guidance and instruction. Adventure guides may take tourists to remote and challenging locations, coordinating logistics and providing a thrilling experience.
  • Historical Tour Guides: Historical tour guides specialize in providing detailed insights into the history of a destination. They are knowledgeable about specific historical periods, events, and significant landmarks. These guides often work in historical sites, monuments, or archaeological sites, sharing historical context and stories that bring the past to life for tourists.
  • Specialized Tour Guides: Specialized tour guides cater to niche interests or specific types of tours. Examples include food tour guides who focus on culinary experiences, wine tour guides who provide expertise on vineyards and wine tasting, or art tour guides who lead tours in museums and art galleries, offering interpretations of artworks.

Are you suited to be a tour guide?

Tour guides have distinct personalities . They tend to be social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if tour guide is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Tour Guide like?

The workplace of a tour guide can be quite diverse and dynamic, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. One aspect of their workplace involves cultural and urban settings. City tour guides, for instance, operate within bustling cities, leading tourists through streets, squares, and iconic landmarks. They may work in vibrant neighborhoods, historic districts, or cosmopolitan areas, immersing tourists in the local culture and urban atmosphere. These guides navigate through crowded streets, interact with locals, and provide insights into the city's history, architecture, and vibrant lifestyle. They may also lead tours in museums, art galleries, or cultural centers, where they can showcase the city's artistic and cultural offerings.

Another significant aspect of a tour guide's workplace is outdoor settings. Nature and wildlife tour guides find themselves working in breathtaking natural landscapes, such as forests, mountains, or coastal areas. These guides lead groups on hikes, nature walks, or wildlife safaris, sharing their knowledge about the local flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Their workplace is characterized by stunning scenery, serene environments, and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. Adventure tour guides also operate in outdoor settings, taking tourists on thrilling activities like rafting, rock climbing, or skiing. They work in adventurous and often remote locations, ensuring the safety of participants while providing an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Additionally, the workplace of a tour guide can extend to various modes of transportation. They may lead tours on buses, boats, trains, or even walking tours, utilizing different forms of transportation to explore diverse attractions and destinations. This allows guides to provide a comprehensive experience, showcasing various facets of a region while offering comfort and convenience to tourists.

Tour Guides are also known as: Tourist Guide

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“Tour Guide Job Description”

Table of contents, tour guide job description, responsibilities, requirements and skills.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the role of a Tour Guide. In this post, we’ll explore the Tour Guide job description, key responsibilities, and the essential qualifications and skills required for success in this role.

Tour Guide includes:

  • Lead and conduct guided tours for tourists and visitors at various locations.
  • Provide historical and cultural information about the tour destinations.
  • Ensure the safety and comfort of tour participants throughout the excursion.
  • Plan and organize tour itineraries, including transportation and accommodations.
  • Interact with tourists, answer questions, and create an engaging and informative tour experience.
  • Maintain knowledge of local attractions, landmarks, and points of interest.
  • Handle emergency situations and provide first-aid assistance when necessary.
  • Collect and manage tour fees, tickets, and related paperwork.

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  • High school diploma or equivalent; a degree in tourism or related field is a plus.
  • Proven experience as a Tour Guide or in a customer-facing role.
  • Excellent communication and public-speaking skills.
  • Knowledge of multiple languages is an advantage, especially in multicultural tourist destinations.
  • Ability to adapt to different audiences and provide an enjoyable and educational experience.

The role of a Tour Guide is essential in enhancing the travel experience of tourists and ensuring they have a memorable and educational visit to various destinations. Tour Guides play a vital part in promoting tourism and preserving cultural heritage.

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Portobello Institute

What are the duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide?

tour guide short description

Being a tour guide is no mere profession—it's a commitment to education, a dedication to engagement, and a passion for sharing one's surroundings with the world. It's about striking the balance between historian, educator, and companion.

But what exactly does the 'job description' entail? Let's map out the adventurous landscape of a tour guide's duties and responsibilities. 1. Research, Research, Research! Before you charm your audience with tales and trivia, you've got to know your stuff. Dive deep into the history, culture, and stories of the places you're showcasing. Remember, every cobblestone might have a tale to tell. 2. Plan the Perfect Itinerary Crafting a tour is like arranging a melody. You'll decide the stops, the highlights, the duration, and the pace. Your goal? A seamless, engaging experience from start to finish. 3. Safety First As the captain of the ship, the safety and well-being of your crew (read: tourists) is paramount. This means knowing the ins and outs of your route, being prepared for emergencies, and always having a Plan B. 4. Be the Storyteller Your tourists aren't just looking for facts—they're craving stories, emotions, and memories. Weave tales that transport them through time and space. Your narrative can turn a mere statue into a legendary hero. 5. Customer Service Maestro From answering endless questions to handling the occasional hiccup, you're the go-to person for your group. It's your duty to ensure everyone feels heard, valued, and taken care of. 6. Adapt and Overcome Rain pouring down during your outdoor tour? A sudden roadblock on your planned route? A tour guide is always on their toes, ready to adapt, improvise, and ensure the show goes on. 7. Promote Local Businesses Part of your role is also to boost local commerce. Recommending that quaint café around the corner or the artisan shop down the lane not only enhances the tourist experience but also supports local communities. 8. Feedback Loop An astute tour guide values feedback. It's how you refine, improve, and elevate your tours. Encourage tourists to share their thoughts and always be open to constructive criticism. 9. Stay Updated From local events to new historical discoveries, a tour guide is always learning. It ensures your tours remain fresh, relevant, and exciting. 10. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy Last, but by no means least, a tour guide is the embodiment of energy and enthusiasm, combined with the empathy to understand and cater to diverse tourists.

Read More: What are the essential skills for tour guides? Being a tour guide isn't just about knowing the way; it's about paving the way for unforgettable experiences.

It's a role that blends research, storytelling, management, and sheer passion. So, if you've got a penchant for history, a flair for drama, and a heart that loves to meet new people, you're on the right path. Adventure awaits!

Read More:   Discover Tour Guiding as a Profession: A World Full of Travel, Joy and Endless Opportunities

Portobello Institute's QQI Level 6 Tour Guide course allows you to train and qualify as a national tourist guide.

If you are interested in choosing the course for the career you want, you can  book a consultation call  with our expert Travel & Tourism advisor Brandon McLean,  email  [email protected]  or call 01 892 0035. 

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Tour Guide Job Description Template

Adrienne Smith

What Does a Tour Guide Do?

Tour guides plan and implement scheduled activities for guests at an establishment or on a tour. They curate a standard itinerary, making minor adjustments based on the group’s demographic and preferences. Tour guides inform tourists about a location’s common practices, history, and prohibited acts.

Tour Guide Job Overview

In the tour guide role, you will educate local and foreign tourists about the location’s interesting facts, stories, and general policies. You will also be responsible for the tour’s safety and security. Success in this role will be determined by your ability to entertain tourists and keep them engaged with a preordained schedule of activities.

Tour Guide Driver Job Responsibilities and Duties

  • Welcomes tourists to the area
  • Stays up-to-date with current events related to assigned area
  • Maintains knowledge of assigned locations
  • Briefs tourists on local dos and don’ts
  • Creates and modifies the tour’s itinerary
  • Schedules activities and site visits
  • Makes reservations when necessary
  • Prepares required materials and props to make storytelling more engaging
  • Shares stories and facts about the location

Tour Guide Driver Job Requirements

  • High school diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferred
  • Minimum 1 year in customer service
  • Proficiency in multiple languages in addition to English is preferred 
  • Physically able to walk and stand for long periods
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Great storyteller
  • Creative thinker and capable of improvisation
  • Highly organized

Are you looking to start your hiring process today? Comeet can help. Check out our pricing plans  to learn more about how we can redefine the way you recruit new talent.

Similar job titles include:

  • Food Expeditor Job Description Template
  • Chef Job Description Template
  • Food Server Job Description Template
  • Shift Manager Job Description Template
  • Flight Attendant Job Description Template

Adrienne Smith

Adrienne Smith

Adrienne Smith is a content strategy consultant working with high-growth businesses on their brand messaging, content strategy, and content creation. A digital nomad, she's exploring the world's cultures and cuisines as she works.

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Job Summary:

The Tour Guide will lead tours and provide information to individuals and groups on assigned attractions and areas of interest.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Duties/responsibilities:.

  • Greets and registers guests; distributes any required identification badges or safety devices.
  • Plans expeditions, instruction, and appropriate commentary based on environmental conditions and clients skills and ability levels.
  • Provides guests and visitors with initial safety and administrative information and direction.
  • Conducts tour or excursion while providing interesting and entertaining information about popular locations or specific points of interest.
  • Retells and relays important or interesting historical facts, dates, and anecdotes.
  • Engages wit and charm to enhance the guest experience.
  • Tailors tour content to the age and interest of guests and visitors.
  • Facilitates rich discussions that maintain visitors interest.
  • Maintains compliance with all applicable safety practices, environmental regulations, and establishment policies.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to facilitate conversations and stimulate large groups on long trips.
  • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
  • Thorough understanding and knowledge of tour area including information related to its history, geography, scenic attractions, or other areas of interest.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to provide tours that are clear, informative, and entertaining.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills with proven ability to improvise when unexpected problems or emergencies arise.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Successful completion of on-the-job training required.
  • Necessary licensing required.

Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged periods standing and walking.
  • Physically able to speak for long periods of time while walking without becoming winded.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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9 tips for writing the perfect tour description for your travel business

How to write description for tours and travels

By Rezdy — 26 Aug 2018

copywriting   tour description

Updated December 2021 – While surfing the web, travelers are often bombarded with information about any given destination. A quick Google search of “things to do in Sydney” or “things to do in New York” for example,  will yield thousands of results, and it can quickly become overwhelming. In your tour business, your goal is to attract potential customers to your website and subsequently convert them into paying guests who attend your experience. By typing up the perfect description of tours and travels your business offers, it will help in helping customers during their decision-making process 

By writing a compelling and engaging tour description within your business, you’ll be able to increase your bookings in no time. All while creating a personal connection with your customers. In this article, we’ve detailed out 9 key tips to remember when writing a tour description. By following these tips, you’ll be able to convey your message even clearer and convince customers to book through you.

9 tips for writing the perfect description for tours and travels

So, let’s find out what the 9 key tips are for writing the perfect tour description.

1. Find your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Finding your USP is essential in writing the perfect tour description

Competition is only natural within the experiences industry. With so many other businesses providing similar tours and activities, it’s sometimes hard to stand out from your competitors. On the other hand, having so many similar options available at once may be overwhelming for many customers. Most of the time, customers want to quickly understand what makes one service different from the others. Having a clear differentiation, allows them to make a swift and efficient booking.

You can help your customers by promoting your business’s unique selling proposition. 

Unique selling proposition (USP) is a term used in marketing that indicates specialties your business offers that make you stand out from your competition. By having a unique selling proposition, you’re able to leverage your business by giving customers an experience they won’t be able to find elsewhere.

Your USP should showcase your strengths and advantages effectively, however, your USP should be uniquely valuable for your customers. By simply being “unique” won’t add that valuable element your customers seek. You have to differentiate around some aspect your target audience cares about, otherwise your messaging won’t be nearly as effective.

A compelling USP is:

  • Flaunted with evidence: Simply stating that your tours are “heaps of fun” may work for a few people, but proving and showing evidence that your activities are heaps more fun than your competitors will most likely capture bookings. You can achieve this by showcasing your reviews, adding quality photos and videos, and writing an engaging tour description.
  • Customer-focused: Promoting your USP won’t be effective if it doesn’t align with your customer’s value. Try to perform surveys and research your target audience to find out what their values are. Whether that be price-focused, social issues, or flexibility, finding out what your customers value, will help you find your USP.
  • Featured in the fine print: While taglines may be one way to communicate your USP, your USP should also be reflected in all areas of our business. Feature it within your policies, your “About Us” page, your descriptions, and more.

2. Find a persona for your tour description

Target a specific persona before you begin writing. For example, if you are a company that provides kayak tours to experienced adventurers, then develop a persona that addresses your target audience. It might be an open-minded person who has the necessary skills to kayak and enjoys the thrill of a new experience. You need to think about who will most likely book your tour business, think about your ideal customers, and break up the details of your tour description for a persona that identifies with that audience.

3. Make an easy to read description for tours and travels

Make sure your tour description is easy to read by:

  • Avoiding long, wordy sentences that can be cumbersome; 
  • Making every word count, and choosing powerful action verbs to describe the experience;
  • Instead of writing a paragraph about each tour that you offer, create several bullet points. Bullet points are easier to scan through and will allow you to keep your reader’s attention.

4. Tone of Voice

Choose a tone of voice, and remain consistent throughout your website. Some tour operators want to maintain a corporate presence, and therefore should adopt a professional tone of voice . A smaller, local business might be more interested in connecting with their customers on a personal level. They may choose to use description styles with a tone of voice that is light-hearted with a dash of humor. Either way, a consistent tone of voice is key to telling your story.

Discover your tone of voice when writing description for tours and travels

5. Be persuasive yet straight to the point

Be sure to outline the benefits of booking with your activity experience. If your business focuses on winery tours in the local wine-growing region, then be sure to explain what each unique offering is about. Avoid vague descriptions such as “Our day-long wine tour takes you to several wineries in the area.” Instead, provide additional details and throw in the benefits of booking this tour: “Our 8-hour wine tour takes you to 5 different local wineries, where you will sample delectable wines and snack on delicious cheese.”

6. Don’t share too many straight away

Being bombarded by the endless options of tours and activities your business offers may be too overwhelming for many customers. Not only that, it distracts your customers from the experiences they’re really after and as a result, may lead them not to follow through with the booking.

Likewise, strategically designing your website so that customers aren’t bombarded with options would be the best move. An effective method is to segregate the different tours and activities into categories. For example, if you’re a water sports operator that offers an array of different water activities for singles, couples, groups, and families, it’s best to select the top 4 to 6 activities for each audience and expand on it. By categorizing your activities, people will find it easier to navigate through your website and will be able to read a detailed description of each activity. Don’t forget to add photos and videos to complement the description.

7. Optimize your content

Optimize your content with relevant keywords, but do so in a natural way. Keywords might include the activity you offer, the name of your city, and any phrases your customers might use while searching for activities. If you can place your keywords naturally in the copy, not only will it capture your highlights but it will quickly optimize your site for search engines too. You also can add keywords into subheadings and image file names to include additional keywords for SEO and therefore increase your rankings in the search results.

For more tips and tricks on how to optimize your website and content, click here .

8. Add photos and visuals to complement your tour description

It’s no secret that photos and visuals are an effective way to draw people’s attention. People love to view photos of tours they’re about to experience as it helps them visualize the tours and activities. Featuring quality photos and videos to your description for tours and travels will only help people visualize and envision the description they just read.

9. Check your grammar and spelling

Clear grammar and spelling don’t only help people read and understand your descriptions easier, but it also adds an element of professionalism to your brand. Poor grammar and spelling on your website may come across as unprofessional and sloppy. As a result, it may decrease your brand’s value within your customer’s eyes. This could lead to a loss of potential bookings. Having clear grammar and spelling allows people to put their trust in your business. It shows that you pay attention to detail, especially when your tours and activities require a high level of safety.

When writing your description for tours and travels , it’s recommended that you type it out with the help of an online grammar checker. Apps like Grammarly are a great tool to help you stay on top of your grammar and spelling.

Once you have mastered the art of writing a compelling tour description, you’ll see that you’ll have fewer inquiries. Clear descriptions reduce the chances of your customers asking for more details of a particular tour and activity. Ultimately, capturing more bookings.

Once you start capturing more bookings, the best thing you can do is invest in an online booking software . A software like Rezdy is specifically built for tour operators like you. It helps you easily manage bookings by showcasing real-time availability, automatically updating manifests, and allowing customers to make secure payments. At the same time, Rezdy also offers a one-click website builder that makes it easier for tour operators to edit and update their photos and descriptions.

Curious to see whether Rezdy is right for you? Start a FREE 21-day trial or book a free demo today.

If you enjoyed this article then make sure to follow the Rezdy blog . There are a lot of marketing tools and tour operator tips designed with businesses like yours in mind.

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How To Write a Tour Description (Step-by-Step Example)

By Kyla Steeves

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Why is it that when someone asks about a tour over the phone, you can explain it in a way that makes them enthusiastic about booking, but as soon as you sit down to write a tour description, your mind goes blank?

You just can’t seem to translate that excitement into words. 

Don’t be hard on yourself; writing a description for tours and travel is notoriously tricky, even for experienced copywriters. How do you possibly describe an abstract experience to someone who’s never visited your destination before? Try to fit all the information they need to know into a single paragraph? While still persuading them to book?

Here’s the good news. The more tour descriptions you write, the better you’ll get at it, and you’ll start to learn what works as you increase conversion rates . But until you get up to speed, you might find it helpful to have a tour description example to work off of. 

If that’s the case, let’s workshop one together as I teach you a few insider copywriting tricks you can apply to both your tour descriptions on your website and online travel agent (OTA) listings today. 

An okay tour description example

Our award-winning coffee tour offers guests an inside look into traditional sustainable farming in Panama and its impact on the coffee industry. We’ve carefully designed this tour to show visitors every stage of the production process, from growing to roasting. Our guides are knowledgeable locals who lead a walk-through of a scenic farm, explain how the slopes of Volcan Baru make some of the world’s best coffee and show how to brew a delicious cup. We also provide free hotel pick-up and drop-off, bottled water, and a custom bag of whole beans to take home. 

How do you write a tour description that’s better?

Female tour operator sitting at a cafe, drinking coffee, learning how to write a tour description that sells

1. Speak to your audience

A tour description is not the place to boast — that’s for writing an About Us page . Your potential customers won’t care about how many awards your tour has won or what inspired you to create the tour. The only thing on their mind is what’s in it for them.

Before you even start writing a tour description, you need to figure out who you’re targeting; better put, who is your ideal guest? Once you have that answer, you can learn how to speak directly to them with a tone of voice they can relate to while highlighting exactly what they’re looking for.

Then, using the You Rule , you can write for that one person, which means instead of using the words “we” or “our,” you flip the script to support a “you” or “your” message. This makes the tour description more of a casual conversation, like chatting with them in-person or over the phone, helping to build a personal connection online.

Revision #1

Get an inside look into traditional sustainable farming and its impact on the coffee industry. You’ll learn about every stage of the production process, from growing to roasting, by our local experts who’ll take you on a walk-through of a scenic farm, explain how the slopes of Volcan Baru make the world’s best coffee, and show you how to brew a delicious cup. You’ll also get free hotel pick-up and drop-off, bottled water, and a custom bag of whole beans to take home. 

Group of tourists going on a coffee tour in Panama

2. Start with a hook

Since a tour description is often your last chance to win someone over, your first sentence has got to be attention-grabbing. Like a headline, it needs to stand out, draw the visitor in, and encourage them to keep reading. And the best way to do that is to zero in on a particular feature of the experience and turn it into a hook.

How? By going beyond the obvious benefit and tapping into the emotional value. For instance, it’s one thing to say that a tour has small group sizes and another to point out why that matters on a personal level. If you can solve what that is for your target guest, you’ll know how to talk to their heart and not their wallet, making the tour irresistible.

To come up with a hook, read your recent reviews to see what previous guests liked most about the tour and why. When you notice a trend, that’s what you should focus on as your leading benefit, keeping in mind the exact phrasing they use to make your hook more specific and relatable. 

If you are just starting out and don’t have any reviews yet, you can always break down the unique selling points of your tour using a similar table below, making sure to ask the million-dollar question, “so what?” to dig deeper into why guests will care.

Then, pick the best one. 

spreadsheet columns showing breakdown of selling point features benefits and value

Revision #2

Love your morning cup of joe even more by discovering what goes into a satisfying brew on a coffee tour. You’ll learn about every stage of the production process, from growing to roasting, by our local experts who’ll take you on a walk-through of a real farm, explain how the slopes of Volcan Baru make the world’s best coffee, and show you how to brew a delicious cup. You’ll also get free hotel pick-up and drop-off, bottled water, and a custom bag of whole beans to take home. 

3. Show, don’t tell

There’s a popular TikTok and Twitter trend right now called #TheTellMeChallenge, where people ask others to tell them about something, usually a topic they can relate to, without explicitly stating it. Like tell me you have kids without telling me you have kids. 

As fun as this new challenge is, there’s actually something you can learn from it when writing your tour and travel description or any marketing content for your business, and that is: show, don’t tell . 

People are tired of overused travel words from tour operators, such as unforgettable, picturesque, hidden gem, must-see, etc. They’ve completely lost their meaning and impact and often get filtered out by the reader as fluff. On top of that, anyone can say their tour is terrifying or relaxing or exciting without justification. 

Instead, it’s much better to describe the tour in a way that elicits an emotional response rather than outright telling someone how to feel. You can do that by using more verbs than vague adjectives because verbs pull the reader into the action, especially if you use present tense to trick the brain into thinking the event is currently happening. 

Revision #3

Love your morning cup of joe even more by discovering what goes into a satisfying brew on a coffee tour. Stroll through the fields of a coffee farm in the Boquete highlands, plucking ripe berries with your own hands. Meet professional roasters and learn how to create a flavourful blend in a homemade roaster before tasting the difference between premium Geisha coffee and store-bought grinds. Get free hotel pick-up and drop-off, bottled water, and a custom bag of whole beans to take home. 

An elderly woman's hands picking coffee beans

4. Tell a story

Tour descriptions are different from product descriptions in that people aren’t only looking for certain features to compare across the board. Yes, they want to know what the main highlights are, but more so, they’re hoping to get an idea of what the tour will be like from start to finish. 

That’s because before they get to this point, it’s likely they’ve already visualized the type of experience they want to have based on stories from their favourite travel bloggers, recommendations from friends, and real-life advice in Tripadvisor forums. 

By setting a scene, you can bring the tour to life, helping to paint a picture in their head that’s similar to what they currently have in mind — or better. While also doing the impossible, making an intangible experience tangible by incorporating the magic of sensory words and vivid imagery. 

That said, if you aren’t the greatest storyteller, try consulting your guides, who are the experts and conveniently have the itinerary memorized. Simply ask them to describe the tour as a story, and depending on the length, summarize the key parts into 3-4 sentences.

Revision #4

Love your morning cup of joe even more by discovering what goes into a satisfying brew on a coffee tour. Stroll through the fields of a coffee farm on the slopes of Volcan Baru, hearing stories of farmers who’ve worked the land, growing premium Geisha coffee enriched by volcanic ash and lunar cycles. After plucking ripe, red berries with your own hands, you meet with professional roasters to create your own custom blend to take home before sipping an aromatic espresso with notes of mango on the open patio, admiring a panoramic view of the cloud-forest and the reddish-brown crema lining your cup. Can your coffee taste any better? Get free hotel pick-up and drop-off and bottled water. 

A male tour guide looking through the plants on a lust coffee plantation

5. Break up the details

At this point, you’re probably wondering when we’re going to get to the essential details. The description is already long enough; are we going to make it longer with more info?

Well, if you take a quick look at listings on OTA sites like Viator or GetYourGuide, you’ll see that they break up additional details using bullet points and clear section headings. Seeing as these global travel companies have an enormous booking volume, it’s safe to say that they’ve got the conversion data to back up this copywriting technique. 

Of course, it’s not hard to see why it works. Lists are easy to read compared to big, dense paragraphs. And since most website visitors are scanners, not readers, using bullet form in your booking page design can help them find what they need to know — faster. 

So, what details do you cover? 

Popular categories are What’s Included, What to Bring, Highlights, How to Get There, Cancellation Policy, and Safety Measures — you can use one or all depending on the type of tour. You can also answer questions you often get asked about your tours and activities, or at the very least, link to your FAQ page. 

Revision #5

Love your morning cup of joe even more by discovering what goes into a satisfying brew on a coffee tour. Stroll through the fields of a coffee farm on the slopes of Volcan Baru, hearing stories of farmers who’ve worked the land, growing premium Geisha coffee enriched by volcanic ash and lunar cycles. After plucking ripe, red berries with your own hands, you meet with professional roasters to create your own custom blend to take home before sipping an aromatic espresso with notes of mango on the open patio, admiring a panoramic view of the cloud-forest and reddish-brown crema lining your cup. Can your coffee taste any better? 

What’s Included:

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Bottled water
  • Sample bag of whole beans

Coffee farms showing how to process coffee beans as part of the tour description

6. Remember keywords

Whenever you write copy for your website, you have to remember that you’re not just writing for your visitors; you’re writing for Google. That means you should try to use every keyword opportunity possible for better on-page SEO (search engine optimization), especially when coming up with tour name ideas .

When it comes to your tour descriptions, your travel and tourism keywords will change per tour depending on the specific queries people use to find them in the first place. If you haven’t done keyword research before, you can start by simply entering one of your tours into Google and see what related searches come up at the bottom of the results page. 

Then, all you have to do is find instances where you say “tour” in the description and replace it with the popular search term instead. Doing this step last ensures your keywords fit naturally within the tour description, rather than being stuffed. 

The best description for tours and travel

Love your morning cup of joe even more by discovering what goes into a satisfying brew on a Boquete coffee tour. Stroll through the fields of a coffee farm on the slopes of Volcan Baru, hearing stories of farmers who’ve worked the land, growing premium Geisha coffee enriched by volcanic ash and lunar cycles. After plucking ripe, red berries with your own hands, you meet with professional roasters to create your own custom blend to take home before sipping an aromatic espresso with notes of mango on the open patio, admiring a panoramic view of the cloud-forest and reddish-brown crema lining your cup. Can your coffee taste any better? 

A female guest enjoying a cup of coffee overlooking a cloud-forest

Isn’t that much better? Doesn’t it make you want to book this tour right now?

Now, it’s your turn!

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How to write a tour description properly for your travel agency website (with examples)

How to Write a Tour Description For Your Website

A successful tour description takes a lot of effort to write. But it will reward you by attracting potential visitors and turning them into paid customers.

A well-written tour description provides essential information and sparks the imagination, making people eager to experience what you offer.

A visitor chooses to stay on your tour booking website or look into alternative possibilities based only on the tour description. Therefore, making the tour descriptions informative, attractive and precise is crucial.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to craft an engaging tour description and provide examples to illustrate each point. 

Table of Contents

What exactly is a tour description?

As the name implies, a tour description provides all the necessary information about the trip. Crafting a tour description the right way aids in converting site visitors into paying customers.

A tour description is like a detailed travel story. It’s the written piece that spills the beans about a specific tour or adventure you might want. You’ll usually find them available on websites, brochures, and flyers.

They can provide you with an inside taste of the tour. In short, a tour description is a piece of writing that summarizes the entire tour, focusing on the advantages and enticing readers to book the trip.

Think of it as offering a sneak peek into the tour and itinerary packages. A good tour description will spill the tea on the must-see places, the daily plan, what’s included (and what’s not), what makes this tour unique, and all the other nitty-gritty.

It’s like a teaser trailer for your travel dreams, aiming to make you say, “Yes, sign me up for this amazing experience”. To make your travel business website successful, creating a compelling tour description for your travel booking website can be a crucial initiative.

An example of a tour description of the African Wildlife Safari  

tour guide short description

African Adventure Safari: Explore the Untamed Wilderness

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as we take you deep into the heart of Africa’s untamed wilderness. 

Wildlife Encounters Like No Other

Imagine waking up to the symphony of the African bush, surrounded by the calls of lions, elephants, and a colorful array of birds. This safari will bring you up close and personal with the Big Five and countless other incredible creatures. Watch in amazement as giraffes gracefully wander by the place where zebras playfully graze.

Spectacular Scenery

The landscapes you’ll witness are straight out of a National Geographic documentary. From the vast Savannahs of the Serengeti to the breathtaking beauty of the Okavango Delta , every moment will leave you breathless. 

Sunset Safaris & Campfires

As the sun dips below the horizon, we’ll gather around crackling campfires, sharing stories under the star-studded African sky. It’s a magical way to end each day of exploration.

Camping with comfort

You don’t need to worry if you are far from home because our comfortable camps will give you the best experience of both sides of the world: the wild charm and comforts of home.

Expert Guides

Our local guides are passionate about the African wilderness and will share their knowledge, ensuring you leave not only with incredible memories but also a deeper understanding of this remarkable ecosystem.

A Journey of a Lifetime

This African Adventure Safari isn’t just a trip; it’s a life-changing experience. When you return home, your heart will appreciate the beauty and memories you made while adventuring the amazing landscapes. 

So, are you ready to dive on this unforgettable journey? Join us and become a part of the African story.

Book your spot now and let the wild adventure begin!

Pretty good, right? So, how to write an excellent tour description like this for your website? Let’s dive into the details.

How to properly write a tour description for your website

You can use the following guide to write a tour description that converts properly:

Know your audience

know your audience - how to write tour description

Before you start writing, it’s essential to know your target audience. It might sound a bit cliche, but knowing the people you want to attract to your tour packages is imperative. Knowing their interests, desires, and expectations will help you tailor your description to speak directly to them.

A thing to keep in mind is that you should always write for your readers by identifying their needs. You can identify the target market and tailor the packages to meet their needs.

For example , If your target audience is families looking for outdoor adventures, your tour description should highlight the fun and educational aspects that parents and kids will love.

Furthermore, use pronouns like “you” and “your” to sound more audience centric. Try not to use “we” and “our” type of pronouns. This is because when you sound audience centric, they feel more respected and may feel more inclined to your content.

It also helps you establish a more personal connection with your potential customers by making your tour description sound more conversational.

Start with a captivating hook

Start with a captivating hook

First impressions matter. Begin Your tour description with something that immediately grabs the reader’s attention- a catchy headline or an intriguing opening sentence.

Example: “Get Ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime: Explore the Mysteries of the Amazon Rainforest!” 

Set a tone and stick to it

Set a tone and stick to it

Maintain a particular voice tone throughout your tour explanation. The voice tone may change depending on the brand personality and the kind of tour package you are promoting.

For instance, comparatively larger tour operators frequently adopt a formal tone. While a smaller, locally focused business might adopt a more informal tone to establish a more personal connection with its clients,

Always shape the tone of your writing according to your target audience, as was mentioned in a previous example. 

Highlight what makes your tour package unique

Highlight what makes your tour package unique

Your tour description should answer the question: “Why should someone choose your tour package over others?” What makes your offering stand out? Showcase these unique features prominently.

For example , “Our Amazon Rainforest tour is an extraordinary journey through pristine, untouched areas, guided by local experts who’ll give you an authentic and immersive experience.”

Paint a vivid picture

Paint a vivid picture

Use descriptive language to transport your readers into the heart of the tour. Help them visualize the destination and imagine themselves participating in the activities.

For instance, “As you venture deep into the rainforest, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering trees draped in vibrant orchids, with sunlight filtering through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.”

Providing necessary tour details

In the world of tour descriptions, it’s not about painting dreamy landscapes with words. Practical information is the backbone of your description – it’s what helps your readers plan, prepare, and make informed travel decisions. 

You can consider the following tour details as an example:

Tour Destination: Kenya

Our 5-day wildlife safari in Kenya runs from October 10th to October 15th, 2023. 

The tour package costs $2,500 per person. All the visitors should meet at Nairobi Airport.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi and check in to your hotel.

Day 2: Explore Nairobi National Park.

Day 3: Begin the safari in Maasai Mara.

Day 4: Visit the National Museum of Kenya.

Day 5: Follow the Oloolua Nature Trail.

What to Pack:

Hiking boots, lightweight clothing, a warm jacket and a pair of binoculars.

Fitness Requirements:

  • This tour involves moderate hiking and requires a reasonable level of fitness.
  • Participants have to walk in uneven terrain for nearly 2 hours.

Accommodation:

You’ll stay in comfortable lodges and eco-friendly campsites, all carefully selected to dip you in the natural beauty of Kenya.

Transportation

Air-conditioned vans and scenic boat rides in waterways.

Emergency Contact 

Phone Number and email Address.

Showcase the benefits of your tour packages

Make sure to highlight the advantages and unique experiences your participants will gain, driving their decision to choose your tour package.

For example : “Our photography tour will ignite your passion for capturing the world’s beauty and take your photography skills to the next level.”

Build trust through testimonials and reviews

rating and review of hotel booking plugin

Frankly, there’s no marketing tool more powerful than the honest voices of your past participants. The reviews and testimonials will glimpse the real experiences of travelers participating in your tour business. 

For example , “Here’s what some of our recent travelers had to say about their adventures with us.”

Create urgency in your tour descriptions

Motivate your readers to take action by creating a sense of urgency. Mention limited availability or special offers to encourage them to book now.

For instance you can consider this copy, “Act fast – spots for our June tours are limited! Secure your place now and receive a complimentary rainforest survival guide.”

Call to Action

End your description with a clear and compelling call to action. Encourage readers to book the tours, get in touch for more details, or subscribe to your newsletter.

It can be like, “Ready to embark on this extraordinary journey? Book your Amazon Rainforest adventure today and let the wilderness captivate your soul.

Related article: How to create a hotel booking website with WordPress (The ultimate guide)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on writing tour descriptions

Question 1: What is the purpose of a tour description on a website?

Answer: A website’s tour description informs potential clients about a trip’s specifics, high points, and logistics, luring them to book or request more information.

Question 2: How long should a tour description be?

Answer: While there’s no definitive answer, we suggest keeping it brief, ideally between 200 and 500 words, and include just enough details to give the reader a flavor of the tour without boring them.

Question 3: What are the essential elements of a tour description?

Answer: Some of the essential elements of a tour description are the tour’s name, duration, highlights, schedule, cost, meeting location, inclusions, exclusions, and booking instructions are important details.

Question 4: How can I make my tour description engaging?

Answer: To convey a sense of adventure and excitement, use intriguing language, storytelling, and detailed descriptions. Highlight special benefits and experiences.

Question 5: Should I include images in my tour description?

Answer: Yes, adding great photographs or a gallery can improve the website’s aesthetic appeal and aid visitors in picturing the experience.

Question 6: Is mentioning the tour’s difficulty level or physical requirements important?

Answer: Yes, informing participants of the tour’s physical requirements is essential to ensuring their readiness.

Question 7: How can I convey the value of the tour to potential customers?

Answer: Outline the advantages and distinctive selling factors of the tour. Describe how it differs from competitors and why it is pricey.

Question 8: What should I do if my tour has multiple options or variations?

Answer: List all of the available choices, including ordinary and premium packages, and explain their distinctions.

Question 9: Should I include customer reviews or testimonials in the tour description?

Including gratifying client feedback or testimonials can increase credibility and foster confidence.

Question 10: What should I avoid in tour descriptions to make them more understandable?

Answer: Don’t use words or phrases that clients might not comprehend, such as jargon or technical terms. Avoid making inflated promises or claims as well.

Question 11: Is mentioning cancellation and refund policies in the tour description necessary ?

Answer: Yes, it is necessary. Meeting client expectations is important by being open and honest about cancellations and refund policies.

Question 12: Can I use humor in tour descriptions?

Answer: Humor can be useful, but use caution and ensure it fits your brand and the tastes of your target audience.

Question 13: How can I optimize tour descriptions for SEO?

Answer: Use pertinent keywords linked to your tour’s destination and activities to increase your website’s visibility in search engines.

Question 14: What should I do if I’m not a skilled writer?

Answer: To create captivating tour descriptions that effectively convey the essence of your offerings, think about working with a professional copywriter or editor.

Final thoughts

Crafting a captivating tour description for your travel agency website is an art form that can make all the difference in attracting potential travelers. Because it’s more than just relaying information; it’s a call of nature or a thrilling journey with your travel agency.

Remember, your tour description isn’t just words on a screen; it’s an invitation to explore the world and create lasting memories with unforgettable or surreal experiences. 

So, invest time and care to craft your words on properly writing a tour description for your website. Happy writing, and here’s to many incredible adventures ahead. 

There you have it! Stay tuned by subscribing to our newsletter to get more exciting news, offers, and articles right in your inbox. 

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How to write the tour description with real example

How to write the tour description Home

Table of Contents

A tour description is a way to inform your potential customers about the details of your tours. It is also a way to persuade them to book with you. Overall, it is your opportunity to showcase your unique selling points, highlight the benefits of your tours, and create a memorable impression on your readers.

This article will show you how to write effective tour descriptions that will boost your conversions and sales. We will guide you through the steps for writing a tour description, from choosing the right tone and language to structuring your content and adding a call to action. We will also provide you with an example tour description to use as a reference or inspiration.

If you want to learn how to write tour descriptions that sell, keep reading!

Steps for Writing a Tour Description

Now that you know why tour descriptions are important let’s see how you can write them. Writing a tour description is not as hard as it may seem if you follow some simple steps. Here are the main steps for writing a tour description to attract and convert your readers.

Determine the Purpose of the Tour

How to write the tour description Image 1

The first step for writing a tour description is to determine the tour’s purpose.

What are the tour’s key features? What makes it unique? What are the main benefits and value propositions of the tour? Why should someone choose your tour over other options? These are some of the questions you must answer before writing.

By defining the tour’s purpose, you can focus on the most relevant and appealing aspects of your tour and avoid unnecessary or boring details.

You will also be able to decide on the target audience for your tour. Who are you writing for? What are their needs, preferences, and expectations? What are their pain points and desires? Knowing your target audience, you can tailor your tour description to their interests and needs and use the right tone and language to connect with them.

Highlight the Tour Itinerary

tour guide short description

The next step for writing a tour description is highlighting the tour itinerary. This is where you provide an overview of your tour and what your customers can expect. You should list the major stops and attractions included in the tour and provide some brief information about each one.

You should also provide a timeline or schedule for the tour so that your customers can know how long each activity or destination will take. You don’t have to go into too much detail here, as you don’t want to overwhelm or bore your readers with too much information. You just want to give them a glimpse of what they will experience on your tour and spark their curiosity and excitement.

You can also use descriptive words and phrases to make your tour itinerary more vivid and engaging. For example, instead of saying, “Visit the Eiffel Tower”, you can say, “Marvel at the iconic Eiffel Tower and enjoy panoramic views of Paris”. This way, you will create a more emotional connection with your readers and make them imagine themselves on your tour.

Describe the Experience

How to write the tour description Image 3

Another step for writing a tour description is to describe the experience of the tour. This is where you use sensory language to describe the tour’s sights, sounds and smells. It will make your readers feel like they are there with you.

You should also include any special activities or experiences unique to your tour . They will show how they will enhance your customers’ enjoyment and satisfaction. For example, suppose your tour includes a wine-tasting session. In that case, you can describe how your customers will savor the flavors and aromas of different wines. And mention learning about the history and culture of wine-making.

By describing the experience of the tour, you will create a more immersive and memorable impression on your readers, and make them want to join your tour.

Share Background and Historical Information

How to write the tour description Image 4

The next step is to share some background and historical information about the destinations visited on the tour. This is where you provide interesting facts or historical background about the places and landmarks you will see on your tour and show how they relate to the theme or purpose of your tour.

You should also use storytelling techniques to engage the reader and make the tour come alive. For example, if your tour is about the French Revolution, you can tell stories about the events and people that shaped the history of France, and how they influenced the architecture and culture of Paris.

By sharing background and historical information, you will add more depth and context to your tour description, making it more informative and educational for your readers.

Use Attention-Grabbing Headlines and Bullet Points

tour guide short description

One of the most important steps for writing a tour description is to use attention-grabbing headlines and subheadings to break up the text and make it easier to read. Use headlines and subheadings that capture the main idea or benefit of each section, and make the reader curious and interested to read more.

You should also use bullet points to highlight your tour’s important features or selling points, and make them stand out from the rest of the text. Bullet points are a great way to summarize your tour’s key information and benefits. They will make them more visible and memorable for your readers. For example, you can use bullet points to list your tour’s main attractions, activities, or inclusions and show why they are worth booking.

Add Photos and Videos

How to write the tour description Image 6

The final crucial step for writing a tour description is to add high-quality photos and videos of the tour destinations and activities . Photos and videos help complement your written descriptions. They will give the reader a better sense of what to expect. They can also help you showcase the beauty and diversity of your tour locations and create a more emotional appeal for your readers.

You should use photos and videos that are relevant, clear, and attractive and that match the tone and style of your tour description. You should also use captions or descriptions to explain what the photos and videos show and how they relate to your tour. Adding photos and videos will make your tour description more visual and engaging and increase your chances of converting your readers into customers.

Are you ready to take your travel website to the next level? Harness the power of SEO and captivate your audience with compelling tour descriptions. Unlock the secrets of effective copywriting and drive more traffic to your website. With the “how to write the tour description” guide, tailored specifically for the TravelerWP WordPress travel theme , you’ll discover expert techniques to optimize your tour descriptions for search engines and entice potential customers.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your online presence and maximize your bookings. Get your copy now and start crafting irresistible tour descriptions that will make your travel business soar!

Example Tour Description

To help you understand how to write a tour description better, here is an example tour description from Paris City Vision, a leading tour operator in France. The tour description is for a 1-day Big Bus Paris hop-on hop-off tour , allowing you to explore Paris at your own pace and see the city’s main attractions. (For more detail, please open the link to read the full description.)

How to write the tour description Image 7

The tour description for the Big Bus Paris 1-day tour is a good example of how to write a tour description that is clear, concise, and informative. It does a great job of using attention-grabbing headlines and bullet points to break up the text. It also highlights the main features and benefits of the tour.

Plus, it has photos and videos of the tour destinations and activities, which make the tour description more visual and engaging. This will give the reader a better sense of what to expect.

However, there are some areas where the tour description could be improved:

1. For example, it could determine the tour’s purpose and decide on the target audience. This would help the tour description to focus on the most relevant and appealing aspects of the tour and use the right tone and language to connect with the reader. 

For instance, if the target audience is young travelers who are looking for a fun and flexible way to explore Paris, the tour description could use a more casual and enthusiastic tone. In this case, it should emphasize how the hop-on hop-off tour allows them to customize their itinerary and see the sights they want to see.

2. It could also describe the tour experience and share some background and historical information about the destinations visited on the tour. This would make the tour description more vivid and engaging and create a more emotional appeal for the reader. 

For example, it could use sensory language to describe Paris’s sights, sounds, and smells and include interesting facts or stories about the places and landmarks they will see on tour.

3. It could also add a call to action at the end of the tour description, encouraging the reader to book the tour.

For example, it could say, “Don’t miss this opportunity to discover Paris at your own pace and according to your schedule. Book your Big Bus Paris 1-day tour now and prepare for an unforgettable adventure!”

Tour descriptions are powerful instruments to persuade potential tour customers. In this article, we hope you learned how to write effective tour descriptions that attract and convert your readers.

We instructed you on determining your tour’s purpose and target audience, highlighting the tour itinerary, describing the experience, sharing the background and historical information, using attention-grabbing headlines and bullet points, and adding photos and videos. You also saw an example tour description that applied these steps, and an analysis of how it could be improved.

By following these steps, you can write tour descriptions that sell, and boost your conversions and sales. Thank you for reading this article, and happy writing!

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7 Tips To Create The Best Tour Descriptions For Your Travel Business

Writing a tour description is like writing a letter to your future clients. You need to make sure it's exciting and compelling if it's going to generate new bookings.

Tour descriptions are one of the most important elements of selling more tours. Your tour description represents the end stage of the buying journey. If the description is persuasive, it may result in a booking. If not, you may lose the customer to a competitor.

In this guide, we’ll cover the importance of composing innovative tour descriptions, and outline.

Purchasing Habits: The Future of Travel Bookings and Payments for 2023

Why Tour Descriptions Are Important 

Your tour descriptions play an essential role in attracting customers, engaging them, and getting them to convert .

First of all, your tour descriptions help to make your tours more visible. With the right description, your tour landing pages could achieve better SEO results and become easier for your customers to find.

This is because the tour pages will offer more relevant information, which will ultimately help those who are searching for those queries.

Then, when people land on your tour pages, your tour description is what will entice them to make a booking. This is where the magic comes in - your description needs to sell the tour, and reveal why it's the right experience for the customer.

Your tour description also helps to develop trust by showing the customer that they should have full confidence in your brand.

By providing extensive detail in your tour description, you prepare customers with exactly what to expect from their adventure. This can help them have a more fulfilling tour experience, as they will know what they were getting into when they arrive.

If your tour description is too vague, customers might expect certain things that your tour doesn't actually offer. This could result in negative reviews and a lack of repeat business.

A well-articulated tour description will help your business in the following ways.

  • Attract more customers
  • Engage with your website visitors
  • Increase conversions
  • Boost customer satisfaction

writing tour descriptions

Top 7 Tips For Creating Tour Descriptions 

Taking the time to concisely write and optimize tour descriptions is essential. Here are some of the best tips and tactics you can use for creating powerful tour descriptions.

1. Ensure Your Tour Descriptions Provide Sufficient Detail 

First and foremost, it's paramount that your tour descriptions clearly display all of the details that your tour includes. This should include all logistical details, how long the tour will be, what the tour package includes, what the tour timeline will look like, and so on.

Try to be as specific as possible here. Be clear on who the tour is suitable for. Also, ensure that you outline exactly what is expected from the tour participants (in terms of their behavior and what essentials to bring along).

This will help to answer any questions people may have about your tour and let them know exactly what to expect - which is important for a positive tour experience.

2. Look At The OTAs 

Whether or not your business uses OTAs to sell tours, it's a good idea to look at existing OTAs and see how they structure/word their tour descriptions.

This is because OTAs are very specific about the information and details included in their tour descriptions. Making sure your business also covers this information will help you tap into an already proven tour description formula.

Also, look at how OTAs categorize and organize their tours . Taking a similar approach can help your tour booking website offer a better user experience.

Conduct a gap analysis to see what information and details might be missing from these pages This could help ensure that all pertinent information is included and make your descriptions more informative and appealing.

tour description

Another nifty tip is to keep your descriptions uniform. If a potential customer browses different tour booking pages and compares your tour options, having a uniform tour description format will make their journey a lot easier. This also ensures that all of your tour descriptions offer the same, relevant information.

3. Include Keywords 

A tour description is a prominent place for keyword placement . When executed properly, this can boost your SEO efforts, and help your tour pages gain more visibility for relevant online searches.

When writing tour descriptions, conduct thorough research into potential target keywords - this is the main search query your tour will be targeting. For example, if you offer fishing tours in Florida, the relevant keyword that prospective customers might be something for will be along the lines of “Florida fishing trips”.

Once you have found your target keyword, incorporate it naturally into your tour description. Inserting the keyword a few times in your text will help search engines understand what your tour is about. This should improve its visibility for the correct search terms.

Adding variations to your keyword, and being specific about the keyword, is also important. For example, your fishing tours page could include keywords like “boat fishing Trip in Florida” or “full-day fishing tours Florida”. This could help your page to gain relevancy for a wider range of online searches.

There’s a lot more that goes into successful SEO than just this, but being conscious about inserting keywords into your tour description can make a big difference to your tour page’s discoverability.

writing tour descriptions

4. Showcase Your USP 

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is what sets your tour apart from the competition. It's essential that you make your USP perfectly clear in your tour description.

Tourism can be a highly competitive market, and there may be many similar tour operators in your area. Customers will want to know what makes your tour unique in order for them to book through your platform.

In order to understand your USP, it's important that you research your competitors. Check out their tour descriptions, and see what they don't offer that you can highlight about your tour. This will give you a competitive edge and make your tour description more appealing.

Your USP could be that your tours are more affordable, more sustainable , support local communities , or even cater to specific groups . Maybe you’re offering a luxury tour with hotel transfers, or perhaps your tours run at unique hours.

Whatever the case, highlight the USP clearly in your tour description.

This is also important for persuading people to book your tour instead of doing it themselves. For example, you might offer tours to a popular site, like the Colosseum. If this is the case, you need to convince tourists that booking your tour is more worthwhile than their visiting the Colosseum independently.

In this instance, your USP could be that your fee comes with a “skip the queue” benefit, that you offer expert guides who share unique historic details, or that your guides offer a local perspective of the area.

Make the value of your tour clear, and your tour description will help you generate more bookings.

tour description

5. Understand Your Buyer Personas 

It's important that you keep the customer journey in mind and speak directly to your target audience when writing your tour description.

Having clear buyer personas will help you write tour descriptions that speak to your target customer’s interests, answer their questions, and solve their pain points. Understand what kind of person would be searching for your tours and why they would book one.

Are they looking for an adventure? Do they want to learn through educational tours ? Are they hoping to relax while on vacation? Maybe they want to escape their comfort zone and try something new. Whatever the case, you should address these areas in your tour description.

6. Utilize Reviews And Testimonials 

It is no secret that reviews and testimonials have become a significant part of the buying decision . This is because they provide one of the best ways to establish trust.

This is necessary for pushing your website visitors into making a purchase decision.

Incorporate positive reviews or testimonials into your tour description. Potential customers might not trust what your brand has to say, but they will trust reviews and testimonials from previous, satisfied customers.

Simply adding a quick blurb like “9 out of 10 customers rated their experience as outstanding” can make your tour description a lot more compelling.

7. Use Video And Images 

Writing tour descriptions is important, but optimizing your tour booking pages with videos and images can be a game changer.

writing tour descriptions

Try to include videos and images of your tours in your description. This will give potential customers more realistic insights into your tours, how they work, and what to expect from the experience.

Using quality imagery can help to tell your story better, which is important for inspiring customers to book your tours.

If you rely solely on a written tour description, people might struggle to imagine what to expect from your tour. This could prevent people from making bookings.

Conclusion 

Writing a good tour description can benefit your business in a number of ways. Most importantly, it will attract more people to your tour pages and help you generate more bookings.

Understanding your target audience is key, and highlighting the important facts about what unique selling proposition your travel company offers and why people should book through your platform can make or break whether prospective customers equate to conversions.

By following the seven tactics above, your tour description could help you tremendously to generate a lot more bookings .

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About the author

Isabel Espinoza (she/her)

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  1. Tour Guide Job Description

    Tour Guide Job Description Template. We are searching for a vibrant tour guide to join our established company. The tour guide's responsibilities include planning travel itineraries, familiarizing customers with the locality by vehicle or foot, and ensuring that the group remains safe at all times. You should also stay up-to-date with new ...

  2. What Does a Tour Guide Do? Definition, Types and Salary

    Definition, Types and Salary. Working as a tour guide can be a great way to meet new people, travel, share incredible experiences and learn more about a culture or place. Becoming a guide is often an educational and rewarding experience. There are many guiding opportunities available that can suit a variety of interests and skill sets.

  3. Tour Guide Job Description [Updated for 2024]

    The duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide include: Planning and preparing tour itineraries. Leading and accompanying groups on tours of cities, historical sites, and other points of interest. Providing educational and interesting facts about landmarks and attractions. Ensuring the safety of the group at all times.

  4. The 8 Step Cheat Sheet for Writing a Tour Guide Job Description

    Break it up into headings, short paragraphs, and lists. Write in the second person: use the pronoun "you" to help tour guides see themselves in the role when reading the job description. Avoid superlatives: remove gender bias by steering clear of over-the-top language, like "rock star," "ninja ," or "world-class".

  5. Professional Tour Guide Job Description Template

    The following are some ideas you might want to use in your own tour guide job description: Strong, captivating storytelling skills a must. Enthusiasm for and thorough knowledge of wine required, with previous work experience in the wine industry preferred. Minimum 1 year experience as a tour guide, public speaker, actor or salesperson.

  6. What does a tour guide do?

    The average pay for tour guides in the United States is around $11.32 per hour. Wages typically start from $9.87 an hour and go up …. A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels. Their primary role is to enhance the travel experience by sharing knowledge and insights ...

  7. Tour Guide Job Description [Updated for 2024]

    Tour Guide salary expectations. According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Tour Guide is $40,866 per year. This average varies with the type of tour being conducted, as well as with the location where the Tour Guide works. Experienced Tour Guides usually earn more than entry-level guides.

  8. Tour Guide Job Description

    Responsibilities. Plan and organize tour itineraries, including transportation and accommodations. Interact with tourists, answer questions, and create an engaging and informative tour experience. Maintain knowledge of local attractions, landmarks, and points of interest. Handle emergency situations and provide first-aid assistance when necessary.

  9. What are the duties and responsibilities of a Tour Guide?

    8. Feedback Loop. An astute tour guide values feedback. It's how you refine, improve, and elevate your tours. Encourage tourists to share their thoughts and always be open to constructive criticism. 9. Stay Updated. From local events to new historical discoveries, a tour guide is always learning.

  10. Tour Guide Job Description

    A tour guide is someone who provides verbally scripted or pre-planned guided tours, usually within a specific area of interest. The job of a tour guide is to provide interesting and educational information to groups of people, as well as ensure their safety while on the tour. There are many different types of tour guides, from those who work ...

  11. Tour Guide Job Description Template

    In the tour guide role, you will educate local and foreign tourists about the location's interesting facts, stories, and general policies. You will also be responsible for the tour's safety and security. Success in this role will be determined by your ability to entertain tourists and keep them engaged with a preordained schedule of activities.

  12. Tour Guide Job Description

    Responsibilities for tour guide. Use a computer based point of sale system to make reservations and sell tours. Conduct scheduled tours and give facts and information to guests while snowshoeing, skibiking or snowcating in a safe informative and efficient manner. Help guests on the mountain or at the base as needed.

  13. Tour Guide

    Job Summary: The Tour Guide will lead tours and provide information to individuals and groups on assigned attractions and areas of interest. Supervisory Responsibilities:

  14. Important Tour Guide Skills and How To Develop Them

    3. Listen to feedback. The primary goal of giving a tour to a group of guests is for them to enjoy themselves, so receiving feedback is one of the most effective ways to improve as a guide. If your company uses feedback cards, they can provide valuable insight into your performance, as do reviews on online platforms.

  15. Tour Guide Resume Sample: 20+ Tips (With Job Description)

    In each entry add professional titles, company name, location, as well as dates worked. Put your duties and achievements on a bullet-point list. Up to 6 bullets per job will do. Start your tour guide resume bullets with resume action words, such as guided, cooked, developed, organized, etc.

  16. Writing the Perfect Description for Tours and Travel

    9 tips for writing the perfect description for tours and travels. So, let's find out what the 9 key tips are for writing the perfect tour description. 1. Find your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) Competition is only natural within the experiences industry. With so many other businesses providing similar tours and activities, it's sometimes ...

  17. How To Write a Tour Description (Step-by-Step Example)

    2. Start with a hook. Since a tour description is often your last chance to win someone over, your first sentence has got to be attention-grabbing. Like a headline, it needs to stand out, draw the visitor in, and encourage them to keep reading. And the best way to do that is to zero in on a particular feature of the experience and turn it into ...

  18. Tour guide

    A tour guide (U.S.) or a tourist guide (European) is a person who provides assistance, and information on cultural, historical and contemporary heritage to people on organized sightseeing and individual clients at educational establishments, religious and historical sites such as; museums, and at various venues of tourist attraction resorts. [1]

  19. How To Write A Tour Description That Converts

    In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to craft an engaging tour description and provide examples to illustrate each point. Table of Contents ... They can provide you with an inside taste of the tour. In short, a tour description is a piece of writing that summarizes the entire tour, focusing on the advantages and enticing readers to ...

  20. How to write the tour description with real example

    Highlight the Tour Itinerary. The next step for writing a tour description is highlighting the tour itinerary. This is where you provide an overview of your tour and what your customers can expect. You should list the major stops and attractions included in the tour and provide some brief information about each one.

  21. How To Write a Tour Guide Resume (With Example and Template)

    Consider using professional, consistent fonts like Arial, Helvetica or Times New Roman. Keep your font sizes at around 10 and 12 points and adjust your margins to around 1 to 1.5 inches. Learn what a tour guide does and discover steps for how to write a tour guide resume with a template and example to help you complete your application.

  22. 7 Tips To Create The Best Tour Descriptions For Your Travel Business

    Simply adding a quick blurb like "9 out of 10 customers rated their experience as outstanding" can make your tour description a lot more compelling. 7. Use Video And Images. Writing tour descriptions is important, but optimizing your tour booking pages with videos and images can be a game changer.

  23. How to Write a Tour Description For Your Website (With Examples)

    For example, instead of writing " Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek ," write " 7 Days Moderate Trek To Ghorepani Poon Hill ". It includes the keywords "Ghorepani Poon Hill" and "Trek" and is specific about the trek's time duration and difficulty level. 2. Start with a Hook. This is your time to show off your copywriting skills.