(ARA) – Are you one of those people who look forward to their limited vacation time each year so you can plan your next big adventure? But what if that allocated time is not enough to simmer your adventurous spirit and passion for travel? With the industry booming, there is no better time to consider combining your love of travel with working full or part-time as a professional tour director.

Making this a career is easier than you might think. Many choose this lifestyle because it blends in so well with other vocational interests and pursuits. No matter what your age or education you can enjoy the benefits of being a tour director. Schedules can be custom tailored to coincide with summer vacations, weekends, seasons or even around another job.

“A lot of being a successful tour director is just plain common sense,” says Ted Bravos, co-founder of International Tour Management Institute founded in 1976. It is one of the few schools in the world that certifies tour directors. “Knowing how to get along with different personalities, dealing with the unexpected, setting limits when necessary, not being afraid to take charge of a situation in need of a leader while being a team player, keeping a sense of humor, and just being fun and interesting traveling companion are some of the necessary traits of a successful tour director.”

A passion for traveling is a good place to start, but being a people person is really important. Wanting to help people — whether they’re learning about other cultures, local history, cuisine, wine — you are guiding others’ experiences of places and creating memories they will cherish for a lifetime. Not only will you help those in your group, but you are also a citizen ambassador in other cities and countries, promoting understanding and harmony in the world.

Leading tours can also be financially rewarding. Tour directors receive approximately $200 per day, plus all expenses, meals and their own private accommodations. After becoming certified, tour directors can work as much or as little as they choose. ITMI prepares students for a tour directing career in a 15-day intensive training program. Students learn about the tour and travel industry through practical “hands-on” experience in the field, including 5 days training aboard a deluxe motor-coach and an overnight fieldtrip where they actually perform the role of a tour director.

Joemy Wilson, who graduated from ITMI in 1999, is now in her second career as a tour director working for Tauck World Discovery. Although Wilson loves taking people on tours throughout her home state of California and throughout the United States, this past year found her leading tours to South Africa, Russia and China, sharing these diverse cultures with her groups. Wilson says, “Your job is to make sure everyone is having a good time. Most people travel because they want to learn about different places. I’ve learned that if you show you have an interest in other’s culture and history, any barriers are easily erased and you really feel connected to another part of the world.”

Bravos adds, “In this industry age is not a factor as much as maturity and life experience. Tour directors range in age from 20s to 70s.”

So if traveling excites you but the time you currently dedicate to seeing the world is less than desired, tour directing might an ideal choice. To learn more about the tour directing business and ITMI, please visit www.ITMItourtraining.com or call (800) 442-4864.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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