EcoTour Guide

Salary
Intern: Expenses paid but no salary
School leaver: £10,000 - £12,000
Graduate: £12,000 - £15,000
Manager: £20,000 - £35,000

Main Employers

• Tour operators and consultancies
• NGOs and environmental organisations
• Hospitality industry
• Archaeological sites
• Nature and coastal reserves and parks
• Educational institutions and research organisations
• Youth and adult community organisations
• Regional and local government

Job Profile
Eco-tour guides lead tourists to ecologically important sites, guide them through nature-based activities and teach them to respect the natural and cultural environment. They provide special information on history, archaeology, monuments, the environment, culture, natural and built attractions, places of interest and any general matters of interest to the visitor. Guides also work for organisations that promote ecotourism, such as The International Ecotourism Society, helping resorts and tourism companies develop and implement ecotourism policies.

Role and Responsibilities

• Organising and guiding tourists on sightseeing and educational tours
• Creating learning programs such as interactive displays, nature hikes, and slide shows
• Planning itineraries
• Coordinating pre-arranged accommodation, transport and activities
• Researching and sharing information on local cultures
• Assisting with trail and building maintenance and facility development
• Developing regional strategy development
• Providing expert knowledge and experience in a particular field, such as ornithology, photography, rafting or camping

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Aboriginal Studies; Anthropology; Business; Communications; Earth Science; Ecosystem Management; Environmental Tourism; Geography; History; Hospitality; Languages; Leisure Studies; Natural Resource Management; Park Management; Recreation Management; Science; Tourism Management

Importantly, all candidates should have a valid passport and those being employed with specialist roles will need an international coach licence, cycling proficiency, experience of adventure travelling or experience of catering for large numbers where appropriate.

Career Development
Demand for ecotourism is on the rise, as is the need for well-travelled, knowledgeable, enthusiastic guides. Many tour operators hire cooks, drivers and base camp workers who need little experience to get hired. These workers then gain enough experience to become guides the next year. Alternatively, there are guide courses, with many companies hiring directly from the pool of their own guide school graduates.

While working as a tour guide is exciting, the high energy level required is intensive. After several seasons, it is not uncommon for guides to switch to other work. Some use their experience to move into management or consultancy. Such roles include environmental planning, curriculum development, training, policy making, cultural development, sustainable development, research, tourism feasibility studies and economic impact evaluations.  

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