International Tour Guide Certification

Highlights of the program include:

Learn valuable transferable skills like customer service, interpretation, story-telling, handling difficult people, risk management and much more.
International Certification is valid for 5 years and includes a Certificate of Achievement and lapel pin for each guide.
Flexible schedule. Each student does the program online, at their own pace in the comfort of their own home.
Designed specifically for the cruise industry, addressing the unique needs & circumstances of Cruise Tour Guides worldwide.
Includes a membership to international online Members-Only Resources website.

Completion of the certification program allows you to participate in a unique Best Practices Tour of some of the most beautiful sites in Canada's maritime provinces while watching Professional Tour Guides and mastering the skills you've learned in the course!

Learn more about the Best Practices Tour

Lesson Breakdown

1: Overview of the Tourism Industry & Cruise Sector

In this lesson, you will learn about the tourism industry and the cruise sector, with specific details about the role of shore excursions and the importance of the tour guide. You will also learn the best practices for responsible tourism.

2: Hospitality & Service Excellence

In this lesson, you will learn the standard practices and behaviours of an excellent Tour guide. This includes how to provide excellent service and ensure passenger satisfaction, how to maintain a positive working relationship with your driver and others on your team, how best to respond to guests with special needs, and more.

3: Research & Field Skills

In this lesson, you will learn how to build a foundation of knowledge about the information guests expect and how to turn that knowledge into an excellent tour commentary. This includes learning the types of information required for a tour, how to maintain up-to-date information, how to develop a tour commentary, and the art of fine-tuning the delivery of the commentary.

4: Presentation, Interpretation & Storytelling

In this lesson, you will learn how to develop interesting and memorable commentary and to communicate it effectively. This includes tips on how best to present information, how to interpret information for the guest, and how to tell a story in a way that really engages the guests. You will also learn the art of answering questions and much more.

5: Preparation & Processes

In this lesson, you will learn about the procedures involved in preparing for a tour and conducting a tour. This includes topics such as starting a tour off right, following the itinerary, keeping track of guests, following procedures at stops, working with suppliers, managing post-tour reporting, and more.

6: Difficult Situations & Risk Management

In this lesson, you will learn how to manage difficult situations, including assisting passengers in locating lost items, handling complaints, responding to a passenger's disruptive or undesirable behavior, solving problems, responding to emergencies, locating a missing passenger, assisting a sick or injured passenger, and more.

7: Final Examination & Video Assignment

The final component of the program is a final examination, which will evaluate what you have learned throughout the program. The examination will include both a written component to test your knowledge, as well as a video component which will evaluate your presentation, research and tour guide skills. Upon successful completion of the program and final examination, you will be awarded International Certification in Tour Guide Excellence from Aquila's Center for Cruise Excellence.

For more information visit www.tourguideexcellence.com