South Africa as a tourism destination creates many opportunities for international and local tourists to experience the wealth of tourism assets and attractions available in our country. By choosing a career in tourist guiding you will contribute to the promotion of pride in the range of cultures, histories and voices of the peoples of Southern Africa. 
 
Tourist guiding, as a career, is recognised as a key contributor to job creation within the tourism sector. There are essential links between the tourist-guiding sector and other tourism activities. These include encouraging the growth of regional tourism markets and routes; encouraging local communities to participate in tourist guiding; the development of rural communities; and the contribution to the development of a globally competitive tourism industry which keeps abreast of the changing needs of international tourism.
 
Tourist guiding is a very specialised field that requires in depth study and assessment of a particular area. In South Africa, guides are registered with the provincial tourism department – they may operate only in the area in which they have been trained and for which they have been registered. 

 

Access:
Access in to the career is guided by regulations for registration as tourist guide stating that you need to be 21 years old, a South African citizen, in possession of a valid first aid certificate and tourist guide qualification. Good English communication skills and an additional language would be an advantage. 
 
Work Environment:
Tourist guiding is regarded by most as seasonal employment that requires an interest in general knowledge, a love of history and knowledge of fauna, flora and cultures. Patience and tolerance are essential, as hours are long and you may be called on to deal with anything from a leaking tap to lost luggage. 
 
Where can I work?
The majority of guides work for tour operators, however, others are self -employed or work for museums, game farms, national parks, & private reserves. 
 
Career Opportunities:
This is a diverse field that allows for a various area of specialisation.
There are three main categories of guides: those who work at a particular site, those who work in a region and those who work nationally. Within these main categories there are further areas of specialisation for tourist guides – nature, culture and adventure.