Canada enjoys a high profile with both local and international tourists and is well known for its natural history, scenic vistas and friendly people. Many tour operators bring tourists to Canada and as part of tour programs, hire local tour guides to provide “step on” tours of major cities and areas that are unique in their nature.
Local Tour Guides are most commonly employed as “step on” guides, stepping on tour buses to provide from 2 to as long as 12 hour tours. Their skills are transferable to other tourism employment positions such as working in museums, at tourism attractions, tourism information centres or leading local tours for special interest groups.
In this certificate program, students will learn the introductory skills required to become a local tourist guide including how to research a tour, deliver tour commentary on an actual walking tour in Gastown, VIP procedures, meet and assist guiding, convention services guide, take an optional Vancouver City Tour, have the opportunity to earn Emergency First Aid certification and earn Tourism British Columbia’s SuperHost Fundamentals certification.
This course is conducted over consecutive weekdays and two Saturdays. The optional Vancouver City Tour may be held during the week or on a Saturday.