Tour guides develop and oversee activities for groups of tourists or visitors.

Tour guides hand out brochures about their tour service and about the sites they will visit. They sell tickets and collect payments from those who want to take the tour.

Some tour guides plan and oversee an entire vacation for a large group. They schedule activities for the group, such as sightseeing, outdoor sports and recreation, and dining out. They also make time in the schedule for tourists to explore places on their own.

Some tour guides are in charge of tours at a single site, such as a museum or around a city. They guide several different groups each day rather than traveling with one particular group.

Tour guides are responsible for the groups of people they escort. They make sure no one gets lost or separated from the group. They also watch clients to make sure they follow tour rules. In museums, guides make sure visitors do not touch paintings or other displays. They answer visitors' questions and recommend additional sites for them to see. They may drive buses to transport clients around town or to new sites depending on the tour.

Tour guides have a few tasks specific to their employer. Those who travel with clients may carry clients' luggage to and from the bus. They may also collect and deliver mail and messages. Tour guides who work at sites such as museums may answer phones, type, and file. They also monitor sites to make sure they are safe for visitors.

Tour guides often guide visitors from other countries. Speaking a foreign language can be an advantage.