I’ve been working as a walking tour guide for ten years, and today was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve never posted here, but thought I’d share my experience and maybe others have had similar experiences or can share advice.

As a guide, I thrive on verbal and non-verbal feedback during my tours: comments and questions, but also the way people’s eyes light up, their jaws drop, their gasps and sighs.

Today my guest was a stone-faced psychopath.

For four hours, I told him stories and shared information as we explored the city, and I shit you not he did not say a single word the entire time, unless I asked him a question, and in that case it was a one word answer. But the more uncanny and deeply unsettling thing is that he didn’t make a single facial expression, and barely blinked. As I performed, he stared menacingly at me…for four hours.

Maybe he was autistic? Deeply depressed? But I felt so uncomfortable, and even unsafe at times.

I tried everything I could do to manage the situation: tried to figure out what his personal interests were, tried to make sure he wasn’t just tired and had his physical needs met, tried desperately to just connect on a human level with this person who was paying me to spend fours with them. But on the outside, his silent menacing glare seemed to suggest he had a kind of neurodivergence that I just didn’t know how to deal with as a guide.

Have you had similar clients? Should I just let it go and accept that his behavior isn’t a reflection of my actions as a guide, or is there something you can do to get stonefaced guests to warm up?

…and once a month we can use the money in the jar to host a pizza party for the _actual_ tour guides who post here?

I get it; my tours use apps for booking. I’ve even initiated a very productive conversation here about existing money transfer apps to get tips. Lately though, it feels like the number of app developers here self promoting, selling, or doing the laziest market research ever, outnumber the actual working tour guide posts. I would much rather use this group to see what is going on with my fellow tour guides than be bombarded by random tech bros who got AI to write some code for them to revolutionize booking, picture sharing, or whatever software they think is going to create waves across an industry they have never even worked in.

If my pizza party idea is not acceptable, maybe…
• Pinned app development megathread?
• One day a week where app developers are allowed to post?
• Instead of pizza, each tour guides gets mailed a check for our portion of the money in the jar?

I live in a country which is a common tourist destination and every time someone comes to visit it's the same run over and over again. I'm literally sick of the tourist attractions at this point. And I only have to do it every now and then. It's amazing that you guys do it literally as a day job.

I strongly believe that the tour guide can really decide if people loved or hated their vacation. It's amazing how the best of y'all manage to seem so excited about the places you've probably been to a thousand or more times. It gets the clients excited about the place too and gives them good vibes.

What's even more fascinating is that there is no fool proof way to do the job well. Every client is different and the ability to read their needs and priorities is truly commendable.

So this is just an appreciation post. A big thank you for doing what you do and keep at it. There's at least one person out here who is absolutely in awe of what you do, and appreciates it big time.

I’m a local tour guide running a small tourism business, and honestly, I’m getting a bit frustrated trying to figure out the online side of things.

I’m doing reasonably well through word of mouth and direct clients, but I’m getting almost no bookings through the internet. I have listings on a few platforms, but it feels like my activities aren’t getting enough visibility.

One of my biggest struggles is also getting reviews from clients. Even when guests seem happy with the experience, many of them don’t end up leaving a review, and I know reviews are really important for building trust and improving the ranking of a listing.

For those of you who are tour guides or run small tour businesses:

- How did you get your first consistent bookings online?

- What actually helped your listings rank higher?

- How do you encourage guests to leave reviews without being pushy?

- Which platforms have worked best for you?

- Do you rely more on OTAs, Google, Instagram, your own website, or something else?

- And how do you identify and reach the right audience for your destination/experience?

I’m not looking for a magic shortcut, just curious about what has genuinely worked for other guides, especially those who started small.

Would really appreciate any practical advice or lessons from your experience.

My 98 year old Grandfather was telling me about his Vatican tour that he took 70 years ago.... He told me that the tour guide (who was a nun) took them into the garden at one point and said, "Now of course it is completely prohibited to take any souvenir from the Vatican...event something like a pebble or some dirt from the garden path. So if someone were to see you, you would be in a lot of trouble." She then slowly turned her back to the group and, laughing, the group all realized it was their cue to grab a pebble or some dirt.

I just found it a good reminder of what guests ACTUALLY remember, what makes an impression. It's not the facts that you give, it's the experiential moments you curate.

Im a tour guide at an old gold mill. The other day I had a group of grown ass adults wandering away from the tour and walk around the mill to take pictures while I was trying to give them a tour. At times theyd be still trying to hang out in one area while the tour moved on. I almost lost it and was about to start talking down to them as if they were children. I could tell some of the more engaged tourists were getting annoyed by these people who failed to realize they need to stick with the tour cause the mill is not a place to wander around because of safety issues.

What are ways you try to herd a large group together in a way that is professional and isnt condescending to adults?

Walking tour on Fremont Street in Vegas. I point out to my guests that it's a big mistake to buy Marijuana products from these retailers. (Nevada law is very clear! No Marijuana products can be sold within 1500 feet of a casino. It's a total tourist ripoff!)

Some store owner hears me and decides to defend his total ripoff establishment! He runs out. Actually gets physical! Bumps me. Claims that all of his products are legitimate Marijuana and THC (they're not).

Actually gets in my face and challenges me DURING THE FUCKING TOUR!

I tried to keep it cool but guests were really shocked!

Ultimately, he threatened to call my boss and moved on, but it was definitely a very surprising outcome.

I'm still livid. I'll make sure to point out his ripoff establishment to even more guests from now on.

Hey everyone!

About a year ago, I started a small boat tour company in Lisbon, Portugal.

Our business model is pretty straightforward:

• Daytime: Private sailing experiences for couples, families, groups of friends, and corporate clients.

• Sunset: Shared sailing tours, where guests purchase individual tickets.

Here's the interesting part: Our sunset tours are consistently fully booked, but we're really struggling to sell private experiences.

Most of our sunset bookings come through platforms like GetYourGuide and Airbnb Experiences. They've been great for filling our sunset tours, but when it comes to private bookings, we've only received one or two through these platforms in an entire year.

And that's where I'm stuck.

Lisbon is an extremely competitive market for boat tours. There are plenty of operators, and most traditional sales channels have already been approached by everyone in the industry.

Hotels? Everyone works with hotels.

Travel agencies? Same story.

Online booking platforms? Crowded, competitive, and heavily commission-based.

I'm not looking for the usual advice about posting more on Instagram, running Facebook ads, or contacting hotel concierges. I'm aware of those options, and I'm already exploring some of them.

What I'm really looking for is a different way of thinking about customer acquisition.

For example:

• What types of businesses or professionals could become unexpected referral partners?

• How would you build a network of people who regularly recommend private experiences to their clients?

• Are there industries outside traditional tourism that could generate bookings?

• If you were starting from scratch in a saturated market, how would you approach partnerships and B2B sales?

I'm particularly interested in creative partnerships, unconventional distribution channels, and strategies that don't depend entirely on paid advertising.

We have the boats, the crew, the experience, and happy customers. What we're missing is a reliable way to reach people who want to book an entire boat rather than individual tickets.

If this were your business, what would you try?

I'd genuinely appreciate ideas, especially from people who've built businesses in tourism, hospitality, events, or other competitive service industries.

Thanks!

So I’ve been working as a tour guide at my company for nearly 2 years, when I was hired I was hired on the fact that I could make tips. Of course during the off seasons tips died off tremendously but it made up for it during the busy season.

Well about a month ago my company made the executive decision to take down our “guides appreciate gratuity” signs. We’re back in our busy season and I’m lucky if I walk away with $5. When I first started I was making nearly $100 d day. My pay has not been raised either. I mean I based my life on the fact I was making good tips.. now I’m making nothing. Management has made it clear we are not to advertise the fact we can make tips, but if someone hands me a tip I can accept it.

I really want to try and find a way around this, I’ve tried talking to my managers but they seemingly have no say in the matter. I’ve thought about wearing a pin or throwing in a tip line. But idk how to do the tip line without sounding desperate/getting caught.

I do plan on leaving this company soon but in the meantime I want to try to see if I can get away with letting guests know they are allowed to tip me. Any suggestions?

This is one of my new hobbies and I’d love to be a guide for anyone. I love my city and passionate about what I do. I’d honestly enjoy helping out in any bookings or advice as well. And can show you my favourite spots of the city as well. Little about me that I’m fun, foodie, reliable, cheerful and bubbly very fun to hangout and I’m sure we’d have a great time. Also would like you to meet my dogs, if u like them of course. Pls dm me. Peace.

I've been a TBL guide for a couple of years and am realising how reliant I am on their platform, especially with the recent website issues. I don't list on any other platforms at the moment.

Where else can I go to get business? Aiming for luxury private tours.

Calling all toursbylocals guides out there. My wife has been a loyal guide for 8+ years and has over 400 5-star ratings - a great guide and loves showing people our beautiful country. The recent migration to a new web site has been an absolute shambles... can't believe there isn't an open revolt by the 5,000+ guide community. Right in the middle of the European summer travel season, they decide to go live with an un-tested, un-verified and desktop first release! As someone who helps lead a full stack development team, it was clear from day one they were in way over their heads and needed to roll back to the old site ASAP. Instead, they've doubled down, don't communicate and can't fix even the most basic function which allows a user to book a guide on a day when the guide is available!... Who else out there is taking a huge hit to their summer earnings??

guys im trying to figure this out before planning a china trip,not really looking for a big tour group maybe someone local who can show u around,help pick food,explain stuff that isnt on google maps ....but idk how ppl find someone trustworthy without just gambling on random reviews or instagram,have any of u done this?how did u find them and what made u feel they were legit?also if u had a bad experience plz tell me what went wrong so i know what to avoid,just trying to get some real opinions thx

I'm a flat-water kayak guide in the southeastern USA. At the time my mid-morning tour was beginning it was already about 95 degrees (35C) and oppressively humid. The client family shows up, two adults and two teen girls. One of the teens is wearing long denim pants, the other is in shorts but has a hooded sweatshirt on. Maybe it was cold in the car on the ride there? They chose to wear these outfits for the entire 2 hour paddle! I was quite warm in a short sleeve moisture wicking shirt, I have no idea how the young lady in the sweatshirt survived?

The family was lovely and we enjoyed a great paddle together, but a new bar has been set for "You decided to wear _that_ to go kayaking?!".

Hey everyone,

Quick gut-check for fellow guides. My June bookings came in noticeably lower than May, and now looking at confirmed July bookings, I’m on track for something similar to June — not the usual seasonal bump I’d expect.

That’s unusual for me. Past summers, July has always picked up. So I’m trying to figure out if this is just my situation or something more widespread.

Things I’m wondering about:

**•** Could a booking platform have changed its algorithm/visibility?
**•** Are people skipping walking tours because of the summer heat?
**•** Is the World Cup pulling travelers elsewhere this year?
**•** Or is it just inflation tightening travel budgets generally?

Would love to hear if others are seeing a similar dip, or if it’s just me. Appreciate any insight — trying to figure out if I need to change something on my end or just ride it out.

Thanks!

If you can’t afford to tip, don’t take a tour. There, I said it.

I’m a tour guide for a small nonprofit. I was given a script, but add my own additional information and frequently do research to address questions frequently asked by guests. In previous tour guide jobs, it’s me and the audience. With this job, the director’s wife goes with me as an “assistant” but frequently interrupts, distracts guests, and blurts out incorrect information. Reviews left by guests bear this out. She is not a person who studies history. Her only knowledge is from the script. I feel like she’s a “babysitter”. She asks me to write down info I add so she can use it, and videotapes me so she can use my words and phrasing when she gives a tour. Today she asked for a photo of my notecards. I think this is theft of intellectual property. She is in no way qualified to be a tour guide. There are 3 tour guides for this organization, including me. Why haven’t I put my foot down? Because she’s the director’s wife. She really wants to be relevant. In know people don’t like race being brought up, but I think it’s a factor.This is a Black history tour and I am the only Black guide. The other two guides do an excellent job but she doesn’t “babysit” them. I don’t like to brag, but I’m really good at it and receive excellent reviews. How do I handle this? Am I just whining? The season is ending and, even though I really enjoy giving the tour, I’m not going to return next season under these same conditions.

I am still learning how to use bokun properly, it's pretty confusing. also it seems there isnt much option for management. I understand it is a distribution platform. I use excel currently and honestly I am not the smartest at it. What toold or software do you guys use? any suggestions?

Hey there,

Do you know of any app that allows a tour guide to give away a “handout” after the tour that includes recommendations, links, or whatever? I've seen guides sharing a Google Doc, a Wix page, or an automated email via the booking system, but is there something easier and more professional than that?

Thanks!

If anyone here has ever considered opening their own tour company, I've found a book and accompanying podcast that helped me get started, though individual results always vary.

The book is Lookers Into Bookers by Chris Torres. It's a step by step guide to creating your company from the ground up.

The podcast is Tourpreneur. I'd describe it as continuing education after the book. But you don't need to buy the book to use it or anything. It's free.

Hope this helps!

PS I am not affiliated with any of this content.

Hey folks! I’m a Bay Area Ghost Tour guide who has been doing this as a side hustle for a couple months now. I’m really enjoying it, as it feels like a great job for storytelling, connecting with people, and sharing pride in the area I call home.

It’s also proven very helpful as I struggle to find work in my “real” job as a publicist in the tech space. I’m one of those folks laid off and it’s been impossible to find work for the last year.

So I wanted to ask: how viable is it to make it in the tour guide industry professionally? I’m currently doing the ghost tour with a tour organization, and a local French company was really interested in having me conduct tours (in French) in San Francisco. When tips come in it seems like your guiding can be lucrative but that’s making a lot of assumptions.

So what do people do? I’m finding learning tours to not be a problem and I’d love to develop tours that may currently be underserved in my area. It seems like the entrepreneur would be looking towards developing a tour organization more than just running the tours. What are your thoughts and advice?

I started this year not as a tour guide.

As it's something I wanted to do, a few months ago I put together a walking tour (2 hours, city centre, mostly history). I created it as a product on Viator, and started getting some bookings.

I've had a really amazing (and surprising!) few months since then - lots of bookings, and consistent five-star reviews.

So (to my amazement) it seems that it's something I can do as a job. It's a bonus that it's something I love doing!

My question is - what's next? I have one product on Viator, and I do no other marketing at all.

To be honest I'm happy with the level of bookings I'm getting from Viator (and the commission they take, as they do all the marketing and fee handling) but as bookings are beginning to tail off a bit now we're out of summer, I was wondering how I can keep this up, and how I can grow.

If you have experience in this area, what would be your advice for my next step? I'm not really interested in starting my own business, but I was wondering what would be a good idea to get this going a bit more - e.g. create more tours, create the same tour on other platforms, do some marketing, and so on.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Been noticing some interesting shifts in how tour groups and museums handle guide equipment these days:

More places switching from single-guide-shouting-over-crowd to wireless receiver setups — way better for noisy factory tours or crowded exhibits.

Self-guided kiosk/audio units picking up steam in smaller museums that can't staff a docent for every room.

Simultaneous interpretation features showing up outside of just international tour groups now — seeing it in conferences and even some courtroom setups.

Durability seems to matter more to buyers than raw specs — battery life and how well the charging case holds up under daily use.

Curious whether others here are seeing similar trends, or if it varies a lot by region/use case. What's changed in your experience running tours or managing exhibits?