Would you like to become a Tour Guide?
The international definition of a tourist guide is “a person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area and who normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority”, (EN13809:2003 and ISO18513).
In Northern Ireland there no regulations covering tourist guiding but most professional guides are free-lance and self-employed and have a qualification which is recognized by appropriate authorities and accordingly by the tourism industry. In Northern Ireland there are three main ways to become qualified as a professional free-lance tourist guide.
- In cooperation with tourist guide associations with qualifications issued by the Institute of Tourist Guiding e.g. blue badge; green badge.
- Through colleges throughout Northern Ireland with OCN qualifications e.g. Belfast Metropolitan College.
Further information can be found at the following links which will be updated regularly.
There are other opportunities to work or volunteer as a guide e.g.