Tour Director Certification - International Tour Management Institute

If you are ready to take your tour guiding skills to the next level and get hired to lead groups to multiple destinations, you are in the right place!

While a Tour Guide is an expert in one particular area, a Tour Director is in charge of a group of people throughout a multi-day experience and is a master of many trades. A Tour Director wears many hats and has quite a few skills to perfect. That is exactly what this training experience is all about!

Course Curriculum

Total learning: 115 lessons

Module 1: Welcome 3
- Lesson1.1
  
  Welcome to this Training Course
- Lesson1.2
  
  What Does a Tour Director Do?
- Assignment1.1
  
  TDCC Assignment 1
  0 week
Module 2: Industry Standards 9
- Lesson2.1
  
  Why Do People Take Tours?
- Lesson2.2
  
  Branding
- Lesson2.3
  
  Review of Tour Guide, Escort, and Tour Director Roles
- Lesson2.4
  
  Review of the Multi-Faceted Role of the Tour Director
- Lesson2.5
  
  Etiquette within the Industry
- Lesson2.6
  
  Appropriate Attire & Dress Codes
- Lesson2.7
  
  Independent Contractor and Employee Status
- Lesson2.8
  
  COVID / Norovirus Protocols
- Assignment2.1
  
  TDCC Assignment 2
  0 week
Module 3: The Trip Assignment Process 6
- Lesson3.1
  
  Contracts
- Lesson3.2
  
  Technical
- Lesson3.3
  
  Pre Trip Briefing
- Lesson3.4
  
  Placement and Per Diem
- Lesson3.5
  
  Guest Information
- Assignment3.1
  
  TDCC Assignment 3
  0 week
Module 4: Tour Operator Expectations 4
- Lesson4.1
  
  Pre Trip Letter to Guests
- Lesson4.2
  
  Welcome Desk
- Lesson4.3
  
  Welcome Event
- Assignment4.1
  
  TDCC Assignment 4
  0 week
Module 5: TDCC ONLINE CLASS 1 2
- Lesson5.1
  
  TDCC Class 1 Preparation
- Assignment5.1
  
  TDCC Class 1 Assignment
  0 week
Module 6: Pre Departure Planning 6
- Lesson6.1
  
  Using the Technical To Help Plan Commentary and Routing
- Lesson6.2
  
  Finding Rest Stops, Photo Stops and Points of Interest
- Lesson6.3
  
  Hospitals / ATM / Pharmacies / Grocery
- Lesson6.4
  
  Filler Material
- Lesson6.5
  
  Routing and Timing Charts
- Lesson6.6
  
  Commentary and Storytelling
Module 7: TDCC ONLINE CLASS 2 2
- Lesson7.1
  
  TDCC Class 2 Instructions
- Assignment7.1
  
  TDCC Class 2 Assignment
  0 week
Module 8: TDCC ONLINE CLASS 3 2
- Lesson8.1
  
  TDCC Class 3 Instructions
- Assignment8.1
  
  TDCC Class 3 Assignment
  0 week
Module 9: Technology 7
- Lesson9.1
  
  Websites and Apps for Tour Directors
- Lesson9.2
  
  Daily Overviews via PowerPoint
- Lesson9.3
  
  Cords / Coach Hookups
- Lesson9.4
  
  Proper Microphone Techniques
- Lesson9.5
  
  Use of Google My Maps
- Lesson9.6
  
  Use of Radio Guide Systems
- Lesson9.7
  
  Files & Resources Storage Options
Module 10: Guest Expectations 5
- Lesson10.1
  
  Ways To Get To Know Your Guests
- Lesson10.2
  
  Communicating with Guests Daily
- Lesson10.3
  
  Typical Questions Guests Will Ask
- Lesson10.4
  
  Making Guests Feel Safe and Comfortable
- Lesson10.5
  
  Entertainment on Tour
Module 11: TDCC ONLINE CLASS 4 2
- Lesson11.1
  
  TDCC Class 4 Instructions
- Assignment11.1
  
  TDCC Class 4 Assignment
  0 week
Module 12: FIELD TRAINING DAY 1: CHECK-IN 3
- Lesson12.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 1 Instructions
- Assignment12.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 1 Assignment
  0 week
- Lesson12.2
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 1 Resources
Module 13: FIELD TRAINING DAY 2: SF to MONTEREY 3
- Lesson13.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 2 Instructions
- Assignment13.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 2 Assignment
  0 week
- Lesson13.2
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 2 Resources
Module 14: Tour Operator Expectations during a Trip 10
- Lesson14.1
  
  Seat Rotation
- Lesson14.2
  
  Luggage Handling, Tracking and Porterage
- Lesson14.3
  
  Counting the Guests
- Lesson14.4
  
  Interactions with Guests
- Lesson14.5
  
  Coach Technology
- Lesson14.6
  
  Selling of Optional Experiences
- Lesson14.7
  
  Selling of Items on the Coach
- Lesson14.8
  
  Multi-Coach Moves
- Lesson14.9
  
  When To Contact the Tour Operator During the Trip
- Lesson14.10
  
  Guest Evaluations
Module 15: FIELD TRAINING DAY 3: MONTEREY to SOLVANG 3
- Lesson15.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 3 Instructions
- Assignment15.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 3 Assignment
  0 week
- Lesson15.2
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 3 Resources
Module 16: Tour Inclusions & Vendor Interactions 5
- Lesson16.1
  
  Vendor Relations
- Lesson16.2
  
  Making Confirmations
- Lesson16.3
  
  Dining & Dietary Restrictions
- Lesson16.4
  
  Hotel Considerations & Processes
- Lesson16.5
  
  Black Ops
Module 17: Tour Operator Expectations 3
- Lesson17.1
  
  Accounting for Cash and Vouchers
- Lesson17.2
  
  Time Card / Invoice for Services
- Lesson17.3
  
  Post Trip Debriefing
Module 18: Important Lessons 11
- Lesson18.1
  
  Safety on the Motorcoach for Tour Directors and Guests
- Lesson18.2
  
  Plan B
- Lesson18.3
  
  Working with Group Leaders
- Lesson18.4
  
  Tour Director and Driver Relationship
- Lesson18.5
  
  DISC to Prevent Problems
- Lesson18.6
  
  Problem Solving Tips / Techniques
- Lesson18.7
  
  What’s the Age Difference between You and Your Guests?
- Lesson18.8
  
  Cultural / Lifestyle Sensitivity
- Lesson18.9
  
  Handling a Company’s Mistake with Grace in Front of Guests
- Lesson18.10
  
  Handling Your Own Blunder
- Lesson18.11
  
  What’s in the Bag?
Module 19: Situations to Plan For 17

Most of the topics in this module will be discussed in the field training. Some ideas to these will be available post-tour. In the meantime, think of how you may handle these various situations while on tour.
- Lesson19.1
  
  Guest Late
- Lesson19.2
  
  Guest Missing
- Lesson19.3
  
  Guest Ill
- Lesson19.4
  
  Guest Death
- Lesson19.5
  
  Driver Ill
- Lesson19.6
  
  How To Stop a Motorcoach Safely
- Lesson19.7
  
  Tour Director Ill
- Lesson19.8
  
  Driver / Tour Director Conflict
- Lesson19.9
  
  Coach Breakdown
- Lesson19.10
  
  Guest to Guest Conflict
- Lesson19.11
  
  Roommate Share Problems
- Lesson19.12
  
  Working with Dietary Restrictions / Preferences
- Lesson19.13
  
  Vendor Service Not Up to Expectation
- Lesson19.14
  
  Coach Microphone Not Working
- Lesson19.15
  
  If Your Step-On Guide Doesn’t Show
- Lesson19.16
  
  Civil Unrest or Major Crisis
- Lesson19.17
  
  Removing a Guest from a Tour
Module 20: FIELD TRAINING DAY 4: SOLVANG to LOS ANGELES 3
- Lesson20.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 4 Instructions
- Assignment20.1
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 4 Assignment
  3 days
- Lesson20.2
  
  TDCC Field Training Day 4 Resources
Module 21: International Considerations 5
- Lesson21.1
  
  Flying with a Group
- Lesson21.2
  
  Meeting a Group at the Airport or Hotel
- Lesson21.3
  
  Working with National Guides
- Lesson21.4
  
  International Tour Briefing
- Lesson21.5
  
  Departure/Return Flights
Module 22: Check lists / Resources 16
- Lesson22.1
  
  Articles
- Lesson22.2
  
  Diffusing Anger
- Lesson22.3
  
  Ice Breakers
- Lesson22.4
  
  Commentary/Storytelling Resources
- Lesson22.5
  
  Wine 101 Guide
- Lesson22.6
  
  Preparation Resources
- Lesson22.7
  
  Independent Contractor Resources
- Lesson22.8
  
  Packing Lists & Luggage Tips
- Lesson22.9
  
  Welcome Letter & Briefing Checklist
- Lesson22.10
  
  Useful Forms on Tour
- Lesson22.11
  
  Technology Resources
- Lesson22.12
  
  International Resources (Outbound and Inbound)
- Lesson22.13
  
  Motorcoach/Driver Resources
- Lesson22.14
  
  Sample Guest Evaluations
- Lesson22.15
  
  Confirmation Check List
- Lesson22.16
  
  End of Day Briefing

ABOUT INSTRUCTOR

Carol Kendrick

Annette Morejon

Annette is passionate about travel, particularly to places she loves. She has undergraduate degrees in Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management and French, and an MBA in Hospitality. Annette graduated from ITMI in 2000, right after graduating from college. She has now been in the industry for over 20 years, starting off as a tour director in Italy and France for Collette, and then moving on to work for them as a Product Manager where she planned, contracted, and created itineraries as well as oversaw all operations for the countries she was in charge of. The skills gained as a Product Manager have been the backbone to everything else she has been able to achieve in her tourism career. Her strong connections to Italy, led her to move there from the US, where she spent 11 years exploring every corner, experiencing the culture and history, and sampling all of the delicious foods and wines the country is known for. Annette then became Director of Operations for Cuba Travel Services, where she assisted many US Tour Operators in developing their people-to-people programs to Cuba and managed the operations of all travel-related programs for the company. Annette keeps busy these days overseeing two companies from her home-base in Miami yet still manages to sneak in local guiding and overseas tour directing whenever she can. Annette is the managing partner of the North America division of Whisper System, a company that provides radio guide systems for guided group tours, and managing partner of Daiquiri Tours, where she organizes travel programs to Cuba, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France and other parts of Europe and the world. She also recently spearheaded the founding of her local Chamber of Commerce in the City of Miami Springs, where she is acting President. One of her greatest accomplishments is being an instructor at ITMI, where she can share her passion for her industry with new students, fellow instructors and fellow alumni.

Russ Marcason

Kira

Mike

Casey Walton

Growing up in rural Virginia with my pet pig, Wilbur, I never imagined I would one day travel the world for a living. College and graduate school led me to a variety of roles, including travel consultant, teacher, media specialist, production director, and speaker. One day, a friend asked me to help plan and lead a student tour to New York City. During the trip, a chaperone commented on what a fantastic job I had–as a tour guide. I explained to them that I wasn’t a tour guide… and added that I wasn’t sure that was even a real job! They assured me it was and connected me with their friend, a recent graduate of ITMI. I was intrigued by the concept and soon discovered that ITMI was the real deal. In 2010 I eagerly attended. I have spent the last ten years working full-time, leading adult and student tours across the US and thirty-eight countries. I take a few months off each year to backpack on my own and have visited an additional twenty-eight countries. What can I say? I love to travel. I believe that travel has the power to transform worldviews and bring people together. There is no greater joy than to witness the moment when travel becomes transformational. As tour directors, we facilitate experiences for people not only to see the world but to walk away changed. It is a great privilege to be a part of ITMI, investing in the next generation of tour professionals. My passion is utilizing technology to simplify and enhance our jobs while providing fantastic experiences for our guests. I love helping both the novice and the nerd get up to speed on technology and current innovations in our field. I have more resources available at ResourcesForTheRoad.com