Every day, every moment is filled with possibilities, you might never end up being stuck behind a desk staring at a screen … It doesn’ t matter what the size of the company that you’ re part of is. You can lead tours anywhere in the world, anytime, depending on your desire and flexibility. You can travel the world or stay put, and guide folks on adventures that they wouldn’ t otherwise have. Learn a new language. Learn new skills. Learn how to negotiate with tour operators and other vendors. Design an itinerary for a trip you’ ve never taken, but will guide. Try new foods. Learn how another culture works. Talk to new people. Go out! Connect to the world!
What are the necessary skills? You need a passion and desire to get involved, connect with people, Be ready to experience adventure tourism, a blast of common sense, and a great program to set you on the right path. Are you Hooked on to the thought yet?
3. Big Responsibilities With great adventure comes great responsibility. Not only do you get to meet new people, design exciting trips, sample different cuisines, and guide folks on an adventure they’ ll never forget; you’ ll also learn and practice high quality control.
ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE
For any technical adventure, like rock climbing or rafting, you’ ll have to earn the appropriate certifications. You’ ll have to meet standard safety & training requirements through coursework. You’ ll work to achieve the ISO Safety Standards for Adventure Travel. In short-you’ ll aim for the gold standard in guiding and hospitality.
How? By finding the right program to give you the credentials that you need.
4. Love Challenges??? You’ ll learn to overcome them in this field every single day, in the field and in your course of study. Put your assumptions aside. Know that when you’ re an adventure guide you’ re creating an experience for others not just yourself.
You’ ll probably need to do a bulk of the grunt work, like the cooking and cleaning. You’ ll have to do all the trip planning and gear maintenance.
You’ ll answer questions. You’ ll stay out of your participants’ way but be within reach to help. You’ ll lead. You’ ll intervene. You’ ll keep personal opinions to yourself. It’ s always easier said than done but, always worth doing. photo credit: outlookindia
Vol 2 | Issue 1 | Mar- May 2017 35