Tour Guide Vs Tour Manager - What's the Difference?

There is a huge difference between a tour guide vs Tour Manager.

The Institute of Tour Guiding gives the following definition;

Tourist Guide

Person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area, which person normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognised by the appropriate authority.

Tour Manager

Person who manages and supervises the itinerary on behalf of the tour operator, ensuring the program is carried out as described in the tour operators literature and sold to the traveller/consumer and who gives local practical information.

Read on to understand more about how a Tour Guide vs Tour Manager may affect your coach holiday experience.

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Tour Leader vs Tour Guide

What’s the Difference? Tour Guide vs Tour Manager

Table of Contents

What’s the Difference between a Tour Guide vs Tour Manager?

A Tour Manager is responsible for operating the tour while you are on holiday. They may do some of the guiding but will not be permitted to guide in places where licensed Tour Guides operate such as cities and tourist attractions. A Tour Guide is a licensed, trained, and qualified guide

Tour Guide vs Tour Manager

Tour Manager

The Tour Manager is responsible for operating the tour whilst travelling on a coach holiday.

They ensure that the program is delivered as per the holiday contract. They deal with all the suppliers, including coaches, hotels, and local guides.

A Tour Manager is also there to deal with any issues including medical problems, and adaptions to the program to take account of disruption or weather.

Tour Managers will often provide commentary on the coach or will lead tours when visiting places.

They are not permitted to lead tours in places where licensed tour guides operate. This might be in cities, or specialist attractions such as the Tower of London, Pompeii etc.

Tour Managers do sometimes offer tours in places where guides operate. These are called ‘orientation tours’ and should be focussed on practical information rather than historical and cultural facts. This is to avoid encroaching on the work of licensed tour guides.

A Tour Manager is generally not licensed, although there are some qualifications and training available. This is not usually mandatory to become a Tour Manager.

Some Tour Managers specialise in certain types of tours, some in particular destinations, and some travel anywhere in the world.

Tour Managers that specialise in particular destinations can build up a really extensive and detailed knowledge of the area as a result.

This still doesn’t qualify them to become a Tour Guide – they would still have to take an exam.

Tour Director

Tour Guide (In the Context of Coach Holidays)

A Tour Guide is a qualified trained guide who is an expert in a particular place or destination. They will generally have had to take an exam to prove their knowledge.

They have a huge depth of knowledge about their specialist location and deliver visits and walking tours. Generally, they will be used as ‘step-on’ guides for coach holidays, leading tours for guests and liaising with the Tour Manager about the details of the tour and what it covers.

In the UK we have the British Guild of Tourist Guides who operate the Green and Blue Badge schemes. Guides must take exams to prove their knowledge and skills. Once they have passed they are able to charge standard rates for their tours.

Tour Guide Vs Tour Manager Summary

A Tour Manager is someone who specialises in running tours. This may involve providing some commentary.
A Tour Guide is a licensed, trained and certificated specialist in a particular area, destination or attraction.
A Tour Manager cannot act as a Tour Guide, but a Tour Guide could be a Tour Manager!