What’s the difference between a tour guide and a tour operator? It’s a common question and understandable since they both play a major role in the travel experience. But, they are are different.
Extraordinary travel experiences happen because of services provided by professional tour guides and tour operators, but while they are similar and some of the roles overlap, they operate differently.
They are equally important and share the common goal of ensuring that tourists and other visitors experience the most wonderful and unforgettable trip, and that everything goes smoothly.
So here’s the difference between tour guides and tour operators.
Tour Guide Role and Responsibilities
- Interacts directly with visitors
- Is the person that visitors get to know
- Enhances the travel experience by introducing visitors to the sites, attractions, people, and participates in events alongside visitors
- Can make or break a tour experience
- Develops the relationship with visitors and enhances the traveler experience
- Represents themselves, meaning that they work on their own, or may work as a freelance tour guide with a tour operator company on a per tour basis. Others may be full time employees of a tour operator company, or a travel and tourism organization
- May specialize in a particular region or subject
- Professional tour guides are licensed or registered with the tourism entity in charge of registration or licensing
- Represent the country. They also represent the business they are working for or themselves, and are enthusiastic and proud to show visitors around and share their love of their country and all it has to offer
- Knowlegeable about tourism sites and attractions
- Troubleshoot, especially when traveling with tourists during a multi-day, multi-city tour
- If working for a tour operator, they represent the company and adhere to the policies and standards of the company
- Maintain constant communication with the tour operator, if they are working for one
- Tells the story of the country, the attraction site, the people and the culture. They are the storytellers.
What a Tour Operator Does
- Handles the big picture. Organizes and coordinates all aspects of the trip and day to day itinerary
- Offers set or structured packaged tours at different times of the year or throughout the year
- Custom designs tours according to what travelers want to see, do and experience
- Maps out the route, day-by-day itinerary so it flows logically and seamlessly
- Works with solo travelers, small and large groups
- Works one on one with solo travelers, or with group travel leaders
- Maintains relationships with various travel partners, including trusted tour guides, insured and registered transportation companies and drivers whom they hire to carry out the tour
- Maintains relationships with select hotels and other types of accommodations in various areas of the country
- Works with community organizations to provide artistic, cultural, culinary, and other cultural immersive activities and experiences or special activities and events based on visitor interests
- Maintains daily communication with the tour guide and other travel partners throughout the tour
- Has overall responsibility for the entire tour
Conclusion
As you have read, there is overlap in what tour guides and tour operators do, but the larger, more complex business is the tour operator company.
In many cases, a local tour guide simply does not have the resources or capacity that a tour operator has.
When tour guides and tour operators work together, hand in hand, it works out very well.
If you choose to work directly with a tour guide, then you and the tour guide will discuss what you want to do and how you will do it. The contract will be between you and the tour guide and you will pay tour expenses and fees directly to your tour guide. The tour guide will arrange the details of your visit in the country.
If you decide to work with a tour operator, then you will communicate with one of the tour operator’s team members. You will pay the tour operator. The tour price will likely include accommodation, transportation, some meal expenses, as well as entry fees to attractions, and special activities.