Tour Directing Video
Interested in learning more about becoming a Tour Director and if it's the right career for you? Watch a four minute video Baby Boomer Lifestyle Video and other insightful tour directing videos.

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- 2008 Symposium Brochure for Tour Directors (PDF)
- Symposium Photos and Videos
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In January 1998 I had the opportunity and privilege of attending the annual symposium of ITMI, the International Tour Management Institute. In simple terms, ITMI is recognized by the North American travel industry as the top training program in existence for those wishing to become tour directors. ITMI stands alone, in a class by itself, and for all the right reasons.

A Little ITMI History
Based in San Francisco, ITMI is a brainchild of cofounders Ted Bravos and Dr. Bill Newton. When Bill and Ted, both of whom had impressive credentials in other fields, began leading tours over 25 years ago, they had virtually no training themselves. They recognized the clear and overwhelming need for a good training program for those wishing to lead tours as a full or part-time occupation. This need and opportunity resulted in the founding the International Tour Management Institute in 1976. The rest is history - over 2,700 graduates now working as tour directors and guides for more than 600 companies plus a reputation for quality, commitment and overall excellence perhaps unsurpassed by any organization in any area of the travel industry today. Many tour operators and other travel companies will only use ITMI graduates. Few in the know would question that Ted Bravos, Bill Newton and ITMI are responsible for evolving tour directing into a respected profession. The ITMI Tour Director training program

ITMI currently conducts seven annual training programs limited to 28 students each. Five of the programs are two weeks in duration and two are four weeks long. The curriculum is the same for both. The 2-week session meets daily for a full 15 days and the 4-week session meets three days a week and on weekends. Most programs are conducted in San Francisco, but in 1998 two will be held in Los Angeles and one in Boston. The method of instruction at ITMI is team teaching, with at least three instructors in each class. Ted and Bill are fully involved in course instruction. Approximately 60% of the instruction is done outside the classroom. The ITMI motto is "learn by doing." Students receive a "hands on" experience in the operation of actual tours and tour procedures during field workshops. Attendance is mandatory at all training sessions. A strict adherence to the ITMI code of ethics is emphasized throughout the course. The cost of the course is a not insignificant $2,650. ITMI also assists out-of-town students with obtaining housing for the duration of the course. Typically, the cost of a share rental is $650 to $750, depending on the location. Make no mistake about it, ITMI is selective. It is so because it wants to be and can be. Today, only 20%-25% of applicants are accepted into the program. The quality of ITMI applicants has continually improved over the years, and classes typically have more older students, many with impressive professional backgrounds in other fields. This is serious stuff - only for the motivated, dedicated and committed.

For me, one of the most impressive components of the entire ITMI operation is the total commitment of the organization to placement of its graduates in both the near and long term. This takes many forms, including arranging employment interviews and providing newsletter/ bulletins to all graduates regarding the latest job opportunities. Graduates have also developed a network for employment through close associations with each other. About two-thirds of tour directors and guides today are hired as independent contractors. Tour directors and tour operators have greatly varying needs when it comes to the amount of work required. The fall generally is considered the busiest season. ITMI says that their graduates fall into thirds with respect to the amount to time they work, that is one-third work full time (150-200 days per year), one-third part-time (50-100 days per year) and one-third intermittently (less than 50 days per year). For those group organizer types who aspire to organizing, filling and leading their own tours, I highly recommend the ITMI course. You will find it invaluable. If you are seriously contemplating becoming a tour director, contact ITMI for an application. The application packet will provide explanations, answer questions and perhaps stimulate others concerning this exciting and extremely demanding occupation. Of particular value is a handout entitled "Most Frequently Asked Questions About Tour Directing."

The ITMI Annual Symposiums
The 11th annual, 3-day ITMI Symposium which I attended hosted over 300 participants, including 50 major tour companies. ITMI graduates, both recent as well as alumni stretching back to its origins, attended. This is their annual opportunity to receive continuing training and updating regarding developments in the tour and travel industry. Some sessions at the symposium are for tour directors, some are for tour companies and some are combined sessions. ITMI graduates also use the annual symposium as an opportunity to renew friendships and network with fellow tour directors regarding employment opportunities and numerous other issues. It is not uncommon for ITMI graduates to end up on the operations side of the travel business with tour companies. I noted with interest that many tour company representatives at the conference were ITMI graduates. The overall quality of the many sessions I attended was excellent. The key feature of the annual symposium is the Marketplace. For many each year it is the primary purpose of attending the symposium. This year's Marketplace consisted of two sessions during which tour companies conducted prescheduled 10-minute interviews with tour directors looking for expanded employment opportunities. To say the least, the Marketplace is of great importance to both tour companies and the tour directors and enjoys great success.

A final word from a longtime tour director
The best advice I, as a longtime tour director, can offer those considering this field is "know thyself." Tour directing is essentially a "a love or hate it" occupation. While I greatly enjoy leading a couple of tours per year, I cringe at the thought of full-time tour directing. Tour directing is a great way to travel for those who love working with people of varied backgrounds, dealing with constant challenges, overcoming obstacles, paying a great deal of attention to detail and, finally, traveling and getting paid for it. If you do not fit this description, then may I suggest doing something else to make a lot of money with which you can then travel to your heart's content. While tour directing requires stamina, essentially it's not age restrictive. It' s much more about attitude, personality, flexibility and more attitude. If you think it just might be your calling, contact ITMI and "go for it."