Do you love to travel? Does the idea of new cultures; the sights, sounds and smells make you wonder where the closest airport is? Do you have a strong sense of independence, yet are able to take charge and be responsible? One more… are you fun to be around? If you answered yes to those questions, your path to a new career at 40 could be as easy as becoming a tour guide.

A career as a tour guide is not only flexible, well-paying and fun; it’s the kind of job that allows you to make a difference in your life and the lives of others at the same time. Experiencing the world, be it the roaming the Florida Keys, hiking the mountains of Alaska or touching the Great Wall of China, are dreams many people harbor for years of their lives. As a tour guide, you can become a portal to these experiences.

Changing careers at 40 isn’t easy-peasy, we do know that; however it’s not as hard as you might think. It takes some research, planning and full on motivation to make a change. Maybe today is the beginning of your desire to make a change in your life, maybe it’s been coming on for quite some time; the exciting part is that it’s here now!

Tour directing calls for people of all ages and walks of life, and 40 is a great age to get started. Great tour directors share the following common traits:

1. They like people
2. Have excellent communication skills
3. Are bored by routine
4. Love to travel; experience new adventures
5. Have a strong sense of independence
6. Are creative and flexible
7. Can “take charge” and be responsible
8. Possess a good measure of “common sense”
9. Are just plain fun to be around and
10. Want to make a difference in the world

Do you have those traits? So many people do and they spend every day wondering how they could possibly work in a career that supports and fosters them. Not everyone will fall into that category of people, but if you can say YES, I have those traits, then a career change at 40 to the exciting world of tour directing might be just what the Life Doctor ordered!

Also… with ITMI you can do it in 15 days and we’ll support you every step of the way even into career placement. With ITMI, you will find a family of people dedicated to success and the joy of travel. Shoot us an email via the Contact Us form on our home page… we’d love to chat with you and help you decide if tour directing is the right career path for you!

The post Changing Your Career at 40 – You Can Do It, We Can Help! appeared first on ITMI.

Need a new career? Are you looking for a new career on your own terms, one that offers the flexibility to work full or part-time, near your home or throughout the world… without relocating? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions and you need a new career, working in the travel industry could be the answer.

Whether you currently hold a job that is not satisfying or are experiencing job burnout; or you are looking for work, but have not been able to find a job; the travel industry might hold the key to a new career.  If you love to travel and possess good organizational skills along with a spirit of adventure, a new career as a tour director or tour guide could open a world of opportunity for you.

Tour directors and guides come from all walks of life: from recent college grads to empty nesters; from retirees who want to get paid to travel; to former military personnel who can utilize their knowledge and expertise  to lead groups; tour directing offers exciting full or part-time career opportunities.

Thousands of people from around the world have found joy and satisfaction in developing a new career as a tour director. The good news is that neither age, gender nor ethnic background are barriers to entry.  Tour directors working within the USA can earn an average of $250 to $350 per day. On international assignments, they can earn $350 to $500 per day or more. Being fluent in a second language increases earnings and employment opportunities.

Since 1976, ITMI has launched over 7,000 new careers as tour directors. In just 15 days, you can become a certified tour director.  ITMI provides lifetime job placement  premier training and certification program you can start a new career in 15 days. ITMI works with hundreds of tour companies seeking ITMI certified tour directors or tour guides and assists in arranging interviews with prospective employers.

So, what are you waiting for? If you need a new career, just fill out the Contact Form on our home page and we would be happy to get in touch with you to discuss if becoming a tour guide is the right career move for you… we think it just might be!

The post Do You Need a New Career? Consider the Exciting Career Opportunities in Travel! appeared first on ITMI.

The sexual exploitation of children is a serious problem in the world and in the United States there are nearly 300,000 children at risk. Since 1991, ECPAT-USA has led the charge to protect three types of children:

• Children who are sexually exploited by Americans who travel abroad
• Children who are trafficked to the United States from other countries
• American children who are trafficked and exploited within the USA

ECPAT is all regions of the world. Please look and see how you can make a difference.

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The post Ending Child Prostitution in our Life Time appeared first on ITMI.

Perhaps there is no other person in our industry who is taking such a stand on stopping Human Trafficking than Marilyn Carlson Nelson, who is the Chairman of the board of her families company, Carlson. Marilyn has earned the title of matriarch of the travel industry working to promote travel and tourism throughout the world.

Her leadership has single handedly brought other leading companies like Sabre Holdings to sign the important called The Code, where individual companies promise to help bring about awareness of the crimes and help train others to become proactive in stopping this horrific crime.

During the ITMI Symposium in Albuquerque, ITMI signed the Code while Marilyn Carlson Nelson looked on with much pride. Sandy invited Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Ted Bravos to the show to discuss their companies intentions to be part of the solution of stopping Human Trafficking.

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The post Industry Leaders taking a Stand on Human Trafficking appeared first on ITMI.

Spencer is a renaissance man who has enjoyed a career of music, business, art and more. Each one of his radio segments begins and ends with his original music that he wrote and produced for the film industry. Enjoy the conversation!

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Dave also contributed to a panel that Sandy moderated at the 26th Annual ITMI Symposium in Albuquerque. Join us for some serious fun.

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Clyde moved from Iowa and never looked back. A Native American, Clydes company is also a member of NTA and a supporter of ITMI.

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The post Albuquerque a Cultural Experience that is Unique and Authentic appeared first on ITMI.

This is a great time to look at this industry and see if it is for you. The Institute brought together close to 500 alumni and tour operators who were looking to hire ITMI graduates. Check out this conversation which includes some uplifting advice, especially if you are looking for a career in the travel industry.

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The post International Tour Management Institute Graduate talks about Life after Graduation at annual Symposium in Albuquerque appeared first on ITMI.

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The post Moving up the Ladder in Travel Media appeared first on ITMI.

An ITMI graduate whose journalism career spans 2 decades, Bettina shares her enthusiastic about the opportunities that combine tour management, travel writing and being her own boss.

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The post Up-coming International Tour Management Institute Symposium promotes education and opportunities to its graduates appeared first on ITMI.