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Expert tour guide training courses from the premier global training institute in tour and travel education.

Jeremy West, ITMI Alumni
Susan Schnurr, ITMI Alumni
Lucero, ITMI Alumni
Jeremy, ITMI Alumni
Meet Hannah, ITMI Alumni

Trusted By The World’s Leading Tour Companies Since 1976

INVEST IN EXCELLENCE

Why Choose ITMI?

Whether you’re just starting or already leading tours, ITMI offers training and support to launch or elevate your career.

For over five decades, ITMI has trained thousands of tour directors and tour guides who share a passion for making a difference in the world through travel and education

Our mission has been to inspire leadership and create memorable travel experiences worldwide.

Meet Joseph Spaid, ITMI Alumni

Globally Recognized Certification

We are the premier institute in tourism management & travel education. Earn a trusted, industry-respected certification that top-tier tour companies have relied on for decades. Whether you’re tour guiding in your own city, leading tours throughout your country, or leading global expeditions, your ITMI Tour Director / Guide Certification stands as a testament to your skills, confidence, and professionalism. This credential empowers entrepreneurial dreams, opening doors to building your own tour company or niche travel brand.

Train Online at Your Pace – Anywhere In The World

ITMI’s flexible, self-paced online tour directing and tour guiding program is designed to fit your lifestyle, regardless of your schedule, time zone, or location. You’ll receive individual mentorship and one-on-one coaching from experienced, active tour directors and guides—personalized learning with real human support, and an approach that adapts to how you learn best.

Real-World Experience – Learn-by-Doing

Go beyond theory and simulation. With ITMI, you’ll have the opportunity to step into real-world guiding experiences by joining a live tour with actual guests through exclusive partnerships with leading tour operators.

Career-Focused Curriculum

The training at ITMI is your pathway to success, helping you land jobs with top tour companies and launch your career. Our comprehensive curriculum is built around learning the skills and best practices that tour and travel companies seek, including the psychology of group travel, customer service, logistics, storytelling, problem-solving, and more. Everything is designed to help you thrive in today’s global, evolving travel landscape.

Lifetime Placement Assistance, and Global Network

IT’S NOT JUST TRAINING. IT’S YOUR PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM LAUNCHPAD.

ITMI CERTIFIED INTERNATIONAL
TOUR DIRECTOR & GUIDE

Be paid to travel and lead experiences locally and around the world.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE

  • Format: Online, 1-on-1 instructor coaching,
    plus Interactive virtual classroom sessions
    with your Instructors and classmates.
  • Length: Approximately 8–10 weeks to be
    awarded your ITMI International Tour
    Director / Guide Certification.
  • Start Working Sooner: Complete your first
    milestone, earning your local Tour Guiding
    Certificate in your first 37 modules, and start
    working locally as a tour guide while you continue your national and international tour director training.
  • Keep Growing: Join an On-the-Road
    MasterClass: a multi-day tour of your choice
    anywhere in North America or around the
    world – no simulations, with real tour clients
    and with real touring experience.
  • Outcome: Ready to lead your first tour.
    Lifetime placement assistance.

Build confidence and gain real-world learn-bydoing — with 90+ total modules including assignments and quizzes designed to teach skills and best practices step-by-step for your success.

Meet Luis Guzman, ITMI Alumni

WHAT SETS ITMI APART

Trusted by the Global Travel Industry

Committed to Ethical, Impactful, Sustainable Tourism

We are honored to be affiliate members of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, reflecting our commitment to global standards and the power of travel to make a difference in people’s lives around the world.

We’re also proud to be aligned with: 

  • Tourism Cares
  • National Tour Association (NTA)
  • Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA)
  • International Inbound Travel Association (IITA)
  • American Bus Association (ABA)
  • Unity Travel
  • World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH)

TRAINING THAT TRAVELS WITH YOU

Learn by doing. Grow by reflecting. Lead by example.

Go beyond the classroom and into the field. The ITMI On-the-Road MasterClass brings your certification to life with real-world training, expert coaching, and immersive experience – on tour, with real guests.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

  • Live In-Person Tour Experience
    Embark on a multi-day tour across North America or anywhere in the world — authentic travel with real guests and real impact.
  • Built for Every Stage of Your Journey
    Whether you’re just starting or already leading tours, this MasterClass will expand your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and build confidence.
  • Guided by Experts
    Get one-on-one feedback and on-the-road coaching from experienced instructors, with structured coursework to support your growth in real time.
  • Cohort Connections
    Train alongside peers, reflect together, and build a strong professional network that lasts beyond the tour.
Where the Road Beckons - ITMI Leads the Way

INTERESTED IN REFERRING TO ITMI AS AN AFFILIATE?

Perfect for travel influencers, life coaches, and industry insiders

INVEST IN EXCELLENCE

MORE THAN A CERTIFICATE - IT'S A CAREER LAUNCHPAD

Spanning over five decades, ITMI doesn’t just certify tour directors-we build confident, capable professionals ready to thrive in the global travel industry. As experts in travel management education, our certification prepares you for a diverse range of roles across the industry-including tour directing and guiding, operations, logistics, guest services, and cruise hosting.

Industry-Recognized Certification:

Qualify for single-day, multi-day, and international tours with global tour operators.

Flexible Paths That Fit You:

Choose from self-paced learning with 1:1 instructor mentorship or immersive MasteryTraining with real guests on live tours.

Real-World Field Experience:

Practice with actual guests-not just simulations-through partnerships across the travel sector.

Personal Mentorship from Experts:

Receive personalized coaching, feedback, and support from instructors who care about your success.

Versatility Across the Travel Industry:

Whether leading adventure tours, hosting student groups, or guiding niche experiences, ITMI prepares you to serve across every sector of the travel industry.

Career-Focused Curriculum:

Learn the business of tour directing-storytelling, logistics, budgeting, guest care, and more.

A Lifelong Professional Network:

Join the ITMI alumni community - a global circle of guides, mentors, and hiring partners built over five decades.

SIGNATURE TOUR DIRECTOR CERTIFICATION

"Where yourjourney begins - over 50 years of proven training excellence for aspiring Tour Directors and Guides"

Launch your career with our comprehensive online certification, built for real-world success.

VIEW COURSE CIRRICULUM

PREMIER TOUR DIRECTOR CERTIFICATION

"For aspiring leaders ready to elevate beyond the standard - ITMI's most immersive, career focused certification."

Everything in the Signature Certification - plus exclusive, real-world experience and personal career debrief.

APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION

CUSTOM TRAINING SOLUTIONS FOR THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY

"With your direction, we help elevate the skills of your staff and guides - ensuring a seamless, first-class guest experience."

Turn your internal training into a scalable, branded certification program - tailored for Tour and Motorcoach Operators, Sales Teams, and Admin Staff.

PARTNER WITH ITMI

INTERESTED IN PARTNERING WITH ITMI AS AN AFFILIATE

Perfect for travel influencers, life coaches, and industry insiders
FROM DREAM TO REALITY

Crafting Tomorrow's Travel Leaders

We are a community of dreamers and doers united by our passion for transformative travel experiences. Since 1976, ITMI has been more than a training program - we've been the catalyst for countless extraordinary careers in global tourism.

Global Legacy

Pioneering Excellence in Travel since 1976.

Passion & Purpose

Creating stewards of cultural transformation and sustainable tourism.

Industry Leader

Setting the standards of professional tour direction worldwide.

Expert Community

Led by award-winning professionals actively shaping the industry.

Join Our Community

Where Purpose Meets Adventure - and Lifelong Friendships Begin

Step into a vibrant, welcoming community of storytellers, and explorers- our changemakers. At ITMI, training is just the beginning - our graduates become a part of a global family. Whether your guiding a tour through Europe or cheering on new classmates, you're never alone on the journey.

Have Questions ???

Our Team is here to help every step of the way

Check-out Our Blogs

Chart Your Tour Directing Journey

From first steps to fulfilling adventures-get inspired by stories and strategies from our community.

Stephanie Sjaardema & Kim Thompson, ITMI Alumnus

How ITMI Graduates Begin their
Tour Directing Career

Learn how ITMi alumni launch exciting careers across the globe. From motorcoach tours to luxury cruises and so much more!

Chris Brown, ITMI Alumni

The Journey of a Tour Director:
Charting Your Path

Discover what it really means to be a Tour Director and how to carve out your unique place in the industry.

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