I was fortunate to live and study in Madrid, Spain, for the last two years of my undergraduate university studies. I found that I loved exploring and using my knowledge of Spanish and other languages to interact with locals and non-Americans.
When I finished my degree, the next challenge was how to get a job where I could use my languages and be able to “get paid to travel.”
Back home in Chicago, I was always on the lookout for a good travel job. I show my age when I say I used to look at the want ads for work! Anyway, one day I saw an advertisement for the ITMI class in a Chicago newspaper’s help wanted/classified ads. (At that time, ITMI was conducting the class at different cities around the U.S.) In all, the ITMI class was given two times in Chicago, two years apart. I was in the first Chicago class—1983, class 37.)
Later, one of my Madrid roommates, who was living in Italy, wrote to me that she was guiding incentive groups around the world. Eventually, I sought more information and got involved in incentive travel.
What qualities do you feel make for a good tour director?
Being authentic—not phony—paying attention to details, remembering who has a special need or request, and treating others as you would like to be treated are some of the more important attributes of working in tourism.
I like to encourage people to “make memories” by taking funny photos or self-portraits or collecting small souvenirs like ticket stubs, postcards, and brochures.
I also like to “give people permission” to go into remarkable (public) buildings to see what is behind the attractive façade. I ask them, “What is the worst that could happen? You might be asked to leave.” But there are often serendipitous moments and hidden architectural details to discover and enjoy!
What advice would you give to a first-time traveler?
Pack light! Even a suitcase on wheels is heavy when you must carry it up a few steps or a flight of stairs. When you are on the move, an extra pair of slacks and shoes, plus coordinating tops and accessories, go a long way.
Loosely plan your journey before you depart to ensure you will see all your “must-sees,” but keep your eyes open for the spontaneous opportunities and serendipitous moments that always occur. There is nothing worse than having only one day to see a special place and then finding out it is closed that day, but there is nothing better than seeing a live performance or taking a guided tour of an architecturally stunning or historic venue.
What are three things you must always take with you?
My camera; a desire to try new things, learn and explore; and a (netbook) computer to carry resources, important documents, download photos and stay in touch.
If I could offer a fourth thing, it would be several good paperback books to help pass the time when there are inevitable delays, then exchange or give to others I meet along the way.
Name someone famous you’d like to travel with and where you’d like to take them.
I have never particularly wanted to travel with someone famous. I prefer to take good friends and family to places that I have been and that have produced good memories for me. My top destinations would be the places I lived and visited in Spain, so my companions might meet my friends in those places, too.
How has tour directing impacted your perspective of the world?
Working in tourism has enabled me to meet many diverse and interesting people and explore things near home and far away that otherwise might not have been open to me. But more than tour directing, technology has impacted my perceptions and perspectives of the world.
Decades ago, when living abroad in Spain as a university student, I realized how small the world was getting when I met a girl from Hong Kong whose sister used to date the brother of an old Chicago area boyfriend of mine who was a student at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Since then, the world has only seemed to get smaller.
What advice would you give someone if they wanted to become a tour director or guide?
Please don’t do it unless you are a life-long learner! Many people are initially attracted to this business because of the perceived “glamour” of travel. Often, “wannabe” guides or tour directors don’t realize that in order to be successful and truly make a career, you need to be a self-starter, entrepreneur, bookkeeper, teacher, nurturer, master of logistics, quick thinker, seemingly tireless actor, glass-half-full person. You need to learn how to use technology and study history and architecture, like going to new places, meeting new people, and trying new things.
