Shirley Hartwell believes in a strong, professional tourism workforce so she created a career for herself initially recruiting and training tour guides. She now leads multi-day tours through the Rockies and to Alaska.
After working for some time in the travel industry, Shirley identified a niche market for herself—to recruit and train tour guides in preparation for Expo 86. So in 1983 she started her own company, Select Tour Guides, and the company conducted over 600 tours in 1986 alone.
After she sold her company, it seemed a natural progression for her to go from guiding day tours around Vancouver to leading multi-day tours in other parts of BC and Canada as a Tour Director.
The Tour Director is the liaison between the tour operator and the passengers. This starts with meeting the tour group at the airport upon their arrival and transferring them to, and getting them settled in their hotel. In Shirley's case, most of the groups originate in the UK and the groups may have to be met in Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver. The tour, comprising of 45-50 passengers, may be conducted on a motor coach or train around BC and through the Rockies, or onboard a ship up to Alaska. At times, the Tour Director may be responsible for all the logistics including the timing, the routing, confirming hotel and meal reservations—while at the same time providing running commentary and keeping the passengers entertained. The Tour Director is also responsible for contingency planning in the event of medical emergencies, road closures, or bus breakdowns.
Tour directing has many advantages. Shirley loves the flexibility that comes with her job. She contracts herself out to various tour operators so can decide what tours she wants to lead and how often she wants to work. She can work seasonally and make a good income leaving her free to do her own personal traveling in the off-season.
One challenge in tour directing is that it can be both mentally and physically exhausting. Tour Directors are with the guests for 10-14 days and must maintain high energy and a positive attitude throughout despite challenges on the road and having to deal with many different personality types. People have high expectations when they are on a tour so all of their needs and expectations must be met.
Her advice to someone thinking about a career as a Tour Guide or Tour Director? "Be a tourist yourself. Know what's in your own backyard, take a public speaking course and work on your time management/organization skills."
For more information on becoming the tour guide, visit the Canadian Tour Guide Association of British Columbia website.
