ETOA Tour Guide ID Counterparts

Cardholders may be in one of the following three categories:

  1. Established in an EU/EEA country that does not regulate guiding
  2. Established in an EU/EEA country that regulates guiding
  3. Established in a non-EU/EEA country

Established typically means the country in which individual is registered to pay tax, and/or is a legal resident. Individuals in category B must meet domestic requirements of regulated professions.

To support your work as a tour guide, we suggest you download one of the three Multilingual counterpart documents below.

A: Multilingual counterpart document for tour guide established in an EU/EEA country that does not regulate guiding

B: Multilingual counterpart document for tour guide established in an EU/EEA country that regulates guiding

C: Multilingual counterpart document for tour guide established in a non-EU/EEA country

ETOA’s Tour Guide ID Card is a photo-ID card available to professionals contracted by ETOA members.

 

ETOA Tour Guide ID card

There is a need for a widely accepted definition that includes the delivery of cultural commentary, the very activity that is subject to unreasonable and in some cases illegitimate disruption in various European cities. 

The reasons why ETOA uses the term ‘tour guide’ are:  

  • tour guides are required to deliver cultural commentary 
  • the term ‘tour guide’ is generic and familiar to consumers.  

Tour guides are one category among various tourism professionals who may provide guiding services to tourists. While levels and areas of expertise may vary, all are required to deliver cultural information. Ambiguities that can arise through translation are evident. ‘Tour guide’ and ‘tourist guide’ are used interchangeably and are often simplified to ‘guide’. 

Tour guides may work with the same group over a period of days on a closed-circuit tour or on a specialist walking tour. Typically, there is a prescribed itinerary to follow; equally, part of the role may be to enable customers to make the most of any free time. Other professionals working with tourists include local guides, museum guides, cathedral guides, palace guides and other site-specific guides. 

Other terms in English to refer to someone performing a tour guide’s function include: delegation manager; docent; programme manager; study leader; tour director; tour leader; tour manager.  

It is in the interests of the consumer that they should be able to receive professional services from the individual they wish. It is also in the interest of the individual that they may freely provide those services.