Being a tour guide may be one way to get around the world, not only free, but also get paid for that. Potential revenue from this field is very big, but everything also depends on the professionalism and experience of someone.

The tour guide services is very vital because so many tourists that travel in groups to a region or foreign country, where for the sake of security and comfort, they book a package through a travel agency. Tour guide (or also known as tour manager) is usually provided by travel agency, and usually he is the group of leaders (tour director) who leaves together with a group to some designated countries. Facilities provided by the travel agency for a tour leader consists of the round-trip tickets, accommodation in the same place where participants stay, eating facilities, pocket money and the daily honorarium that varies between USD 40 - 100.

In fact there is a significant difference in principle between the tour guide with a tour leader (tour director). A guide usually has a deep knowledge of a particular tourism object. His/her duty is to give a detailed explanation to the travel members - from the historical background, local custom and etiquette as well as living habits of the local community. Besides that, he/she also knows place to buy cheap souvenirs, and so on.

On the other hand, a tour leader is functioned more as a 'baby sitter' for the tour participants for the whole period of a trip in which he/she always accompanies and serves the interests of the participants, ranging from getting the airline's boarding pass, handling luggage, take care of the land transportation, hotel check-in/out in the cities of destination and other things alike. In short, a tour leader must have managerial ability and good communication skills.

Income from this field of work is quite big. When working as a tour guide and part-time tour leader in a number of travel bureaus in Europe, the earnings that I get ranged USD 40 - USD 120/day, depending on the duration and level of difficulty of the journey. For a city tour, which only be three to six hours, usually the income I earn is USD 40-50. To travel for days that require me to be a guide as well as tour leader, then the income I earn around USD 70 to 120/day.

This amount of revenue can be increased with the tips given by the participants that ranges from USD 2 - 5/person/day. That is still not included the potential revenue from the commission given by the merchant when the group shop in their place. The merchant usually gives a commission of 10-15% of the total gross sales.

The higher someone's experience going overseas, the higher the opportunity to be able to become a tour guide and /or a tour leader. And if you are also keen in writing or taking travel photographs during the journey, your potential income from this industry is even bigger. A travel writer and photographer has big potential to be hired by a travel agent to become a tour leader. This is because he/she always conducted a deep research before hands.

There is one e book that explains very detailed on how to become a professional tour director. This e book is written highly reputable and experienced tour leader, Cherie Anderson. The 200 + pages of e book frankly reveal tremendous knowledge and a variety of challenges that need to be faced by tour director. I highly recommend this ebook to you, especially if you want to find additional sources of income and free traveling opportunities to different countries. This e-book is a great investment that will open door in the field of tour & travel for you. If you want take a look what are the contents of this e-book, or if you are interested to buy it (U$ 99.95), just click here.