Let the International Guide Academy, the leading global provider of Tour Manager, Tour Director and Tour Guide certification programs, since 1973, give your career the direction it deserves. After you earn your certification you receive free lifetime placement assistance. IGA has their Headquarters in Denver, Colorado and the programs are available in Denver; Cuernavaca, Mexico; Ottawa, Canada; Beijing, China; and on the NCL Dawn while at sea.

It is important to note that based on the current hospitality industry standards, the professions of Tour Manager (Tour Director) and Tour Guide require different training, knowledge and certifications. IGA has been doing this for close to 40 years.

INTERNATIONAL TOUR MANAGER/DIRECTOR COURSE: This course is intended for you if you are seeking certification as a Tour Manager or Tour Director. People working as Tour Managers within the USA or other countries travel from city to city, state to state, country to country, with responsibilities for the smooth flow of a multi-day tour. Assignments can include motorcoach travel, cruise ship travel and trains. Scroll down this page for schedule and cost of program. (Click here to learn about our Tour Guide course)

What will you learn? The beginning modules in this certification program include Travel Industry Terminology, a look behind the scenes as to how tours are put together and marketed by Tour Operators, Industry Trends, Profile of a Tour Manager/Director and your Pre-tour Departure Preparations. After this foundation your program covers Public Speaking, Airline and Airport Procedures, Baggage Handling and Control, Client Welcome preparation, content and delivery, Hotel Arrivals and Departures, Motorcoach Commentary, Cultural Practices, How to Research, Leisure Days on Tour, City Tours (working with the local Tour Guide or doing it yourself), Motorcoach Travel, Destination Itinerary Planning, Discussion with a Motorcoach Driver and Teamwork, Optional Excursions (what they are, how to present them, operate them and money handling), when available a Tour Operator speaks with the class, Group Psychology, Passenger Emergencies, Industry Networking, preparing your resume, telephone interview techniques as well as Hiring Companies and their practices are identified. All graduates receive a book specially prepared for that specific class which covers Getting Hired, over 125 specific Tour Operators that are looking to hire IGA graduates and Cruise Lines contact information. Throughout the program, the participants are video recorded with copies to each student, role playing, actual motorcoach travel is included and more.

ALL Classes are taught in English.

August 6 - 15, 2010 Beijing, China This program is no longer accepting enrollments.

September 12 - 24, 2010 Cuernavaca,Mexico
Click here to enroll now.

October 10 - October 22, 2010 Certification At Sea Tour Manager Certification program onboard the NCL Dawn during the 13 day/12 night cruise. In 2009, this program filled early and we could not accommodate all who wanted to take this certification at sea program. Special pricing: Your Cruise is now ONLY $899.00
Click here to enroll now.

December 4 - 12, 2010 Denver, CO
Click here to enroll now.

January 30 - February 11, 2011 Cuernavaca,Mexico
Click here to enroll now.

We offer the lowest tuition and housing costs, the best curriculum in the industry, and you earn your certification in a shorter time frame. Lower cost and highest quality certification. Could you ask for anything more?

Frank Slater, CEO, (left) with former Colorado State Governor Bill Owens after Governor Owens added $10 million to the state budget to increase tourism into Colorado.

Denver, Ottawa, and Beijing Courses are 9 calendar days in length. The Cuernavaca Mexico Course is 13 calendar days in length. Class onboard the NCL ship is 12 nights/13 days with 6 full days of class while the NCL Dawn is at sea. Class content is the same in all programs but course length varies due to length of the class day such as a shorter class day in Mexico and a longer class day on the cruise ship.

Denver, Ottawa, and Beijing classes and motorcoach training begin on a Saturday, and end on the following Sunday. In addition to time spend in the classroom, you will participate in two motorcoach training trips and spend time outside of the classroom doing research individually and in small groups. Instructors are available for these individual and small group activities.

Click here for Mexico course information, days, and hours.

Click here for Canada course information, days, and hours.

Click here for Certification At Sea course information, days, and hours.

Below is the NCL Spirit where the Tour Manager students earned their certification while at sea in 2009. Your 2010 program is aboard the NCL Dawn.



Below is where the certification program is held in Cuernavaca, Mexico

TOUR GUIDE COURSE:

This course is intended for you if you want to work as a local Tour Guide. Tour Guides are knowledgeable within a specific locality such as a city, region, state or a specific geographic area. They provide walking tours, step-on guide service, local driver guide, on-site tours and may work special events, "meet and greets", etc. They are rarely away from home overnight. Scroll down for tuition costs.

IGA is proud to announce your redesigned 2010 Tour Guide program. The first new Tour Guide program completed in June 2010 and the next available program in 2010 begins on Sunday 28 November and ends Thursday 2 December. Click here to enroll now.

Registration fee for the Denver, CO International Tour Manager Course is $100 and the tuition is $1,525 for a total of $1,625.

Registration fee for the Tour Guide Course is $100 and the tuition for the 2010 Tour Guide course is $595.00 for a total of $695.

This means you can take both courses for only $2,320. Both courses are independent of each other and lead to separate career paths. They do, however, complement each other. Course content is different in both classes offered.

Tour Operators, Cruise Lines, Motor Coach companies, and Meeting Planning Companies hire our Certified International Tour Managers. Destination Management Companies, Visitors Bureaus, Tour Guiding Companies, Event Planners, and Hotels hire our Certified Tour Guides.

Personal and Cashier's Checks, PayPal, or MasterCard, American Express, and Visa debit/credit cards are accepted. Each course carries its own certification leading to rewarding careers. All books, materials, etc. required are included in the tuition. Lifetime placement assistance is available free for all of our graduates.

Consider checking with your tax accountant or advisor to see if you are eligible for the IRS's Lifetime Learning tax credit.

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