Guide

JOB

Guides guide individuals or groups around the country, informing them about the sights; nature, environment, human activity and places of interest, as well as giving information on the recreational options and services available. You can specialize in hiking guiding, jeep guiding, horse guiding and glacier guiding, to name a few.

In most cases, a guide works according to the tour planner’s schedule. Guides can work for travel agencies, travel wholesalers, museums, government agencies and entertainment companies. They work in collaboration with rangers, cabin keepers, drivers and staff at travel agencies and places of accommodation and ensure that natural and cultural monuments are not damaged by tourists.

Guides must, as a minimum, have completed First Aid 1, which is a 20-hour course.

Main tasks

• receiving tourists on behalf of the travel agency and assisting
• executing organized trips and/or hiking trails around the country in summer and/or winter conditions
• providing information on clothing, weather conditions and other relevant matters
• explaining the sights
• promoting the safety of tourists and responding to accidents and illness

Competence requirements

A guide must have great skills in the language being used, be able to lead a group, respond to accidents and have a basic knowledge of first aid. It is important to know how to respond to Icelandic winter conditions. It is necessary to be well versed in the history and culture of the country, as well as the main tourist routes, places, museums and institutions in each region.