General Information

Certain cities require tour guides to have licenses. It is our practice to employ Tour Leaders who have the required licenses and permits. If you will be working in a city with a licensing requirement, and do not yet hold a valid license, we strongly encourage you to do so.

If you have a licensing question, please call our office and we will assist you in obtaining the appropriate information, or visit the links below.

• Washington DC Tour Guide License
• New York City Tour Guide License

Meet your new best friend. The motorcoach operator can make or break a tour.

• 99% of motorcoach operators are professionals who enjoy serving and delighting their customers. Treat them with respect and concern for their well being (within reason – remember the customer comes first!) and you’ll find a helping hand.
• Approach the motorcoach operator as a teammate not an opponent. Tell them that you are interested in getting a return customer for yourself and the motorcoach company.
• A driver who interrupts you or corrects you needs to be dealt with carefully but quickly. It is NOT recommended that you discuss differences or attempt to correct an operator in front of the customers.
• Motorcoach operators are required by Federal law to have 8 consecutive hours’ rest when off duty for the day (some bus companies require more). They are not permitted to drive more than 10 hours in any 15-hour period.  Scholastica Travel Inc does not knowingly violate this law and makes every effort to provide reasonable amounts of time for the coach operators to rest.
• Be true to your word – if you promise the driver you will return to the hotel by 9:30 PM, then do so.  Often, the driver has been up for 5 – 6 more hours than you or the group.
• Most of our vendors will happily provide complimentary admission for the drivers. Try to include them as often as possible, but never at the expense of the group or Scholastica Travel Inc

Always display Scholastica Travel’s name badge on outside garment. Our company colors are red, white and blue. If you would like to dress in combinations of these colors while working as an independent tour leader for Scholastica Travel, we certainly encourage you to do so!

Your clothing is the first comment and impression you make about yourself to the group.  How you dress will provide cues as to your commitment and professionalism.

To evaluate the professionalism of your clothing choices, take this self-quiz:

• As a leader, is your attire “one step” above what the group will be wearing? What will make people instantly recognize you as the Tour Leader?
• If someone had to describe your clothing, what would they say?

Generally, we suggest you follow established industry and business guidelines regarding acceptable, functional and comfortable touring attire.

For men, conventional wisdom dictates dress slacks. Crisply pressed pants combined with a golf shirt or dress shirt, with a collar, will provide a professional appearance. For functionality, add a blazer when appropriate and select comfortable walking shoes.  Blue jeans, t-shirts, old tennis shoes are not appropriate business attire.

For women, pants, skirt, cropped pantsor capris of reasonable length are appropriate. Vary your top by season. Acceptable business attire is your best rule of thumb. Avoid short skirts, jeans and uncomfortable walking shoes.

As the public attitude toward tobacco use becomes increasingly intolerant, we suggest, if you choose to use tobacco products, you consume them with discretion. Cigarettes, smokeless or chewing tobacco should be avoided until you are completely away from the group.

Consumption of alcohol should be avoided while on tour. Perceptions of beer, wine and liquor vary greatly from group to group and person to person. Is having a drink worth risking your professional reputation with the group?

Additionally, consumption of alcohol will impair your judgement, thus creating risk and personal liability.

Please see that your cell phone number is registered with the staff at Scholastica Travel.  Cell phones can be very helpful in reaching the group or tour leader should an emergency or change arise.  Always carry a charger with you.

People have wildly divergent thoughts about panhandlers and the homeless. It’s tough to appease every ideology but this seems to work:

You may see street or homeless people while on your tour – and you may feel sad or compassionate towards them – and how you think or feel about them is up to you.

However, if you feel as though you would like to give them some money or help them in some way, we’d like to encourage you to wait until you get home.  There are people in your community who are in need of the same kinds of help and compassion and your money will do more good in your home town than here in the big city where there are dozens of agencies, shelters and groups to help them.  Remember how seeing that person makes you feel and, when you get home, donate your time or money to a community organization or church and make a difference there.

For their safety, recommend to your students that they:

• Don’t speak to or make eye contact with street people
• Don’t take photographs
• Don’t give them money
• Don’t laugh or point at them