International Tour Management Institute ITMI

Wow, how do you review something that helped change your life? ITMI gave me the opportunity, knowledge, and hands-on skills to start a second career in a field I knew little about, but wanted to transition to.
I am now a trained professional working in the industry. I might have come into the industry as a newbie, but through the ITMI training and certification programs, ongoing community support, and continuing education, I have gained years of knowledge in a much shorter timeframe. If you put in the hard work and prove yourself with the right training and support, you can achieve new and exciting things!
The ITMI staff is excellent and so supportive. The instructors come from all areas of the travel industry and provide a wide range of experiences and perspectives to broaden the employment opportunities.
I especially love the immense and loyal ITMI community that is there to lean on, laugh with, and learn from as time goes by. Not only was our training thorough and comprehenive, but the ongoing support is priceless and something you can't buy. Thank you ITMI!!

I have been very grateful to be a part of the ITMI community! It is a wonderful group of people and I learned so much during the training…
It changed my life and I highly recommend it!

Attending an ITMI Tour Director training course has literally changed my life.

I had no idea you could earn money while traveling and only wish I had discovered this earlier in my life!

The most amazing part was that ITMI connected me with a top Tour Operator and I was employed within 2 weeks of graduating.

If you're thinking about taking the leap - just do it!!

What ITMI does better than anyone else are the connections between their 8,000 alumni who live & work all over the world and their relationship with tour companies. The training is the most comprehensive, well respected and thorough in the business and they do not cut corners. They are there to support their alumni throughout the year and the lifetime of their career.

So, how do you travel the world for a living and how do you become a professional tour guide or tour director? The 15-day course is a balance of in-classroom work & out in-the-field practical hands on training. That is why more tour companies look to ITMI alumni to fulfill their hiring needs. You will have instructors with you every step of the way before, during and after the course. They are with you for the life of your career whether it be for job counseling, a refresh on your resume, connecting and networking with fellow alumni and the annual Symposium, a gathering of ITMI alumni, tour companies and industry leaders each January. Instructors come from all over the world to teach and share their experience and knowledge with students.

What I found impressive in comparison to my college alma matter is that ITMI puts in 100% to try to give you as many opportunities to find work as they can, my college didn't do that for me. ITMI sends out job leads to alumni, sends personal references to tour companies every day, connects alumni regionally and supports local tour associations. Their outstanding reputation is based on the success and professionalism of their alumni. So yes...if you finish the course, go home and do nothing then you you will probably not be successful in this business or any business.

The price of tuition includes the cost of the course as well as the having the office open and available to alumni throughout the year, they do not conduct the course, close up the office and then reopen 2 months later for example. They are a professional year-round business.

Regarding the 15-day course, the ITMI tuition includes 10 days in the classroom and 6 days out in the field on a motorcoach, that also includes a 2-day overnight trip to simulate being on tour. There are approximately 5-7 instructors you will meet and be taught by during the course. You will meet instructors with expertise not only in tour directing and guiding but also those with specialties like Student & Youth Travel, Incentive & Meeting Planning, Domestic vs. International Touring and more. It includes all course materials, resume preparation, professional photograph and cover letter.

As mentioned, they do not close up after you graduate, tuition supports ITMI being available to alumni throughout the year to answer questions, conduct graduate counseling, connect you with up to date opportunities, offer master classes, an annual education, networking & job opportunity conference and more. There is an entire team devoted year round to helping alumni fulfill their goals and supporting them in the industry as a whole.

For more than 40 years they have represented the interests of and furthered the professionalism of tour directors and guides by attending National & International Associations, Conferences, Industry Gatherings and policy and licensing discussions locally and at the National level. They are consulted on ever-changing travel & tourism standards of practice like eco tourism, responsible travel, human trafficking awareness, safety and cultural mindfulness.

ITMI has built a community of tour directors, guides, meeting, event & incentive planners, tour companies and industry leaders to encourage and fortify your career. Many already established tour directors, tour managers and guides join the ITMI Community for the association alone. There is so much value in the community and reputation of simply being an ITMI alumni.

Tour directing & guiding is is most fulfilling and inspiring career. The people and places that you get to know and experience are a privilege. To be able to live our dreams and check off our travel bucket list at the same time is amazing.

A remarkable two week immersion class in all aspects of the travel industry, with particular emphasis on obtaining a paying job as a tour guide, not just for San Francisco but nation-wide or international. Expert instructors, "hands-on" training at the mike in a motorcoach. SF City trips and California over the road excursion. Highly motivated class mates and future networking buddies. ITMI will also become your jobs resource center, sending you potential assignments. Truly in a class of its own. A great experience and worth the money. Highly recommended.