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Tour Guides

Food Preparation & Servicemediumaugment
Projected change (est.): ~+8%
Median Wage (est.): ~$34,470
Employment (est.): ~48K

Overall Exposure

32+12

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

50

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

16

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

30

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

3246
+14

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

5064
+14

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

1628
+12

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

3040
+10

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Task Breakdown

Research and prepare tour commentary and narratives
52%β 1
Lead groups and deliver live presentations at sites
10%β 0
Handle booking logistics and itinerary planning
60%β 1
Translate and adapt content for multilingual audiences
55%β 1

About This Occupation

If you work as a Tour Guide, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 30/100 and overall exposure at 32%, this role faces medium transformation. The highest-impact area is handle booking logistics and itinerary planning at 60% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +8% growth through 2034. AI-powered translation, booking platforms, and audio guides are reshaping the industry, but live storytelling and personal interaction remain irreplaceable.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 5113ILO official

Travel Guides

Definition

ILO original text (English)

Travel guides accompany individuals or groups on trips, sightseeing tours and excursions and on tours of places of interest such as historical sites, industrial establishments and theme parks. They describe points of interest and provide background information on interesting features.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

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Official occupational information

  • ONET39-7012.00

    Travel Guides

    Plan, organize, and conduct long-distance travel, tours, and expeditions for individuals and groups.

    View original

Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 30%, Tour Guides has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

Our estimated AI automation risk score for Tour Guides is 30% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 32%, with 50% theoretical exposure and 16% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +8 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Tour Guides are: Handle booking logistics and itinerary planning (60%), Translate and adapt content for multilingual audiences (55%), Research and prepare tour commentary and narratives (52%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.

We estimate a +8% employment change for Tour Guides between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 32%, this occupation faces both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Tour Guides should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

Mar 2026: Evergreen blog post published analyzing AI impact on tour guiding

[Source: AI Changing Work Blog]