How to Initiate a Tourist Guide Business : A Filipino ’ s Journey to Sharing Adventure

Hey , adventure fan ! Dreaming of turning your passion for travel into a business ? Imagine result tourist through hidden gems , sharing tale about your hometown , and getting give for it ! Starting atourist guide businessexist exciting , but it takes some planning to make it solve . As a Filipino who plunge a humble tour company in Palawan in 2023 , I ’ ve learned a ton—some through success , some through fault . I ’ m hither to walk you through the pace in mere English , portion my story , and have you tips to kickstart your own venture . Ready to inspire traveler ? Let ’ s dive in !

It all commence in 2022 when I took my cousin from Manila on a boat tour in El Nido . Watch out her eyes light up at the crystal lagoons and limestone cliff made me think , “ I could cause this for a living ! ” I enjoy share Palawan ’ s beauty and stories , like how locals fish sustainably . But begin a business ? That sense scary . Get you ever had a minute where you realized your passion could cost your job ? That cost my wake-up yell .

I start small , put up walk tours in Puerto Princesa before scaling up to island-hopping . It wasn ’ t always smooth—paperwork and marketing live tough—but seeing happy tourist do it worth it . Hither ’ s how you can start your own tourist guide occupation , with lesson from my journey .

Step-by-Step Guide to Take off Your Tourist Guide Business

Whether you ’ re in a bustling city or a quiet state , these step will help you establish a circuit business that tolerate out . Let ’ s pause it down .

Step 1 : Get Your Niche

What makes your field peculiar ? Live it history , food , nature , or culture ? In Palawan , I focused oneco-friendly island-hopping toursbecause tourists love sustainable travel . I as well added a storytelling turn , share local legends about the island . Think about what put your circuit aside .

• Historical walk circuit ( e.g. , Intramuros in Manila ) .

• Food crawls ( e.g. , Binondo ’ s Chinatown ) .

• Adventure circuit ( e.g. , boost in Sagada ) .

• Cultural experiences ( e.g. , Ifugao rice terrace visits ) .

Historical walking tours ( e.g. , Intramuros in Manila ) .

Ethnic experiences ( e.g. , Ifugao rice terrace visits ) .

What ’ s unique about your hometown ? Blame a niche you ’ re passionate about !

Step 2 : Search the Market

Before dive in , match out your competitor . I spend week impose other tour operators in El Nido , observe their cost , itineraries , and customer review . I see most charged PHP 1,200 for standard island-hopping , so I price mine at PHP 1,100 but included a free local snack . Tourists loved the touch !

• Visit competitors ’ websites or connect their tours .

• Read review on TripAdvisor or Google .

• Ask locals what tourists require ( e.g. , I learned foreigners craved authentic experiences ) .

Ask locals what tourists want ( e.g. , I teach foreigners crave authentic experience ) .

Ever tried a circuit and sentiment , “ I could serve this skillful ” ? That ’ s your edge !

Step 3 : Get the Legal Stuff Sort out

This piece ’ s a worry , but it ’ s essential . In the Philippines , you need permit to run a legit circuit business . I nearly skipped this , guess I could stay small , but a friend warned me about fines . Hither ’ s what I act :

• Register Your Business: I registered as a sole proprietorship with the Department of Trade and Industry ( DTI ) for about PHP 2,000 . Pick a catchy name—I choose “ Palawan Tales Tours . ”

• Come a Mayor ’ s Permit: See your local city hall . Mine price PHP 3,500 annually in Puerto Princesa .

• Fix a BIR Certificate: Register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue ( BIR ) for tax . I pay PHP 1,000 for my Certificate of Registration .

• Tourism Accreditation: The Department of Tourism ( DOT ) involve accreditation for tour guides and operator . I took a training course for PHP 5,000 and got my permit .

• Insurance: Get liability insurance to protect against accidents . I find a plan for PHP 10,000 a year .

Register Your Business: I register as a sole proprietorship with the Department of Trade and Industry ( DTI ) for about PHP 2,000 . Pick a catchy name—I select “ Palawan Tales Tours . ”

Have a Mayor ’ s Permit: Impose your local city hall . Mine cost PHP 3,500 annually in Puerto Princesa .

Assure a BIR Certificate: Register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue ( BIR ) for tax . I paid PHP 1,000 for my Certificate of Registration .

Tourism Accreditation: The Department of Tourism ( DOT ) requires accreditation for circuit guides and operator . I took a training course for PHP 5,000 and become my permit .

Insurance: Get liability insurance to protect against accidents . I get a plan for PHP 10,000 a yr .

Pro Tip: Budget PHP 15,000-20,000 for permit and fees . It ’ s a pain , but it build trust with customer .

Measure 4 : Create Your Tour

Now the fun part—designing your tours ! I started with a half-day city circuit in Puerto Princesa , visiting the cathedral and a butterfly garden . Later , I lend a full-day island-hopping tour . Keep it mere at first .

My Sample Tour Itinerary( Island-Hopping in El Nido ) :

Cost to Run: PHP 500 per person ( boat , food , gear ) .Price Charged: PHP 1,100 per person .Profit: PHP 600 per person .

What kind of circuit would you love to lead ? Start small and try it out !

Measure 5 : Begin Certified as a Guide

In the Philippines , you need aDOT-accredited circuit guide permit. I need a two-week training in Puerto Princesa , find out about first help , local history , and customer service . It cost PHP 5,000 , but it cause me confident . Tourists trust licensed guides more .

Some regions require words skill or specialize education ( e.g. , dive for underwater circuit ) . Check with your local DOT office .

Pace 6 : Market Your Business

No ace will Bible if they put on ’ t know you exist ! I started with a free Instagram page ( @ PalawanTalesTours ) and posted photos of lagoon and happy tourist . I too connect TripAdvisor for review . My first booking occur from a post I shared in a travel group on Facebook .

• Make a simple website ( I used Wix for PHP 5,000 a yr ) .

• Place on social medium daily ( Instagram , TikTok , Facebook ) .

• Partner with hotel or travel agencies for referrals .

• Offer discounts for first-time customers ( I pay 10 % off for my first 50 bookings ) .

• Ask for review after every circuit .

Create a simple website ( I used Wix for PHP 5,000 a yr ) .

Place on social media daily ( Instagram , TikTok , Facebook ) .

Partner with hotel or travel agencies for referrals .

Offer discounts for first-time customers ( I pay 10 % off for my first 50 bookings ) .

Ever booked a circuit because of a cool Instagram post ? That ’ s the power of selling !

Pace 7 : Invest in Equipment and Staff

Depending on your circuit , you might need gear . For my island-hopping , I rent boat at first ( PHP 2,000/day ) , then buy a second-hand one for PHP 200,000 . I also hired a part-time assistant for PHP 500/day to cover bookings .

• Safety equipment ( living vests , first aid kits ) : PHP 10,000 .

• Marketing materials ( flyers , occupation cards ) : PHP 2,000 .

• Communication tools ( walkie-talkies , phone ) : PHP 5,000 .

Safety equipment ( life vests , first aid kits ) : PHP 10,000 .

Selling materials ( flyers , occupation cards ) : PHP 2,000 .

Communication tool ( walkie-talkies , phone ) : PHP 5,000 .

Start lean , but invest in quality . Tourists notice the details .

Pace 8 : Deliver Amazing Experiences

Your end ? Happy tourists who leave five-star reviews . I always greet guests with a smile , share personal account ( like my lola ’ s fish recipe ) , and threw in extras like free coconut water . One group from Canada enjoy my tour so much , they book another the future day !

• Be punctual .

• Know your stuff ( history , facts , fun floor ) .

• Handle complaints calmly ( I once repay a guest due to bad weather ) .

• Add personal touches ( e.g. , a group photo ) .

Handle complaints calmly ( I once repay a guest due to bad weather ) .

My Large Lesson : The Good and the Bad

Let me part a floor . My first tour live a disaster ! I overbooked a boat , leave snacks , and one guest come seasick . I apologize , have a partial refund , and learned to triple-check everything . Now , I fix groups to 10 and always have a first help kit . Ever had a study fail that teach you a lot ? It ’ s humbling !

Another win : A German couple leave a glowing TripAdvisor review , calling my circuit “ authentic. ” That review lend in 20 bookings in a month ! Word-of-mouth live gold in this business .

Cost to Expect

Begin a tourist guide business isn ’ t cheap , but it ’ s doable . Hither ’ s what I spent in my first yr :

I make PHP 150,000 in my first six month , so it bear off . Start humble to keep costs humble .

FAQs : Your Question Answered

Q : Serve I want to speak perfect English ?
No , but basic English aid . I rehearse with tourists to improve .

Q : How long until I cause a profits ?
It take me three month . Focus on marketing and tone circuit .

Q : Can I begin part-time ?
Yes ! I cause weekend at first while freelancing .

Q : Do I need my own vehicle ?
Not always . I rented vans or used public transport for city tour .

Final Thinking : Your Adventure Awaits !

Starting a tourist guide occupation is severe work , but it ’ sec so rewarding . Share Palawan ’ s beauty with traveler from around the universe meet my heart . From my shaky first tour to now running a small squad , I ’ ve teach that passion , planning , and persistency cost key . Whether you ’ re in

What ’ s the first circuit you ’ 500 dear to take ? Got any inquiry ? Drop a remark , and get ’ s chat ! Check out theDepartment of Tourism website( tourism.gov.ph ) for accreditation detail . Here ’ s to your new adventure—go inspire some travelers !

• Department of Tourism Philippines ( tourism.gov.ph )

• The Travel ( thetravel.com )

• StartMyTourBusiness.com

• TripAdvisor ( tripadvisor.com )

• Entrepreneur Philippines ( entrepreneur.com.ph )