If you enjoy the outdoors and also enjoy meeting people, then you need to know how to start a tour guiding company. Starting up a tour guiding company takes around $2000/- and this can prove to be a very rewarding enterprise. Your chances of success basically depend on your business plan.

The first thing for how to start a tour guide business is to contact your State Department of Consumer Affairs for licensing formalities to obtain a tourist of sightseeing permit, if necessary. If you plan to drive a vehicle with more than 16 people including yourself, then obtain a commercial driving license.

Next look for areas that you think will generate public interest like scenic locations, tourist spots, historical sites or homes or birth places of celebrities and famous personalities. To attract nature lovers, look for places with rare of special animal and plant species. For athletic types look for hiking terrain or complicated terrain where they will feel challenged. You can even start an outdoor survival tour.

For to start a tour guiding company learn everything about the locations you plan to take tours to by becoming extremely familiar with the locations. Place special emphasis on particularly interesting information or unusual or odd places. On the practical side, keep the insurance on your business always up to date.

Design some brochures for your business and have a website as well. Provide details like the type of supplies and equipment needed for the tours, like sunscreen, sunglasses, hiking shoes, water, special clothing or bug sprays and insects. Always have a first aid kit available amongst the supplies that you procure including safety equipment.

Get in touch with travel agents who will promote your business and may also include you in their vacation packages. Contact restaurants and other businesses along your route for free coupons and brochures to distribute amongst your tour group. Get listed on the town website and enlist event planners and car hire companies.

Also for how to start a tour guiding company, make sure you can provide services that tourists expect from tour guides. Think ahead of the possible things that the clients may need when deciding on a tour company. Usually clients need an economical tour package, but sometimes clients need a personalized tour service. Take all this into consideration when planning the types of tours and services you will provide.