Employed Guides

Employed guides are employed by a company. They earn a regular wage whether there are clients or none. These companies include the government, private travel agencies, museums, and industries that run their own tour facilities. The minimum wage in Metro Manila is P512.00 a day as of June 2018 according to the Department of Labor and Employment. Some tour guides receive an allowance from their employer or tips if allowed.

Freeland Guides

Freelance guides are like other businessmen who depend on the influx of clients to earn. These are self-employed guides who make and sell their own tours. Sometimes, travel agencies call on freelance guides on an ad hoc or per need basis, wherein payment will depend on the number of tours booked. Based on an average of 16 tours per month, a tour guide in the Philippines can earn P16,000 to P40,000 per month.

Docile or Volunteer Guides

Docile or volunteer guides are employed guides who are mostly hobbyist such as retirees and environmental advocates. They earn non-monetary rewards such as friendship, experience, and cultural exchange. Some volunteer guides accept tips too.

Note that tour managers are different from tour guides. The tour manager is the representative of the tour operator who makes sure that the tour schedule is followed and tourists get what they paid for. The tour guide provides commentary or information about the destination, while the tour manager focuses on administrative matters. However, some tour managers are able to acquire sufficient knowledge and skills to become tour guides as well.