Tour Guides and Escorts
Machines can already do 31% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Tour Guides and Escorts in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 31% of this job's tasks.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Contact with people: it scores 84% for contact with people.
- Also called: Art Museum Docent, Discovery Guide, Docent, Guide.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions | 26% | 28% to 50% | |
| Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries | 19% | 30% to 75% | |
| Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary | 7% | 55% to 85% | |
| Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices | 5% | 40% to 80% | |
| Conduct educational activities for school children | 5% | 25% to 50% | |
| Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors | 5% | 35% to 58% | |
| Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices | 5% | 30% to 75% | |
| Drive motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations | 5% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills tour guides and escorts use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Travel Guides62% of tasks by 2035
- Manicurists and Pedicurists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,760
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $41,670
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $32,910
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Tour Guides and Escorts?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of tour guides and escorts?
Machines can do 31% of the tasks of tour guides and escorts today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 39-7011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Tour Guides and Escorts: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/tour-guides-and-escorts/