Info for Tour Operators

WHO WE ARE
The Guides Association of New York City (GANYC) is a non-profit organization that advocates for and promotes the professional standards of New York City guides who not only comply with but exceed the required licensing strictures for becoming a licensed NYC tour guide.

Our 300+ members represent all aspects of the tour guide industry: independent contractors, private independent tour guide entrepreneurs, and guides conducting walking, food, and/or bus tours as well. Many of our guides are multilingual and conduct tours for visitors from around the world (our members speak over 20 different languages); and many of our members have unique specialties for conducting informed tours of specific neighborhoods and/or topics of interest (art, entertainment, history, sports, etc.) that appeals to particular groups visiting NYC.

 

While GANYC is not an employment agency, we can assist tour operators, destination management companies and others with finding qualified professional licensed tour guides who offer tiered pricing for your needs.
 

 

HOW ARE GUIDES TRAINED AND HOW TO HIRE TRAINED GANYC GUIDES
GANYC’s Certification and Education Committees create and maintain continuing education opportunities for GANYC guides to enhance their knowledge of NYC and its environs and cultivate professional guiding skillsets.

 

GANYC achieves this by forming relationships with organizations and individuals such as museums, cultural institutions, landmarks, iconic venues, attractions and experts in their respective fields to provide meaningful ways for guides to learn from/about their expertise. GANYC’s curriculum includes site inspections and Familiarization (FAM) tours, guest lecturers, and a professional development program of dedicated workshops and seminars focused on tour guiding skills. These activities help to promote and raise awareness of the areas and places visited, as GANYC guides will suggest and discuss these venues to the guests on their tours. In turn, GANYC hosts annual events to help tour operators and companies to recruit the most qualified NYC licensed guides available, so please contact us if you are in need of highly professional expert tour guides.

 

WHY HIRE A GANYC GUIDE
As global ambassadors of NYC’s great metropolis, GANYC guides strive to maintain a high level of excellence and professionalism.

Every tour guide’s goal should include expanding one’s knowledge of NYC history and to constantly hone and perfect one’s guiding skills. GANYC guides are both site-specific and broad historical-context experts – there is always something a GANYC guide passes on to tourists to make tours memorable and enjoyable. Tourists coming to NYC crave that in-person, unique interaction with a “real” NYer – you can’t miss if you hire a GANYC guide!

GANYC is a member of NYC & Company and has strategic alliances with various organizations including the International Inbound Travel Association (formerly the Receptive Services Association of America). GANYC is also a member of the National Federation of the Tourist Guide Associations-USA (NFTGA) which is in a strategic alliance with the American Bus Association, SYTA, NTA and Tourism Cares, and a member of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) and the International Association of Tour Directors and Guides (IATDG).

CONTACT GANYC
E-mail: industryrelations@ganyc.org
Telephone: 855-57-GANYC (855-574-2692)