San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1999. We are composed of approximately 100 local tour guides, some of whom have over 25 years of travel industry experience and many are multilingual.
Our talented guides are experienced in every area of tour guide work, including step-on tours of the San Diego area, meetings and incentive programs, team building, airport meet and greets, dine-a-rounds, and any other reason you would choose to bring groups or clients to our beautiful city.
Our Mission Statement:
To enhance the visitor's experience in the San Diego region by ensuring a high standard of professionalism within the tour guide industry. (We accomplish this by providing certified tour guides and field staff who are experts in the San Diego region)
Code of Ethics:
All members of this association pledge to maintain the maximum degree of professionalism by adhering to the association's Code of Ethics:
- Strive for excellence in all aspects of the profession and personally guarantee the integrity and accuracy of material presented
- Extend professional respect and a spirit of cooperation to fellow guides
- Maintain loyalty to the companies that contract for our services and protect the confidentiality of proprietary information
- Uphold the association's philosophy of aspiring to excellence through a program of certification and continuing education.
Meet our 2012 Board Members:
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Mark Jacobson says the "wanderlust" part of his brain was firmly established at a very young age as he was taught to appreciate the sights on many family vacations. Since then, Mark has had the good fortune to get a college education, manage a couple of travel offices, as well as escort many wonderful tours throughout the United States, Canada and abroad during his over 25 years in the travel industry. In 2008, Mark made the decision to go back to school and enrolled in a culinary program, to "rub noses with the 19 year olds" where he eventually received his chef's cerficate. Today, Mark continues to work as a tour guide, and he also operates his own business, Delicious Adventures, a company specializing in food-focused tours and small event catering. Mark also works independently as a personal chef and added, "I feel very appreciative of my membership in the San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association as it has greatly benefited me both personally and professionally. The best part has been meeting loads of wonderful people along the way, including many of the association's exceptionally talented and amusing tour guides, who never fail to make me smile!" Mark wishes everyone happy travels and bon appetit!
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Karen L. Achtenhagen has called San Diego home for most of her life, and has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. Her career started in the Transportation industry at Cloud 9 Shuttle's Sales Office, working with meeting planners, tour operators and corporate clients. During this time, she pursued her designation as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) which she still maintains. After almost a decade at Cloud 9 Shuttle, Karen left the industry for a short period of time working in the High Tech Industry as an Office & Facilities Manager of a "Start Up" company, still using her meeting planning skills among many others. After 6 years away, the passion to continue in the Hospitality Industry won, and she returned as a Senior Operations Manager for one of the local Destination Management Companies, Arrangements Unlimited. As the economy started to slide in the hospitality industry, she moved on to Tour Planning at DayTripper Tours, a Tour Operator specializing in tours for seniors. In addition, she operates her own company, KLA Enterprises, in which she plans and coordinates transportation for several Half Marathons in the area and finally she plays a major role as an independent contractor to National University, running their large commencement services every year.
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Keri Belisle started in the tour business back in 1985 when she was working her way through college. She enjoyed the freedom and flexibility it offered, as well as being her own boss. After graduating, Keri has continued touring and working for various companies doing local and outbound tours. As Keri puts it, "I love what I do, and I do what I love!" She also drives a motorcoach, so is always on a bus, one way or another. Keri enjoys being the Treasurer and Membership Secretary for the San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association.
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Jeannette De Wyze's family settled in San Diego more than 60 years ago. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Jeannette worked as a newspaper reporter in San Diego from 1974 through 2006, at which time she decided to start San Diego Insider Tours. Her company specializes in private tours and thematic specialty tours for groups. A passionate traveler, she was certified by the San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association in 2008.