Tour Guiding Techniques

Tour Guiding Techniques

MA. DOLORES SALAMANCAMA. DOLORES SALAMANCA

August 01, 2012August 01, 2012

• People who leave their homes to temporarily visit a place

• They should be spending and not earning money from the place they visit

• Reasons can be pleasure, meetings or seminars

• With the intention of learning something about the place like its history, people, culture

Tourists

• Attractions which can be site itself or an event

• Amenities or facilities like accommodation, food, local, transportation, communication and entertainment at the site

• Accessibility• Peace and order

Basic factors for a successfultourist destination TOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &

GUIDING TECHNIQUES FOR GUIDING TECHNIQUES FOR GK MABUHAY GUIDESGK MABUHAY GUIDES

• Product is not brought to the consumer;• The tourism product is not used up, it doesn’t

exhaust the country’s natural resources;• People-oriented;• Labor-intensive;• Multi-dimensional;• Seasonal;• Dynamic;• Characterized by the changing ideas of its

customers.

Characteristics of TourismTOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• First impression of tourists play a very important role

• Receiving tourists is just like receiving guests in your home

• Show the best without boasting or overdoing

• Guiding is not simply telling them “to your left, to your left”, there’s a lot more into it.

Nature of Tour Reception& Guiding TOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Provide them information and explanations about the place honestly without prejudice;

• Ensure a factual presentation, make sure to distinguish the truth stories, legends, traditions;

• Act fairly and reasonably in all dealings with colleagues and co-workers;

• Always act with tact and diplomacy in dealing with the guests

Duties and ResponsibilitiesTOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Always report for duty healthy and positive• Never take advantage of the ignorance of the

tourists• Never allow yourself to be used by

unscrupulous organizations who want to take advantage of the tourists

• Use common sense and be honest by saying “ I don’t know,…I will check,..”



• Ensure guest’s safety, warn them on:• Plants that might cause some allergies• Food and drinks that might not suit their

digestive system• Elevation for those with vertigo and fear of

height• Dogs that might bite• Presence of pickpockets in crowded areas



• Protect the reputation of tourism by making every assignment a treat, with respect to the environment, wildlife, sights & monuments, local customs & traditions

• Act responsibly as representative of the country and the people



• Language proficiency• Avoid using highfalutin words, use

simple, easy to understand words• Try to get rid of regional accent• Use synonyms to explain, to describe

something• Use non-verbal communication in a

difficult thing or situation

Communication SkillsTOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Speak audibly, not too soft and not too loud

• Conduct your commentary in a relaxed, entertaining manner (they came here to enjoy, remember)

Communication SkillsTOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Be prepared, study the destination• Plan your spiel or commentary, it should be

structured• Have an update on the local and global news

and environmental issues• Intercede when necessary in the interaction

with the guest and the locals• Be aware on the basic human behavior and

attitudes

Guiding TechniquesTOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Do research to back up your facts• Be ready for pertinent and impertinent

questions• In cases of having more than one guide, find

some time to sit down, discuss to synchronize information & learn from each other

• Never tell your personal life at first meeting



• Never sell anything at first meeting unless they ask

• Be punctual at all times. Be there at least one hour before the tour starts

• Learn map reading• Learn how to say NO to indecent

proposals



• Always make a head count before, during and after the tour, especially on stops

• Be practical when making judgment, think of the benefit of the majority

• Be a good decision maker• Learn basic first aid



• Love of country• People-loving• Open-mindedness• Tactfulness• Punctuality• Proper decorum• Honesty• resourcefulness

Qualities of an effectiveTour Guide TOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Self- confidence• Sense of humor• Enthusiasm• Fairness in treatment• Good health• Good communicator• Patience• Reasonable• Assertiveness• Humble and polite

Qualities of an effectiveTour Guide TOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Begin with a smile, greeting and introduction

• Brief the guests about the tour for the day• Review the inclusions and exclusions of

the tour• Give the distance and traveling time of

the destination

Steps on how to make acommentary TOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• What to expect from the tour• Give necessary precautions• Do not miss to point important

landmarks along the way• Announce comfort stops• Always do the head count



• Start with a greeting or introduction• Information should be delivered in a

manner that would interest the guests• Sense of humor should be part of the

delivery of information• Remember, commentaries help people

understand and appreciate what they actually see

Tips for an effective tourcommentary TOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION &


• Face the group, not a few• Speak slowly and clearly• Voice should be audible• Practice eye contact• Prepare yourself for questions to be

asked• Take control of your breathing and

emphasize important words



• Use synonyms, example in explaining something

• When mentioning a name, repeat it or spell it• Maintain silence, if the need arises• Listen carefully to questions and other

concerns• Never argue with the guests• End your tour always by thanking the guests



Thank You for Thank You for Listening and Listening and

Good Luck!Good Luck!

TOURIST RECEPTION & TOURIST RECEPTION & GUIDING TECHNIQUES FOR GUIDING TECHNIQUES FOR

GK MABUHAY GUIDESGK MABUHAY GUIDES

Tour Guiding Techniques

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