Tour guiding

GOVERNMENT

TOUR OPERATOR

Conceptual Framework

Travel

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Tourism

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World Tourism Growth

1950, there are 25 million tourist arrivals around the world

2007 to 903 million in Forecasted by 2010 1 billion Forecasted by 2020 1.6 billion by

2020.

Why is Tourism Important?

The World Bank 2005 estimates, 1.4 billion people are living in the poverty line.

New threshold for extreme poverty using the 2005 prices is now pegged at $1.25.

The multiplier effect is experienced on other industries like handicrafts, agriculture, fisheries and transport.

Nature of Tour Reception & Guiding

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.

Tour Guide

An individual, who, either as an employee or affiliate of a duly licensed travel & tour agency, GUIDE tourist, both foreign and domestic, for a fee, commission or any lawful form of remuneration.

Qualities of an effective Tour Guide

Love of country Pleasing personality Must have a genuine interest in people Resourcefulness Trustworthy Tactfulness Good sense of leadership Good communication skills

Qualities of an effective Tour Guide

Good health Punctual Responsible, sensible and dedicated Confident Good sense of humor Analytical mindset ( above-normal

perception)

Tour Guide

Must be Filipino citizen; At least 2nd year college; Pass the qualifying interview by DOT; Must undergo and pass a DOT-

sponsored seminar; LGU – licensed; DOT – accredited

Kinds of Guides

Free Lance – not permanently connected with any travel agency and paid per trip.

Staff Guide – permanently connected with a travel agency, receives monthly salary

Local guide – a person competent enough to guide in a certain locality or area.

Kinds of Guides Escort – person who accompanies a

group of tourists from the point of origin to the destination, and back to the origin. Usually handles group’s check in and check out.

Specialist – person who specializes in a certain field such as botany, architecture, etc.

Linguist – person who speaks fluently two or more foreign languages.

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Responsibilities

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,..”

Duties and Responsibilities

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

Duties and Responsibilities

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

Communication Skills 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 Skills

Speak audibly, not too soft and not too loud

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

Guiding Techniques 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 Techniques

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

Guiding Techniques

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

Guiding Techniques

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

Be a good decision maker Learn basic first aid

Pre – tour

Study your tour assignment Be aware of the composition of the

group Review itinerary Be reminded of cash advances, vouchers

needed Know your vehicle to be used, plate

number and name of driver or coordinator.

On Tour

Be punctual Make sure you have complete name

of guests, cash advances and tour vouchers

Check your transport amenities Meet and greet the group Discuss itinerary and check other

concerns

On Tour

Deliver commentaries Announce inclusions of the tour and

what to expect End your day/tour by thanking the

guests Announce the next day’s

itinerary/program and give instructions

Post Tour

Gather all collected vouchers Prepare tour guide’s report Submit tour report to immediately after

the tour Accomplish financial report with

receipts, vouchers and other assignments

Liquidate ( if necessary)

Steps on how to make a commentary

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 a commentary

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

Steps on how to make a commentary

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

Steps on how to make a commentary

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