Introduction to Tour Guiding Services

Introduction to Core Concepts in Tour Guiding Services

• Tour guiding services involve explaining basic concepts and identifying the role of a tour guide.
• The goal is to help tourists understand a place and make efficient use of their time.

What is a Tour?

• The word "tour" originates from Latin and Greek words, meaning to circle around and return to the starting point.
• In tourism, a tour refers to the activities people undertake to see and learn about a place.

Who is a Tour Guide?

• A tour guide's role is to guide tourists through a place and help them appreciate the culture and sights.
• They are responsible for organizing the tour and making efficient use of the tourists' time.
• The Philippine Department recognizes tour guides who have undergone proper training.

What is Tour Guiding?

• Tour guiding is a professional service that interprets the cultural and natural heritage of a specific area.
• Interpretation involves translating information between languages and describing attractions to enhance understanding and appreciation.

Roles of a Tour Guide

• Tour guides are responsible for meeting and greeting tourists, coordinating accommodations and transport, making sure tourists feel comfortable, and planning visits to attractions, shops, and restaurants.
• They also create and present narratives about places, research and share information about locations, attend to problems, and provide first aid.
• These guides are also tasked with submitting daily reports and administrative work, including financial reports.

Elements of Tour Guiding

• Professionalism: Tour guiding requires training and a license, in some countries, to operate legally.
• Service: It is intangible, perishable, and unique, created during consumption.
• Interpretation: Guiding involves educating tourists on the meaning and significance of attractions.
• Physical Elements: Tour guides combine service with physical elements to create a rich experience, such as facilities, transportation and tourist attractions.
• Tour guides should be genuinely interested, mature, responsible, patient, tactful, sensitive to different cultures, articulate, quick-witted, organized and healthy.

Tour Guide's Main Reason for Existence

• The primary goal is to cater to the needs of the tourists, acting as their client.
• Tour guides must have thorough understanding of tourists, the tourism industry, communication, tour programming, and tour management.
• Training to become proficient in the field is often required.

History of Tour Guiding

• Ancient Times: Guides were vital for travelers, providing information and acting as authorities. Herodotus praised them greatly.
• Dark Ages: The fall of the Roman Empire led to a dangerous time, highlighting tour guides' role as safety escorts.
• Renaissance: During this period, tour guides took on roles as educators and mentors, aiding the young men's journey through Europe, and acted as chaperones.
• Modern Age: Initial periods during the 17th and 18th centuries consisted mostly of explorative travelers. The 20th century saw the development of formal training and accreditation for tour guides.
• 21st Century: Increased access to information through globalization and technology has led to a shift towards individual information gathering, reducing the need for detailed historical explanations. However, experts are still needed for special topics.

Exploring Tour Guide Career

• Employers: Tour companies are the main employers. Many guides are freelancers or have their businesses.
• Starting Out: Beginning guides can work in museums, parks, zoos, theme parks, historical sites, or local tours.
• Advancement: Guides gain experience by handling more complex trips, specializing in areas, or starting agencies/working for wholesale tour companies. Some even become travel writers or work for corporations arranging travels for executives.
• Earnings: Income varies according to location, tour operator, and time of year. Guides may receive meals, accommodations, stipends, and discounts.
• Work Environment: Tour guides work in offices, airports, and transport, experiencing various types of customer experiences.

Tour Guide Outlook

• Demand for tour guides is steady given many forms of tours. Interest in specific areas, wilderness, and eco-tourism drives the need for guides.
• This field demands thorough preparation.

Assignments

• Assignment 1: Research World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) membership to find Philippines member association.
• Assignment 2: Review Thomas Cook history to answer questions regarding the company's origins and travel coupon development.