Tour Guiding - Evolution of Tourism PDF

Tour Guiding – Evolution of Tourism Tourism – came from the Hebrew word Torah which means, “to study” or to “search”. Earliest form of Tourism – ancient people traveled from one place or another to search for food. Romans – developed roads that made traveling faster and convenient. − C...

Tour Guiding – Evolution of Tourism Tourism – came from the Hebrew word Torah which means, “to study” or to “search”. Earliest form of Tourism – ancient people traveled from one place or another to search for food. Romans – developed roads that made traveling faster and convenient. − Construction of monumental structures in Babylon & Egypt (Ziggurats & Pyramids) & spas or public baths in Greece, Belgium, and Rome. The First Tour Guides 1. Noah – brought his family and different animals to safety from the Great Flood. 2. Moses – led Israelites out of Egypt to Promised Land. Thomas Cook – The Father of Tourism. − The most prominent travel agent in 1800’s. − Conducted the 1st excursion tour for a group temperance advocates campaigned against alcohol in 1841. Bill Skiles & Pete Henderson – Disneyland record certain names among the park’s first guides who performed musical comedy stunts while guiding. Tourism History – focuses on the development of tourist destinations, products, and tour organizers or companies. − There is no written document that lists the pioneer tour guides and that can tell us the first person who engaged in tour guiding as a profession or as a means for profit. The History of Philippine Tourism Guiding – giving assistance, information, historical background and cultural knowledge to tourists. − It is said that guiding is inherent among Filipinos because they are hospitable as seen in their willingness to provide answers, give instructions to or even help anyone who is lost, or asking directions or basic info about the country. − Hence, it is important for guides to fully understand and appreciate the country’s humble beginnings before they could authoritatively share this knowledge with others. Dr. Armand Mijares & Dr. Phil Piper – Archaeologists in 2010 who found human fossils dating approximately 67,000 years ago in Pena Blanca Cave in Cagayan Valley. − The Earliest Human Fossils found in the Asia-Pacific Region. − People traveled in search of food for survival. 1. Arabs & Chinese – began trading with the natives, making tourism a bountiful industry along with commerce and trade. 2. Spanish Colonial Area – people traveled because of religion and education. − Locals hungered and sought modern training and education in Spain. Catholicism – was one of the reasons why the Spaniards came to the Philippines. 3. American Era – modern roads constructed to improve the flow of business in the country. − During the liberation of Manila from Japanese, the city was destroyed. Types of Tours 1. Duration of Travel: a. Excursion – less than 24 hours; pertain to “Day Tours”. b. Holiday/Vacation – beyond 24 hours but not more than one consecutive year. 2. Movement of Tourists: a. Domestic/Local Tourism – with local or native tourists travelling to other places within their country. b. Inbound Tourism – with foreign tourists who visit another country for any activity. c. International/Outbound Tourism – with tourists going outside their country of origin for leisure, business, or other purposes. Classification of Tours According to Movement TOURISTS COUNTRY OF COUNTRY OF TYPE INVOLVED ORIGIN DESTINATION 1. Domestic Locals Philippines Philippines 2. Inbound Foreigners/Balikbayan Foreign Philippines 3. Outbound Locals/Foreigners Philippines Foreign 3. Objective or Theme: a. Ecotourism – pertains to any activity involving interaction with and preservation of nature or the environment. b. Medical/Wellness Tourism – pertains to wellness and health activities that tourists could possibly engage in during their stay. c. Education Tourism – pertains to travel associated with education or any act related to acquiring knowledge.  d. Pilgrimage/Religious – comprises visits to religious structures or to places related to religious beliefs. e. Business Tourism – travel for corporate or commercial reasons. f. Visit Tourism – pertains to an appointment with, or a social, or an official visit to someone related to the tourist like relatives or friends. 4. Number of Tourists/Visitors: a. Individual Tourists – tourists visiting places without a companion and who have their own personal intentions for traveling. b. Honeymooners/Person with a Companion – tourists traveling in the company of another. − May be newlyweds, or simply two people acquainted with each other. c. Group Tours – certain class or crowd traveling from one destination to another. − A group of three or more participants that can be handled or assisted by a tour coordinator. d. Mass Tourism – pertains to a big number of tourists visiting a certain place for a common purpose. − The number may vary from hundreds to thousands (World Youth Day 1995 held in Manila). Other Forms of Tours 1. Incentive Tour – a tour given gratuitously by an employer to his/her employee for an excellent job performance. 2. Optional Tour – a tour which is non-compulsory or voluntary on the part of the tourists. − Usually offered as an added itinerary in a regular tour. 3. Culinary/Gastronomy Tour – a tour involving the tasting of dishes or learning methods of cooking in a particular area. Overview of Tour Guiding Tour Guiding – is one of the most promising and high-paying yet challenging profession in the hospitality industry. Tour Guide – is also known as Tourist Guide, is a person who escorts individual visitors or people in organized tours to various places of interest while providing assistance and information for a safe, comfortable, and entertaining or appropriate tour experience. Professional Tour Guides in the Philippines – undergo rigid training and are accredited/licensed by the DOT. − An individual, who, either as an employee or affiliate of a duly licensed travel and tour agency, guide tourist, both foreign and domestic, for free commission or any lawful remuneration. Mabuhay Guides Training Program – was created by the Philippine Department of Tourism in 2009 to produce top quality guides and tour leaders that would cater to travelers, business investors, and tourism partners. − Out of 50 applicants, only 25 were chosen to take the foundation course. − Out of the 25 trainees, 21 passed to officially become the Mabuhay Guides. Joseph Ace Durano – author of Mabuhay Guide. − A former Secretary of the Department of Tourism. Mabuhay Guides Provides: 1. Assistance – a Tour Guide renders personal assistance to a guest or tourist from the beginning up to the end of the tour. − He/She can “make or break” the company that he/she represents by the kind of services he/she renders. − He/She should be a service-oriented person who is always ready to help the guest. 2. Information - a Tour Guide should be equipped w/ relevant information that can be shared with the tourists. − Should know everything related to the tour & should always be prepared to answer the guests’ queries about the place being toured. − Should knows places of interest, right stopovers, & nearest police stations, hospitals or medical clinics for emergency purposes. − Tour guides should also be privy to certain important information about the guest, like his/her medical condition (diabetic or asthmatic, his/her personal interest (allocentric or psychocentric). − In this way, the guide can act appropriately while conducting the tour. Some Reasons Why People Travel 1. Visiting Friends, Associates, & Relatives 2. Religion or Pilgrimage 3. Education 4. Wellness/Medicine 5. Adventure 6. Recreation Steps in Choosing the Mabuhay Guides 1. Screening – Panel Interview 2. 6 Week Foundation Course – Lecture and Actual Training 3. Graduation –  2 Categories of Tour Guide 1. Affiliation: 1. Freelance Guide – a type of guide not affiliated with any travel agency; is paid on a per tour basis only. 2. Staff Guide – a type of guide that is trained, connected, & exclusively contracted by an employer/travel agency for the said company’s clients only; salary given on a regular basis; may be given an allowance &/or incentive during tours. 2. Location: 1. Step-On-Guide – a type of guide who joins a tour bus for a local sightseeing excursion. 2. City Guide – a guide in a large or important town, or in a metropolitan or business district of a region. 3. Specialized Guide – a guide who is fully concentrated on & has complete or extensive knowledge of specific places. 4. Museum Guide – an indoor guide who assists tourists within a museum, gallery or academy 5. Driver Guide – a guide who also drives the vehicle on a moving tour. Classifications of Tour Guides 1. Tour Guide – guides assist tourists/guests at their destination. − Leads the tour and gives information about the places to be visited. − May be considered as staff or non-staff of a travel agency. 2. Tour Coordinator – coordinates with the tour guide, guests, and the tour suppliers (accommodation, transportation, and the like). − Usually serves as adviser of the tour. − Usually acts as tour manager. − May be a travel agent. 3. Tour Escort – assists guests by escorting them to the assigned or designated places. − Is not expected to give any information to the guests regarding the places to be visited. − Is usually employed by a travel agency. 4. Travel Agent – operates, works for, or is employed by a travel agency or tour operator. − Responsible for the overall tour requirements of the tourist. − Monitors the flow of activities during the tour. − Solves problems that may arise during the tour.  Tour Conducting Ensures that the One Conducting the Tour: 1. Can provide the information, data & necessary tour requirements of the guests 2. Can provide comfort to the tourists 3. Is able to promote the culture & history of the Philippines 4. Is caring & offers friendly services to all. Tour Guiding – is the process of leading, accompanying, and directing a tour. − It involves the effective integration of all tour details or components to satisfy the guests Characteristics of a Tour Guide 1. Accepting the Authority – should always be mindful of the terms stipulated in the contract between him/her & the travel agency or agent for whom he/she renders service. 2. Attentive and Focused – should be fully concentrated on & attentive to the conduct of the tour to ensure the safety &enjoyment of the tourists. 3. Candid – should always be honest in all his/her dealings & is mindful that all his/her acts reflect the company to which he/she is affiliated. 4. Caring – should always be gentle, kind & thoughtful to his/her guests throughout the tour. − These qualities will show that he/she is a work-oriented person. 5. Cheerful – should always be cheerful & smiling while conducting the tour. − Should give life to the trip & ensure a wonderful traveling experience for the guests. 6. Conclusive – should be decisive in all aspects of the tour taking into consideration the authority given to him/her. − Should be firm in deciding matters that may affect the tour such as choosing which stopovers best fit the itinerary. 7. Confident – should be self-assured & poised when giving information to the guests. − His/her self-confidence assures the tourists of his/her reliability. 8. Considerate – should be aware of his/her client’s feelings or moods & consider them prudently. − Should be aware of the physical & emotional states of the tourists to better adapt to the situation. 9. Dedicated – should be devoted to his/her profession. − To become successful, should view tour guiding as passion rather than a mere money-earning occupation. 10. Dependable – should always be professional so that he/she can be guaranteed of continuous employment or future guiding opportunities. 11. Dynamic – should always be open to & ready for sudden changes. − Should be well-updated to give more accurate information to the guests. 12. Friendly – being sociable & congenial reflects the total personality of a tour guide. − Should show his/her clients what the local culture is really about. 13. Modest – one of the most important qualities of a tour guide is HUMILITY. − He/she will win the admiration/approval of all his/her guests. 14. Motivated – always motivates his/her guests. − If a negative issue arises, he/she should at least look into it with a positive perspective and try to explain it to the tourists. 15. Polite – should be courteous & respectful in every dealing, not only to his/her guests but also to the travel agency or organization to which he/she is affiliated. 16. Prompt – should be punctual during tours. − This will enable him/her to foresee any possible problems that may occur while on tour, thus he/she will have ample time to solve them.