Tour Guiding PDF

Tour Guiding Entertainment and Recreation – not everyone is born a comedian, but a tour guide should at least possess a sense of humor, and the wit and energy to entertain guests. 1. It is not about Knowledge – being a tour guide does not necessarily mean being a historian 100%, but rather includes...

Tour Guiding Entertainment and Recreation – not everyone is born a comedian, but a tour guide should at least possess a sense of humor, and the wit and energy to entertain guests. 1. It is not about Knowledge – being a tour guide does not necessarily mean being a historian 100%, but rather includes elements of being an entertainer. − You definitely shall know the history and stories of the city you are representing; however, you should also be able to deliver it in an engaging and entertaining way. − Remember the guests are here to have fun and explore, not being lectured. 2. Know what you are Talking About – as already mentioned it is essential to know the history and the stories of the city you are representing in any tour you do. − You may also be going beyond a general history tour and focusing on a specific interest, such as ghost and paranormal tour, running tour, art tour, architecture tour, a music tour and etc. − In this case, make sure you hold deeper understanding and knowledge about the topic and have necessary credentials. − If you are doing an art tour, make sure you have a broader knowledge of art in general and you can relate it back to the history, city and culture. 3. Be Prepared and Spontaneous – not all tours will go smoothly, be prepared. − If you are doing an activity-based tour, make sure to take a first aid pack with you and essential maintenance tools just in case. − Always have a headache pill with you and a bottle of water in case your guests feel a bit down. − If your guests show up late, if there are sudden changes in the tour route be prepared to adapt. 4. Have all Necessary Licenses – depending on the city, you may require a license to be a tour guide. − If you are planning on becoming a driver guide, make sure you have the correct license as well. − For any kind of activity make sure you have licenses and necessary insurance covers, which are more prominent for high-risk activities such as cycling tour, mountain hiking and etc. 5. Be Natural – as every entertainer in the public, you need to have your style and tweak. − However, it shall not be forced, thus be natural and comfortable as you are. − The guests’ feedback will help you to find your path over time. 6. Be Understanding – you are a professional and you should act within the interests of your business. − You should make sure your cancellation policies; invoice terms and other principals are set and on the place. This will save you from potential inconsistencies and your services will be much more valuable. − However, you will need to have room for flexibility. − If a customer got sick, got into an accident, have got cancelled flight or had to cancel/postpone the tour for uncontrollable reasons, be understanding. − They are already having a tough day and stressing a guest further will not help the situation. − Try to find a way which does not harm you but also works for the guest. 7. Never Stop Improving – remember the history is being written as you live, and your city is changing constantly. − Make sure you get your information and knowledge up to date while building your stories. − It is also important to get more information about the world events and history where you can relate the information you give to the guest. Developing yourself is not only the matter of knowledge. − Attend networking events and connect with other guides. − You may need to redirect your guests to other guides and likewise get customers from other guides. − Make sure you stay ahead of the industry news, be aware of upcoming big events in the city to plan the demand and promotions. 8. Learn the Marketing – you may love guiding and telling you stories, however, you need to find customers to tell your stories to. − You can use Social Media Channels, talk directly to hotels and TMCs in your city. Traveling – is fun if the tour guide is cheerful and humorous. − It is part of the tour guide’s duties to entertain tourists. Recreational Activities – are those activities that provide enjoyment as well as interaction among tourists. 3 Types of Recreational Activities 1. On Board Activities – are activities while on board (vehicle). − Usually, this type of activities is limited in terms of movement, time and resources. 2. Indoor Recreational Activities – are recreation, leisure, hobbies, creative, and productive pursuits that can be performed inside a property/facility/building. − These activities offer a safe, convenient, and comfortable alternative to outdoor activities, especially in cases where the weather conditions are unfavorable. 3. Outdoor Recreational Activities – refers to any activity that takes place outdoors and involves physical activity, such as hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, skiing, and more. − Engaging in outdoor recreation is not only enjoyable, but it also offers a range of benefits for physical and mental health. − While outdoor recreation can offer many benefits, it is not without its risks and challenges. − Participating in outdoor activities requires careful consideration of potential hazards and the appropriate precautions to take to minimize those risks.  What the Guide should Bring ✓ Daily report form ✓ Tour itinerary ✓ Map ✓ Confirmed booking/purchase order of tour operator to the supplier ✓ Vouchers ✓ Copy of the passengers e-ticket ✓ Tour evaluation form ✓ Lapel microphone ✓ Flags ✓ Stickers ✓ Mobile phone with extra battery ✓ Medical/First-aid kit ✓ Address book/contact numbers of tour operator, tour suppliers, and guests ✓ Umbrella ✓ Plastic bags Writing Script ✓ Compose your thoughts and make an outline, especially for the first and last part of the script. ✓ Make better scripts by thinking of activities that would make the tourists remember the information given to them. ✓ Do not overdo your script. ✓ If you feel like telling stories about a place, you make it very short and easy to remember. ✓ Review or revise your script after writing it. Some Things to Remember ✓ Make sure all guests are informed of the obligatory reminders during tours. ✓ Always check on the passengers. ✓ Whenever the need to spend something for the tour arises, always ask for an official receipt and reimburse/liquidate the expense with the tour operator. ✓ During overnight tours, inform the guests that there will be wake-up calls by either you or the front officer. ✓ Before the start of the tour, remind the guests to take medications if they get dizzy easily. ✓ Take extra care in assisting younger guests and clients with physical disabilities. ✓ Introduce a place completely. Itinerary – is a document which states the scheduled activities, time of departure/arrival of guests, places to be visited, accommodations/ arrangements, and other bits of information related to the tour.  3 Types of Itineraries 1. Skeletal Itinerary – includes framework of a proposed preliminary schedule of activities for the guests. − It does not give detailed information to the guests. 2. Technical Itinerary – is commonly used in tours since it denotes specific details including pick up time by the transportation, estimated arrival and departure schedules duration of sightseeing, land travel time, and type of accommodation for the guests. 3. Detailed or Descriptive Itinerary – provides a description of the planned activities and destinations to be visited. − Provides narrative of the planned activities and destinations visited. − It is produced by marketing purposes. Notes to Consider ✓ The tour guides should follow what is specified in the itinerary. ✓ If there is any change in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstances, he/she should inform the tour operator/travel agency, and immediately fill in the vacant time or replace the activity of the guests. ✓ He/She should courteously inform the guests of the replacement activity. ✓ He/She must make sure that the replacement activity does not hamper the tour schedule. Tour Guide Requirements ✓ Attend the seminar conducted by the DOT ✓ Have finished at least two years of college education ✓ Be able to speak at least one foreign language fluently other than English ✓ Submit a photocopy of his/her diploma or transcript of records ✓ Submitone2x2 colored ID picture ✓ Pay the required fees ✓ Complete the compulsory actual training with other tour partners of the DOT The Tour Proper 1. Before the Tour – travel agent should inform tour guide of all the pertinent details about tour. − He/She must make sure that the tour guide gets information about the following: 1. Itinerary of the Guests 2. Pick-up and Drop-off Points of the Guests 3. Guests’ Profile 4. Tour Inclusions 5. Suppliers Contingency Fee – a tour guide is given a budget by the travel agency. Tour Guide – is usually briefed personally by the travel agency or tour company in a meeting called for that purpose. 1. Get the contact numbers of the guests, travel agent, and suppliers, especially the driver of the vehicle to be used. 2. Have a copy of the agent’s and supplier’s contracts such as confirmation, booking orders and the like. 3. The tour guide should review the contracts of both agency and the tour suppliers to familiarize himself/herself with the inclusions being finalized about the tour. 4. The tour guide should research on all the unfamiliar places to be visited. 5. The tourist guide should have general information of the stopovers. 2. On Tour – 1. Preparing for the Tour – come early. − It is strongly recommended that the tour guide build rapport with the tour’s coach captain by: ✓ Introducing himself/herself properly to the coach captain. ✓ Bearing in mind that it is the coach captain who controls the time of travel and the equipment in the coach. ✓ Discussing with the coach captain the best route to take which affords the best scenery and comfort of the travel. ✓ Preparing a welcome tarpaulin and posting/putting bus numbers on the coaches. ✓ Checking the equipment in the bus. ✓ Reporting problems regarding the equipment to the travel agency, tour coordinator or the supplier for possible solutions. ✓ Having the initiative and resourcefulness in finding a solution to a difficult problem. ✓ Discuss with the driver the best stopovers, as well as the important places to go in case of emergencies while traveling. ✓ Discuss with the coach captain the drop-off and pick-up points which are nearest and most convenient to guests. 2. Welcoming the Guest ✓ Beat the pick-up place or assembly area on time. ✓ Greet the guests ✓ Be casual and confident ✓ Be courteous and explain what is to be expected from the tour ✓ Take note of the requests and additional information that the guests want to know ✓ Escort the tourists to the coach when they are ready. ✓ Always stay ahead of the tourists. ✓ Always check if the guests have fastened their seat belts. 3. Travelling ✓ Request everyone to settle in and do a headcount to ensure that everyone is present. ✓ Say a prayer for a safe tour. ✓ Greet the guests again and introduce the coach captain. ✓ Always remind the guest of the DO’s and DON’T’s of the tour, the bus number, the rules and regulations in the places to be visited, during stopovers, in rest rooms, and the like. ✓ Remind the guests of the inclusions of the tour. Explain fully the items in the tour package. ✓ Exchange phone numbers with the guests. ✓ Announce/point at the significant spots that the tourist bus will pass by.  4. During Stopovers/Comfort Stops ✓ Remind the guests of the time allotted for a light snack or a rest room stop so they will not, in any way, hamper the scheduled tour. ✓ Before leaving the place, do another headcount to make sure that all the guests have returned to the bus. ✓ Search for any missing guests and courteously notify them about the group’s schedule. ✓ Provide the guests with information about the stopovers. Tell them the purpose of stopping by these places. ✓ Try to settle the guests first as you check the venue to avoid delays in the visit. ✓ Tell the tourists to bring their things with them and to take extra care of their valuables. ✓ Remind the guests of how long they can stay in the area. ✓ If applicable, advise them where the assembly area is. ✓ After the visit, assist the guests back to the bus and do a headcount. ✓ Interact with the guests. 5. Other Activities – remember that guiding is not all about giving information. − It is also a time for fun. 3. After the Tour – 1. With the Guests ✓ Thank guests, when the drop-off points are near, for being a part of the wonderful experience. ✓ Apologize for any shortcomings and see these in a positive light. ✓ Assists the guests with their baggage, if there any. ✓ Get feedback from the guests ✓ Assist the guests in getting off the coach and thank them again individually. ✓ Check the coach for any valuable belongings that may have been left by the guests. ✓ Let the tour operator know about any further request/s by the guests. 2. With the Coach Captains ✓ Thank the coach captain for the safe services. ✓ Check and sign the manifest/report if it bears accurate information such as number of guests, time of visit in each place, etc. 3. With the Travel Agency ✓ Report all incidents that transpired during the tour. ✓ Reimburse or liquidate any amount or costs that were spent during the tour. ✓ Thank the travel agency for the opportunity given to you. Gary Keller – “A life worth living might be measured in many ways, but the one way that stands above all others is living a life of no regrets.”