Tour Guiding - Itinerary Planning PDF

TOUR GUIDING ============ ITINERARY PLANNING ------------------ **Itinerary** - An itinerary is a planned route or journey that includes the program or movements of the guests as they embark on a tour. It also includes the specified time, schedule of activities, places of interests to be visited,...

TOUR GUIDING ============ ITINERARY PLANNING ------------------ **Itinerary** - An itinerary is a planned route or journey that includes the program or movements of the guests as they embark on a tour. It also includes the specified time, schedule of activities, places of interests to be visited, and all other requirements and requests agreed upon by the guests and the tour operator. TYPES OF ITINERARY ================== 1. **Skeletal** - A proposed, preliminary itinerary. 2. **Technical** - An itinerary that specifies the details like scheduled transportation, arrival/departure times, duration of sightseeing, travel time, type of accommodation and the like. 3. **Descriptive** - Includes a description of the planned activities and destinations visited. PLANNING AN ITINERARY ===================== When planning an itinerary the following will assist in development of a package that is suitable to the client: 1. **Client Profile** - The market variables come into play here. The more info. On hand, the better. 2. **Destinations requested or proposed -** The market variables are matched with the destination characteristics in order to suit the product market. 3. **Duration -** The market variable plays an important role here, as it has to suit the client\'s profile. 4. **Category of Accommodations -** Like the duration, the type of accommodations depends on the client\'s profile. 5. **Meal Plan -** This is usually based on what is convenient at the destination, and in line with the sightseeing tour and activities included in the package. 6. **Sightseeing or activities requested or suggested -** This will depend on the destination characteristics, sites and sights and activities. 7. **Mode and class of transportation -** totally dependent on the destination\'s accessibility and client\'s convenience. 8. **Ancillary services -** When needed, these items will have to be included in the costs. 9. **Guide and/ tour escort services -** Always pro rated when included, it will depend of the client\'s needs. 10. **Number of Free of Charge (FOC) allowed or required -** Subject to availability from suppliers and entitlement based on number of participants. The present from suppliers and entitlement based on the number of participants. The present industry practice is one FOC for every (15) fifteen full paying participants. TOUR COSTING ============ Costing refers to the process of determining the actual cost of a tour package by detailing the various components of the package, and attaching a specific cost represented by the concentrated rate to each, according to the costing methods. NOTES ON TOUR COSTING ===================== Transportation - is the cost by air, sea and land, to and from a point of origin to a destination, or destination and back to the point of origin. (Note) There is a standard rate for all \"Land Tourist Transport Facilities\" issued by Philippine Association of Tourist Transport Operators (PATTO). **Transfers refer -** to the cost of transportation to and from a destination\'s gateway such as airport or bus station to the place of lodging and vice versa. **Tours or sightseeing tours -** are the total cost of transportation within the destination to sights and sites of interest, tour guide\'s services, entrance fees, cost of entertainment or activities and sometimes, the cost of snacks and meals. **Hotel or resort accommodations -** refer to the cost of the lodging, depending on the number of persons occupying a room, and the cost of meals served within the lodging establishment. **Tour escort -** refers to the cost incurred in the accommodations, meals and some transportation components of the individual who travels with the client from the point of origin and back. ***NOTE:*** This cost does not normally include the tour escort\'s per diem or salary. **Type of Tour** - What exactly is the type of tour you are conducting today? Is it a day tour, half-day tour? Just a running tour, or some walk about tours are included? Tours normally are customized, otherwise it is a regularly run tour, which is well specified and simple, normally availed by group tours. The number of participating tour guests and their composition is also considered. KNOWLEDGE OF THE DESTINATION ============================ This is the most basic and yet very important for a tour guide to possess prior to any tour to be conducted. Aside from what we usually know, from our students days like history and geography, there are a lot to learn to be able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of an effective tour guide. **Tour Package -** A package tour or package holiday comprises transport and accommodation advertised and sold together by a vendor known as a tour operator. Other services may be provided such a rental car, activities or outings during the holiday. It is a combination of two or more components of a tour. INCLUSIONS OF THE TOUR PACKAGE ============================== A simple tour package is a combination of two or more components. It can be a combination of transportation (airfare) and accommodation or meals. Or it can be all meals, transportation, and accommodation only, minus the airfare. A tour guide must be aware of the inclusions (included) and exclusions (not included) of a tour. BASIC COMPONENTS OF TOUR PACKAGE ================================ - **Transportation -** by air, sea or land and from a point of origin to a destination, or destinations and back to the point of origin. - **Transfer -** refers to transportation to and from a destination\'s gateways such as an airport, pier or bus station to the place of lodging, and vice-versa. - **Tours or sightseeing Tours -** are a combination of transportation within - Hotel or Resort Accommodations ============================== - **Tour Escort -** An individual who travels within the clients from point of origin and back, and acts as the manager of the tour group. Also a Tour leader. DIFFERENT LABELS OF A TOUR PACKAGE ================================== - Ground Arrangement Package - a tour and transfers are the only inclusions of the package. - Land Arrangement Package - a tour that includes transfers and hotel accommodation with some meals. - Inclusive Tour - a tour with transfers, hotel accommodation and some meals, plus transportation to and from the destination. - Inclusive Escorted Tour Package - if all components are included, including a tour escort. RECONFIRMATION/FLIGHT RESERVATIONS ================================== There is no excuse for a tour guide not to know something about flights of the guests. Reservation and reconfirmation of flights are part of the service that we are expected to know. Here, the skills of learning the phonetic alphabet is required that includes knowing the codes of the airline, airport, city and currency of the different countries of the world. SELLING OTHER DESTINATIONS ========================== Tour guides are very good sales and marketing persons. Effectively they can describe and give complete information about the place, having been there many times. Their capability to sell destinations, coupled with the excellent descriptions with photographic memories, will enable guests to be interested and even book for another place to visit, during or in their next vacation. ENTERTAINMENT ============= Nowadays, guests are presented with many kinds of entertainment. With modern technology, the guests are entertained with not only few, as before, types of spending their time in the place visited. Aside from the usual nightlife entertainment in the cities, going to the casinos is also becoming popular. With the advent of big entertainment \"cities\", or \"inclusive resorts\", entertainment became very interesting now, not only for a bachelor, couple, honeymooners, but also there are several entertainment hubs that cater to families. OTHER CONCERNS ============== This means ALL OTHER CONCERNS that may arise from the tour should be part of the tour guide\'s scope of work. Aside from the informational duty of a tour guide, providing service beyond the call of duty is already a given role of a tour guide. Over and above the usual responsibilities expected, a tour guide does many other things including being care giver, first aid giver, an errand person, a porter and many exciting but challenging roles. INTRODUCTION OF TOUR GUIDING ESSENTIALS ======================================= Tour Guiding from the Heart --------------------------- Tour guiding is continuous learning; it requires a lot of reading to supplement the things or information that you have learned along the way in your guiding years. The knowledge that school, plus the things that you have learned from each guiding assignment you had, and the countless awareness, observations, personal encounters with your guests will definitely shape your psychological aptitude toward the changing behaviors of your tourists. All these become your stock knowledge, your ***\"weapon\"*** as you face the \"battle\" during the conduct of the tour. The knowledge of the destination, although very important as well, is the basic weapon to be able to give your spiel at its best form. A tour guide is usually known as a \"walking encyclopedia\" given that personality to know and be able to answer most, if not all of the questions from the guests. There are also gaps or shortcomings along the way in terms of information, the completeness and veracity of the facts that the tour guide is sharing with the guests. To bridge these gaps, here are interventions that can be considered by: ======================================================================= - Reading books, articles related to tourism - What\'s up? What is happening around, local and foreign news updates. - Reviewing what you already know, there might be some new - Knowing environmental, political, socio-cultural and other local issues which is directly or indirectly connected with Tourism - Attending lectures, seminars, fora, conventions, congress, informal classes - Listening to the experts, talking, interviewing both professionals and common people who has the respect and ability to share their own expertise. - Pursuing a graduate degree, or another post graduate courses - Entering the teaching profession - Mentoring, coaching learners - Regularly updating oneself as part of personal commitment to level up informational capacity the most challenging tourists are your own (people), there are times while conducting tours, you get distracted by the questions being asked by your fellow ***\"kababayan\".*** It is in this line of thought that the importance of learning the different cultures of your guests is an advantage, to be able to handle them effectively. - USA - AMERICAN ============== 1. Want a friendly, fun & relaxing destinations 2. Travellers are getting younger & more active: Caving, Wildlife, & Dive 3. Not willing to sacrifice quality for a good deal 4. Prefers: a. Luxury beach resorts, natural landscapes b. Shopping c. History and culture d. Safe, clean convenient destinations 5. Influencers/Information sources: TV, internet, and travel agents 6. Others: Dental/Medical & Humanitarian and medical missions MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Safety and security 2. Cleanliness 3. Airport formalities (Customs/Immigration) 4. Lack of road signage 5. Traffic - JAPANESE ======== 1. Japan is expected to lead luxury market boom in 2016. 2. Travelers in their 49\'s are top shoppers. 3. Resort weddings are getting popular. 4. Six in 10 married women yearn to return to honeymoon destination. 5. Influencers: Technology in making travel decision/ arrangements (booking via mobile phones, blogging, podcasting, etc.); Movies, TV dramas help spur travel demand 6. Prefers: beach holidays; historical and cultural sites; some sightseeing: world heritage sites are gaining attention; travel outside peak seasons are Preferred. MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Security & safety 2. Language/communication barriers - CHINESE ======= 1. Prefers: beach resorts and the sea (but not necessarily swimming); beautiful scenery; Chinese food; learn about culture and history a. Relatively well-informed about their chosen holiday destinations b. Price-sensitive market but willing to spend a lot in the destination 2. Love to shop (international brands) 3. Majority of them are just starting to travel abroad or, if have traveled, have visited nearby southeast Asian countries. MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Security and safety 2. Language/communication barriers 3. Being cheated ergilin 4. Running out of cash 5. High Cost 6. Lack of family activities - TAIWANESE ========= 1. Preferences: Uni-destination (or point-to-point) trips; fresh and good tasting food served buffet or family style 2. Usually travel in groups need for Mandarin-speaking guides to avoid miscommunication 3. Seek flexibility in their requests 4. Cost of tour packages from other Asian countries is getting lower. 5. Increase in special interest travel: more consumers want value for money; appreciate good service standards 6. Prioritizes savings against unnecessary costs while on tour some complain because of too much shopping. MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Security and safety 2. Negative publicity about the Philippines - AUSTRALIAN ========== 1. Information sources or influencers: TV/ print/ radio features 2. Preferences: Individual travel; look for nature and local cultural 3. experience; go for medical/wellness, cruises, new destinations Shop for \'Bargain\' and \'High End\' goods 4. Tipping not in their culture 5. Appreciate good service MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Security and safety 2. Negative publicity about the Philippines 3. Limited direct access to the Philippines - SINGAPOREAN =========== 1. Necessity for Singaporeans, break from daily work and study routines a. \"Cash Rich but Time Poor\" b. Values time & strictly adhere to the itinerary c. Mix of high-end & bargain shopping is important 2. High number of travelers during the Lunar New Year 3. Assertive with their preference 4. Security conscious Information source: internet 6. For long haul destinations, Europe and US are still immensely popular. 7. Preference: economical short haul destinations; price-sensitive but always looking for quality destinations; beach resort destinations (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and China favored destinations, proximity) MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Security & safety 2. Negative publicity about the Philippines - CANADIAN ======== 1. Travellers are younger, more active vacations. 2. Demand safety, cleanliness, convenient infrastructure, and communication in English. 3. Preference: white beaches, deluxe resorts, history & culture, friendly, fun & relaxing holiday vacation. 4. Prefer to travel alone or with spouse & stay with friends/ relatives. MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Safety & security 2. Cleanliness 3. Airport formalities (Customs/Immigration) 4. Lack of road signage - HONG KONG CHINESE ================= 1. Travel independently, average of 3x a year 2. Appreciate flexibility in their requests 3. Need for Mandarin-speaking guides to avoid miscommunication 4. Information source: word of mouth & visitor comments via internet - travel forum, Facebook & blogs a. Book online or travel agent; short lead time to plan & decide (3-4 weeks before departure) b. Value for money packages is the top concern in selecting destination and activities 5. Preferences: Fresh and good tasting food in buffet or family style serving; seek good service standards, assertive with their preferences MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Security & safety 2. Negative publicity about the Philippines - UNITED KINGDOM ============== 1. 2nd largest outbound market worldwide. 2. Big spenders on holidays abroad 3. Go to destinations in Europe but SEA share is growing 4. Awareness of the Philippines is high. 5. Travel in summer and Christmas 6. Most travel as FITs with a partner 7. Preferences: hotels, fun, beaches and nature 8. Information sources: brochures, web, friends, and colleagues. MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Security and Safety 2. EU ban, blacklisting Philippines as one of the countries deemed to have unsafe aviation 3. Accessibility to destinations and facilities like hospitals 4. Value for money 5. Traffic and pollution - RUSSIAN ======= 1. Adventurous, active, sociable, look for new experiences, and entertainment, flexibility & fun 2. Preferences: spas, sports facilities, culinary delights 3. Russians book very late. a. 80% of holidays are sold in the last four weeks before departure. b. 72% of Russian tourists pay for their holiday in cash. c. Extravagant Spenders- Expect 24 hours service 4. Education Tourism - go abroad to learn foreign languages & skills MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Direct flights and direct access to beach destinations 2. Language barrier 3. Quality of services/products delivered vs. advertised 4. Delays in confirmation due to last minute bookings. - INDIAN ====== 1. International travel 2nd highest desire 2. Likes to combine at least 2 countries 3. Speak very accented English 4. Average stay per foreign trip from 1-3 weeks 5. Very price-sensitive, price negotiation important part of buying process 6. Loves shopping and go for shopping in cheap places or flea markets 7. Very meticulous with food - chilies and curries, no beef 8. Average age of travelers in their 40\'s 9. Consider Philippines value for money 10. Tipping is on case-to-case basis. 11. Very safety conscious MAJOR CONCERNS ============== 1. Price 2. Food 3. Ease in travel: distance, visa, language, activities for children - MIDDLE EAST =========== 1. world\'s highest spending traveler 2. Long vacations 1 - 2x/yr. 3 weeks 3. Lange family groups of 10-15 4. Preferences beaches, spas, shopping oty life, entertainment and sightseeing tourism 5. S Inniencers. Word-of-mouth, Women, Internet Halal food of accommodation with cooking facilities 6. Very safety conscious OTHER REGIONS: TOURIST CHARACTERISTICS ====================================== - **THAILAND** 1. Speak little English 2. Travel on multi-destination package tours Their main dish is chilies and spicy food, no beef 4 Tipping is pre-oriented 2 Travelers are in their 50's - CENTRAL ASIA AND CHINA ====================== 1\. Travel in package tours with regular hotel standards but expect amenities in 3-star note rooms like what they have back home Count every centavo Speak very attle English 4. Very meticulous with Chinese food 5. Average age of travelers in their 50 Tipping is pre-oriented. Consider Philippines value for money 8. Love Fribppine seafood 9. Very safety-conscious 10. Time and health conscious 11. Usually have local Chinese contacts or associations for thail activities - MALAYSIAN AND INDONESIAN ======================== 1. Love to travel on package tours ethnic Chinese 2. Speak English 3. Love chillies and spicy foods - no pork 4. Up to 6 days program 5. Average age of travelers in their 40's 6. Know how to bip 7. Consider Philippines value for money 8. Love Prilippine seafood 9. Very safety-conscious 10. Time and health conscious. 11. Go shopping in big department stores 12. Buys lots of Philippine delicacies and specialties EUROPE ====== - **BRITISH** 1. Travel on package tours with high hotel standards 2. Count every centavo 3. Up to 13 days program 4. Average due of travelers in their 50 5. Know how to tip 6. Consider Philippines\' value for money 7. Love Prilippine seafood 8. Very satchy conscious 9. Go for beach holidays and love the sun 10. Lager drinkers 1t. Quite eccentric, love to play with words in speaking - FRENCH ====== 1\. Travel on package tours with hich hotel standards 2 Up to 15 days program 3. Nationalistic - speak French even if they know how to speak in English 4. Average age of travelers in their 40\'s 5. Know how to tip 6. Consider Philippines value for money 7. Love Philippines fresh seafood 8. Time and health conscious 9. Go for beach holidays and love the sun very much 30\. Gastronomes 10. Wine should always be available for their meals PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CULTURAL TIPS FOR TOUR GUIDES ========================================================== 1. Travel on package tours 2. Know very little English 3. Want to do what the locals do 4. Up to 3 weeks tour program 5. Average age of travelers in their 50s 6. Know how to tip 7. Make sure everything mentioned in the brochure is included the tour 8. Consider Philippines value for money Love Philippine beer and more meat than seafood. 10. Very conscious about time 11. Go for more cultural aspect of the tour ITALIAN ======= 1. Travel on package tour 2. Knows little English 3. Wants to do what the locals do 4. Up too weeks tour program 5. Average age of travelers in their Surs 6. Knows to tip 7. Consider Philippines value for money 8. Very conscious about die 9. sun lovers 10. Go for more cultural aspect of the tour 11. Make sure to include every detail of a tour as per itinerary  EAST EUROPE ================================= 1.Filthy rich, can afford to travel 2 Very particular about their shopping 3. Like most Germans - beer is their water 4. Very conscious about time 5. Speak little English AFRICA ====== 1. Trasel individually 2. Stav in pension houses or 3 -star hotel 3. Very daring (safety is a priority) 4. Very particular about the food they eat 5. Tip a not part el the culture 6. Haggle for cheapest discount on option tours 7. Always looking for bargain NORMAMERICA =========== 1. Move senior traveler 2. Travel on package tool 3. More repeaters than first timer 4. Love war memorial tours 5. preder continental food (McDonalds dinere) or classy food 7\. Tipping is 10-15% as practiced 8, Considers Philippines value for money 9.love Philippine seatood 10, Very conscious about safety , 11 Time and health conscious 12. Lock for the amenities at home (hot & cold shower, air, conditioned room, no posts of traccs)  SOUTH AMERICAN ==================================== 1. more travelers are couple 2 Travel on package tour 3. More first timer travelers 4. Speak Spanish or Portuguese 5. Want meat as main course 6. 4 to 5 days tour program 7. Average age of travelers in their 50s 8. tipping is part of their culture 9. Conder Ippines\" value for money 10. Very coocus about safety 11. Time and health conscious CENTRAL AMERICA =============== 1. More couple travelers 2,fraves on package four 3\. More first timers 4 Speak Spanish or Portuguese 5. Want meat as their main course 6. Average age of travelers in their early 50» 7. Tipping is part of their culture & Consider Philippine value for money 9\. Very conscious about safety 10\. Not very much time conscious OCEANIA ======= 1\. Travel individually 2 Like to do what the locals do tips are given based on service rendered 3. Beer drinkers 4. Consider Philippines value for money 5. Shops for essential goods &e very few handicrafts 6. Good, clean bed is expected.  PACIFIC ISLANDERS ======================================= 1. Look very much like Filipinos 2. Go for cosmopolitan lifestyle 3. Island-type cuisine will do (fish and coconut) 4. Shops for essential goods - go for big malls, department stores 5. Look for value-for-money room accommodation FILIPINO ======== 1. Tipping is part of the culture. 2. Easy to relate with 3. Happy- go- lucky 4. Fun lovers 5. Go for good accommodation, budget, low-end 6. Love good food 7. Music lover 8. Afraid of getting tanned 9. Love to be pampered 10. Love to buy bargains 11. Speak English 12. Smiling and happy people