Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism Tour Guide Module Historical back ground - The world’s oldest profession - Goes back to Greek and Roman times - According to Cohen all guide can be traced to one of two: Pathfinders and mentors - Pathfinders = Geographical guides - Mentors = personal or spiritual leader - Latter battle field guides were found - Interpretation and national parks services Who is the tour guide? • The one who conducts tours at a site, city or region, interprets a particular place and often therefore does not travel. • For many the tour guide job is the dream job • Guides are the orphans of the travel industry • Usually they operate independently Freelancers • Seasonal or part time work imposes limitations on the amount of work and income Types of guides 1) The tour guide could be : local guide, city guide, community guide ( self employed and market themselves, many regard themselves as educators 2) Urban guides: Tell the story of the region 3) Government guides: show government guests points of interest 4) Business and industry guides: the case of Hebron and China 5) Driver guides: who guide and drive 6) Adventure guide: mountain guides, bicycle guide, Fishing guide ….etc. 7) Tour leaders or managers 8) Interpreters : the art of explanation 9) Volunteer guides: parks, churches, museum , or historical places The Tourism Industry • Tourism is the sum of activities concerned with providing and marketing services and facilities for pleasure travel • The composite of organizations both public and private that are involved in the development production and marketing of products and services to serve the needs of the travelers. • it is considered as an awaking giant • It doesn’t exist on its own • The development is parallel to transportation and communication • Gee and Makens have developed the instructive model which describes the travel components and relate them together and they are: • Linking concept: those who are directly involved in providing the service • Support services: direct or indirect • Tourism development Types of Tours • A Package tour, what does it involve? • • • • • • • • Independent tour A hosted tour Escorted tour Custom tour Convention tour Incentive tour Fixed departure tour Fam. trip The traveler According to a classification done in 1977the travelers could be: - Explorers - Elite travelers - Off beat tourist - Unusual tourist - Incipient mass tourist - Mass tourist - Charter tours Travelers could be: - groups, like students Business travelers Incentive traveler Family Senior people Clubs Public tour groups Church members Why do people travel ? • The hierarchy of needs • Education, companionship, adventure, elements that satisfy the needs of acceptance and self esteem • Lloyd mentioned the reasons of travel as: health, curiosity, sport, pleasure, spiritual or religious reasons, professional, business, visit friends or relatives, to explore ones roots Interpretation of the role of the guide • To understand the role of the guide Pond 1990 did ask some questions in a survey they are: 1) why do people hire guides? 2) What is the guide’s primary role? 3) What are the important personal characteristics ? 4) To whom are the guides most responsible? To themselves, the site, their employer, the region, or the tourist? Cohen’s components • The instructional component • The social component • Interactional component • The communicative component Tilden’s principles • Any interpretation that does not relate to the personality or experience of the visitor will be sterile • Information is not interpretation but all interpretations include information • Interpretation is an art • The aim of interpretation is not instruction but provocation • Interpretation aims to provide the whole Tilden’s Role of the guide • The leader • The educator • Public relations officer • The host • The conduit The guide’s characteristics • A broad based knowledge about the region is fundamental • Lifelong learning • Enthusiasm • Sensitivity to people, their needs, their believes, feelings,….etc • Ability to interpret by painting mental images rather than give information, inspire people to learn • Flexibility • Pride in serving others Highly Desirable Traits • Enthusiasm • Self confidence • Sensitivity • • • • • *An out going nature *A provocative nature *Flexibility Authenticity *A pleasant appearance Sense of humor *Knowledge Good communication skills Decisiveness *Good health Personal integrity *charisma How to Become a Guide? • • • • • • • Get inspired Visit a certified school for tour guides Study diligently Pass the ministry’s test Apply for a company Educate yourself in the area of work Consider your personality Albrecht’s seven sins of service • • • • • • • Treating customers with apathy Brushing off customers Being too cold to customers Treating customers with disapproval Working like a Robot Getting hung on the rule book Giving the customers the run around Presentation & Speaking Skills • Guides are essentially public speakers • People are attracted to speakers who are enthusiastic, natural, comfortable • You have to overcome fear to speaking to an audience by: • Practice with time • Shift from self to audience conscience, put your self in their shoes • Share the subject with the group • Body language • • • • • • • Posture Eye contact Voice Pitch Resonance and volume Vocal variety Intonation • • • • • • Articulation Vocabulary Grammar Pronunciation Rate of speech Recognizing and over coming annoying habits • Microphone technique Creating Memorable Interpretations • Passion for the site or subject • Passion for people • Enhancement of the relationship between site and experience, touch them • Emphasis of interpretation over information • Willingness to be personal & Authentic • The ability to tell a story • Ability to ask questions • • • • • • Ability to relate the parts to the whole Profiting from humor Using clear & colorful language Knowing where and when to be silent Knowing when to stop Commitment to learning Ethics of Guiding • The standards of behavior that are suitable and agreeable to all • Towards other guides: • 1- treat other’s as you would wish to be treated and do not gossip • 2- be mindful of other groups or guides waiting in the site • 3- share meaningful information • 4- become active in related associations • Towards the driver: • Allow time before the tour • Present the driver to the group and the importance of his role • Keep him informed • Invite the driver to eat with the group • Discuss your disagreements in private • Thank the driver for a job well done • Towards the traveler: • 1- treat all members with equal time attention and quality • 2- attempt to give as accurate & interesting interpretations • 3- attempt to be objective & diplomatic as possible • 4- keep traveler comfortable and safe • 5- never regard a region’s customs as weird • 6- the guide should never ask for tips
