TM-6362 PROFESSIONAL ELECTIVE 3 - TOUR GUIDING

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The Meaning and Classification of Tour Guide

Module 002: The Meaning and Classification of

Tour Guide

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Define and identify tour guide
2. Classify the types of tour guide
3. Explain the significance of tour guide

Tour Guide
The role of tour operator and travel agent is significant as they are expected to
contribute so much for achieving this target of the UNWTO. As such, tour

Course Module
Classification of Tour Guide
a. Heritage
 History – one who gives information of the past, moreover found at palaces,
forts, museums, battlefields, tombs/Mausoleums, temples, churches etc.
 Archeological – one who gives information on the ancient civilizations and the
bygone era, found at museums and archeological sites like the Giza Pyramids,
Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro, Nalanda University, Machu Picchu, etc.
 Architecture Guide – One who gives information of the art and construction
strategy of the monuments and masterpieces from the past found especially
outside temples, palaces, tombs/mausolems, towers, etc.
b. Culture Guide – one who gives information on the lifestyle patter on the native society
of that particular tourists destination.
 Cuisine Guide – one who gives information on the agriculture, cultivation, and
staple diet of a place, delicacies of that region and where to eat what and when.
He/she takes the guests around the city making them taste specialties prepared
at different food shops, chocolate factory, cheese factory, vineyards, orchards
and etc.
 Religious Guide/Temple Guide/Pilgrim Guide – one who gives information on
the religion, gods, mythology, traditions, rituals, etc., such guides are hired
especially during festival times they are found at temples and other shrines.
c. Adventure Guide – an adventure tour guide is a trained person hired to guide travelers
through designated areas while on adventure vacation. These guides may work
independently or as part of a tour guide company. The job of an adventure tour guide
entails working with small groups of like-minded travelers. Group tours may be
scheduled for singles, couples or families.
d. On-site attraction Guides – These tour guides are specific to one (or limited number) of
venues, attractions. Parks, gardens or destinations. On-site guides are responsible to
meet and greet tourists on arrival, also manage tourists and visitors while they are on-
site. Being an on-site attraction guide requires you to have an extremely detailed
knowledge of the site you are working on. This is essential as you may need to conduct
demonstrations relevant to the site/type of attraction. You are also expected to promote
sales within the site/attraction.
e. City Guides – specialize in leading tours of one or more cities. They may conduct: city
walks, bicycle tours, ‘hop on hop off’ tours using public transport, etc. City guides often
work closely with councils, tourism bodies (including semi-government authorities)
and local business.
f. Government Guides – are employed by government or government-funded bodies or
agencies. These tour guides are employed by the government – but may not be
obviously designated (to visitors/tourists) as government employees. Government
guides need to comply with pre-requisite compliance requirements – which often
relates to minimum requirements for experience as well as holding designated
qualifications and/or a local tour license/permit. They are often to communicate
prescribed information to visitor – as [art of the government effort to impart knowledge
and/or promote a certain point of view or initiative. As a government guide, you may be
required to lead tours of government buildings and other government-owned and
managed destinations, also to conduct tours of general areas, cities and other attraction.
 TM-6362 PROFESSIONAL ELECTIVE 3 - TOUR GUIDING
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The Meaning and Classification of Tour Guide

g. Specialized Guides – these tour guides specialized on one or more type of tours – such
as, for example: action and adventure tours, historic tours, culture tours, eco-tourism
and nature. Specialized guides must have extensive knowledge of the areas they are
specializing in and sound skills relating to the activities which are the focus of their
tours. Specialized guides often operate as other guide types – in addition to their chosen
specialization. They may be classified as such by local regulations.
h. Independent Guide – an independent guide is self-employed. They may also work for
tour operators, government agencies or attractions or destinations on a contractual
basis – in any tour guide capacity. Independent guides may need to be registered by
local authorities in order to function in this capacity. Beside, these guides may need to
ensure they meet local compliance obligations imposed by law/the authorities – which
may relate to:
 Advertising and promotion
 Conduct and ethical practices – including complaint resolution
 Insurance coverage
i. Business and Industry Guides – these tourist guides are “Specialized Guides” who
focuses on leading tours to nominated business houses and specific industry types or
sectors. They may be self-employed or employed by the business/industries they serve.
Business and industry guides can operate (wholly or partially) on a commission basis –
based on the sales made to visitors/tour groups while they are at individual
establishments.
j. Duration-based Guides – duration based guides may be one-day tour guides (leading
tours of generally six to twelve hours duration) or extended tour guides (conducting
multiple day tours). They may be required to drive a vehicle or may work in conjunction
with a dedicated driver. Sometimes they also required to cook/prepare meals – or may
work with a dedicated cook. Duration-based guides can be a generalist tour guide, with
general knowledge about an area and/or a range of topics, or a specialized tourist guide.
These guides will need exceptional levels of interpersonal and communication skills –
given the length and nature of the contact they have with visitors. Being a duration-
based guide requires you to monitor group dynamics more than other types of tour
guides given longer duration of tours and the greater potential for problems to arise.
k. Driver Guide – a driver guide may be classification of tour guide as identified above –
who combine their other tour guide duties with driving a vehicle. They often need ot
hold a nominated type of driving license as appropriate to the type of vehicle being
driven 0 which may be a car, a van with limited passenger capacity, a four-wheel drive
vehicle, a bus or coach. Driver guides will often need to have specialist driving training
and nominated experience/ability with vehicle maintenance and repairs.

References and Supplementary Materials

Online Supplementary Reading Materials
1. wiseGEEK: What is an adventure tour guide?; m.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-adventure-
tour-guide.htm; February 10, 2020
2. Guides and Types; oer.nios.ac.in/wiki/index.php/Guides_and_Types; February 10,
2020
Course Module
3. Work as a tour guide; https://www.ajar.id/en/post/8-types-of-tour-guides; February
10, 2020